My awesome DS has been a ‘fidget’ since he was tiny.
This might be long but I’m sticking everything down in case something rings a bell with someone.
He has what we call ‘fidgety feet’. They are always poking his brother as they sit on the sofa, standing on a toy or box, fiddling with a dropped crisp packet or plate under the table...
He’s an extremely messy eater. He CAN use a knife and fork but still uses his fingers as much as possible for choice. We have to nag and remind him constantly. He eats a cake for example in the messiest way possible - by pulling bits off with his fingers so crumbs go all over the floor. Not all over the table, because he’s never leaning over, always lolling off his seat.
He finds it impossible really to sit down for a meal, he’s forever slumping or slipping off his seat, jumping up and dancing around. We nag him (again), but it never improves.
He’s pretty uncoordinated. Finds swimming tough, has messy writing (he’s a lefty too). He can ride a bike though, and plays the drums a little.
He chews stuff a lot. Lego pieces. Blu tak. The collar of his t-shirt’s.
He’s never still. Dances about, stands on stuff on the floor, swings on doors, runs his hands along grimy walls, pulls at leaves on bushes as we walk along, shreds packaging and bits of paper, picks his nose (I have managed to limit that one!)
None of this seems to affect him academically. I haven’t had any complaints, he manages to sit still when necessary. He’s a bookworm, and a decent all-rounder.
He sleeps OK, not brilliantly. He’s an early riser (5:30ish) and always has been.
I keep expecting him to grow out of all this, but he’s just... not.
Does it sound familiar to anyone? Could he have dyspraxia? Or just a lot of nervous energy which he’ll learn to manage? If it could be dyspraxia, is there anything I can do to help him?
Is it best just to leave him to it? We’re all quirky after all, and I doubt he’ll be on a date in his 20s eating with his fingers and chewing his collar.
Thanks in advance for any replies.