First Time Mom - Abington,PA

My husband was an arm flapper when he was a child. His mothers says that he would of been "labeled" today. There was and is nothing wrong with him. He still today will shake his hands when he is excited. He has learned to controll it but I still catch him at times. I wouldn't worry.

Ask your Occupational therapist about having him evaluated by a psychologist through your local school district. Schools are required to evaluate the children in their districts when a parent requests it, sometimes teachers do, or maybe even your therapist can request an evaluation. Proceed from there. Get all the help your school is legally obligated to provide. I'm a stay at home mom now, but I was a teacher for 4 years before that and had students who "flapped" their hands. As I understand it, it is a way to cope with stress or emotions, or express themselves that comes naturally to them. You can sometimes replace the behavior with another, as one of the moms here already suggested, gum chewing, stomping feet maybe? Trying a different diet can't hurt either. Don't worry too much! The more calm and relaxed you are, the more calm, confident and relaxed your son will be too! :)

J.,

My daughter is PDD-NOS and SPD (sensory processing disorder). She does not hand flap at all. This is often a sign of autism.

I am assuming you are getting services through early intervention. If you are in PA, these will transition to your local intermediate unit at the age of 3. The IU only provides services that will improve your child's functioning in school. They will only address the SPD as a corollary to their primary function.

If you are in PA, you qualify for services provided by private therapists and paid for by your private insurance and the state. You will need to apply for medical assistance in order to get the services. My daughter receives speech therapy, OT from Children's Hospital in Pgh, wraparound services, social skills programming, and therapy. The IU provides speech, developmental, and OT but they are really just side therapies to her main therapies. It can take months or years of therapy 1 or 2 times a week for an hour to see an improvement in SPD. If you are getting a half hour a week, you need more.

My daughter really has shown improvement after about nine months of all of this therapy. She is not "cured" nor will her problems go away with time. While your son may learn to cope, it doesn't mean he has to. He can get the therapy he needs and move toward living a productive life.

Best of luck to you.

Hand flapping can be a red flag. I'm guessing that if you have an OT working with your son you've already gotten set up with Early Intervention. If not, please do! The earlier therapists start working with him, the easier it will be for him to catch up/ fit in. As far as I can tell, flapping comes when kids are excited or agitated, and if you try to suppress that particular reaction or self-stimulatory behavior it will just come out in a different form. When your son is older he will probably be able to control or find less noticable ways to "stim". In the meantime, you could try a mini trampoline or Swiss ball for stimulating breaks, shaving cream, sand or water play to engage him, deep pressure to calm, for instance. Ask your OT about your son's "sensory diet." OTs usually devise a program for each kid to meet their sensory needs. Best of luck!

J.,
a hug . just a hug .
grammy

I have no firsthand experience with this, but I have read all of Jenny McCarthy's books which suggest changing the child's diet. It sometimes helps tremendously with sensory issues. Her last book, Mother Warriors, has some very good suggestions and firsthand experiences of other parents. Good luck!

Dear J.,
Your 3 year old is learning new activiites all the time. The arm flapping will stop when he learns something new. 3 year olds are funny because their world is so big that sometimes, they are just "beside themselves." My niece would, for no apparent reason scream at a very high pitched voice for nothing....for a long time. She got over it.
If I were you I would try to stick a racket in his hand....maybe you have potentially the next famous tennis player! Make use of the positive...let him know that he's doing a great job!
Good luck,
E.

Hi J.,
Has he had an evaluation by Early Intervention? I believe that arm flapping can be a form of stimming. Talk to the occupational therapist about ways to deal with the arm flapping. Some kids (autistic or not) do it when they are very happy or very sad or are confused about how to express the emotions they are feeling. My son has a friend who does arm flapping and I don't think he has a developmental diagnosis at all. My advice to you would be to become very involved with your son's OT and Early Intervention. Can you find a support group in your area or online? Best of luck to you and your little guy.

Not sure this can help but I have a friend whose daughter has a sensory disorder. She was treated at Weissman Group in Marlton, NJ and now there is an office in Wash. Twp. also. There is a specialist there named Meg who deals with sensory disorder and can implement tools to distract their feelings (even such as gum chewing, blowing bubbles thru a straw, etc.). Perhaps they can help? Good luck!