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3.5 year old wants to leave the house but never happy no matter where we go!!

4 replies

L0ts · 31/10/2022 12:54

I’m at a loss, a complete and utter loss. My 3.5 year old in the last week has seemingly had a personality transplant. I will start by saying he is undergoing assessment for autism but has never behaved so bizarrely before. He isn’t non verbal but his receptive language is very poor. His way of communicating with us is by hand leading.

In the last week he has started hand leading us to the front door but no matter where we go or what we do, he isn’t happy. I don’t mind getting out the house, I like that he (usually) enjoys parks, soft plays, a walk around the shops or going to peoples houses. But recently we have tried everything and all he does is moan and cry. Yet we will get back home and the cycle repeats itself.

I thought maybe it was because it was half term and he missed nursery, he went back this morning and had a fab time, got back home great and as soon as he deemed himself finished with lunch the hand leading to the front door began. My partner has taken him to get a few parcels from some shops and is going to try the park again with him but I’m not holding my breath.

I thought maybe he just wanted to be in the car as he does like long drives to places but he is honestly even moaning and crying on and off when in the car, like I said I’m at such a loss.

Has anybody had this same experience before?

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PortalooSunset · 31/10/2022 13:15

Sounds like he wants to go somewhere specific and you've just not managed to figure out the right place yet. Maybe? Does he have any particular special interests?
Would showing him pictures of places you've been help?

L0ts · 31/10/2022 13:23

@PortalooSunset The only place we haven’t tried is his grandmas house but he doesn’t particularly go there often as she lives an hour away! Honestly we’ve had a right game with trying to get him to communicate, flashcards, sign language, now and next boards, everything. I’ve even spent time, effort and money on printing photos out and laminating them all in a notebook to help him learn and maybe he will show us what he wants when he’s struggling, but nope. This kid just has no desire at all just yet with learning how to communicate with his speech.

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PortalooSunset · 31/10/2022 13:26

Must be really frustrating. For him as well as you.
Did he leave something behind at grandma's?!

L0ts · 31/10/2022 13:30

@PortalooSunset No 😔 This is what I hate the most, it being frustrating for him. Somehow though I’m hoping he needs some level of frustration before starting to communicate properly with us. He has all the words, he speaks very clearly, he just doesn’t seem to know how to use them. Fingers crossed it just comes one day and shocks us all 😩

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