Alot of children have some of the symptoms of autism without ever being severe enough (or having enough symptoms) to ever receive a diagnosis. One of our olders has issues with sensory, was a little 'professor' as a toddler, high IQ, bad social skills, got in trouble easily, didn't want to be touched. She still struggles some but has always had great eye contact and managed to have two best friends throughout high school and beyond. She would never be diagnosed but still struggles.
All of my NT girls were hand flappers when they were excited! That's why I thought nothing of it when my youngest was flapping. But her big red flag is her speech delay. We are going in on Thursday for dx.My friend redirected the hand flapping to the more socially acceptable clapping. "Let's Clap Not Flap" she would say.My nephew rocks and has rocked since he was a toddler, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with his development or social skills. The flapping would only concern me if there were other ASD symptoms, but alone, it means nothing.
Hello Everyone!!
First, I want to thank you in advance for taking a minute and reading my post! My son just turned 4 and I've never seen any indication of autism. Since his early toddler days, he has been a hand-flapper!! This isn't a constant action, he ONLY does it when he is excited and playing. My son's vocabulary is outstanding...he can carry on detailed conversations, answer questions, tell me about his day and favorite toys, explain how to do things, and use a multitude of, for lack of a better therm, "big adult" words! =) He doesn't have a problem with eye contact and always responds when his name is called. He is very happy-go-lucky and aside from the occasional temper tantrum, is extremley well behaved. He loves playing with children of all ages and makes friends with every child he meets. He is a picky eater and usually rotates around certain food items, but knows that he has to eat "good" food before mommy will let him have a treat!! He knows his shapes and colors, and he loves to do the alphabet and counting activities in his toddler work books. My son is a very affectionate child. He loves to give hugs, but what truly amazes me is his compassion. If he notices that someone is upset or hurt, he says "I will make you feel better" or "let me see where it hurts at".
I have looked at the signs and "red flags" for autism, and my son doesn't fit any of these categories except his hand flapping. I was just hoping I could get a few opinions on my situation and ask if anyone else has dealt with something similar in their child!! Thank you!!
Hi Tarzan...sounds to me like you just have a happy hand flapper. I would be much more concerned if he had any other red flags. But your son seems to be average or above average in all other areas. My son was and is a flapper, but he had a multitude of red flags besides this. Also, the flapping was a pretty constant thing (more than 50 times per day). As always, if you are concerned, ask a professional.
Good luck!
If what you wrote is accurate, I think it's safe to say that he's not autistic :)
Hand flapping is just a mannerism and if it shows up when he's excited, it's just a happy mannerism. As a parent of an ASD child who notices everyone's quirks now, I can tell you that even some adults flap their hands when excited!
Autism is diangosed by the presence of defecits in three areas of functioning: language, social, and imagination. I think that some autistic kids flap their hands in a repetetive, self-stimulatory way (falling under the imagination domain in this case - a repetetive behavior) - and I think that's when it's a red flag - not when it's simply a display of excitement.
He sounds like a precocious and delightful child!
I was jsut c going to ost somethign similar. Myt 4yo old was just diagnosed with Autism in May. Grant doesn't have hand flapping but he does echo a lot, but he also talks independently too! Liek you son he is very affectionate, know shis colors , shapes , can count, and can carry on with us. He loves other kids, always has made great eye contact, plays well with his siblings. he just echos and they decided to give him the diagnosis. makes you wonder to what extent they are passing out these diagnosis lately! I am so confused I just decided to go with it and see what happens from here. Early Intervention will do him no harm.
It's so hard to know what is normal and whats not. Good Luck!
Sorry for my poor typing, i am holding my 4 month old and she is trying to help me LOLI don't see any red signs. Some kid can flap and not have autism. He seems like a normal child
My 5 and 3/4 son started preschool 2 months ago. After 3 weeks, he saw a speech therapist for a light delay in pronunciation and she told me that my son shouldn't be "flapping hands" when happy! And she suggested me that my son has a neurological test regarding his flapping! I was astounded. And tried to find answer on the Internet.
When reading Tarzan, I felt like it was my son's description!
I have consult my doctor to ask for his advice this week and he was also astounded by her suggestion.
He didn't find anything "wrong" in his way to flap his hand "when happy". This never happen in any other circumstances.
I also have a 2 1/2 son and and 14 month son. The 2 1/2 imitates the older one and I think both of them keep on doing it because the other one is doing it!
My doctor put my mind at rest about this situation but gave me a prescription in case I want to consult a neurologist anyway, which I will (even if I am keep on telling myself that he is normal, I am still afraid that a neurologist might find something "wrong").
I have SO MUCH respect for the parents dealing with autistic kids. My little concern with my son is mile away from what these parents are confronted with.
PS: Please excuse my English, because I am French Canadian. Thanks.