Breathing stims

[CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease]

Does anyone else’s DC have a breathing stim?

DS goes through cycles of various vocal stims. Mostly it’s very obvious that he’s stimming and we ignore it or just give a cuddle in case he needs soothing.

His latest is more an exaggerated breathing than a noise, sort of a cross between gasping and sucking air through teeth. I’m finding it ok to treat as the rest of the stims he’s had. But school keep saying he’s poorly as he’s breathless & struggling. DH is getting really annoyed by it. I’m getting fed up of telling them all to ignore it and that he’ll almost certainly have a new one in a fortnight!

anyone's child had this? Any tips on managing it better?

Are you sure it’s a stim and not a tic? Worth having a think as it sounds very like a tic and drawing attention to it is likely to make it harder for dc than not. As far as school goes be very clear that this is not an “illness” assuming you are sure.

Thanks, it could well be a tic.
Definitely not ill and any mention of him doing it is triggering huge rage.

I’d just ignore it completely and give dh “the talk” (why this is necessary on repeat for so many dh I really don’t know). Hot or ice cold drinks (with no mention of why!) can distract the senses. Sending patience for all of you.