Can anyone explain to me why these sensory things are "bad"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 4 yr old with Asperger's jumps up and down and flaps his hands when he gets excited and happy. Likes to run around in circles around the house for < 5 minutes everyday. I don't think it's that big a deal but our OT & developmental ped always like to point it out. I don't understand why this behavior should be discouraged. It really doesn't interfere with anything and doesn't affect him socially in preK.

They aren't "bad". But they can be disruptive in school, especially as your child ages. It may not bother you but may bother a 5 year old sitting next to him. Kids notice when someone is different and may start making fun of him leading to peer rejection

[Anonymous]

agree with PP

[Anonymous]

OP: Thanks for the inputs. I have to disagree that SN kids need to appear as normal as possible so they're not made fun of. All DS's classmates know that DS is "different" but the teachers make a point of talking about differences and create a warm nurturing environment: The school has a zero tolerance policy for teasing and from how they handle my son's differences, I think DS's teachers and SN dept. do a very good job. DS is actually a popular/well liked guy in preK. I'm in school a lot too and know all of his classmates by name so that helps too.

So I'll let him run in circles and jump and flap as much as he wants. Perhaps he'll grow out of it or not but I don't want to make an issue of it for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Thanks for the inputs. I have to disagree that SN kids need to appear as normal as possible so they're not made fun of. All DS's classmates know that DS is "different" but the teachers make a point of talking about differences and create a warm nurturing environment: The school has a zero tolerance policy for teasing and from how they handle my son's differences, I think DS's teachers and SN dept. do a very good job. DS is actually a popular/well liked guy in preK. I'm in school a lot too and know all of his classmates by name so that helps too.

So I'll let him run in circles and jump and flap as much as he wants. Perhaps he'll grow out of it or not but I don't want to make an issue of it for now.

OP, no one said kids have to appear as normal as possible. You asked why these sensory behaviors were considered "bad." I don't think anyone thinks or stated they are bad but gave you reasons as to why people work so hard on changing them--mainly b/c kids who do these behaviors are often targeted for teasing by their peers. Secondarily, b/c they are sometimes disruptive. Not sure why you asked the question.