Question about 4yr old and flapping arms? - Page 2

[mommybytheWord]

Just got back from the doc. The Dr had to go to an emergency. So we waited 1hr and than they tell me to make another appt.: I think that i'll wait until after Christmas. Now I feel so much better!! I have loved hearing your stories and am convinced it is not Autism. He showes no other signs. If anything, he is completely opposite of thoes signs!

[erines]

Arm flapping

I had to reply ----and hopefully this will give you some assurance.
When I was a child I earned the nickname "Bird" by doing the arm flapping things and making a "fluttering"noise with my mouth every time I was excited (ie playing with toys, other kids, or just concentrating really hard on something exciting like a book). My family always laughed about it. I did this well through elementary school and have never had and problems related to it (no autism, excelled academically etc.). Interestingly, I still have remnants of this behavior. I notice now that occasionally when thinking about some of the projects I am working or other exciting stuff I still sort of roll my tongue like I used to. It is not perceptable to others though. Anyways, thought you should know. Just these behaviors along aren't indicative of autism. Best of luck! Erin

[GruppieGirl]

My ds is 3 1/2 and "flaps" when he gets excited too. He flaps his wrists and jumps up and down. He is a very average little boy.

I can remember getting so excited as a little kid that I broke my new paper fan without even knowing it. I jumped up and down and flapped my arms.

I think this is very normal. Sort of like an adult clapping when they are very excited about something.


You should definitely go to the doctor if you feel the least bit worried. Best of luck and please keep us posted.

[mommybytheWord]

Originally Posted by erines

I had to reply ----and hopefully this will give you some assurance.
When I was a child I earned the nickname "Bird" by doing the arm flapping things and making a "fluttering"noise with my mouth every time I was excited (ie playing with toys, other kids, or just concentrating really hard on something exciting like a book). My family always laughed about it. I did this well through elementary school and have never had and problems related to it (no autism, excelled academically etc.). Interestingly, I still have remnants of this behavior. I notice now that occasionally when thinking about some of the projects I am working or other exciting stuff I still sort of roll my tongue like I used to. It is not perceptable to others though. Anyways, thought you should know. Just these behaviors along aren't indicative of autism. Best of luck! Erin

Did the nickname bother you? My DH calls him flipper and I tell him not to!!! I don't want DH to feel like it is namecalling.???

[brackin]

Just chiming in to say that both of my nephews flap their arms in excitement, have since babyhood (they're now 4 and 7) and they are NOT autistic, or even close. The older boy even obsessively lined things up.

[velcromom]

Just had to jump in and say, Us too!! LOL Ds has been flapping his arms/hands when excited or just playing happily for a couple of years. Especially when he has a too-big shirt on, then he flaps and flaps. I don't see any signs of autism, he's what I call a spirited child but no actual sensory issues that I can tell. He's just a little more intense in every way. I see it in his paternal lineage. It certainly didn't come from me!!

[mommybytheWord]

Originally Posted by velcromom

Just had to jump in and say, Us too!! LOL Ds has been flapping his arms/hands when excited or just playing happily for a couple of years. Especially when he has a too-big shirt on, then he flaps and flaps. I don't see any signs of autism, he's what I call a spirited child but no actual sensory issues that I can tell. He's just a little more intense in every way. I see it in his paternal lineage. It certainly didn't come from me!!

I guess I would call DS very spirited!! He was the BEST baby and is so full of life and wants to please! He is also left handed?? I do not know where he got it from but I know it was not me or DH! Mabye great grandpa?

[mommybytheWord]

I just wanted to give you all a BIG for all the support and words! It ment so much to me!! This Christmas season has been tough and having the thoughts that something might be wron with our precious DS was killing me inside. I rarely talked about it I just let it eat me up. Yesterday while playing blocks with DS and he did the excited arm thing and smiles at me with his silly grin. I just had to laugh thinking of all the stories from you mama's. Especially the ones of you guys as childern that did that!! He is definetly a blessing to me and I love him so much. I feel like I just can go on and Love his arm flapping and take all his spirit in while he enjoys life and others sooooo much!

Again thank you mama's!!!!

With love,
Miranda

[heartmama]

Ds was a big time hand flapper starting around 2 years old.

He's ten and still flaps his hands when he tracks something really exciting~like watching a car race. He will still flap his hands, his jaw is all flexed, in those situations.

Ds is not at all autistic.

[muldey]

My ds has done this since he was a baby,he is now 5.5 yo.He has had other signs of developmental delay(due to his open heart surgery),but he has been tested and is not autistic,although we had some major concerns for a while.He's now very social,doing very well in kindergarten,and is just so much fun.I think it's cute when he does it.He flaps whenever he sees something spinning,when he's excited,when he's happy and proud of himself like when he makes a puzzle.It's just one of his quirks,like his love of sattelite dishes and wires.Only kid I know who would rather go look at the wires for hooking up tvs and stereos than look at the toys in stores.