Question about stimming
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| Fri, 09-23-2005 - 5:17pm |
Though my son has been diagnosed with ASD, there has been very little or no stimming. He used to wave his fingers in front of his face, but has not done this in the last 8 months. His main repetitive behavior has been spinning wheels.
In the last could of weeks I have noticed a new behavior that is starting to concern me. He shakes his head from side to side over and over again when he is upset. Sort of like shaking your head no, but much more violent, fast and pronounced, to the extent that I am afraid he will hurt himself. He tends to continue doing it longer if there is something for his head to hit on- for example, if he is in his car seat he can shake his head back and forth so it hits both sides of car seat HARD.
Is this a form of stimming? What do you do with this sort of behavior? I tell him to stop, but of course he is not focused enough on me to listen. I try to gently hold his head, but he will not stop until he is done. Oldly, when he is done with the head shaking he seems calmer and in control.
Any thoughts, suggestions???
Thanks!
Marisol
Mommy to Ian and Ava

Marisol,
Sounds like a stim to me. I can only suggest sensory interventions (deep pressure, heavy work) or trying to find some kind of substitute activity or stim which is less alarming.
sorry to be of so little help.
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com