people in his room at night

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Registered: 07-06-2006
people in his room at night
7
Thu, 12-28-2006 - 10:37pm

Hayden (4 yr old, HFA) has been having some problems recently. Or should I say, NEW problems. It started a couple weeks ago, when something clicked in his head that he cound not go potty at school anymore. (He goes 4 day/wk, 3 hr/day special preschool) The teachers and I have no idea what brought this on. He started waking up at night and sleeping in my bed too. A few days after this happend, a new boy at his school had a big time meltdown/outburst. I don't think this child has ASD, more mental and physical problems, pretty severe too, just not sure what his dx is. Teacher said other child's episode upset Hayden very much. To the point where he was shaking, very scared. So the next day he said he didn't want to go to school, and was a little upset at drop-off. Normally he loves to go, and there is never a problem leaving him at school. Well luckily, that day was the xmas party, and I got to come back a 1/2 hr later and stay the whole time. When I got back everything was fine. Until we were decorating cookies, everyone was calm. Suddenly all the color drained from Hayden's face and he was shaking a little. I took him potty and he was telling me he wanted to go home. I said we will leave at 4 o'clock (when school ends), he said "okay, its 4:00, lets go home". I sat with him on a beanbag chair while he stimmed(visually) with a toy fence for about 20 minutes. He was finally ok to get up when it was calendar time, by far one of his favorites, he loves numbers and order. So we are on winter break now and he goes back Jan 3rd. He talks about school, sometimes he say he does not want to go back. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.....

Something really creepy happend tonight. He has been upset at bedtime, saying he doesn't like his bed or his room. He says this at night a lot, but usually goes to bed no problem. Tonight he was crying. Its very hard for him to tell us what is upsetting him, he usually responds with "nothing" or something that makes no since like "Hayden why don't you like your bed?" He says "the blue sock is in the way". Tonight, after me prying, he said "I don't like my bed. Harry is going to get me. The people are going to get me. They are in my pillow. I don't like the dark" Well, we don't know anyone named Harry, and he has a nightlight. I opened his closet and turned the light on in there, that seemed to help a little. I gave him plastic hangers that he asked for (stimming). I told dh what he said, and dh went to lay with him till he falls asleep.

WTH is going on with my baby? Is he really "seeing/hearing" people? I'm worried. I wish I could get in his head and figure it out! Thanks for reading. -Chrissy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 12-28-2006 - 11:07pm

It is REALLY hard to say what is going on. It is quite possible that he is having the typical kid fear of the boogie man and he gave the boogie man a name or it could be something more. With our kids who are so GREAT at communication it can be really hard to tell. Mike tells me he "hears voices" or "Hears people telling him to do things" and it freaked me out but I finally was able to figure out that it appears that he is talking about his thoughts and not actual voices.

However, I will say it appears his anxiety is definitely up which is common at this time of year. I would try to find ways to reduce his anxiety over things for the time being and see if the "Harry" thing goes away. Going in until he falls asleep may definitely help particularly if he is not a night waker. Extra lights, etc.

Renee

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Registered: 07-06-2006
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 8:41am

Well, dh laid with him until he fell asleep, and he stayed asleep until 7:30. I just asked him what he was so scared of last night. He said,"The people. The girl. She tries to bite me, she bit me." Now he wants juice, lol. I hope tonight isn't as bad, yeah right.

Chrissy

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Avatar for teri_b
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 8:59am

I totally sympathize with you! My not-yet-diagnosed 4yo is a night waker and usually the cause is a giant dog in his room (imaginary). I don't remember the last time I got a full night's sleep when he was home - I'm divorced so he goes to his dad's every other weekend. At Dad's he sleepwalks instead of screaming.

And honestly, I haven't found anything that prevents the terrors. He also has problems falling asleep and will lay in his room for up to 2 hours even when he's totally exhausted. My next move after the holidays is to try Melatonin on him to see if it helps him at least get to sleep.

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Registered: 06-25-2003
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 4:05pm

We had a special spray bottle for awhile filled with

-Paula

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 9:29pm

Tonight is going to be a long one.......

Chrissy

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Avatar for rlena
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Registered: 04-24-2003
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 9:45pm

My son used to say he saw ghost coming through the window in his room. That really freaked me out. He used to have really bad dreams also. He always wants someone to lay with him at night for a while


I did find out that the bright green he had wanted me to paint his room when he was little, was way to overstimulating. I ended up having to repaint this year.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2006
Fri, 12-29-2006 - 9:50pm

Hayden's room is also a very light, pale blue. Decorated in Thomas the Train galore!!! I guess you surroundings don't matter much when "someone" is "biting" you. LOL.

Chrissy

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