Expert: Trey McGowan - 12/4/2007

Question
Hello,
    First of all, thank  you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.  My son is 3 1/2 years old, and I am concerned that he is not where he should be developmentally.  Just a few weeks ago we were in a toy store, everything was going well.  Then out of nowhere he shrills, arches in back, and throws himself on the floor for no apparent reason.  When I picked him up, he kicked and screamed the entire way back to car, and continued the same behavior for several minutes once in his car seat.  There are times at home when he will throw a fit when the television is turned on and is not on a channel he likes.  Are these kind of tantrums normal, and what can I do to rectify these explosive fits of rage?  Another question I have is regarding speech. When my son was 2 1/2, he underwent surgery on the ligament that connects the tongue to bottom palate of the mouth.  It was too short, limiting his tongue movement.  To this day, I often times have to command to say a sentence, and he will say it one command word at a time.  I am wondering if this is a result of waiting too long to get his surgery(infant vs. toddler) or part of a possible expressive language disorder.  I am an R.N. on a pediatric unit, and see many children my son's age that are further ahead than he is, and this worries me.  Thank you so much for your help!!

Sincerely,
Holly

Answer
Hello, Holly!

Tantrums are, unfortunately, a very common and very disturbing-even-so part of the young child's life. Even the children who are developmentally normal will have these. It may not be inevitable by any means, but you can be reassured that you aren't the only parent who has had to deal with those tiring times! If the tantrums are the only difficulty, then I would say this is more likely the case than a developmental disorder. No other symptoms that you're seeing that worry you?

I answered a question a while back about 'Autistic Meltdowns'. While these are different than tantrums, I added some notes and links that help for general tantrums. Maybe this will help give some suggestions for the 'explosive fits of rage'
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Autism-1010/meltdowns-shrieking.htm

I will say that if the tantrums are as sudden as that, and particularly if he seems disoriented afterward, that you might want to consider talking to a doctor. While it's not common, seizure disorders can cause effects that are a lot like what you described in the 'first tantrum'. Most likely, it is a temper tantrum or meltdown. However, if it literally was as sudden as that, and seemed to have no reason behind it, then best to say that to cover all bases!

It's difficult to tell whether the speech is actually part of a disorder without hearing him talk or without knowing more detail. What's his talking like without you commanding him to say it? Is he slow? Slurred? Not speaking at all? It could be a part of a speaking disorder or learning disorder, yes, but it's hard to say for sure. And it is indeed possible that he's being slow because of the operation necessary. However, if this is the case, give your son some time. Situations like that where the child is slow because of a physical deficiency are usually overcome. It just takes some time and patience to do so. Keep working with him the way you are.

However, I'm not a doctor. The best idea for you to get that speech difficulty checked is to speak with a doctor you are physically around. This way, they can hear the child's issues with speaking and give the problem a name, if indeed it is one. Check and see if there is a pediatrician in your area who's dealt with speech problems, and bring it up with them to be sure.

If you have more detail, questions, or follow-ups that you want to add, feel free to do so!

Trey