Hands down pants - sensory issue or behavioural??

[singlevillagemum]

DS is 5, currently waiting for both EP and psychiatry for a dx of Asperger's and a query on ADHD.

I have managed with 98% of how he presents, but the newest one is just tipping me over the edge.

When he is stressed, concentrating, over-whelmed etc he always seems to have his hand shoved down his pants. He's not masturbating, just holding on to himself, like his bits will fall off if he lets go??

I have tried verbal prompting, rewards, distraction, but nothing seems to stop it, and of course it's not something that school is very happy about.

I have tried talking to him about how it is not appropriate, but he gets really upset and starts crying and says he has to touch it. If we are at home I just send him up to his bedroom or bathroom and let him know that if he must do it, he has to do it in private. But out in the community or at school there isn't this option.

Any advice or sugesstions would be greatly appreciated.

We had a phase of this and it was quite long lived im afraid,however we used to just tell him no everytime and give him a fiddle toy so his hands were busy.Now he always has a fiddle toy in his pocket that is sqwashy and feels a little skin like and that seems to give him the same feedback that he was looking for.
Maybe i should buy a large bag of them and hand them out to all the teenage lads round here that i see with the same bad habit

Ooh - skin like sqwashy toy - where might I be finding one of these? I like that idea, and it sounds worth a try, although I'd have to get several as everything gets lost at school.
Is it like a stress ball or am I thinking the wrong thing?

yes like a stress ball.Asda sell cheap ones shaped like octopus or balls etc

Off to Asda after work then!

I will certainly be trying anything I can, thanks INSC!