Child development

[bonboncandy]

My 5 year old grandson started kindergarten in 2011.  He has had behavioral problems since the beginning.  He will punch a child sitting next to him in a circle setting.  This can be any child, not any one child in particular.  He doesn't listen to teacher.  He plays and runs around when he is supposed to be quiet.  Yesterday he was expelled for the day because he was kicking his teacher when she was trying to get him to pay attention.  Today, he received his first ticket on the bus from the bus driver.  He  had problems in the beginning such as not listening, hitting and not sitting down.  He hasntt exhibited that behavior again until today.  At home he is quiet, plays with his siblings well, mostly listens to adults although he is starting to talik back or say "no, I don't want to".  What is happening to my grandson.

[specialmom]

Hm.  Well, that is odd if it was months and not days.  That sounds just like a bad day to me.  I wouldn't think of add/adhd in that instance either.  Or any other type of issue.  He had tell tale signs of sensory though from her first post at some point.  Perhaps he learned some coping skills and was getting by.  Now she'll be able to see if more things happen-----   if the problem is resurfacing.  

Sensory is one of those types of things that can be in a range fo mild to severe and can change from day to day.  You'll see behavior worsen in certain situations but it is a sign that the child is overwhelmed.  My son is a sensory seeker so I also know when he needs input into the nervous system (as he starts to climb the walls).  And if he doesn't get the input, his behaviour can be less than desirable.  

Also, I read this interesting little story about a boy that had an outburst on the bus.  They did a time line to his day and traced back through this boys day how certain things had happened to put him on edge.  Someone he wanted to sit by at lunch sat with someone else.  He had trouble doing some addition problems.  And then by the end of the day, he had not tolerance for anything on the bus and went to a baseline reaction of lashing out.  I always think about this with kids.  They are young and learning------  and you can't take one incident and think THAT it all is because of what happened the second before that.  Some kids carry around the little hurts, frustrations, etc. of the day and will blow later.  So I always try to ask about all aspects to my sons day if he is having a difficult episode.  anyway, food for thought for parents out there.

But yes, it would be kind of odd to have no symptoms of sensory for months and then an outburst but maybe the parents don't know what to look for and see his outbursts as the only symptom.  If he is mild enough, he can fly under the radar until parents are forced to learn about a possible
thing' going on with their child.  I wasn't a sensory wiz until I had to be.  

[Sandman2]

Ya, thats why I am asking.  It sounds like he went several months (not days) without a problem?

[specialmom]

With sensory, you do have good days and bad days.  A child that is unregulated can explode after a few days of 'holding it together'.  

Honestly, when I read the first post----  it sounds like a sensory kid.  My son did not hit but some kids do.  It is a basic 'flight or fight' response that the nervous system goes to when overwhelmed.  That would include kicking a teacher.  It is like panic mode and in a sensory kid, the switch can be turned off and on depending on the environment.  

[Sandman2]

    Well, I've got a feeling his older brother may be responsible for teaching him to hit kids - that is if they rough house together.  And does the older brother talk back to adults?
     The big question is - you said, "He hasntt exhibited that behavior again until today."  I take it that you mean he has been pretty good at school (after his rough start) until today?  Specialmom can correct me, but I don't think kids with SID can turn it off and on like that.  So its important to know if he has consistently had this problem or it just popped up again!  
     I am also wondering about his maturity level,  ie. - is he young for kindergarten.  That is why I asked when his birthday is.  Many times when parents have a couple of younger kids, they will send the older ones off to school before they are ready (completely understandable).  So when is his birthday?

[specialmom]

EXACTLY.    That is actually something common with sensory integration disorder.  School, parties, crowded places are where the issues are the worst.  

[bonboncandy]

Hi, I have to say this does not sound like my grandson.  He is quiet at home, calm, plays well with siblings etc. His school behavior is another matter.  Not there so only know what has been stated.

[bonboncandy]

yes, his kinder class is an all day.  He has 3 other siblings.  8 yrs, he is 5, then 3 and finally 11 months.

[specialmom]

I will get back to this post shortly but my son had similar 'school time' issues and then was diagnosed with sensory integration disorder.  He didn't know boundaries, had little impulse control, would distract rather than do something difficult for him, talked to loud, had trouble staying focused, etc.  Sound familiar.  We have had such great luck overcoming these things though by addressing his nervous system through occupational therapy and then carrying that over to home.  Then with a few classroom modifications-----  he's doing great.  Look up 'sensory processing disorder' (spd is a great website) and see what you think.  I'll post a bit more in a bit.  

[Sandman2]

   Opps, hit reply too soon.  I meant to say how old are his brothers and/or sisters.  And am I correct in thinking that his behavior had improved until just recently?

[Sandman2]

   When is his birthday?  Is he in a full day kindergarten?  Does he have any brothers or sisters?