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2.5 year old head butting/stimming?

2 replies

Easytigerfastcar · 04/05/2023 16:28

plz help
Hi guys I’ve searched the internet and can’t find anyone else going through the same so I thought to start my own thread about this

So for the past few months my son has started head butting me but not because he’s angry more because he’s excited and happy, and it’s more pushing his head into me really hard than head butting. It’s like he’s doing it as hard as he can and he clenches his jaw/teeth whilst doing it and usually growling lol. He does this multiple times a day and it’s like he can’t control it when telling him to stop…is this typical behaviour for his age? I thought he was just playing for a while but it does seem quite repetitive and like he can’t control it. He loves being upside down and just balancing on his head (which I understand isn’t unusual for his age)
He also is behind with his speech which he has professionals involved but it is improving, we’re also working on his communication and understanding of language as he doesn’t seem to be able to follow instructions at all.
He‘s also a fussy eater and doesn’t like unfamiliar textures especially sloppy sort of textures (he loves beans though, eats them everyday).
he doesn’t like anything on his hands like food or paint, hates playdoh
Sometimes fussy with clothing like items with collars
closes his eyes a lot and walks around not being able to see
every time I sit down on the floor he gets hypo and runs around me in a circle for ages. Sometimes spins (goes through phases)
he engages with pretend play, and plays with other children at nursery
He also is very rough with our family cat, constantly sitting on her no matter how many times we distract and tell him off.
He doesn’t wave and say hello and bye when greeting or leaving people. But he can wave when he wants to, like copying me when we’re playing.
he can point to pictures in books, not so much to interesting things in real life he usually hand leads to me to things he wants me to do. He gets confused where to look when I point to something.
He LOVES opening and closing doors, will do it for up to an hour and gets very frustrated if you stop him. Same for spinning wheels.
he loves staring at bright lights

  • he doesn’t line up toys

positives are that he can name all body parts, count up to 20, knows all his colours, LOVES singing the alphabet and counting.

I’d say all together he is very hyperactive, but I was just wondering what other people’s thoughts are and if they have children similar - I’m just at the point where I don’t know if he has a disability or this is all ‘normal’ toddler behaviour.
The biggest concern is the head butting/pushing into me constantly because it’s like a stimming behaviour (autism) but I’m not sure?? We’re seeing a paediatrician next month.

Hope this makes sense and I appreciate any replies, tia :)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Easytigerfastcar · 04/05/2023 16:30

I just like to add I am a first time mum and I could be over analysing these things

OP posts:
NurseCranesRolodex · 04/05/2023 16:39

It's great you have an appointment, your DS sounds adorable! I'd say much of this sounds typical for his age, I'd look into sensory processing and feedback to identify the sensory seeking or avoiding he is needing. There are lots of brilliant occupational therapy resources available to meet sensory needs, the key is to identify the need eg. Needs squeezed or compression so may thump things to get a sensation strong enough. If you know his immediate needs have been met and he's not in pain I wouldn't worry about the self stimulating behaviours. Just do an audit of home, bedroom and see if anything at his level is overwhelming. Keep it bare walls and v minimal as this is often calming.

This is a fab website https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/

KIDS - Kids Independently Developing Skills

KIDS stands for Kids Independently Developing Skills and the information on this site is designed to help children and young people be as independent as possible in all aspects of daily living. Information has been provided by Health Professionals in G...

https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids

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