New Little One, Interesting Behavior

[Baby Beluga]

DCB is 18 months and is showing some interesting behavior patterns.

*Will not eat - anything. Mom says he is a garbage disposal at home and eats everything. Here he will sit at the table but he puts his head down and closes his eyes. This is at every meal/snack time so I do not think he is putting his head down to sleep.

*He does not move. He is capable of walking now (started walking 2-3 weeks ago.) According to mom he walks and runs all the time at home. But here? He sits in one spot and refuses to move. Toys, other children his age, fun activities, nothing will entice him to move. If I take his hand and guide him to an activity he either picks his feet up off the floor or sits down and screams.

*He won't pick up anything that is his. For example, he sleeps with a bink. I put it on his cot at nap time but he won't pick it up to put it in his mouth. He will cry for it. He will stare at it. But he won't get it.

*When sitting his head is either down (chin to chest) or it is as far back as it can go and he stares at the ceiling lights.

*During pick up he won't move toward mom or dad. He will cry when they arrive, but won't move.

I am used to crying during an adjustment period but this little man is showing interesting behavior that is new to me.

[happymom]

Could his parents be lying?

Have you seen him partake in the behaviors that they describe?

[Ariana]

Inhad a child who I felt was ASD and acted similar. Extremely lethargic here. Would go from standing to sitting in a "sinking down" motion with his legs. He would stand in one spot when outside, not moving. Once I brought him out into the hot sun with no hat to see if he would move and he just stood there. He would sometimes lie on the ground not moving.

I took videos to show his mom, she was shocked. Apparently at home he was a complete genius. I started feeling like I was insane! I terminated care because of that feeling and because I felt mom was in major denial.

From what I coukd gather from online research some children with autism become hypotonic or hypostimulated. They react to stimuli by shutting down. Sinking into the carpet, putting their head down....basically going catatonic in a sense. It might be what is happening here. The first redflag for me was when I blew bubbles and he just sat there letting them fall and pop on his face with no reaction. I had never seen a child at 18 months do that! Mom might be telling the truth. From what I had read children on the spectrum act that way with us because they are stressed and out of their comfort zone. It is why many parents stay in denial I think.

[storybookending]

Sounds too me like there is something developmental wrong there.

[Mom2Two]

Maybe request a letter from pediatrician re development. He should have had a 12 mth mini-assessment by the pediatrician, you could request that.

Did you do an All About Me? You could ask parent to show you/tell you the favorite activities.

Or just trust your gut that this parent is lying to you. It's definitely a bit suspicious.

[Baby Beluga]

When mom and sister brought him over for a meet and greet (I've worked with this family since 2012) he walked but preferred to crawl and mom carried him most of the time. I did not see him eat food but I did witness him throw a couple of toys (to which mom laughed ) He did not play though. Most kids who come in regardless of age make a beeline for the toys and play while parents and I chat.

During snack today I did hand over hand, picked up a raisin and put it in his mouth. As long as I did this he ate. When I stopped, he stopped eating.

An interesting thing happened this afternoon. He is my last one by about 1 hour and given his lack of movement I felt it was safe to bring my 5 month old into the classroom on his own rug/blanket with baby toys. The 18 month old walked over to the blanket and had the best time with the infant toys. Did not hesitate at all.

Do you think it's a case of being over babied and the independence of my regular crew is shocking?

[Baby Beluga]

Inhad a child who I felt was ASD and acted similar. Extremely lethargic here. Would go from standing to sitting in a "sinking down" motion with his legs. He would stand in one spot when outside, not moving. Once I brought him out into the hot sun with no hat to see if he would move and he just stood there. He would sometimes lie on the ground not moving.

I took videos to show his mom, she was shocked. Apparently at home he was a complete genius. I started feeling like I was insane! I terminated care because of that feeling and because I felt mom was in major denial.

From what I coukd gather from online research some children with autism become hypotonic or hypostimulated. They react to stimuli by shutting down. Sinking into the carpet, putting their head down....basically going catatonic in a sense. It might be what is happening here. The first redflag for me was when I blew bubbles and he just sat there letting them fall and pop on his face with no reaction. I had never seen a child at 18 months do that! Mom might be telling the truth. From what I had read children on the spectrum act that way with us because they are stressed and out of their comfort zone. It is why many parents stay in denial I think.

I tried bubbles today. He did sat in the grass and did nothing. My crew LOVES bubbles and goes wild for them.

[sahm1225]

Can you ask mom to show you a video of him at home?

[hwichlaz]

My first thought is...
He's shutting down, over stimulated. I'd suspect ASD.

[Baby Beluga]

Well jeesh, two thoughts on possible ASD. I am going to have to do more observing and research on ASD and him.

Shutting down to stimuli is a perfect way of putting his behavior. It is interesting though because he was at a local center from 6 months old until coming to me at 18 months. In his most recent class at the center he was one of 13 children. He is now one of 4. And although we are an active group the overall feel and vibe of our room is pretty calm. I wonder if the stimuli of his last classroom allowed him to "disappear" and he is unable to do that now? Mom did say his last teacher said he just sits in the middle of the room with a toy and watches the other kids play.

On the bink - I mentioned it to mom and she said he has been doing the same at home. Cried for his bink the night before even though it was in his crib with him. She said "but last night I didn't go in and put it in his mouth" so I am thinking she usually inserts if for him.

[Baby Beluga]

Can you ask mom to show you a video of him at home?

This is a good idea, thank you.

[Ariana]

Mom reported to me that his last caregiver got rid of him because she could not handle his needs. At the time I thought she meant he was just needy. Slowly though I realized she meant his ASD needs.

Conduct an MCHAT questionnaire for him. When I did this I got 8 redflags. Parents got "a few".

Although it is quite possible he is just over babied at home, to me this just doesn't make sense. A baby, unless there is abuse happening (another thought I had), seeks stimulation and exploration.

[SunflowerMeadow]

I find this behavior odd. Definitely get a consult.

[daycarediva]

He definitely needs an evaluation.

Any way you could have an open house? Party? Invite parents? See how he behaves with mom present for any length of time.

[Baby Beluga]

Just a small update:

Spoke to mom at pick up on Friday. He was previously at a center 2-3 days a week for 1 year before enrolling with me. Mom mentioned that the teachers at the center "babied" DCB.

DCB has also gone to two different peds for normal check ups. So if there was a developmental delay it may have been missed.

I want little dude to work out but boy I am so confused by this one!