Posted by Chicklet on September 26, 2003, at 0:49:48
In reply to typical 3 year old behavior?, posted by jgaskins on September 24, 2003, at 15:16:15
Hi there. I agree with Pete C and Rainbow about the diet, behavioral issues, etc.
I tmight be a little better if the mom of this little guy wrote here- if she's concerned. I work with kids this age as a speech pathologist. SOMEtimes a child may be dx'ed with it but it's very rare. pete's so right- you can't eke it out at this age. They aren't really "Mood swings" if it's a 3 year old. MANY little fellas go through this. Hitting other children and not listening to 'no' would indicate, to me, more of a behavioral issue. Bipolarity doesn't manifest itself the same in young kids as it does in adults either. There are other distinct patterns. There's a website I think...for kids with bp. I think that today we are much more aware of medical/developmental issues but that we also tend to pathologize behavior that is most likely typical. Double edged sword I guess.Bottom line is that he's almost positively too young and is just going through growing pains. Mom and Dad need to be VIGILANT with the discipline follow-through. At this age he knows that they will cave in and he can take that and run with it.
I too would recommend a consult with a Ped. psychiatrist or developmentalist. They can get referrals through the local school system.
poster:Chicklet
thread:262983
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030923/msgs/263383.html