Published on 12, July, 2020
My 8 yr old grandson is awaiting a further assessment to identify his future needs. He has global delay identified when he first began nursery. However , school, G.P. parents and myself are still awaiting for another assessment, where Autism has been mentioned by his senior teacher and head.
is there anyone out there that could explain to me some of his recent outbursts or meltdowns. Example for instance…… Today he would not let his little 2 yr old brother take home to their house a little toy. My 8 yr old was repeating “ no, Charlie can’t take it home, it must stay at Nanny’s” He was hurting his little brother and nothing or any words would pacify him. He became extremely upset and angry. I read up on something called a possession syndrome, but is it that. Or is it a sign of my 8 yr old being within the Autism spectrum? please I would be so appreciative if someone out there can recognise this behaviour, it has been happening very, very regular over the past year and I have never witnessed this type of behaviour from any of my 5 grown up children or any of my 10 grandchildren. It is so very upsetting to see him in such distress.
It may be that in his mind, certain toys "belong at Nanny's" and others belong at home - your 2-year-old is not fitting in with his world view and sense of order and what belongs where, and that is causing him discomfort. Think of a visitor in your house "helping" you clear up after breakfast, but they put everything away in the wrong place, then multiply that irritation many times over ...
Is it worth the battle? Can you tell your two-year-old "leave it here and you will be able to play with it next time you come to see Nanny."? Or you might get away with saying something like " I know the toy belongs at Nanny's house, but A can borrow it and keep it safe, then you can bring it back next time we visit"
As I understand it, possession syndrome is when a person believes that they are possessed by evil spirits ... it does not sound like that applies to your grandson! It sounds a lot like autistic thinking to me.