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Behaviour/development

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

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Original poster

Hand Flapping, anyone?!

16 replies

ScouseBird8364 · 11/10/2014 19:55

Since my 6 (soon to be 7) year old was a baby, he's been 'hand-flapping' mainly when he's excited or really enjoying a game etc. His nursery teacher mentioned it and broached the subject of Autism when he was there, but both his Reception and Year One teachers have always maintained that it's nothing to be alarmed about.

He shows literally no other symptoms of Autism of any kind, is a sociable, happy, bright and very well-behaved boy, a golden child

I've read about 'Stimming' but could this still be an Autism thing?

Has anybody any experience of this? x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PotOfYoghurt · 11/10/2014 19:58

The two year old I look after is also a hand-flapper, has been since he was a baby. He has no other signs of autism at all though. Doesn't help very much, I know!

Pusspuss1 · 11/10/2014 20:08

I did know an autistic kid who did this, but it was far from the only indicator. I think in isolation it almost certainly isn't anything for you to worry about. My husband has a thing that he does when he's excited - some people do. How very insensitive of them to say something like that in front of your son, though.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 11/10/2014 20:14

If there are no other indicators of autism then I wouldn't worry. Is it just the hand flapping that concerns you?

Some children with autism hand flap but my son has autism and never does it.

Original poster

ScouseBird8364 · 11/10/2014 20:17

Thanks for the replies so far guys. Yeah, it's literally THE only thing he does (or has?), no other symptoms whatsoever and that's why I've brushed it to one side over the years.

It was only today it was brought to my attention again by my mum and dad, when they kindly labelled him with allsorts

OP posts:

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 11/10/2014 20:20

Sorry but chldren with autism can also be happy bright sociable and well behaved. My DD is.

I'm not saying your son has ASD, noone here can -if you are concerned have him assessed. But not really liking that comment.

CaptainSinker · 11/10/2014 20:20

Well if he has no other symptoms of autism, he isn't autistic!

MummyBeerest · 11/10/2014 20:21

I did this as a kid.

I've never been diagnosed as autistic.

My daughter does this too. No other signs of autism.

Idefix · 11/10/2014 20:21

My DS was a hand flapper, started in early toddlerhood and disappeared around 10/11 yrs. At 8yrs we were assessed by an ed psych, DS had other issues - tics (stress, anxiety, excitement, fear etc were all triggers), dyspraxia, dyslexia and some traits of Tourette's and ADD. Were told that he had what was described, rather beautifully?! As a constellation of difficulties, rather than one specific disorder such as aspergers.

DS is going to be 16 yrs in 9 days and you would never know (dyslexia - awful writing and difficulty with structuring essays) of these earlier issues if you were able to spend time with him :)
These habits can be signs and symptoms of...or simply affectations that are temporary and passing.
If your DS is happy and developing well I would relax and see it as an endearing trait of his, DGPs may well recall one of you doing this in younger years :)

CaulkheadUpNorth · 11/10/2014 20:21

I hand flap sometimes, bizarrely calming when anxious or when very excited.

I'm not autistic, it's just something i do.

Idefix · 11/10/2014 20:23

Scratch what I said about DPGs, or at least one set lol!

Valsoldknickers · 11/10/2014 20:29

I know from personal experience that dyspraxic children flap hands when excited too.

Snowmonkey77 · 11/10/2014 20:31

Mark Kermode has big flappy hands and has made it his trademark - not sure it is anything much to worry about

nooka · 11/10/2014 20:46

My ds hand flaps at times and also tip toe walks, both of which are AS traits. He is also dyslexic, impulsive, sensory sensitive and sometimes struggles to be empathetic. When he was small there were some questions as to whether he might be autistic, but the professionals all said some traits, but generally NT. He is a quirky and slightly eccentric boy, and the same traits play out across the family (lots of eccentric academics in our family tree). He is also sociable, bright and happy, if not always well behaved!

I remember when it was suggested that he might be autistic back in KS2 I was very annoyed and thought that the SENCO was a) wrong and b) insensitive. In my mind children with autism were always severely disabled because that had been my experience at the time. In practice though some of the techniques for helping children who are autistic have been very helpful.

BarbarianMum · 13/10/2014 01:10

Ds2 doesn't just flap he FLAPS. He's 6, not autistic but does, I believe have the non-autistic version of gross motor stereotypy. Maybe google and have a look on You-Tube to see if anything looks familiar (I only found out there was a name for what ds2 does earlier this year - we had autism mentioned to us previously but again no other signs).

BarbarianMum · 13/10/2014 07:58

Sorry that should read complex motor stereotypy

IWillOnlyEatBeans · 14/10/2014 11:10

My DS did this loads as a baby/younger child, and still does a bit now when he is very excited. He is 4.8. He is borderline dyspraxic and I do have concerns about his social development that we are pursuing. I don't think he is AutIstic though.

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