Hi all, I'm new here. :) Our son recently turned 3 and we're in the process of having him evaluated for ASD. My gut says that is not what is going on, but he has some 'autistic features' that are very confusing. I know these 'stereotypies' as the pediatrician called them, can be seen in neurotypical kids, but he does also have a mild receptive language delay as well. He did not qualify for services when he was evaluated by the schools.
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I am not sure if hand 'posturing' is the correct word - basically he does a few different "stereotypies" involving his hands.. the most common is when he's running, or when he's excited, he'll have his hands out to his sides a bit and his fingers stretched and bent in tight, unusual positions. He doesn't seem to be aware of it. Sometimes he'll hold his hands straight out to his sides with all fingers stretched out straight and spread apart, and make a little excited noise, or sometimes have his tongue out a little bit. This lasts for only a matter of seconds and then he kinda snaps out of it. He's completely aware/"with it" at the time he's doing it too, but he does that at times when he's feeling shy or super-excited (like we just walked into a new music class, or he's meeting someone new), and then he'll kinda just adjust to the situation real quickly and then use his regular language and usual body motions. Anyone else notice this with their children? I don't really know what that is called or what it means, outside of that it could be an 'autistic feature.' He also has low tone/is on the low end of normal, and he's a little uncoordinated (i.e. has hard time dressing himself), so it was suggested that maybe that is a way that he kind of stabalizes himself, esp. since he does it when he's running. But that wouldn't explain the times he does it in social situations I don't think. Even though it's so short and infrequent, I worry what it could mean.
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The other ones seem more intentional, and sometimes I can't tell if he's doing it to be silly or if he knows why he's doing it at all - but he will take his fingers and make like a pinching or grabbing motion with his fingers and thumb, and say something made-up, or something random, and sort of repeat the motion to me almost wanting me to see it. If I ask him what that means, he'll say something like 'that means mommy' or 'that means ne-ne' (don't know what that means) or 'the doctor told me that' (once the doctor asked him to touch his thumb to his first finger as part of an exam- similar motion). Or sometimes with that same motion, he'll do that in front of his face, specifically his eyes, and kind of look through his fingers/hand in that position for a minute. Has anyone else seen this?
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Beyond these 'stereotypies' (if that is what they are called?), he really shows little/no other signs of autism that I am aware of. He does have the mild receptive language delay though, and slightly low tone, and these stereotypies, so I don't understand what else it could be. ?? It is very confusing. He loves social situations though, has great relationships with family members and his playgroup friends etc, is in tune to others' feelings, he isn't set on any routines, can handle change, communicates well, has varied interests in activities and toys, plays imaginitively, plays with his siblings, etc. If you have any thoughts or ideas about this please let me know! Thanks very much for letting me share here!!:)
