Stereotypic movement disorder

[Jimjams2]

Has anyone's child been diagnosed with this? DS1 has times (quite commonly- all the time at the moment) when his leg muscles and back muscles go into spasm. He kneels up in a very twisted way (hard to explain) and jerks backwards repeatedly- he goes bright red and it can last hours. If he wakes at night it often happens and makes it hard for him to get back to sleep. It looks very uncomfortable.

Donna Williams has suggested it might be a case of stereotypic movement disorder, and having looked it up I think she may well be right. Just wondered if anyone has come across it before. And if so any advice on things that may help.

That's a new one on me Jimjams. But will bump this so someone more informed can come along.
Is this a recent thing for DS1?

No been going on for years- I remember he did it once at nursery and they sent him home thinking he was having seizures! Generally he only does it at home so its hard to get pros to takke it seriously- but I have a new video camera and am going to video and take along to our next paed appointment.

I haven't got any experience of actual spasms but DS certainly has "odd" posture and body positions. Many of the other kids I know with ASD also do this, you know, hold their hands in a strange position, walk on the side of one foot, all sorts of odd positions. I have always just considered it an ASD trait. It doesn't sound quite the same as what you describe though. I have to say I am rather skeptical about all these "new" dxs such as ODD, SID etc as I'm not sure they are real dxs (not that they are not real conditions iyswim) as determined by the authorities and therefore of litte use and just confusing.

I know what you mean about the odd posture stuff ds1 does that as well, this comes and goes (I think it is biomed related as well). This appears to be distressing to him whereas the odd posture stuff doesn't really seem to be noticed- and when its bad it can interfere with normal functioning. The only treatment I've come across is drugs and ECT! I know what you mean about the use of these things (one reason why I've never bothered asking for a TOurette's dx although he fits the criteria), I think really I'd like to understand why he does it so we can try and stop it.

I'm going to have to video it first I think as it's so hard to explain!