4 year old odd behavior

Hi! I have a 4 1/2 year old son who gets very frustrated easily. He bangs his head when frustrated and yells alot. He is a little delayed on speech. He speaks in sentences, he's just hard to understand at times. He yells and gets very angry when he is upset. When he does a behavior that I dont approve of and I tell him to stop, he yells back at me. IT makes it very hard to discipline him. If for example, I grab his arm and tell him not to do something, he yells and disobeys even more. My son only acts up when he doesnt get his way or is mad. Other than that he is a child who you can take anywhere, shopping, dinner, park, etc. He eats well, goes to bed with no problems at night and is very lovable. His teachers say if someone gets hurt at school, he is the first one there to comfort them. I am just confused because he is so good and loveable. He has NEVER been aggressive as far as hitting, etc. Its just when he acts up, it is so extreme. He just has "weird" behaviors. He also does not like to be comforted when he gets hurt. He has difficulty dressing himself and he is very obsessed with certain things, like directions to places we are going or our new van we just purchased. He talks about it all the time. Please help! I want to know if this is normal and he just has a strong personality.

[bip]

I was reading your post an my son will be 5 in a couple of months and he acts the same way your son does. He gets frustrated very easy yells at me if he doesn't get his way he disobeys me all the time. His speech is very good other than that  you sound like you are going throught what I am. He's good at the park, school, and when we go out places.  When he gets hurt he yells for a while and I try to comfort him he will yell at me. He doesn't listen to me at all. He's very good in school his teacher told me he gets along with others he's a sweet boy  in school. I He bangs all the time I tell him no banging conner he will look at me and do it again.  He listens when I read to him he loves books. So I read him books all the time. Conner will listen to me if he really wants. He's a very smart boy.


Good Luck

[tooties28]

I saw your posting and could totally relate to your situation. My son is 5yrs old and is also delayed with the mentality of a three year old. He does the same thing bangs his head when hes mad and will scream and cry as if someone was beating him. Other then that all his teachers love him and say he's such a sweet boy, he loves music and playing outside, but when he doesnt get his way he goes off. Maybe you should ask his doctor if he should be evaluated for autism. There are some children that you would never think have it because it is so minor. I hope that you find what your looking for.

[koukla29]

The behaviors you are describing sound a little autistic in nature.  I would have your son evaluated by your pediatrician.  In addition, your son may qualify for speech services.  When he starts kindergarten, push for a speech evaluation.  They will also check his hearing to make sure that his delay is based on his speech only.  I would take him to the pediatrician because he/she can give you the best reccommendations rigth now.  Good luck!  

[nicand]

You do not need to wait until kindergarten to get that evaluation.  Schools are required to provide services from birth-21.  Many schools have early intervention teams that can help at any age before a child gets to school.  

[hopeforus]

You are soooooo not alone.  My son will be 5 in December and he's just like you described.  Ive tried everything nothing is helping this situation.  As soon as you tell him to do something he doesn't like or discipline him for something wrong he turns into another person.  Kicking, hitting, Growling  and screaming I dont love you.  Im a mom who loves all 3 of my children and I love children and have patience with them.  Even I am to my wits end with this.