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Original poster

How do I get DS to stop jumping up and down?

37 replies

AngeloMysterioso · 06/05/2024 14:08

My DS (4 1/2) has this thing where if he’s happy or excited or having fun, he bounces up and down on the spot.

This is a pain for several reasons- one, because the constant thudding will eventually become annoying and/or give us a headache; two, because we live in a fairly old house with old floorboards which are slowly succumbing to the repeated impact of a child pogoing on them and three- we are trying to move house and we don’t want potential buyers to be put off by rickety floorboards but equally would rather not have to shoulder the expense of replacing a bunch of floorboards with all the faffing that entails.

But the problem is, he doesn’t seem to even realise he’s doing it, it’s almost like an involuntary impulse he has. He’s always done it- as a baby, before he could stand he would rock backwards and forwards on his bum and bang his feet on the floor- I called it his happy feet. Then as soon as he could stand and walk it became this bouncing. DH and I will ask him to stop and he’ll say ok, but seconds later we’ll hear the bang bang bang of his feet on the floor. He also will simultaneously shake his arms and hands up and down.

I don’t want to punish him for something that he doesn’t seem to have any control over, but we could really do with phasing out this bouncing thing somehow.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
Tiredforfive45 · 06/05/2024 14:57

Look at his proprioceptive sensory diet and other ways than jumping that can help to regulate him. Things like pushing and pulling activities, weighted blankets etc.

He will likely continue to jump to
some extent though. Rebound boards are smaller than trampolines and can be stored away when not in use, or an old mattress on the floor than can be pushed under a bed or sofa could work too.

LBFseBrom · 06/05/2024 14:55

Mine used to do that, excitedly, and wriggle, sort of dancing about, telling us things that he thought were important. It's not at all unusual. I actually thought it was rather sweet. Other kids do the same.

As puberty approached he became laid back and monosyllabic.

Wait a few years :-), and stop worrying.

Newname71 · 06/05/2024 14:49

softslicedwhite · 06/05/2024 14:16

Why wouldn't you look at diagnosis? It loses you nothing but the gains could be huge.

Show quote history

He’s going through a difficult patch and feels ADHD has ruined his life. I don’t think he’d cope with an ASD diagnosis at the moment. I’ve only just started thinking about the possibility of ASD quite recently.

User284732 · 06/05/2024 14:24

Very common in autistic children but see you've already had him assessed. Why don't you just put rugs/mats down? Foam mats are cheap enough, though I have wooden floors and can't imagine jumping works cause them to come loose. You could also get a pair of crocs to be worn only indoors, like slippers. That would cushion the floor and most of the noise.

Original poster
AngeloMysterioso · 06/05/2024 14:19

We don’t have space for a trampoline either inside or outside sadly.

OP posts:
ILikePistachios · 06/05/2024 14:17

Buy him a trampoline? You can get small indoor ones that are designed for workouts but perfect for bouncy children. I purchased one for my two for the same reasons you listed, our floorboards are very old and I don't trust them. Both kids absolutely love it.

I agree with @Newname71 , sounds like stimming, my DS is autistic and whilst jumping, rocking and waving arms is normal for most excited children, if it's excessive or they're doing it for emotions other than being very excited or happy, I'd have my concerns.

Original poster
AngeloMysterioso · 06/05/2024 14:16

Newname71 · 06/05/2024 14:12

Gently OP it sounds like stimming to me.
DS (now 16) used to rock before he could walk, then went onto the jumping and now paces up and down. The pacing is usually when he’s upset or anxious. He was diagnosed with ADHD at 8 but I do have some suspicions he may be on the autistic spectrum (not enough for me to look at diagnosis though)

Edited

It sounds like it to me too, which I why I started him on the diagnostic pathway for autism at around a year old (there were other traits that made me do this is as well) and I do still feel this way. However we had an assessment with a paediatrician in November and she seemed to think not - although how she came to that conclusion when he barely said a word or interacted with her the entire time we were there I don’t know!

OP posts:
Nappyvalley15 · 06/05/2024 14:16

Mini indoor trampoline for now?
Large outdoor trampoline when he is older?

Agree with pp that it might be stimming. Keep an eye out for any other signs of neurodiversity as he develops.

softslicedwhite · 06/05/2024 14:16

Newname71 · 06/05/2024 14:12

Gently OP it sounds like stimming to me.
DS (now 16) used to rock before he could walk, then went onto the jumping and now paces up and down. The pacing is usually when he’s upset or anxious. He was diagnosed with ADHD at 8 but I do have some suspicions he may be on the autistic spectrum (not enough for me to look at diagnosis though)

Edited

Why wouldn't you look at diagnosis? It loses you nothing but the gains could be huge.

Grotbagg · 06/05/2024 14:15

Small trampoline may do the trick. Jumping is something he needs to do.

softslicedwhite · 06/05/2024 14:15

He's stimming. My DS does this hundreds of times a day. His body needs to do it for him to feel regulated.

Newname71 · 06/05/2024 14:12

Gently OP it sounds like stimming to me.
DS (now 16) used to rock before he could walk, then went onto the jumping and now paces up and down. The pacing is usually when he’s upset or anxious. He was diagnosed with ADHD at 8 but I do have some suspicions he may be on the autistic spectrum (not enough for me to look at diagnosis though)