I'm really starting to worry about my 3 yo DD. She has always been shy, and sensitive to loud noises (she was diagnosed with SID last year). But it's getting to the point where her fear and anxiety prevent her from taking part in almost any activity.
We can't go to another child's birthday party - if she sees a room full of people, she runs away. If she hears the birthday song, she melts into panicked tears and covers her ears. If we have friends over for dinner, even people she knows, she runs and hides. We went to dinner last night with her grandparents and my BIL and SIL, all people she has known literally since the day she was born. It was early, and the small restaurant was very quiet. She still wanted to hide und the table or in the bathroom, and while at the table she sat clinging to me with her hands over her ears and wouldn't talk to BIL (she sometimes loves him, sometimes won't talk). SHe often wants to run and hide even if we have family dinners at home. We can't go to kids' concerts, because she's afraid of the clapping. We can't go to outdoor picnics (too many people), sporting events (clapping), puppet shows (clapping), events at the little local childrens' museum (too many people). Holidays are a nightmare, because she panics if she sees extended family members - again, even if she knows them.
I know that kids this age are often shy; I was. But I would usually just hide behind my mom and refuse to talk - my DD seems really terrified. She will pull, kick and scream to refuse to enter a room, or run away crying. Now she's starting to say she doesn't want to go to school (and she started out loving preschool), doesn't want to go to dance class (she goes to this simple little playdance class with 4 other kids, very low key). If we go someplace fun, she often asks to leave and go home right away.
I feel like she is missing out on so much fun because she's afraid of people, and it makes me sad for her. She's just genuinely terrified. Does anyone have experience with this?
We can't go to another child's birthday party - if she sees a room full of people, she runs away. If she hears the birthday song, she melts into panicked tears and covers her ears. If we have friends over for dinner, even people she knows, she runs and hides. We went to dinner last night with her grandparents and my BIL and SIL, all people she has known literally since the day she was born. It was early, and the small restaurant was very quiet. She still wanted to hide und the table or in the bathroom, and while at the table she sat clinging to me with her hands over her ears and wouldn't talk to BIL (she sometimes loves him, sometimes won't talk). SHe often wants to run and hide even if we have family dinners at home. We can't go to kids' concerts, because she's afraid of the clapping. We can't go to outdoor picnics (too many people), sporting events (clapping), puppet shows (clapping), events at the little local childrens' museum (too many people). Holidays are a nightmare, because she panics if she sees extended family members - again, even if she knows them.
I know that kids this age are often shy; I was. But I would usually just hide behind my mom and refuse to talk - my DD seems really terrified. She will pull, kick and scream to refuse to enter a room, or run away crying. Now she's starting to say she doesn't want to go to school (and she started out loving preschool), doesn't want to go to dance class (she goes to this simple little playdance class with 4 other kids, very low key). If we go someplace fun, she often asks to leave and go home right away.
I feel like she is missing out on so much fun because she's afraid of people, and it makes me sad for her. She's just genuinely terrified. Does anyone have experience with this?
From a child who has been there, please use extreme caution with the 'diagnoses' and 'labels'. These can be detrimental to children.
