floppy tongue?

[klynnbn]

I have a friend that has a son who is on the autism spectrum, age 4. He recently began doing something and we are trying to figure out why and what it could mean. He has started stcking his toungue out when he he doesn't like something or doesn't want to do it. Its not like the way children generally stick out their tongues in defiance- the stiff tongue out. He just hangs his tongue out there, floppy. We have no idea why or where he got this from or what it could mean.  Any ideas?      an any

[sbgrace]

Hmmm...I don't know but my spectrum son will do what he sees other people do in ways that he thinks are like them but it's not exactly right so looks weird. I think it's got to do with imitation issues or body awareness or something spectrumy. Example--he would give "thumbs up" but have his thumb pointed strange or a finger in there, etc. His initial "head nods" were really weird looking. His wave is still strange.
So my first thought is maybe he's seen people stick their tongues out normally and his "take" on this looks strange.

[oceanbluemomma]

I would have them talk with an OT about oral motor control - could be a muscle issue in the mouth.

[treekidsandadog]

I agree that this is something that he has seen done before, but hasn't gotten down the "correct" way to do it. 

It could also be some typ of sensory thing, but it doesn't sound like it...it wouldn't hurt to talk to an OT about it...