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Original poster

ASD laughing all the time

10 replies

upstair123 · 07/05/2023 20:18

I have a 5 year old DS who is minimal verbal. He can say 2 words together when he's really encouraged (more please, pour please, cake please etc). But that's it. He's so hyper it's uncontrollable at times.

He now is laughing all day and it's awful. It's not occasionally, it's all the time all day. He's also stimming so much more than he's ever has (since December). It's awful to be around and he's destroying everything for us (husband and other kids). We used to go to the park but he now stims and laughs maniacally that we can't go. We can't go swimming as he stims so much that he nearly drowns.

We have tried ignoring it, redirecting, shouting at him (we are at breaking point) and time outs. I am broken. Laughing is awful. He won't do anything. We tried the doctors but it's was pointless. We used to have fun with him and make the best of things but we can't now. He's changed so much since December.

Has anyone else experienced this? What helped? Did it ever end?

OP posts:
openupmyeagereyes · 07/05/2023 21:52

Did anything happen or change in December?

Do you think the increase in stimming is due to anxiety?

Original poster
upstair123 · 07/05/2023 21:57

He started school (reception) in September but settled really well. DS was amazing over Christmas but his behaviour has decreased since then. He was ill in February and laughed for 5 weeks then. It ended but it's back and laughing again. He doesn't seem anxiety, his stimming is 'happy' stimming. We are fed up and feel we have lost him.

OP posts:
EliflurtleTripanInfinite · 08/05/2023 03:14

Reception can be a really big change. The first term at least at our school was a lot of settling in, getting children used to learning, routines of school and so on, then second term would be a big step up. Laughing doesn't necessarily mean happy, it could just be the way the overwhelm of school is coming out. Especially given he did the same when ill, I'm guessing it's stress/overwhelm. Mine have gone the other way, one physically hitting out, another had meltdowns, not at school at home and on weekends.

What helps him to disengage from the world and recover a bit? Mine use screen time for that. Get home, unpack, onto screens for a little so they can decompress. One watches TV while bouncing on a mini trampoline. Whatever works really. The behaviour eased as they adjusted to the work load. Came back mid term 4 as they were getting really exhausted again.

With the other children could you and DH take turns going out with them? A quiet house could really benefit your DS if he's struggling, give him some time off from having to cope with people, noise, lights, busyness, even family and siblings can be exhausting at times.

openupmyeagereyes · 08/05/2023 07:44

OP how long has this current laughing phase been going on?

EliflurtleTripanInfinite · 08/05/2023 14:06

@upstair123 you might want to check out this thread about a manically laughing toddler and possible causes including neurological ones.

ThomasWasTortured · 08/05/2023 14:22

It can sometimes be due to an unusual type of seizure.

If you have rules that put it may be a sensory need, has DS had an OT assessment? Also does DS have SALT input.?

If you haven’t already you can request social care assessments, a carer’s assessment for you and an assessment via the disabled children’s team for DS.

If any of the siblings are younger home start might be able to help too.

For siblings, your local young carers service and Sibs might be helpful.

SeverusSnapesTrueLove · 08/05/2023 18:25

It can be anxiety based, please try not to shout as itll make the anxiety worse. Could you try getting a toy to ask 'what's all that laughing' in a funny voice and see if that resets things a hit? Sounds like his nervous system is on overdrive.

Ela1234 · 06/03/2025 22:35

Hi there sorry to be bother do you have any updates on how is your son doing now am ecaxlty in the same shoes with my 4.5 year old now 😭

923a56712 · 07/03/2025 05:37

We had this! Ds asd was 4 to 5 when he did this. It was awful and would be for no reason. I think I posed here at the time for help.
Please contact gp though as there is a type of seizure which can cause this however for us my son had eeg which ruled it out.

I can't help other than it's now (fingers crossed) eased considerably and I can't honestly think the last time he did it!

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