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DS 2.. really struggling to cope with parenting

14 replies

TattooedLady32 · 04/09/2024 17:18

As the title says really. I am really really struggling with my toddler. I'm mentally, emotionally and physically drained. I just want to sit and cry all day everyday. I'm not sure what I'm doing so wrong. I'll try and explain everything as best I can but please don't come for me, I feel terrible and useless as it is.

My two year old is absolutely feral. His behaviour is terrible. He's constantly hitting, kicking, smacking, biting, scratching, pinching, headbutting. I'm covered in bruises, he's given me black eyes and cuts to my face. He's a big boy for his age and is very boisterous. It doesn't seem like he's doing this in an aggressive way but more out of frustration. He cannot talk. Hes verbal but they aren't words yet. He constantly trashed everything, breaks everything, chucks things for fun etc.

He has a lot of behaviours that I would consider odd, such as the speech delay, tio toe walking, purposefully hurting himself (headbutting walls, the floor etc) doesn't wave, doesn't point, doesn't clap. he just does not stop. I'm trying me best to discipline him but he laughs in my face and hits me if I tell him no. He does have an understanding of phrases and knows what they mean he just doesn't care. He's very particular with routine and gets upset if things change. Also, he hates other people except me so I neve get a break.

His dad is quite lazy with the parenting and doesn't do much to help me with anything really. I'm really struggling and finding myself raising my voice alot and being very shitty because I just cannot get through to DS. And I feel bad because yes he is only 2 and has a lot to learn but I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like a massive failure because I just can't do it, I feel like he's out of control.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TheShellBeach · 04/09/2024 17:20

Has he been assessed for autism?

TattooedLady32 · 04/09/2024 17:24

TheShellBeach · 04/09/2024 17:20

Has he been assessed for autism?

I mentioned it to my health visitor and they weren't that interested. The children's centre I go to playgroups there and they have accepted him onto a special course for children with emerging needs. I feel like no one is really that interested.

OP posts:
Kiwiburgh · 04/09/2024 19:17

I agree with pp, I'd be getting an autism assesment. I'm sorry you feel like the health visitor isn't interested :(
I'd keep pushing it, try your GP and continue to contact the health visitor.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/getting-diagnosed/how-to-get-diagnosed/

nhs.uk

How to get an autism assessment

Find out the first step in getting you or your child diagnosed as autistic, and how a diagnosis can help.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/getting-diagnosed/how-to-get-diagnosed

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Florafleur · 04/09/2024 19:25

Not all children with behavioural needs are autistic!
Autism shouldn't be the automatic suggestion for every child who is struggling.

By all means continue with the emerging needs group. It maybe that your DS has communication needs which are frustrating him and affecting his behaviour. It maybe that developmentally, at the minute, he is delayed. The group will help you understand and meet his needs.

TattooedLady32 · 04/09/2024 19:29

Kiwiburgh · 04/09/2024 19:17

I agree with pp, I'd be getting an autism assesment. I'm sorry you feel like the health visitor isn't interested :(
I'd keep pushing it, try your GP and continue to contact the health visitor.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/getting-diagnosed/how-to-get-diagnosed/

Thanks I think I'm gonna go to the gp and just get some advice really.

OP posts:
InsideOut91 · 04/09/2024 19:31

Does he go to any kind of childcare setting? You should be able to get either working parent funding or the other two year old funding, it will not only give you a break but a childcare setting will help you refer him for autism or other additional needs assessments. They will be able to give you assistance on managing behaviour and giving him a stable and consistent routine, it may also help to give him a change in environment a few times a week.

I appreciate childcare isn’t for everyone but it would help in the process of assessing his needs.

alternatively keep pushing with health visitor and GP, they can’t ignore concerns forever and early intervention will help massively in the future.

good luck x

TattooedLady32 · 04/09/2024 19:33

InsideOut91 · 04/09/2024 19:31

Does he go to any kind of childcare setting? You should be able to get either working parent funding or the other two year old funding, it will not only give you a break but a childcare setting will help you refer him for autism or other additional needs assessments. They will be able to give you assistance on managing behaviour and giving him a stable and consistent routine, it may also help to give him a change in environment a few times a week.

I appreciate childcare isn’t for everyone but it would help in the process of assessing his needs.

alternatively keep pushing with health visitor and GP, they can’t ignore concerns forever and early intervention will help massively in the future.

good luck x

Thank you. As he is only 2, my DP works full time and I am SAHM at the moment and on a disability benefit so we aren't entitled to the funding as both parents need to work, but we will be entitled to it when he is 3 as it's universal. We can't really afford it with the prices round here either without the funding. X

OP posts:
popplego · 04/09/2024 19:33

My 2.5yo DS is awaiting an assessment for autism (different signs to your DS). A lot of the things you mention can indeed be "flags" for ASD but I've found you have to push quite a bit for a referral. In the end the SALT team put the referral in for us as the health visitor was completely uninterested.

TattooedLady32 · 04/09/2024 19:34

popplego · 04/09/2024 19:33

My 2.5yo DS is awaiting an assessment for autism (different signs to your DS). A lot of the things you mention can indeed be "flags" for ASD but I've found you have to push quite a bit for a referral. In the end the SALT team put the referral in for us as the health visitor was completely uninterested.

I think if he doesn't start talking soon I will ask for SALT. I did an online assessment thing, I believe it was the UK salt thingy and the results said he likely had a delay.

OP posts:
InsideOut91 · 04/09/2024 19:35

TattooedLady32 · 04/09/2024 19:33

Thank you. As he is only 2, my DP works full time and I am SAHM at the moment and on a disability benefit so we aren't entitled to the funding as both parents need to work, but we will be entitled to it when he is 3 as it's universal. We can't really afford it with the prices round here either without the funding. X

In that case I would keep pushing GP and Health Visitor, you know your child better than anyone else.

Smartiepants79 · 04/09/2024 19:39

You are describing several flags for possible asd. Push and push for him to be assessed.
In the meantime perhaps start reading and educating yourself about strategies for parenting children with asd. Some of it might be useful and helpful. You’ll need to get his dad on board as well. I hope the child need centre can help.

popplego · 04/09/2024 20:00

You're best to get the ball rolling with SALT and the ASD assessment as soon as you can to be honest OP, wait times are really long in some areas.

It took us several months to see SALT and even then it so far has just been 1 1 hour drop in 3 months ago and we're waiting for them to confirm our next one. The wait to be seen by a paediatrician in our area is a year. A PP mentioned Portage who we have also started seeing and they've been helpful so far.

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