Hand Flapping

[Anonymous]

I have a 9yr old with hfa who hand flaps throughout the day. He's aware of it but it's very hard for him to stop. I'd love to hear from anyone else whose child flaps - not once a week but daily and often. I'd be interested in how you handle it if at all at home and school.

[Anonymous]

3 yr. old does it when excited. lifts hand up and flaps. too young to handle it at all.

[Anonymous]

Stimming isn't unusual. I wouldn't intervene if he's not hurting himself. Happy flappies. There might be occasions when quiet hands are necessary. Maybe try a hand fidget.

NT people stim too--twirl hair for example:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-22771894

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stimming isn't unusual. I wouldn't intervene if he's not hurting himself. Happy flappies. There might be occasions when quiet hands are necessary. Maybe try a hand fidget.

NT people stim too--twirl hair for example:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-22771894

My NT child stims. She flaps her hands when she is excited. It's less now, but she has always done this.

My SN child stims on and off. It's never one thing for a long time (he seems to cycle through different movements). Again, he has basically outgrown doing it constantly, but I do see it come out from time to time.

[Anonymous]

It is just what they call a stereotypic behavior, and nothing to worry about. My daughter has hand flapped since she was 2 or 3. I know a few kids that do it. What exactly are your concerns? The social impact? Possible disorder?

[Anonymous]

Have you talked to an OT who has experience in sensory integration dysfunction? Many OT's are trained to help children make sense of their sensory experiences in ways that are more socially accepted. What works for one child may not necessarily work for another. Your son is at a good age to start addressing this because he is old enough to understand and he is not yet old enough to really be teased about this (at least I hope). Social stories in conjunction with suggestions from an OT should help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stimming isn't unusual. I wouldn't intervene if he's not hurting himself. Happy flappies. There might be occasions when quiet hands are necessary. Maybe try a hand fidget.

NT people stim too--twirl hair for example:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-22771894

My NT child stims. She flaps her hands when she is excited. It's less now, but she has always done this.

My SN child stims on and off. It's never one thing for a long time (he seems to cycle through different movements). Again, he has basically outgrown doing it constantly, but I do see it come out from time to time.

My NT BFF hand flaps. Has always done for the entire time I've known her, 30+ yrs. Before I learned it was a stim, I thought it was just a mannerism she had, and kind of cute - she does it when she gets excited like pp's daughter. Never gave it much thought actually...