Inappropriate Behavior - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

joromo703 · 09-06-2006, 12:00 PM

Our 4 year old son has been having some issues with his behavior lately. I don't know if they are caused by CP, are a separate condition we have to worry about besides CP, are caused by frustration with limitations from CP, or are just normal behavior--some kids are just louder than others.

Just as background,--our son walks without a walker or braces. He has orthotics in his shoes, but that is it. Sometimes when he walks on flat pavement you can't even tell that he has issues. But of course, he does. He can't keep up with other kids, and he can't do stairs. He can't play sports, falls down a lot, doesn't run well, etc...

Anyway, we've noticed lately that he gets increasingly out of control around other kids. Around adults he is great. People are often surprised by his vocabulary and manners. But around kids he just gets out of control. He laughs like a crazy person, he hits other kids (not in a mean way, the hits are soft and he laughs while he does it, but it annoys them) and he yells instead of talking. Today was his first full day of school and the teacher already mentioned it to us.

Has anyone else noticed behavior like this in their children? I tend to think he is just overexcited and may be looking for an outlet for that excitement but he doesn't have the same physical outlet other kids do. But I really don't know.

Thanks.

JellyRJFan · 09-06-2006, 12:24 PM

I don't have any experience to help you out, but I think you may be on the right track with the fact that he just needs an outlet and he can't get that physically. Also, I tend to laugh at inappropriate times (especially when I don't know what else to do!) and I know some of my other CP friends do as well. We've discussed whether this could be related to brain injuries, but haven't come up with any concrete answers.

Hopefully some other people will be able to provide more info

Malwm01 · 09-07-2006, 02:14 AM

I'm a 23 year old Auntie and I am in no way an expert, but in my family there are about 15 kids ranging from 18 months to 6 years. And every one of those kids are different. I don't know about your son, but maybe what he's going through is just normal... maybe it's not. Maybe he just needs time or an outlet. I'm sorry that I can't tell you anything more.

However... I have to believe in every fiber of my being that MANY people with CP have laughing issues.

I know in my own personal experience that if I start laughing hard, it is very, very hard to stop. It doesn't even have to be something that's very funny... it can just be a little funny and I'll loose it into hysterics.

I also, can laugh in the same hysterical way for no reason at all. And as Katherine said, I can also laugh when I don't know what else to do.

When I was 11, I got my ears peirced at the mall... the girl did the markings on my ears and when she came at me with the gun I lost in into complete hysterical laughing. I remember scaring the girl, she thought I was crazy. lol I'd pretty much have to say the laughing thing is normal with CP.

grfastpitch · 09-25-2006, 07:05 PM

i've heard some people with cerebral palsy have adhd which could explain the laughing hitting and yelling rather than talking

skigirl1689 · 09-26-2006, 06:43 AM

It's true that some people with cp do have adhd but I don't think it would cause laughing and hitting instead of talking. Isn't adhd more of a concentration problem and hyperactivness??? I think it's probably just a stage he's going through.