Anyone Have Experience Dealing With A Child Like This?

[coolconfidentme]

I don't use time out. I don't feel it is effective for anyone. Especially kids too young for school.

What I do instead is use a tiered system of natural consequences and rewards.

When kids exhibit certain behaviors, they are allowed to participate in certain activities. Each activity is based on the child's developmental level.

If a child throws things they aren't allowed to toys that are dangerous to throw.

If a child deliberately drops food/cups on the floor or off the table, they aren't allowed to have more than a bite or two at a time.

If a child won't clean up, they aren't allowed to play toys that require tons of clean up.

If a child rips or tears books, they aren't allowed to have tearable paper books.

Like ECS said, each child has a currency (a motivator to behave as expected) and it's up to us to find that currency when they are in our care.

I've had kids like the one you described and it does take a lot of work on the providers part but honestly, it IS "fixable"....you just have to find that currency, apply the tiered system of activities and be firm, consistent and routine day in and day out.

THIS!!!
He has to earn these things back because he abused his privileges.

[Angelsj]

It's completely possible for a child to have a personality disorder. I wouldn't say toddler, as in those early years, personality and damage to it is being formed, but there are definitely sociopaths that are children. Traits usually start around 4-5, but the sociopath usually doesn't recognize they are different til 11-12 or so.

Exactly. Just because they are commonly diagnosed in older people (15-40) does not mean they do not exist or begin in children. It is entirely possible to have these disorders among children, though this 2.5 yo is probably too young to have this diagnosed (and I do believe, while difficult, the behavior is not likely a personality disorder.)

[mountainside13]

I entered in my symptoms when I was sick. Turns out I had "cyanide poisioning" :: the internet can be really useful but it's not a medical professional.

[Meeko]

It's completely possible for a child to have a personality disorder. I wouldn't say toddler, as in those early years, personality and damage to it is being formed, but there are definitely sociopaths that are children. Traits usually start around 4-5, but the sociopath usually doesn't recognize they are different til 11-12 or so.

My oldest son was a "difficult" child. He started showing more serious behavior at age 8 and nearly put me in my grave by the time he was a teenager.

He was finally diagnosed at age 18 as a sociopath.