Max's hand flapping

[theeartofseduction]

It's called hand stereotophy. I've worked with Autistic children for over ten years, on both the East, and West Coast. The East Coast favors ABA, which dramatically reduces this behavoir. But I don't care for the ABA system, it's like training a dog. The West Coast favors more community based programs, with limited intervention of behaviors associated with Autism. While I favor the latter, it can be very tricky when controlling "undesireable" behavior.

[Annique]

I side with Max on beads being interesting. Bright colours, smooth shiny surface... must like chocolate actually.

(Oh goodness, you might have a future chocolate junkie here yourself)

[IndigoCat17]

If he can talk like a normal kid he is not autistic

he seems like a normal everyday kid.

[agspraggs]

I agree @monny287, hand flaps alone do not automatically point to autism. My daughter has motor stereotypies (primary, non autistic) and this movement is a byproduct of motor overflow.

[monny287]

Just because he hand-flaps does not mean he has autism; autism is based on a battery of symptoms. Some children simply do not know how to relieve their extra energy any other way. It's not an end-all-be-all symptom of autism.

[kucletsa]

Mickchick....I wasn't saying the child was an idiot...I was saying the comment below mine where it said he would grow up to be a rapist... That person is a pure idiot for putting that comment!

[kkcustomized]

Check out my video of my son flapping he has a firm diagnosis it is hard to tell from this one video. But something to look at. Better be safe then sorry. Therapy can only help it won't hurt.

[Ajarid5]

he said UH-OH and hes like three of four, i had a friend who couldn't speak until he was seven and guess what, he can talk faster than me now! He dosent have autism.

[zwonkked]

just because he can talk at three or four doesn't mean he's not autistic. there's more than one type of autism, and a lot of times in these other forms, children develop at a normal pace for the first few years then suddenly drop. other times, they're social skills and odd behaviors are the only indication.

[UNSCcaptin]

did teh beads dieded? D:

[emu143]

I have ADHD and I get the same way. It's weird how many symptoms the 2 seem to share

[mrpitchf0rk]

I doubt he has autism. It looks to me that it's just easier for him to move both hands when he rattles the beads.

[emu143]

No, he is displaying the classic symptoms. Obviously, you'd need to look at him further to know for sure, but the video description says he has an interest in strings and beads. The repetitive movement with the beads, the hand flapping, the non-verbal vocalization (he looks well-old enough to be speaking at this point) are classic symptoms.

[mrpitchf0rk]

Huh, I heard words.

[TeamHeavySuck]

He's so cute! Has he got Aspergers syndrome, or just normal autism?

[CountrybyAudrey]

Not all children that hand/arm flap are "autistic", my grandaughter had a stroke in utero, she arm flaps when excited, nervous, or eating, when we remind her, she stops. Her Pediatric Neurologists have all said she doesn't have austism, that it's just stimulation that feels good and most kids grow out of it when the get older! For , "Kylie's Journey", please check out my site, she is our miracle.

[xoitscariox]

My brother has asperger's disease and he does this also when he gets very excited. He's 11 now and he still does it but he seems to be controlling it more easily than before. He just has to be told to calm down when he begins to flap (which we call stimming/stimulating).

[KarikoUniko]

It's syndrome, not a disease. Sorry, I have Asperger's myself and I get a little offended when it's referred to as a disease.

[1313Nothing]

It gets easy to control at about 13.

[GlamAholic]

But not every autistic person is smart. (Syndrom down often does have autism...)

[khands100]

I was wondering if you have found any answers about her son. My daughter does this also, she normal just like your son, but she has been doing this since birth. Wondering if you have found any answers. We have gone to many docs and diagnosed with the same thing sensory disorder, but i don't thank that is right. The retained reflex charteristics hit right on the nose with my daugthers symptoms. Need some answers. Does Max have vision problems? My daughter does, we just got glasses. Please help

[corpdir]

Honestly, I've kind of let it go. He is so happy and healthy, if not a bit quirky. He is just not suffering in any way so I'm kind of taking a hands off approach. He'll now be 4 in a few months and i don't see the reflex problems in fact, he is very advanced in both fine and large motor skills. No vision problems. Hang in there! My philosophy is much different than many others- if I saw major problems (like I did when he was younger) I'd be on the same path to make sense of it all :)

[khands100]

Thanks, for your response. I took my daughter to the eye doctor today and he didn't think she had the reflex problem either, but she does have vision problems, along with everyone in her family. I am trying very hard to do the hands off approach but it is very hard for me not to try to find an answer and help. her. I guess I just want to know I am doing my best as her mother. Going to try my hardest to let this go and hopefully she will grow out of it.

[warriorprince1010]

@corpdir Hand flapping and other such actions are not unique to autism. I fear lots of people simply say their child has autism for other reasons.

[jaydee1515]

Hi There, my almost 5 year-old also performs involuntary movements when excited and does not have any other disorder...he rubs his hands ... actually on the web I've even come across some adults that have it still... it's called stereotypies... hopefully they'll grow out of it eventually but I try not to make a big deal of it... a doctor told me that bringing attention to it may prolong it.

[kucletsa]

YOUR AN IDIOT!

[mickchick2020]

@kucletsa dude thats relly rude he has autism

[corpdir]

3 yrs old and already more intelligent than you....

[snuffaluffagus89]

LOL

[writerightnow]

Cranial sacral therapy (to heal the skull preasure), physical therapy (to help his brain reconnect the pathways for both sides to work more co-operativley), and visiting a chiropractor who is non crunch will help him a lot.

[writerightnow]

This is not quite hand flapping. His right hand is imitating his left hand activity. This is a retained infant reflex. In the first six weeks of life babies hands work together to reach for mommy, pick up things etc. He has kept that, so the sides of his brain havn't been working independantly very well. It can happen from a traumatic birth, too much preasure on the skull, and where the neck is attached to the skull pressure.

[corpdir]

well this is certainly disconcerting to hear. I don't know what your qualifications are but, I've been told by his original ot that he has retained many infant reflexes. ugh. when I watch the video again, I see that you may be right.

[RAGDOLL2329]

Yes he does seem to have the habit of doing the hand gestures that can be associated with a condition but on it's own it isn't a worrying thing.Just love him ,wait and see if he developes other signs.There is no rush as you need to treat him normally to see how he acts to the normal world.Give him large doses of Fish oil.Orange flavour s the best,daily, as this will help to make his brain make the right conections as it developes.Give this to him until he is a least 18

[corpdir]

Thank you for the advice. Max has sensory processing disorder and has not been diagnosed with anything else. Aside from his sensory issues he is completely "normal."

[munkedalareee]

Yeah, that's like "hand twisting"