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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

Hand flapping

21 replies

LaDiDaDi · 10/08/2007 14:47

Just wondering if this is ever "normal" iyswim or if it is always associated with ASD?

I'm sure that I can recall it being normal up to a certain age but I'm really not sure anymore! Anyone know?

I posted this in SN originally but I was advised to post it here too.

Thanks

OP posts:

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expatinscotland · 10/08/2007 14:53

Again, what sort of flapping is he doing? Is it only when stressed or excited? Is it just his heands at the wrist or his whole lower arm?

It isn't always associated with ASD, of course, because my daughter does it and she is not on the spectrum, although she is dyspraxic with other delays.

LaDiDaDi · 10/08/2007 14:56

Hands at the wrists really, when excited.

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expatinscotland · 10/08/2007 14:57

Is he being assessed for dyspraxia as well?

Our paed seems to think DD1's is from her dyspraxia. But she is definitely not on the spectrum.

LaDiDaDi · 10/08/2007 15:00

No! far too young for that as only 15 months. I think I'm just a bit paranoid.

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expatinscotland · 10/08/2007 15:03

Oh, he's only 15 months!

Has he got any other delays or concerns?

My DD had delays from the get go, she was first referred to paed at 8 months because she was still so floppy muscularly and had marked delays.

LaDiDaDi · 10/08/2007 15:04

No other concerns really, speech possibly a little slow.

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LaDiDaDi · 10/08/2007 15:06

At work I've dealt with quite a few kids with ASD and all of them hand flapped, I've never a parent of an nt child mention it, that's why I was asking really.

.

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expatinscotland · 10/08/2007 15:06

They don't usually bother about the speech until they're closer to 2, La. DD1 has speech and language acquisition delays and she only started SALT at 3.

Does he point at things?

expatinscotland · 10/08/2007 15:07

Oh, K. As many pointed out, hand flapping can be associated with other conditions that don't include autism or even NT.

LaDiDaDi · 10/08/2007 15:07

Oh yes, she points at things loads! I'm sure I'm just being paranoid.

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LaDiDaDi · 10/08/2007 15:07

Sorry.

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expatinscotland · 10/08/2007 15:08

The lack of pointing would be far more of a concern, or in conjunction with other delays.

RubyRioja · 10/08/2007 15:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nemo2007 · 10/08/2007 15:09

Wouldnt worry about handflapping in a 15mths old,it can just be a form of expression especially if no speech[although again that is normal at 15mths]. Dd1 has quite a few words and is 19mths but didnt say anything until 16/17mths. Ds had no words until over 2 but he is under a SALT now[has been since he turned 3] for S+L delay

Weegle · 10/08/2007 16:30

DS 14 months hand-flaps when excited or stressed - I thought this was quite normal for this age group?

LaDiDaDi · 10/08/2007 16:33

Thanks all.

Weegle, that's sort of what I was wondering, is it normal up to a certain age and if so when?

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Bink · 10/08/2007 17:35

Posted on your other thread - but in answer to your question and from my experience, those of ds's schoolmates who were excitable flappers when little (but are clearly NT) were showing excitement by some other gesture around the age of 6. (Which would also fit with the right age for being able to verbalise excitement, rather than just shrieking.)

mimsum · 13/08/2007 20:46

ds2 handflapped like anything as a toddler and I didn't think anything of it - it was just his way of showing he was excited about something. However ... he was still doing it when he was 3 and by that stage it started to look distinctly odd - he's now 7 and dx'd with asperger's. His flapping has changed - he was obviously aware on some level that other kids didn't do it, so now when he's excited about something (grass, clouds, rain falling, Star Wars etc etc) he clenches his hands together obsessively, grimaces weirdly and sort of jumps up and down on the spot - frankly I'd rather have the hand flapping

what I really mean is, as far as I know it's pretty normal in toddlers, but don't know any other NT 7 year olds who do what he does

missgriss · 14/08/2007 15:30

My DS does this weird things with his hands when he is excited, he kind of rubs his fingers and twitches at the wrist. He tenses himself up as well.

I thought this was ok (his speech and everything is fine) Should I be worried? He is 2.3 btw

mamaM · 28/08/2007 10:47

Hi everyone, I'm new to Mumsnet and this thread is very interesting to me. My DD is 16 months and hand flaps when excited but seems to be growing out of it (hopefully). However, what does NT stand for?
Thanks

sugarmatches · 28/08/2007 10:58

My dd did not speak clearly until after she was 3. I was the only person who understood what she was saying because I spent all day with her. My HV sent all the speech therapy info, but I did not follow up because I know children develop at their own rate and it is ridiculous to have guidlines in small children.
A few people mentioned autism, because she played so well on her own.
She is now almost 7, going into year 2 and is above average on her school reports.
She is smart as a whip, but I always knew she was because I understood her even back then

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