Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

My 18 month is flapping an shaking when excited is this normal?

18 replies

Rach322 · 08/04/2021 06:59

Hey ladies I need to no if this is normal as I mother you no what it’s like an worry about everything!, when my 18month old gets excited he goes up on his toes flaps his arms an slight shakes an makes a excited noise, but through out the day it’s quiet a few times he does it!? I am a nursery nurse an I see how children of the same age are but I don’t ever see them do things like that! X Confused

OP posts:
Woodpecker22 · 08/04/2021 07:34

When my oldest was assessed for autism at age 2 the consulant said not to worry about the flapping at that age as lots of children do it and then grow out of it. If there are no other indications I would not be too concerned.

OverTheRainbow88 · 08/04/2021 07:42

My 4.5 year old doesn’t have an additional needs
And he flaps when excited... usually over ice cream!

Original poster
Rach322 · 08/04/2021 08:11

He does over a lot of things that’s why I am concerned!? X

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds Behaviour & development Families
Tumbleweed101 · 08/04/2021 08:14

Keep an eye on it to see if it increases or there are other signs that something could be different, such as not responding to their name . I think it is fairly common for younger children to do it when excited. I’d be more concerned at about 2.5yr.

If you work in a nursery can your colleagues spend some time with your child and get their opinions?

Original poster
Rach322 · 08/04/2021 08:17

He doesn’t go to nursery my mum looks after him as I only do two days an there’s no room at my nursery at the mo x

OP posts:
DMCWelshcakes · 08/04/2021 08:19

In my experience, yes but if you're still concerned in a few years then maybe consult a professional?

Is it always the same stuff that prompts the response?

Pinchoftums · 08/04/2021 08:22

2 of my children did this. One is mildly autistic and the other is not. Interestingly the unautistic one still does it as a teen when really excited!

Camomila · 08/04/2021 08:31

DS1 is nearly 5 and still jumps up and down when he is really excited...NT as far as I know, but been bouncy/fidgety since birth, he just has a lot of energy.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 08/04/2021 08:38

Mine did it when they were little

Ds1 shuddered when excited well into his teenage years, we used to take him to the 2p waterfall machines in the arcade. He shuddered every time a 2p went in

But if you are worried about it maybe speak to your colleagues as has been suggested or a health visitor (or both)

Fountainsoftea · 08/04/2021 08:41

Ds flapped. I worried he'd be bullied in school, but it calmed a little and he toned it down a little. He still kind of starfishes his hand and shake s a bit if the xbox gets too much.

I have suspected possible asd or add (never been hyperactive), based on his inability to read social cues, his fixation on things and his ridiculous need to chew stuff- bits of plastic, cotton, fluff from his pillows.... but none of it seems to hamper him.

BonesJones · 08/04/2021 09:07

I have two flappers! DD is preteen and hasn't grown out of it. She used to shake as a tiny baby if she saw something exciting. I thought she was having a fit the first few times. I do suspect she is autistic. Very high functioning but has many 'female, presentation autistic traits. Youngest DS does it too, really intensely, both jumping and flapping. He is definitelt not autistic. He's still not grown out of it though at 7.

Unmellowbirds · 08/04/2021 09:22

Similar to others, I have two who do/did this.

The eldest is under investigation for ASD - the youngest is 5, hugely bouncy when excited but no other markers whatsoever.

I'd just keep an eye and see if anything else emerges - I'd note it down, though, just in case - my eldest is 13 and it's helpful to have a record of when I noticed things (and got ignored when raising them, but that's a whole other thread......).

littlematchstickgirl · 08/04/2021 09:24

DS8 does this when he gets excited. No markers for anything, it's just something he does.

LizBennet · 08/04/2021 09:28

My 6 year old is non verbal autistic and he only started flapping when he was 3ish and doesn’t really do it any more.
His NT 9 year old cousin used to do it until he was about 5, he did it with so much gusto and as though it was taking his breath away it looked like there was an invisible fan in front of him.

BogRollBOGOF · 08/04/2021 10:04

My 8 yo quivers with excitement. He puts his hands to his face and sort of shivers with his face all screwed up. He's done it since he was a baby. He is not the child with ASD and hasn't given me cause to suspect it.

Admittedly his brother with a diagnosis will shuttle-run the room with excitement. I tend to watch programmes like His Dark Materials twice so I can concentrate without the athletics.

caringcarer · 08/04/2021 13:34

Foster son came to us at 5 and did this all of the time. He has learning difficulties and lots of autistic traits. He is 14 now and I stead of flapping he twirls connected pieces of K'nex, lollypop sticks, blades of grass, cotton buds or anything thon and cylindrical. Only flaps rarely now.

GreenSlide · 08/04/2021 13:51

If you're talking about when they hold their arms out in front of them and sort of vibrate...loads of babies do this and it's very cute!

Vittoria123 · 28/08/2024 10:51

Rach322 · 08/04/2021 08:17

He doesn’t go to nursery my mum looks after him as I only do two days an there’s no room at my nursery at the mo x

Hi how’s your baby now ? ☺️

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread