Rocking body

[MinnieVanMom]

Our DS is 5 and has autism. He has just started a new thing. When he stands he shifts his weight from foot to foot. He won't stand still. It is subtle but he is rocking.

Why is this and should I make him stop or just ignore it? Again, it is new thing.

 

[BeckyScott]

Let me start by saying, I am not a doctor and I am only making suggestions based on my experience as a mom.

Does he do any stimming besides the rocking? Spinning, hand-flapping, anything like that?

Sometimes stimming is a reaction to sensory overload. So it may be that there is something new in his environment? Or may be that he is more aware of something now? It is calming. Think about it like this- there are lots of typical people that sort of absentmindedly will tap their fingers or shake a leg when they are bored or processing something or nervous. It provides something sensory that is needed.

I wouldn't try to stop it unless he is doing it in an inappropriate place where it's distracting to others. If he's verbal, you might be able to figure out why he's doing it- when it starts, ask him if he's excited, or thinking, or worried.

My son flaps when he gets lots of visual stimulation. America's Funniest Home Videos, YouTube, marble mazes, that sort of thing.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

DS normally does not stimm with his body but does it visually by having a truck go down a ramp time after time, or the same video over and over but never with his body before.

We are in the process of moving and come to think of it, this started when I started to pack. It makes perfect sense but I didn't think of it before.

I didn't know if it had to be extinguished or just ignored. For now I am going to ignore it and if it becomes a daily issue after we settle in we will work on extinguishing then.

I really appreciate your idea and insight.

 

[BeckyScott]

Does he understand how moving works?

You could try making him some sort of picture book explaining the process, how it's going to happen. Then he would know what to expect. Or maybe something like a countdown calendar, with explanations of what is going to happen on what day.

Some kids have a major issue with change and routine, and moving is a big change.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I am going to put X's on the calendar for move out day which is Sat. Morning.

However, I am having a moving sale and I don't even want to know what happens when I sell some of the abundance of toys he has collected? I also have his clothes he has out grown. He just doesn't understand that they are too small.

I don't think this would be easy for any child let alone a child who has autism. I can't change what is, but I sure do wish we had someone to watch him so he didn't have to go through this.

 

[NJMomma]

My experience with my DS currently age 9, is that he has over time changed how he stimmed. When he was 2-3 years old he stimmed big time (was non-verbal at the time) - he flapped his arms, ran around the room, smacked the walls and hummed - it was kinda disturbing. He eventualy dropped the running but kept the arms. Around 5ish (when his sister was born) he picked up a short little cough. These days the cough still comes out sometimes, but the big arm flapping is gone. He does something now he calls "finger sculptures" - he twists his fingers around each other. He tries to surpress the stimming (he knows other kids don't stim, he doesn't want to), but he just sort of tenses up when he does that. I try to just make DS aware when he is stimming, he often doesn't realize when he's doing it. I'm probably no help, and have rambled, but good luck with everything!

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

Let me start by saying, I am not a doctor and I am only making suggestions based on my experience as a mom.

Does he do any stimming besides the rocking? Spinning, hand-flapping, anything like that?

Sometimes stimming is a reaction to sensory overload. So it may be that there is something new in his environment? Or may be that he is more aware of something now? It is calming. Think about it like this- there are lots of typical people that sort of absentmindedly will tap their fingers or shake a leg when they are bored or processing something or nervous. It provides something sensory that is needed.

I wouldn't try to stop it unless he is doing it in an inappropriate place where it's distracting to others. If he's verbal, you might be able to figure out why he's doing it- when it starts, ask him if he's excited, or thinking, or worried.

My son flaps when he gets lots of visual stimulation. America's Funniest Home Videos, YouTube, marble mazes, that sort of thing.

To add to this - it could also be due to his need to acquire sensory input. (as opposed to reacting to TOO MUCH input) - Specifically through the vestibular system. He would probably enjoy swinging, sliding, spinning -

it just depends on the child. When my students begin rocking, it's usually there way of telling me they need a change in environment/activity/positioning/etc. - Specifically through the vestibular system. He would probably enjoy swinging, sliding, spinning -

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

My experience with my DS currently age 9, is that he has over time changed how he stimmed. When he was 2-3 years old he stimmed big time (was non-verbal at the time) - he flapped his arms, ran around the room, smacked the walls and hummed - it was kinda disturbing. He eventualy dropped the running but kept the arms. Around 5ish (when his sister was born) he picked up a short little cough. These days the cough still comes out sometimes, but the big arm flapping is gone. He does something now he calls "finger sculptures" - he twists his fingers around each other. He tries to surpress the stimming (he knows other kids don't stim, he doesn't want to), but he just sort of tenses up when he does that. I try to just make DS aware when he is stimming, he often doesn't realize when he's doing it. I'm probably no help, and have rambled, but good luck with everything!

The hand sculptures are his way of feeding his proprioceptive system. Does he often sit on his hands - squeeze his hands in between pages/covers of a book? Tuck his hands in between couch cushions? Pop his knuckles/make fists to stretch his fingers/hands. All of these activities may give him the same sensation/satisfaction as the twisting of his fingers.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Oh Great, it just keeps getting better.

Now he is hitting his forehead, hard and saying doooh. He does it in public and with everything else! Why does he keep uping the anty? Why does he hit his head?

We move Friday morning but this is about off the charts.

 

[bookwormde]

It seems likely that this is an anxiety-triggered event. If he has a need for routine and structure then a move can be quite traumatic. Do not focus on the manifestations unless they become a hazed to your child or someone else. If you have not already started packing his “area(s)” I would suggest you do this last. Also if you can take some pictures of his areas they may help reassure him that at the new place he can “set thing up” like they were. Just acknowledging his “uncomfortableness” with the situation may help some. Love and reassurance is always the best. Also he will pick it up if you are anxious and the situation is chaotic (all move are to some extent).

bookwormde

 

[jacobsmom]

Have you thought about taking your son horse back riding?? We just started my DS8 on horse back riding therapy and it's given him a lot of feedback. Just another idea.

 

[BeckyScott]

Okay, it might be that the "doooh" he's imitating something he saw somewhere. If he saw it on tv he might not realize it was pretend and that they weren't really hitting themselves hard.

It might not have anything to do with the stimming.

Then again, it might.