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I have a twinge of concern about one of my kids, just under 2 years old. He spends a lot of time flapping his hands. At the least bit of excitement, a hint of frustration, his hands start flapping. He also has started flapping while he runs in circles around a toy in the floor. (This could be because it has been raining so much and we aren't getting outside much, and he's trying to use up energy.) He constantly drools and everything goes in his mouth. I have no books out because he chews them to bits. It's been so long since I've had a typical child this age that I'm unsure if I'm really seeing anything or just borrowing trouble. Is the hand flapping typical?
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I have a dcb that does this when he's being impatient. I will hold his hands and say"stop. Calm down." Or "relax". That seemed to redirect him. He did this most frequently when I would change his diaper or while waiting for food. -
That's good to know. I've been redirecting him, and if that doesn't work, I'm doing some joint compressions. He loves them and it is soothing. There isn't enough going on for a red light, but I'm hyper-aware of things with my kids. Good to hear others do it too.Comment
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Hand flapping is a sign of Autism but not every kid who hand flaps has it. I think a lot depends on the frequency and whether or not there are any other signs that indicate a problem. For example, I wouldn't worry too much about a young child who gets excited and flaps now and then but I would worry about a kid who flaps often, talks non-stop, has sensory issues, laughs when someone gets hurt, etc.Comment
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My daughter is a typically developing child who hand flaps. She does it when very excited or when concentrating during play. For example she will set up her toys, stare intently at them while hand flapping for a few seconds and then move on to playing with them. Also if she is telling a story or joke she will handflap waiting for your reaction. Other than this complex motor stypie she is developing normally.
A child with autism can have hand flapping present but not always. Usually children with autism are not developing typically in certain areas like: social play and communication issues and will offen display repetitive ritualistic behaviors. Does this child present with any of those issues? I had a child with autism who did not hand flap but would not interact with other children in a typical way, repeated words and phrases over and over with no purpose and would play with toys the same way over and over.
The general advice is to not stop this motor display and to not shame a child for doing it.Comment
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Also, have you looked at any developmental checklists? Is there anything else going on?
Here's a decent one. There are a million all over the web.
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I've seen hand flapping in children with FASD as well. and drooling.Comment
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He's too young to say he has ASD. He doesn't talk as much as the other 2 year old, but he's a boy. My previous ASD child flapped, drooled, ran in circles, and put everything in his mouth. That's what sent up the alarm. I know from previous kids and what the therapists have taught me that he is low tone (as was my previous kid) and I see hints of sensory. But, I'm hyper aware of SPD and even see it in myself and my husband. ;-)
He has several family members who are educators, so I think I'll just sit back and watch a bit longer. It's a relief to hear that you've had typical kids with the flapping. Thanks!Comment
Yes, this.
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