Overly sensitive whiny child

[jilkens]

Her older sister has asperger's, yeah? Does it appear that the younger one is emulating the behaviours & words of the older one? How much specialized attention does the older one received compared to the younger one?

If she's holding it together at school but not at home it's possible that she's doing it to feel special like her sister. If you haven't talked to her about how special she is too, that you have unconditional love for her (even if you have to fake it), perhaps now is the time to have that discussion.

[Tempest88]

Her older sister has asperger's, yeah?

Yes.

Does it appear that the younger one is emulating the behaviours & words of the older one?

I think that's part of the problem, I think many factors are playing into her issues. She was a very overly sensitive baby and toddler as well. So, I know partly that's her nature. Growing up with an Aspie sibling has to have some negative effects though. Her sister really melts down when she gets over stimulated, she'll hit the floor and scream and bang, she goes down so hard at times she bruises herself. She kind of borders between high functioning autism and low functioning aspie.

How much specialized attention does the older one received compared to the younger one?

They're both involved in the programs at home, I have a specialist come here. They do the program together. My aspie kid has medical issues as well, and there have been and is many trips to Children's Hospital. This has probably played a role as well.

If she's holding it together at school but not at home it's possible that she's doing it to feel special like her sister.

She seems to be completely out of control when she's being overly sensitive and perceiving everything as an attack on her.

. If you haven't talked to her about how special she is too, that you have unconditional love for her (even if you have to fake it), perhaps now is the time to have that discussion.

I have had this discussion with her. I've also talked to her about Autism. At school last year and this year, they have her in the same class as an Autistic girl, the school did this on purpose because she has experience with having an aspie sister. My daughter is very good at school with this other girl, but again, a lot of expectations are put on her at school in being nice to and helping out this other girl. I think my daughter needs a break from this while at school, as much as she does really like this other little girl.

[AsAlwaysAngela]

A 7 year old child is just that... a 7 year old child. Children have a limited capacity for expressing how they are feeling or what they are thinking with comprehensive words. Because of this, the thoughts or feelings are often expressed with strong emotional outbursts. Does your child have a PD? Who can really say other than a professional. In my personal opinion, she may be headed in that direction, but may not be too far beyond a turn-around. However, that turn-around is not her responsibilty. It's yours. And PD or not, you've got to figure out a way to show that child love and understanding and not just when it feels convenient for you (for example- when she's not being difficult). I use an acronym I created to use with my own children... PULL. Which stands for Patience, Understanding, Love and Laughter. That is what children need. So when I feel like they are about to send me over the edge I remember to PULL myself back. It may sound silly, but it has actually worked. You may also find it helpful to read a book or two on the method of Positive Discipline. That has helped me remarkably in my interactions with my own children. Not only has it changed me, but it has changed them as well and I no longer find myself being pushed to that "edge" very often.

I hope I haven't sounded too callous, but this is something I feel so passionately about. My children are my responsibility and there can be nothing more important to me than that, even when it sometimes doesn't come naturally to me. It was because of my own insensetive, cold, emotionally neglected and sometimes physically abusive childhood that I ended up with my own PD and I absolutely refuse to allow this to be the fate of my children. They deserve the best I can give them if for no other reason than they end up nothing like me in the end.

[sahithi]

Highly sensitive children are everywhere. One of the characteristics of highly sensitive children is the ability to feel more deeply, while sometimes frustrating to parents. How you interact with your highly sensitive son in turn determines his reaction and how they deal with the situation facing them. Here is an article that tells you dealing with overly sensitive kids along with parenting tips. http://www.momjunction.com/articles/parenting-tips-to-handle-a-highly-sensitive-child_00336867/

[Scattered Ashes]

"Overly sensitive whiny child"?

That's a horrible thing to say to someone. Maybe she feels insulted all the time because you're insulting towards her.

As a highly empathetic child, she is highly affected by the emotional energy around her, and yours seems to be very negative.

I mean, come on, you're giving out fake emotional displays to manipulate her?

That's just...