Originally Posted by chris1234
He sounds pretty gifted to me, but I know some of what you describe is less exciting and more worry-making.

We were pretty worn out by our ds around that age too.
It was just incredible if I got 8 hours of sleep because it just didn't happen. Things were especially bad if we hadn't made a point of wearing him out with physical exercise - just trips to the park, trips to the mall to run around in one of those play areas, etc.
When he started preschool that was a bit better and then even better when we signed him up for sports.
Both of my children exhibit some of the more worrisome behaviors you list, but neither are autistic, although some strangers have asked about my ds! My dd is the head banger, but this just recently started. I think she knows it freaked me out very badly the first time she did it, so now she pulls it out of her 'bag of tricks' from time to time.

That may be one of the biggest tools to add to your parenting skills: poker face! Really I think these children realize more quickly what are the buttons to push and enjoy/need the attention (sometimes, I know it depends on the child) and they know how to push those buttons more effectively.
For instance - deal with the toothbrushing in a calm but firm manner. Get it done; this goes better if there is a second adult available, one holding the child gently and one brushing, but over the course of a few nights you will probably notice better compliance. You are in charge! smile


Thank you all of the advice. I believe the whole toothbrushing is a control thing for him. He is a HUGE control freak. I always let him do it first and then I have to go over it. I do have to say that it has gotten much better. But, I did have to put him in head locks to get the job done for about 4 months. And let me tell you he screamed bloody murder the whole time. As for physical excercise...today he was going all day long. We even took a walk to the park and back and I made him walk the whole way. Which is far for a 26 month old. He came home and was still going. It seems like he can't get enough of anything. Always learning, exploring, ect.

Sorry to hear about your daughter banging her head. I know how that goes. My son would do it on the ceramic tile!!!! How I believed he would have a dent in his head!!!!! Thank goodness he doesn't do it anymore. I will catch him lightly banging his head on my leg here and there, but I have been told that he may be doing it to calm his senses since he has Sensory Processing Disorder.