Typical two year old or additional needs?

[MissConfused08]

Hi,

I am a mother of three (a twelve year old and two year olds twins) and am currently having a hard time.

The twins couldn't be any different if you tried. They are literally like chalk and cheese! ... my son (they are B&G twins) is so mischievous and particular and refuses to sleep. I just thought most of his behaviour was normal, but after speaking to the doctor about his lack of sleep he believes that he may have ADHD and/or a sleep disorder, but advised that only the community paediatrician could make such a diagnosis.

Now apologies if I come across ignorant because that's not my intentions, but what are your opinions? I know I have to wait for a diagnosis, which is a lengthy process I have been told, but I am not after a "label" as such, just some tips to help him fulfil his full potential and to understand him better, to not provoke such behaviour (if that's what I'm actually doing).

I've listed some of his behaviour below and would appreciate any feedback if you believe the doctor could possibly be over exaggerating or he is showing signs of having additional needs.

• He doesn't like to sleep. Doesn't have an afternoon nap and has 4-6 hours of broken sleep a night.

• He's always full of beans - running (never walking), likes running around in circles mostly, or behaving like a dog on his hands and knees licking anything (and everyone). Also likes to put a spoon in the back of his pants to pretend he has a tail.

• He's very particular. Has to have his paw patrol cup, bowl, plate, cutlery when being served food.

*He hates the texture of meat and refuses to eat it.

*He has regular tantrums/meltdowns where he can cry (angrily) for hours. He can also become violent and smack anyone close to him.

• He constantly repeats things over and over again even though it's not necessary. Even if you've answered/acknowledged him.

*He had a bit of speech delay, but now he can say loads of words and can even form sentences. He does call crisps biscuits and Paw Patrol "Al-a-tor" (made up word) despite being able to say the actual words.

*He can say all the colours, but can't recognise which colour is which.

*He's very clingy towards me and has to follow me everywhere. He will come to the toilet with me, wait outside the shower. Has to go everywhere and if he doesn't he will have a tantrum.

*When meeting new people he will not say a word just be silent and give them dirty looks.

*Also he's fixated on paw patrol and will only watch that, wear those pants, socks etc.

Sorry for the long post. It's just that the doctor got me thinking and it's playing on my mind.

It doesn't sound like ADHD necessarily, but even if it were, it wouldn't be diagnosed until he was about 7 anyway, as most behaviours associated with ADHD are also associated with 'being a toddler'.

There are bits and bobs there, that might be symptomatic of something, but equally a lot of it is very normal toddler behaviour.

When you say he licks things - it that as part of his role playing being a dog, or does he lick everything, all the time ?

@Kite22

It doesn't sound like ADHD necessarily, but even if it were, it wouldn't be diagnosed until he was about 7 anyway, as most behaviours associated with ADHD are also associated with 'being a toddler'.

There are bits and bobs there, that might be symptomatic of something, but equally a lot of it is very normal toddler behaviour.

When you say he licks things - it that as part of his role playing being a dog, or does he lick everything, all the time ?

That's why I was a bit shocked when the doctor suggested he may have ADHD because I just thought he was just normal two year old that just didn't need that much sleep.

I think the licking is mainly him being in character of a dog, but he does lick a lot. I think it's more that he finds it's amusing rather than it being a sensory thing.