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[tacomaranch]

Ever since we returned home from Disney I have noticed my DS spins more and shakes his head more. He has autism but never did this self stim behavior before. Right now I am stopping him by redirecting.

He also is starting to stutter a bit. If he has been crying or is excited he goes you you you you you you hurt my heart.

Should we contact a professional of will these go away? I am worried because I know a boy with Williams who started rocking right about 4 years old. Ds is almost 4.

Thanks, April

 

[Forevryoung]

I can possibly help alleviate your fear re: the stuttering (masters student in speech/language pathology so no license...). Due to the autism, your sons speech is possibly slightly delayed (so it's just showing up later). Stuttering is usually seen some in 2/3 year olds because their brain is just thinking faster than it can get it out (speech takes a lot of motor control that they just dont have yet). In most cases, it goes away on it's own.

If you want to try to do something about it yourself, try telling him to take a deep breath and speak slower. If he cant follow that direction because of the autism, you keep your speech at a slower rate and he will slow his down (common trick- happens naturally).

Good luck!