DS headbutting 20 months old

[Racheyg]

Hi all,
I have posted about this before but it has started to get worse.
My DS started to headbutt about 2 months ago, but recently it has got worse, he headbutts when doesnt get his own way, when he is angry and when he is excited. I dont really know how to control it, He headbutts only me and daddy but will headbutt any object that is in his sight when angry.

Do i try a "naughty" step? how has anyone else dealt with this? its so upsetting when he gets so angry and headbutts. He doesnt do this at Nursery.

I am pregnant with DS2 and due in May and kind of hoping to get this sorted soon xx

That must be so upsetting. might be a slightly odd question, but how is his speech? Could he be getting frustrated with not being able to express himself properly?

What kind if things is he getting angry at? Is there a particular trigger or is it when he's overtired or hungry?

His speech is non existent really the only words he knows are mum, dad, nan, yes and no. He is very vocal thou.

He normally headbuts when he doesn't get his own way, like going out in the garden when it's cold/raining he will then headbutt the door. Or if he gets excited when doing row row your boat he will headbutt my tummy.

I have tried everything to get him to talk......we read, sing nursery rhymes, listen to lots of music and I talk to him about the day ect like oh look at the red bus.....
I don't think it's his hearing as really watches what you do and will then copy you and he knows what you are talking about if you ask him for a certain book he will get it for you.

Any help advice is greatly received x

Ok, I'd tackle the speech first. Did you know that you can self refer to Speech and Language Therapy? He might be too young but at least it might help. Whilst you wait for the appointment, have a think about using signs with him, we did this with ours and it seemed to really help with their frustration.

I'd also talk to your HV, she can refer him for a hearing test. We did this with our dd when she had speech delay. If you know for certain that their hearing is ok you can concentrate on improving his speech.

Another thing you might want to do is to pick your battles, if he want to go into the garden and its raining, could you stick him in wellies and a rain suit and let him play?

Have you spoken to nursery too about how they deal with frustration, anger and over excitement?

Thanks for the advice. I will Book an appointment for hearing and check how to self refer for speech therapy.

I have no problem with letting him play outside but its the fact he can stay out there for hours :)

The nursery have not reported any problems with his anger and excitement, and when we asked about headbutting they said he does not do it there.

Could it be worth asking the nursery how they manage these thing though?

This is something my ds went through from about 14 months. It was constant, draining and sometimes scary but it was just a phase and as his speech improved the head butting became less frequent and it has pretty much stopped now (can't recall the last head butting incident)
I wouldn't put a 20 month old on the 'naughty step' he's just too young and would probably cause him more frustration, leading to more head butting.
I also really wouldn't worry about speech at 20 months, as long as he has hood understanding, a couple of words and is babbling away I'd just try to keep him safe where you can and just want the phase out.
Usually by the time you've learned to deal with one phase they're onto the next. My sympathy though it can be a nightmare.

Sorry that should say good understanding and wait the phase out! I really should check my writing before I post.

I dont get the chance to speak to the nursery directly as my oh drops him off and picks him up, but I will give them a call for tips on how to handle the tantrums ect :)

Glad about the step as I was worried about trying to implement it to be honest. Oh yes he has a very good understanding just has selective hearing :)
xx

Ours had a stage of biting when excited, but only at home with me, dh and the dog!

We just kept repeating 'no' and stopping the game when he bit someone. It didn't take long for him to stop.

Ds is fantastic at selective hearing too! I actually convinced myself he had autism or was deaf for a little while because he wasn't answering me that often! Boys!