I was hoping someone here might have some info about kids spinning in circles. My son (he's almost 5) spins in circles when he's overwhelmed by an environment or (I thnk) overwhelmed by his thoughts or emotions. He is otherwise "normal," but, like me, is probably a Highly Sensitive Person and/or has sensory overload issues. Is this a known thing (spinning or twirling as a coping strategy)? If so, where can I go for more information?
Thanks so much, everyone! I guess I was in a hurry when I wrote this, because I should have mentioned that I don't think it's anything more than a sensory thing...but his new teacher mentioned it and I wanted to have some info to give her when I go in for our conference. Truth be told, I, myself, "spun" for many, many years (into adulthood, but in private) to calm myself down when I would get overwhelmed, so I feel confident that I understand why he's doing it. I have just always wondered if it is a known issue or coping strategy for sensory issues. My son and I LOVE spinning equipment on the playground...it's like therapy! :)
(Also--"Highly Sensitive Person" was coined by an author who writes about sensory processing issues--I can't remember her name offhand. And yes, I have mood disorders too...anxiety and depression. It runs in the family. I'm just hyper-vigilant about my little guy because I don't want him to suffer with untreated mood disorders like I did. It's just scary.)
Riley gave you a good answer regarding getting a full eval, if this is the path you want to go down.
That said, I have a little guy who just loves to spin...just for fun.:)
Lots of kids with disorders aside from autism AND neurotypical kids AND medical issue kids (like ear infections, to name 1 of about 50) do this.
SO I wouldn't go in for an autism eval, if your concerned, but WOULD go in for a FULL evaluation (which starts off medically, and then finishes up neurologically/psychologically).
I teach Child Development at a local community college and I have an autism "expert" come as a guest speaker. However, she doesn't like using the word "expert" when it comes to autism because the spectrum is SO broad and there are no two kiddos alike! It is impossible to become an expert, according to her! :-)
Does your school district offer Early Childhood? I would start there or your son's doctor/pediatrician. There should be a local Birth to 3 program who, if they can't help, should be able to point you in the direction of some resources.
Good luck! :-)
Spinning is a big thing with Sensory Processing...it can even be part of a "sensory diet." It is a method of helping him "organize" or to remain "organized." Does he also like to swing? You may want to see about a sensory evaluation.
Our daughter loved to spin so much, we purchased a "Twizzler" for her. It is a handle bar on a rope. You hang it from a tree branch and the child holds on and spins themselves. She spent hours spinning.. Wore all of the grass away under that thing..
She is now 22 and wishes .. the "Skecher" spinning shoes came in adult sizes.. hee, hee.
I agree see if he can be evaluated..
Just spinning with no other symptoms is not a sign of autism. My oldest daughter used to do that. She outgrew it and is very social and intelligent to this day. If you have no other concerns besides the spinning, I'd say you have nothing to worry about. :)
Could be but not necessarily,
Like someone else said Look at the autism website and see if you can identify anthing else.
I am not an expert, but the borderline kids i wonder about, sometimes have trouble going up stairs with alternating footsteps, left right left, they tend to babystepp it bring both fee to the step.
They are super smart,
Pretty fussy about how things have to be.
alot of times they have allergies.
This is just what i have observed.
I would think someone more knowledgable than I, would be able to help you find more feasable coping stratagies, It's probably not great to spin when you get freaked out driving in the car, (as an adult) but deep breathing, squeezing your fist, tapping, visualizing calm, yoga, all that sort of stuff could be introduced to him to give him other tools for his calming down tool belt.
I used to spin, I liked how it made me feel. Alone I think it is more of a sensory issue than anything else.
My younger son is Autism spectrum, he never spinned, tip toes, flapping, none of that stuff that people point to and say Autism.
Is "highly sensitive person" your way of saying that you think you and your son have Sensory Integration Disorder? If you believe that's the case, it's a good idea to get an evaluation from an independent specialist but you should be aware that Sensory Disorders are rarely, if ever, diagnosed alone. They virtually always are diagnosed with something else such as ADHD, Autism, bi-Polar, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Schizophrenia, Depressive Disorder, and/or other neurological disorders.
Qualified specialists are Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians, Pediatric Psychiatrists, and Pediatric Neurologists.
Spinning in circles on its own is not a sign of anything at all. Some children just like to spin. Sometimes, a herd of horses is just a herd of horses and yet everyone seems to see zebras.
Ahem. Sorry. I do have a daughter with Autism who also has Sensory Integration Disorder and other associated issues.
Go to autisimspeaks.org.
