twins

I am a care provider w/a Family home care facility. I have recently taken in a set of twin girls that are 3.5 yrs old. They were born 3 months premature. To look at them they are rather delayed in speech and are small for their age. They are completely identical. They actually seem to have an "ESP" about them. They were adopted by a local couple in our area. The challange: "Lana" is the aggressor of the two. "Lyssa" is rather passive. Nothing I have noticed triggers Lana to become aggressive toward Lyssa. We have a time in the mornings that we sit and do daily memory excerises and sing songs. At this time when everyone is sitting in chairs and having a classroom setting, Lana will get up and go over to Lyssa and begin slapping and pulling hair. Lyssa does not fight back and when I ask Lana to stop, she becomes more aggressive. She has only eyes for her sister. A dazed look comes into her eyes and her intent is totally on Lyssa. This will make me to separate them into separate rooms and both will scream. Finally Lyssa will calm down and enjoy not having her sister in the room. Often times later, sometimes within 30 minutes, Lyssa will become the aggressor. She will do the same to Lana and be aggressive toward me when I try to protect Lana from her. She has bit me and slaps me repeatedly usually trying to hit me in the face if I am at her level. They are both VERY strong during these episodes and are very hard to handle. They will often bang their heads into the wall, chain link fence in the playground, or floor when they are having these fits. It has lasted for as long as an hour and a half. They will be going to the local facility that the preschool works with mentally challanged, handicaped and have therapy daily. They are loving little girls and the therapist even stated she has not a clue what causes them to begin these fits. They just happen. Any input you may have would be greatly appreciated.  Rustymop

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Both of the girls should undergo developmental evaluations. It would not be surprising if the behavior is due to a Pervasive Developmental Disorder. At the very least this needs to be examined.