Hand flapping gone mad
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| Tue, 08-22-2006 - 8:01am |
(the lets calm down emoticon is directed toward Kyle)
Kyle has always been a big hand flapper especially when watching a movie. He spends a good protion of a movie standing, jumping and flapping. Its really his whole arms he flaps not just his hands.
This past couple weeks he's started slapping himself or punching himself in the leg or buttocks when he's really excited (usually watching a funny movie but on some other occasion too). It frequency and intensity has been increasing. He is bruising himself :( I tell him quite sternly don't do that (the hitting). He tries to stop himself but within seconds he's up and starting again. Anyone delt with this?
I'm guessing it is due to the excitement of school starting. Yesterday was his orientation and today is his first day. I'm hoping this will stop on its own soon but I'm worried someone will see the bruises and think we did it to him.
Samantha

My kids do that. Ian has grown out of it a bit, but when he's stressed he'll make a fist and hit his leg with it. Like when he's doing homework and he's having a hard time staying focused or if I've chastised him for doing - or not doing - something. I think it's a form of stimming.
Duncan jumps up and down and flaps his hands when he's excited about something. He's just 5 this summer, so everyone thinks it's cute and it doesn't hurt that he's got huge blue eyes and long eye lashes. I don't know how cute people will think it is when he's a teenager, has acne, and his voice squeaks. However, he is very aware of doing it and even will say, "I jump up and down when I'm really excited! I'm really excited so I'm jumping up and down!" I have a feeling that since he's so conscious of it he may be able to stop as he gets older.
I think you are right that it's school starting. Ian has been having a TERRIBLE time getting to sleep at night. He's been much more moody and has said, "I can't wait for NEXT summer!" It will be interesting to see if our boys calm down in the next week.
Kelly