Obsessive physical contact with one caregiver

[PastysPrincess]

It's an odd title but I didn't know how to phrase it.

DS is being assessed for special needs. He is obsessed with physical contact with me. He is constantly touching me, patting, poking, pinching, hitting me etc.

Sometimes he presses his face as hard as he can into me. He squashes my arm between the palms of his hand. He bangs his head off me. He tries to climb all over me.

BUT

It is not aggressive! He does do things that are aggressive but I can clearly see the trigger points when that happens.

I have got to the point where I have to remove myself from him as he is hurting me so much. Has anyone experienced this and does anyone have any ideas what to do.

For info;

1. I work full time and DH is SAHD. DS is not the same with him.
2. DS has speech delay and developmental delay so can't discuss to much with him. He does understand 'no' though.
3. DS is three yrs 4 months old.
4. Has been referred to a specialist nursery which he starts soon.

Sounds like sensory seeking behaviour to me. Have a read of The Out of Sync Child for ideas. But also ask dh to incorporate more physical activity into their day, lots of jumping, squashing, rolling and squeezing. It might help reduce the use of you as a sensory plaything.

Look at things like beanbags, tunnels, gym ball, foam mats for being rolled up in (not covering head obviously!), play doh and things like bread making and digging. Lots of textures.

Thanks I will look that book up.

Any idea why he does it?

Try this blog post: musingsofanaspie.com/2013/05/24/sensory-seeking/