Temper Tantrums indicating autism?

[Cat308]

My 4 year old son has been having temper tantrums for the past couple of years.  Our pediatrician has referred us to a behavioral specialist but I am concerned that he will be misdiagnosed as 'autistic.'  He is very loving, outgoing, social, smart, and considerate, especially to his sister.  When he is over tired he has these tantrums that are terrible, he repeats things over and over, screams for over an hour and in inconsolable.  When they are over he understands what he has done and shows remorse.  I have to admit that he doesn't eat well and as a result eats more sugar than he probably should.  He also has sleep issues and still ends up sleeping in our bed.
I have visited several websites and he has hit every developmental milestone on time.  Could this just be him acting out?  I also should mention that I have a demanding job and my husband is not very participatory with the children unfortunately.  He thinks that when we are in public it is better to give the kids what they want to avoid a scene.  Do you think our son has a behavioral problem or are we creating a monster?

[Noda]

I think as a mother, you know exactly what it is.  Its funny how you yourself mentioned the "sugar" in his diet while asking the question.  You know your son better than anyone, trust your instincts.  You would KNOW if it is Autism.  Don't medicate your child if they say he as ADD.  You need to change the diet - he doesn't like it - too bad...he will eventually eat.  Kids will eat when they are hungry, its best to change his eating habits while he is still young.  If my children get ONE chocolate chip cookie every two days its a real TREAT....and because they have been so use to eating veggies and dip and fruits etc..as a snack, they really don't miss all the junk.  Speak to a Nutritionist.  Put your son to bed early.  Our son is 5 and extreamly active.  Some people laugh - but when he is not in school till 3, he takes naps in the afternoon (HE NEEDS THEM!)  And we try to always get him down to bed by 730,  His play a night to get him into a "quiet mood" is reading, colouring, doing quiet things.  TOO much stimulation can make an overactive boy CRAZY...trust me, I've been there!  If he has chocolate he bounces off walls, gets wild and talks back.  I also would recommend Omega 3 fatty acid pills for toddlers.  They are for brain function and developement and more often than not the food we provide doesn't have the suggested amount of omegas.  Check out the dr.sears website about them.
Good luck!

[jdtm]

Believe it or not, but your son's behaviour can also be that of a child with an anxiety disorder.  Tantrums, sleeping and eating problems are common behaviours to children suffering from anxiety.  I might suggest you google the phrase "children and anxiety" to  see if any of the descriptions remind you of your son.  

One more thing - very high functioning autism is not a "death sentence".  Our nephew suffers from PDD-NOS (a high functioning form of autism) and has led a normal life - finished his diploma at college, got married and is now the father of a little girl.  But, if autism is the issue, the sooner intervention occurs, the greater the prognosis for a "normal" life.  In any case, your doctor appears to be doing the correct thing in referring your son to a specialist.   Of course, the diagnosis might just be something simple as "allergic to certain foods".  But, I really don't think that your son is "acting out" - seems as if there is more going on here (at least that is what I read from your posting).  Hope this helps ....

[gemmamisty]

Hi there,
I have a 7 year old boy with autism who used to suffer terrible-day long-tantrums between the age of about 2 - 4. He hit all his milestones until the age of about 2 and a half then stopped talking, communicating etc. He was at nursery from the age of 1 part time and his reports all stated that he was developing very well until then. However it is entirely possible that your son has nothing in common with asd apart from his tantrums/word repitition.  I think it may well be worth trying to cut out the sugers/sugary foods (also worth cutting out additives like food colourings which can have an awful affect on some children) for a trial period. If it is very difficult to do this because of your shift work or lack of continuity with your husband on this issue then maybe try doing it when you have a break from work like a holiday period of a couple of weeks. Alternativley try getting your husband on side and see a nutritionalist with him. There are a whole lot of healty alternatives available to sugary foods so you could try to stock up on them so your husband can give them at home when your not around. Whatever you do i hope it works out