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Original poster

2 year old started flapping hands when agitated - normal, age appropriate behaviour?

18 replies

rememberpassword · 12/01/2013 18:50

My DS has started hand flapping when he is agitated e.g. when he wants something and we won't give it to him - maybe when frustrated. Does this happen with NT children? I have no other concerns about him really, but it's odd this has just started. Ta

OP posts:
rideitout · 12/01/2013 19:44

both my girls did it. I don't know much about it but I assume dit was typical. I saw oher kids do it too

ConstantCraving · 12/01/2013 20:32

My 3 year old DD does this when excited. Have wondered about it myself.

PrincessMononoke · 12/01/2013 20:36

Yes it's normal, just a way of expressing themselves and diffusing tension I think, I even get a bit flappy myself when I am annoyed.

rideitout · 12/01/2013 20:49

Yes I think it's how they exprss frustration

rideitout · 12/01/2013 20:51

What have you wondered about constant?

ConstantCraving · 12/01/2013 21:02

Whether it is symptomatic of anything else..Only as i posted on another thread awhile ago about my DD (3yrs) food refusal and mentioned some of her other behaviours (anti-social,hates change,has very rigid routines, very bright... and the hand flapping) and someone PM'd me to say she had a DD with ASD and my DD sounded similar. I don't think she is - but probably don't know enough and maybe don't want to consider it...

rideitout · 12/01/2013 21:12

I think it's impossible to diagnose over the ether

And three is young, with lots going on, I found my daughters w rt trough odd stages around then. How long have you been concerned?

ConstantCraving · 12/01/2013 21:29

I know- it was just a shock to get a PM saying 'your DD sounds like mine who has ASD'. I hadn't really thought it until i got that message. I thought she was just her own, unique self. She has always been very funny,loving and playful at home but is not comfortable in groups,or with anyone really other than me,DH and CM. She is virtually mute in company and gets very upset if I stop to chat to anyone when we are out shopping. Is also stressed by changes - e.g. to furniture - and eats a very restricted diet. Sorry not meaning to thread hi-jack...

AngelDog · 12/01/2013 21:48

My DS, just 3, is similar - hand flapping, dislikes other people, likes routine, academically bright. Also very fussy eating, really bad hand biting when upset or excited. We'd wondered about ASD and have been referred to a paediatrician, but actually all the social stuff seems to be resolving itself now.

Original poster
rememberpassword · 12/01/2013 22:18

Are people saying it's always synonymous with Autism? Shock

DS doesn't exhibit any of the other signs others have mentioned. His language is good, he seems to like a lot of engagement with others, loves his food, adaptable.

Now I feel a bit worried

OP posts:
AngelDog · 12/01/2013 22:32

I don't think it is always by any means - but I think it can be common amongst children with ASD. On its own I wouldn't see it as a cause for concern. I've seen other NT kids do it.

Original poster
rememberpassword · 12/01/2013 22:36

Thank you

OP posts:
MrsKing · 12/01/2013 23:15

My daughter is almost 4 and has been doing this for at least 10 months mainly when excited but it can be for no reason at all. She has a speech delay and has speech therapy at nursery. She is sociable, confident and bright but won't do activities if she doesn't want to which can come across as a lack of attention span.

I find myself constantly torn between thinking it is just a phase to thinking that this actually is a sign of something more serious. She has been my most challenging toddler with a strong will.

My hv said just to wait and see because as she is on target for age related milestones a paed wouldn't do anything now anyway.

It's good to talk to people in a similar situation!

ConstantCraving · 13/01/2013 21:06

Hi Angel, your DD does sound very similar to mine - was there anything in particular which helped with the social side for her?
Password sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.

AngelDog · 13/01/2013 22:04

Constant, having a new baby brother has been the key! He's really taken a shine to DS2, and is constantly showing him things and suggesting things for him to play with when he's bigger (DS2 is 3 m.o.) He has started interacting with other children in exactly the same way. Sometimes he even forgets their name and calls them by DS2's name, so I know that's how his mind is working.

The only things I can say we've done is to try to keep going to the same groups regularly, and to have one or two other children we see on a regular basis so he's very familiar with them. Modelling behaviour has been important (though I hadn't been intentionally doing it). DS has just started saying, "Sorry, sorry, sorry,

DeWe · 14/01/2013 12:50

Hand flapping is normal at that age I was told. I expressed concern over ds who hand flapped until he was 3yo, and was told it can be totally normal. But it can be a sign of autism, but they certainly wouldn't consider diagnosing without other stronger signs.

firawla · 14/01/2013 16:20

On its own I wouldn't necessarily be worrying about asd, they have to tick boxes over a few categories and the hand flapping is only one box in one category so if they dont have any other symptoms or traits then it could just be a normal character quirk?

Catsdontcare · 14/01/2013 16:25

It can be an indicator of autism but not always especially if you have no other concerns. Similarly my ds has autism but has NEVER done hand flapping.

It similar to the issue of pointing. A lot of people worry about their babies not pointing as it can also be an indicator of autism but again not always. Same with eye contact, speech and so on and so on.

If you have a number of concerns them it may be worth talking to your HV

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