7 year old making a racket in class

[needinspirationagain]

This is my 7 year old by the way. He is generally doing really well, but apparently he makes a racket when working, disturbing other children. He sort of talks to himself, and makes noises like bombs exploding and things (it is cute when it is not annoying). It is a neurological thing, but so far no one has come up with ideas about how to stop it. If you ask him to stop he stops until his mind wanders and then it starts up again. He doesn't do it if he is really concentrating, but if the task doesn't require full concentration then the racket starts up again.

The other kids don't mind most of the time, he appears to be quite popular, it doesn't affect learning, his teacher has been supportive and we have both made efforts to get him to be more self aware, but she has said we have to find a way to stop it now, that if it goes on next year it will cause problems.

I would be really, really grateful if anyone has any ideas about how to stop it. I have found cognitive therapy available in the US for his specific problem but nothing anywhere near us.

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Get him checked for SPD and dcd. Ds6 does this too and its part of that combination.

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Also could be Tourette’s and if it is any of these things forcing him to stop may do more harm than good.

[needinspirationagain]

Thanks - @Tomorrowillbeachicken how is it managed in your ds' class?

I am 99.9 pc sure what it is, it isn't tourettes, but in any event we would not be able to get diagnosis or therapy near here. He will learn to control it as he gets increased self control and self awareness. He is much better this year than last year, for example. It doesn't upset him at all or hold him back by the way.

[Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar]

It’s not cute in a classroom situation. If he can stop it when he’s made aware of it he can surely learn to control it?

[Apple23]

Is he aware when he is doing it, and can he explain why?
Could he be trying to block out the classroom background noise, by creating his own sounds?

[needinspirationagain]

It’s not cute in a classroom situation. If he can stop it when he’s made aware of it he can surely learn to control it?

Children can learn to control it from about this age ie it is from about this age children's brains become more developed in the area of control but it isn't an overnight thing. No it isn't cute in a classroom situation. Do you have anything useful to contribute? Any strategies you can think of? Thanks.

@apple23 he would do it when he is bored basically. the issue is more to do with getting him to recognise when it has started and stop himself. like someone who hums or talks to themselves without realise they are humming, or talking

[Yura]

Would it be possible to replace it with something noise free? A stress ball or similar?

[NemoRocksMyWorld]

Is it a tic though? It's the perfect age for it. My seven year old has got a really prominent tic. She rubs her eyebrow. She can do it twenty times in a minute! She really cannot control it at all. In fact if you talk about it, it makes it worse. Consultant said she thinks it will go away with time. She doesn't do it if really really concentrating, or playing her violin. It's a bit less when she dances. Even though we've tried hard not to make it a big deal, she's still really conscious of it and would stop if she could. I would be really wary of making this into a massive deal as it may make things worse.

[lorisparkle]

Just a random thought but would listening to music / relaxing sounds etc on headphones help. Might keep the brain busy enough. School sounds on board so they could think around any complications they might cause

[needinspirationagain]

@yuri I think that might work when he is self aware enough to remember to pick up the ball instead of starting to chatter.
I wonder if i can start to get him interested in one over the summer...

@nemorocksmyworld, I really do agree, but the problem is the noise. movements wouldn't matter, but he disturbs the other children with the noise.

@lorisparkle that is really good idea too, except the teacher issues instructions, though if there were periods of concentration without instruction that might be worth thinking about... thank you

thank you very much for all the ideas, much appreciated

[Yura]

Maybe a fiddle necklace - it’s kind of “there”so he doesn’t actively have to look for it. And most have a safety closure thing as they are meant for babies, but they come in cool designs

[AlwaysDancing1234]

I was coming on to suggest a fiddle bracelet or something but I see some beat me to it! Something he can have on him all the time that won’t disturb others but gives him a focus. (There are soft rubbery ones which don’t make a noise rather than the clacking beads)