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Behaviour/development

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Finger movements

27 replies

confusedandworried321 · 02/09/2019 20:03

I've recently noticed my DS (age 3 and a half) makes some funny finger movements, usually just when walking/standing around waiting. He seems to hold the tip of his index finger or sometimes middle finger and thumb together, sort of like an "ok" sign, or as if he's making shadow puppets. Occasionally he also uses the middle finger to pull the top of the index finger back, as if he's stretching it. Sorry it's really hard to explain, I don't have a photo but will try and take one tomorrow to include.

My first thought was finger posturing, which I didn't even know was a concern relating to autism until recently!

Does anyone else's child do this? My DH also fiddles with his fingers a lot, slightly differently. He's not autistic. But I do have some (minor ish, mostly) concerns about DS and autism. We are waiting to see a community paed, but that won't be until middle of next year.

OP posts:
NewMum118 · 06/03/2025 01:19

Thanks @confusedandworried321
@Raynexxbow I am not trying to hear anything. I am just trying to understand my son better.
Maybe someone on this thread can help me understand it.
My son has classic verbal tics like making silly noises, and visual seeking behaviour like looking at screens and making ok sign with his fingers close to his eyes ( he does this away from his eyes as well)
ASD was not considered as his non verbal communication has always been good. He plays with toys appropriately , plays social games with us which he initiates and a bunch of other things.
Motor skills are great in every way.
That is why I am trying to understand if ADHD will explain his symptoms.
He has a lot of ADHD traits of inattention, hyperactivity along with expressive language delay. He is on the go and physical activity during the day does not help his attention and on the go movements.
Where I live nobody will diagnose him with ADHD before 6 years.
But if he needs medication I will push for it at 4 years of age.
The only thing that bothers me is that the visual finger tapping he does is not mostly done by ADHD kids. So what is it?
If I remove the visual thing everything is explained by ADHD.
Is SPD common with ADHD?

Lylagirl23 · 10/06/2025 23:33

@confusedandworried321 are you able to update again? My daughter is almost 2 and does the ok finger movement a lot too.

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