Has anyone got any advice on my sensitive ds (4 years old)? I have a feeling something isn't quite right but I don't know what, whether it's worth seeing a doctor, what we can do to help him at home.
He's a lovely boy, generally very sensitive. Very in tune to others emotions e.g. watching the Grinch (the Benedict cumberbatch one) at Christmas, he was in tears because the Grinch didn't have any family or any presents when he was little.
Hates crowds, loud noises etc e.g. at a parade and fair we went to over the long weekend, he hated the parade, fingers in ears, snuggling his head into me, sitting in his little brother's pram with the hood right down as far as it goes. Doesn't mind hand dryers or hair dryers or hoover etc though so it's not loud noises in general.
Dislikes parties with entertainers, loud music etc, just wants to sit with me with his fingers in his ears. He's really excited to go to parties though and I hate to see him not enjoying himself. On the other hand, we went to a party with just 7 children playing in the gardens, party games run by birthday child's mum, music at normal volume and he abs loved it!
Hates and is terrified of people dressed up, face paint etc. Will happily put a costume on himself e.g. superhero dress up etc but people in costumes are a big no. Nursery had a member of staff giving out Easter eggs in an Easter bunny costume, he could tell who was in the costume but would still go absolutely nowhere near it!
Sleeps 11hrs at night and regularly still has a nap of 1hr+. He is 4yrs 9m old.
Gags to the point of vomiting on certain foods such as mashed potato or rice.
Likes to know the plan for his day/week but doesn't mind doing things different like a trip out somewhere unusual. Doesn't like a change to his usual routine e.g usually grandparent picks up from nursery and takes him to their house on a certain day and during half term, was going to pick up from home instead. Ds would rather stay at home than be picked up from home instead of nursery.
Doesn't like dress up days e.g world book Day or wear party clothes or red/white/blue for jubilee party. Went in his normal nursery uniform instead.
Any ideas what we can do to help him with any of these? Most concerned about the parties, parades/fairs, things out of routine type issues as I feel they are impacting on his enjoyment of things he would actually like if he could manage these issues. E.g. at a party this weekend, he would have loved the party games etc but the loud music and entertainers made him spend 2hrs 15mins of a 2.5hr party sat on my knee.