Touching the Ears | Autism PDD

Yeah, it's amazing how our bodies work, MamaKat.  No offense to the animal reference.  The ears don't do much for me, even though it feels good when I clean them.  What's so weird is that my son has major sensory issues, but loves for his ears to be touched?  I don't get it, but then again it kind of makes sense, I guess.    My lilguy "flaps" his ears too. Usually when he is really excited and sometimes when he is overtired. I was worried the first time and thought maybe he had an ear infection or something wrong with his ears. His pediatrician must think I am just an old worry wart!

My NT son, when he cuddles or drifts off to sleep sucks his thumb and holds my ear for a little while, then he'll suck his thumb and hold his ear, then back to my ear....until he drifts off to sleep. 

My son Liam who has Aspbergers is often seen playing with his ears.  Not flicking really, more like pulling and stretching the lobe or just holding and rubbing the upper part of the ear....Its like an unconcious behavior...

My son loves it.  It seems so soothing to him when I clean them or touch them period. I have learned from many docs that many kids on the spectrum don't like for their ears to be touched. 

So does your child like or hate for the ears to be touched?

Oh how sweet.   I don't think Adam cares either way.  I do know that they are ticklish though.  So when I tickle his ears he likes it. 

Karrie

When he was younger, Tony HATED to have his ears touched.  Some of that was from frequent swimmers ear; some from hypersensitivity to noise/sound.  He has pretty much gotten through that and now loves to play with ears (his own or others).  Lately, he has been sucking earlobes - says he's nibbling.  So we have to work on this being inappropriate behavior. 

Mary

Sucking/nibbling earlobes, huh?  The things our kids think of!  He sounds like one of my nephews.  Whenever he got comfortable he would have to constantly grab his mother's ears and play with them.  It got on her nerves, but it was something he had to do.  

Tony walked by when I posted about his nibbling my ears... thought it was funny I was talking about it!  He also saw I mentioned it was "inappropriate" so of course he wanted to know what that was and then why? 

Mamajot... my Tony sometimes does what your Anthony did... similar to flapping his ears with his fingertips?  He will still do this sometimes when he is on the computer or reading a book.

My daughter (NT) used to hold anyone's earlobe when she was being rocked as a baby... maybe it's just a family obsession? 

Could we just be more observant of our "special" kids' little quirks?  My other 3 (all NT as NT goes) have their idiosincracies (sp?); maybe they are all just eccentric! A crazy related thing---I was told by a animal behaviorist to massage my
dogs ears when she was nervous. It really soothed her alot. Sorry to
compare my dog to your children...     Apparently there are many many
nerve endings and accupressure spots there in both dogs and people--cats
too.
Also, in this child development class I'm in right now, we recently talked
about babies rubbing and holding their caretakers ears. It's part of some
developmental stage that's vey common--who knew? [My son doesn't like his ears being cleaned, but does like to be rubbed on his arms,hands,back and feet. This helps to calm and soothe him. Its helped me many of times when he gets upset.Anthony used to hold his ears and pulse his fingers on them.  He didn't do it to block sound - he just liked ears.  He would hold my ears and other people's ears too.  He doesn't do it anymore.
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