What do you make of my daughter 3.5

by Melinda
(Boston, MA)

I am trying to figure out if we are dealing with a sensory issues, possibly, sensory seeking. My DD had severe reflux for the first 12 months of her life, but was basically happy, slept well, and even said 25 words before her first birthday. She met her gross motor milestones at the expected times, but she was less interested in exploring than most toddlers.

She liked to read and was very smart: she knew alphabet, upper and lower case letters, all shapes including ones like pentagon and trapezoid, counting, etc. before she turned two. She loved other people, was outgoing, but didn't seem as coordinated as some kids at the playground. She preferred to swing. She loves swinging, jumping on the trampoline, and spinning on a merry go round or in a spinning chair.

After two, her brain took off: she started reading, spoke in complex sentences, made up rhymes, did 48 piece puzzles, etc. but her emotions were in turmoil (a baby sister arrived during this time). She became volatile and her tantrums were intense. Her energy level and impulse control seemed different than other kids her age. When she was happy, she is REALLy happy, but then can lose a bit of self control. She doesn't hit or bite or throw things or things like that, just becomes wild. She cannot stop talking, singing, etc. Seriously, she talks 14 hours a day and it drains me.

She is very smart and now at three she can do simple math, count by fives and tens, sound out complicated words, and people are constantly commenting on the things she knows and says, and many people say she is adorable and funny, which she is, but I am always a little tense and worried she is going to have one of her little explosions over nothing or get a little too wound up and lose control. She over-eats on a daily basis and just gave up a pacifier. She always wants to eat or drink something. She hates wearing socks but other than that, she doesn't have anything else she is over sensitive too. She also talks too loud and no matter how many times and ways we asked her to turn down her volume, she is back to LOUD while talking and singing.

She loves to throw toys (in a fun playful way, but more explosive than I like). She goes to preschool a few hours a week and the kids like her, but I worry about her pushing them away because she can sometimes be a little too much. I am not sure what else to add. I know I am lucky she is smart and healthy and loves me, but I want to find something to turn the volume down a little and wonder if this has anything to do with sensory issues.

I am sorry this is so long. If anyone has any constructive thoughts, please share them. Thanks, Melinda