Problems with 2 year old son

[Lily189]

Hi eveyone my son is 2 will be 3 in September
He's non verbal and awaiting his appointment with child development for autism
These last 2 weeks he's been waking anywhere from 3am and just screaming throwing tantrums all wanting food
He woke this morning at 4 am and screamed for 2 hours at the fridge nothing will calm him down
He's always been obsessed with food and would eat till his sick if he could
But nothings changed in his routine or diet (its very limited)
He wakes at these times and won't nap or sleep till bedtime He's so hyper all day everyone is exhausted except him lol and it's hard as I also have a 1 year old and I'm 20 weeks pregnant
I feel so bad for him because he can't just tell me what's wrong I just want to help him but I've no clue what to do
Anyone going through anything similar any advice please tia

That sounds tough, OP. Has your child been tested for Prader Willi Syndrome?

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prader-willi-syndrome/

I would be asking about that, if the food situation is very hard to manage. Children with PWS almost always have learning difficulties, developmental delay and problems with emotional regulation to various degrees too.

Thank you I'm deffo going phone the doctor about it see what he says sounds like it could be this

Apologies if this is too simplistic but have you look into oral-motor feedback, he could have sensory processing issues with gustatory stimulation and possibly need something in his mouth not necessarily food. Being so young that's tricky to provide for with older kids ice cubes, drinking thick drink through stumpy twisty straw, things to chew can help. Good luck with your appointments and remember to get yourself rest too.

Children on the autism spectrum ( I know you are awaiting assessment) can have difficulty with Interoception and may not know when they are full or hungry.

Google SPD if you’ve not already done so.
Good plan to see your GP as he may be in pain and can’t tell you.

Do you use any symbols? These can be used to request food but also indicate when something has finished e.g. rice cracker broken into 4 he can request 4 times then it has gone/ finished. (4 symbols on a strip)Does he understand “ all gone”

Also google ARFID really good book by Dr Gillian Harris and Dr Liz Shea. Both worked with our daughter. Also a parent Facebook group.
Look on Infant and Toddler forum
Factsheets 2.1 2.2 and 2.3

https://www.kelly-mahler.com/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A0zbCiakjaA

Some good advice from PP! I don’t have any but wanted to say sounds tough and you are doing really well. Sound like such a patient mama 💐