does stimming always indicate ASD or other sensory disorder?

[manicmamma]

My DD now 7 does unusual repetitive actions with her hands. She has done since about 3yrs. She says she likes doing it and seems to do it when she is excited or trying to concentrate.
Recently she has become quite anxious about school and over sensitive about trivial things.
I'm really worried about her , what should I do, she I speak to my GP?
please advise.

i dont think anyone here can say that for sure does she have any other traits that might indicate ASD or other sensory problems?

Thanks for your reply
She is never been good at sleeping, it's like she can't switch off sometimes.
Her teacher has mentioned how she is always playing with her hands.
I'm so worried. My DH thinks its cute when she does it and says not to worry. Ive never seen any other children playing about with their hands it wasn't till I searched the internet and found the term stimming. Really hope its just a phase.
I'm so worried.

I don't think stimming is necessarily an indication of ASD or other sensory disorder, I know lots of people who have unusual repetitive actions that they use as a self calming strategy and I think its probably more common in children.

Self soothing behaviours can obviously be borne out of anxiety though and from your first post it does sound like she is suffering from some degree of anxiety at present.

My nephew is also quite an anxious child and he used to play with his hands constantly. To get around this at school, they agreed that he could keep a small toy in his pocket for comfort, so he had something to fiddle with and he definitely found this comforting. He is 10 now, much more emotionally mature, less anxious and no longer feels the need to play or fiddle.

It really depends on how much you feel its affecting her. Does it interfere with her life on a daily basis at all? If you feel it is becoming a problem, it might be worth having a chat with your GP about it, otherwise I would try not to make a big thing of it, as obviously focussing on it is likely to exacerbate it.

Thanks moosemama
She is aware of her stimming but "Likes it". Im trying not to make it an issue but find Im asking her to keep still when Im doing her hair or talking to her. Don't think her friends have noticed it, yet.
Think I should speak to the GP about it without her there. Need some sort of reassurance or direction.
thanks

i guess its no different to my DD chewing her nails she grew out of that but that was when she was at a new school and very anxious or my niece sucking her thumb shes a mother herself now and only finally stopped while pregnant