"THAT Child"

[wdmmom]

Has anyone ever had "that" child? The one that hits himself, pinches himself, pulls his own hair, slaps himself, etc. when you tell them no or redirect?

I have a 21 mo old DCB that I've had since he was 6 weeks old. Just recently he started getting angry and attacking himself in this sort of way.

I've talked to DCM and she says if he does it at home, she puts him in time out and suggests better ways to cope. REALLY?! Suggesting anything to a 21 month old just sounds silly to me.

We have placed him in time out where he will just do it more, we have separated him from the group which doesn't stop him from hitting himself, we've told him no, be nice, etc but nothing seems to get him to stop unless you hold his hands down and speak calmly and quietly to him.

I'm at a loss on what to do anymore. Is this something that he will outgrow? Any suggestions?

[Ms. Stephanie]

I have a child that does some of these things. I am currently trying to figure out what to do myself so I am sorry that I have no suggestions. But I feel for you and hope you find some answers.

Oh one thing I do is take that childs hand and make him gently pat himself or another child and i say "Oh no!, Gentle touches please" While I am showing him gentle touches I smile. He always smiles back and it seems to help a little bit. He has begun doing gentle touches on his own now, which is awesome.

[cheerfuldom]

that sounds scary. most kids will experiment with something like this but the fact that it is continuing so long is worrisome to me. My middle daughter would whack herself in the face and it was alarming to see but she only did it for a few weeks till we could get her to stop.

[Crystal]

I would ignore it. I would simply look at him, stone-faced, and walk away. If he doesn't get the attention he wants by doing it, he will quit. (If he was REALLY hurting himself, I would stop him, but he is not likely to cause himself serious injury)

[daycare]

I would ignore it. I would simply look at him, stone-faced, and walk away. If he doesn't get the attention he wants by doing it, he will quit. (If he was REALLY hurting himself, I would stop him, but he is not likely to cause himself serious injury)

ditto on this ignoer it.... if you give it any amount of attention they child will do what he can to seek out more attention in this way.

I have never had one do this, but I have had the one that always hit others...