Help with my daycare student!?

Question

I work at a daycare, and there is one child there I believe may have an undiagnosed behavioral disorder. He refuses to listen to any teacher but myself, and will not stay calm unless I am in the room with him. The second he wakes up he literally bounces off the walls, and when he doesn't get his way or I am not around, he will hold his breath until he turns blue. The kicker is he is only 1 year and 4 months old! He began walking at 10 months and was running by 11. He's very strong as well, and climbs the bookshelves and lifts up the toy chests. He takes my attention from the other children because he always wants to be held, he wont even let me go to the bathroom without holding his breath until I get out. I brought all this up to the owner of the daycare, but all she's worried about is losing money if we insult the parents by suggesting he see a doctor.....

Answer 1

If the Parents have offered to take you on Vacation with them, Because they don't know what "THEY" will do... Ummm sounds like they already know theres a problem. Maybe "THEY" are in DENIAL! you need to speak with them about all of this and let your concerns be known, It's not going to get any better for the child, as he gets older, If this is allowed to continue. Maybe something as simple as an.... Attention getter! or more serious Mental Health Issues. At any rate the child needs to be Evaluated! hope this helps!

Answer 2

It seems to me that this child may have had some experiences with caregivers leaving and is afraid you will do the same. He is obviously well bonded to you and that is not a bad thing. You just need to figure out how to temper it a bit. That takes consistency.If you must leave the room calmly explain where you are going. He may not understand the words but he'll pick up on your tone. Then come back, give him a hug, and remind him you said you'd be back. Try and involve him in play with you and another child in the room, or you and another adult. Do not get drawn in to traveling with the family. They need to learn to meet his needs, and you need some professional distance. As for the activity level-he sounds like a pretty active and well coordinated kid who is perfectly normal.

Answer 3

I had two of those children in my career. Fortunately, not at the same time. The first little boy was about a year old. He cried inconsolably every time I left the room. I was about ready to start taking him with me to lunch and on breaks, but didn't.  He obviously NEEDED me, though, so I even took to wearing a snuggly and "wearing" him (luckily he didn't weigh much). That seemed to help as I did it for about a week and then I started being able to put him down for longer periods of time. I found that if I kept him occupied it helped. He left the day care before we ever completely resolved the issue and I'm not sure what happened after that.

Another boy was about 10 months old and became attached to me. The problem was he was very overweight for a baby and I absolutely could not carry him constantly, even in a snuggly. He also began walking about that time, so all we could do was try to keep him busy. I'd try to time my breaks and lunch to his nap times when I could. He even followed me around while I changed diapers and stuff. It was exhausting, but nothing seemed to work. He really needed me so we just went with that as much as possible. I found out that he was diagnosed with autism around age 3.

Another boy in our day care was like this with another caregiver. He would scream and cry the whole time she was gone, no matter what we did. He was also around a year old (interesting how this is all boys, eh?). I know him now - he's 12 yrs old and completely normal. (he goes to my dd's school and will graduate from grade 6 this year).

So, what causes this? It's usually related to attachment or serious separation anxiety. Most children seem to outgrow it, if you can just wait it out. Continue to reassure him that you will return. Try to remain calm with him. Just accept that, for now, he needs you.

It's hard to say whether it should actually be labeled an attachment disorder or separation anxiety disorder. Do some reading on the subject so you can discuss it with his parents. Obviously, they are having trouble at home, too. Have they talked to his pediatrician about it? He should be able to refer them to an expert who can provide some strategies for dealing with his behaviour.

Does your daycare director ever have professional development workshops? Maybe contact a local college or university to have someone come in to talk about the issue.

Answer 4

Hmm...toughie. Try to experiment w/ diff. things.

Answer 5

It sounds like your little cling-on has bonded with you big time!  He is so young to be in day care, and maybe he feels a little insecure, so he has bonded with someone who makes him feel comfortable.  Encourage him to spend time with other adults in the center by being friendly toward other adults yourself.  When you need to leave the room for a break, hug your co-worker, smile at her, and then tell little 'Johnny' "I will be back in a few minutes.  While I'm gone, my friend Ms. So-and-so will be here to look after you.  Will you please play with her so she'll have fun too?"  Then walk away.  It won't work well the first few times you do it, but if you're consistent, he will come to feel more comfortable in your absence.  I don't think I would take him to the doctor, as young as he is.  Remember, the ones that are the hardest to love are the ones who need it the most!  Remain professional with the parents.  And take your breaks and vacations when you need them!!  He will be ok, and so will the family.

Answer 6

Hyperactivity is not diagnosed in children under thhe age of five because a certain amount of high energy is expected until children are old enough to have learned how to control themselves better. One year olds have not learned decorum, nor is it expected. sounds like this little one has learned how to push adult's buttons. he needs help to learn new and appropriate behavior. Try giving him lotts of positive comments when he is playing with a toy, or looking at a book or whatever he is doing calmly. When he holds his breath, ignore it.  he will soon learn that to get your attention he needs to be calm.

Try to work along with his parents. When you and the parents are using the same methods you will be more successful. Hang in there. i am glad that you asked for help, it shows that you care.

Answer 7

He probably has attention deficit hyperactive disorder.  I have that.  It's nothing bad.  It's just a condition that makes people hyper.  Oh, when we get really mad, we go crazy sometimes.  I don't go crazy anymore when I get mad, but I did when I was little.  I was probably around his age.  I think I was older!

Answer 8

Talk to him, and say that you dont know what is going wrong with him but he needs to behave well. Say that you love him but he cant get all the attention all the time.

Consult his parents if you need to.