my 4 yr old?

whenever my son becomes upset, he lashes out... screaming yelling, hitting, kicking things. but more recently he has been hurting himself. clawing at his leg, punching his own head. this happens if he does not get his way too! i need help. what kind of professional should i take him to?

Answers:
i have a 3 year old who acts similar ways. yelling and kicking. he does not hurt himself though. not yet :-)

1- Always be in control ( dont give in to your emotions, i know it is hard)

2- explain to him that he is getting a time out because of the way he is acting. and you dont like the behaviour.

3- Put him in a room where he will be safe and give him a time out double his age- 8 minute time out. dont watch him.

4- make sure time out lasts exactly 8 minutes no less. At the end of the period ask him if he is calm enough to talk.
Show him the clock and when the time out will end.

5- Always make sure you dont give in regardless of how he acts. If he knows he can manipulate you by hurting himself he will do it...

6- make 5-6 rules and explain to him when he is in a good mood. If you seriuolsy misbehave you get a time out. ( dont over do it.)

7- If he learns that every time he misbehaves he will get time out then just the threat of time out works.

8- dont use physical force.

But it is not easy. I recommend this book to you as well. i just bought it and it sounds great.

1 "The Wonder of Boys"
Michael Gurian; Paperback; $2.90

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Other Answers:
Just hold him down tight so he cant move. it should work. if it doesnt THEN try help.
Source(s):
My BRAIN!

call supernanny or a behaviorists. Sounds like temper tantrum that have no escalated. Get help soon. take him to a counselor/psychologist

Man you should have watched Dr.Phil when they did a show on stuff like that. You should take him to a physiologist. When he does that get down to his height and talk to him. If he doesn't listen put him in a time out for 4 minutes.

Does he go to daycare where he might see other kids do that?

Tell him that even if he doesnt get his way he shouldnt hurt himself. Hmm maybe you could go to a sycoligost(its for people who like to to crazy things to theirself.) Did You Talk This Over With Your Husband. Or Doesnt He Care?
Source(s):
Take Him To A Dr. And You You Might Want To See One TO.

My 4 year old does the same thing,it is kinda nice to know it is not just her.Anyway I bent her over my knee and told her I would help next time she tried to do it and quit immideatly.

I seem to remember that my son did this for a while too. I think it will be a passing phase IF you don't make a big deal out of it (I'm referring to the hitting himself part of your question). As far as the fit throwing when he becomes upset..I think it's okay to express anger when you are mad..but you need to teach him how to express it appropriately. At 4 anger can manifest itself verbally now instead of just physically so I think you should talk to him about using his words to express his anger and emotions instead of physical tantrums. When my son was this age and reverted back to the "terrible twos" behavior, I reverted back to the punishments I used at that time too, like taking toys away and putting things "up" for a designated period of time. Things turned around really quickly when he realized that there were negative consequences for negative behaviors. I'd try these things for the next couple of weeks...and if things don't get better, then I'd consult your Medical Physician/Pediatrician about who you should talk with. They'll probably have great advice about what's "normal" for his age. Good Luck and remember...take a deep breath and count to 10..haha!

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my 4 yr old?

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