walking on toes and flapping question

[mamocak]

It is funny, because when I would read about flapping and such, I thought this was so not my kid, but then someone described that their child flapped like a bird and it was like a light went off.

My dh and I used to comment to each other( not to dd) how she would walk sometimes. She still does it sometimes now, but not as much. She would walk on tiptoes and flap very slightly with her whole arms outstretched.We just thought she was goofing around, but she did do it a lot. It was like she was prancing. Could this be a sign of Aspergers/autism, or is the flapping different from this?

[starry_mama]

My son does this, and we're pretty sure he has SID. I don't know much about aspergers or autism.

[mamocak]

Originally Posted by starry_mama

My son does this, and we're pretty sure he has SID. I don't know much about aspergers or autism.

How often does he do it? Hers is not a constant thing.

[starry_mama]

When he is overwhelmed or upset usually. Also when he is really excited. Its like an outpouring of emotion for him.

[sbgrace]

Well, certainly some kiddos on the spectrum might hand flap or tip toe walk...not all...and typical kids can do it too. I'd say that many if not all kids experiment with tip toe walking (sort of like they experiment with walking backward or sideways; they are seeing what their bodies can do). I've seen lots of typical kids hand flap at certain ages. My typical son did that for a little while. His brother who is on the spectrum never did until very recently (he's 3.5). Anyway, there would certainly be other characteristics. http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html Try this link...you answer questions and it will tell you whether there is reason to think there might be a spectrum condition.

[mamocak]

Yes, I just asked because my dd has other asperger/autism signs, so wasn't sure if this was one too. We are taking her soon to be evaluated, so wasn't sure if I should tell them this or not

[sbgrace]

Oh yes, I should have known that (I didn't look to see who you were; sorry). Yes, mention it. But they will likely ask you directly!

[bluegrassgirl]

Sometimes toe walking and strange arm movements can be a sign of cerebral palsy.

I walked on my toes since I learned to walk, but I didn't have cerebral palsy (we found out years later that it was caused by hereditary spastic paraplegia). AFO leg braces can help keep the feet flat on the ground to prevent toe walking.

Jessie
(single mommy to Emma, 3 1/2 years and Angela, 2 years)

[mamocak]

Originally Posted by sbgrace

Oh yes, I should have known that (I didn't look to see who you were; sorry). Yes, mention it. But they will likely ask you directly!

Oh, no problem

[Nature]

Does anyone know of a link to a video of this behavior? Its hard to picture. My daughter does something like this, but I always thought the hand flapping that I hear about with autism looked different (in my mind)

It would be helpful to see videos. I often wish some development sites had them.

[meisterfrau]

My DD, almost three and NT, does the flapping thing. In fact, I clicked on the thread because I thought, "Oh, DD does that!" She also does it when she is upset/overwhelmed. She's VERY verbal, but when she's having these flapping episodes, she also loses her ability to express herself.

[sbgrace]

Here you go Nature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-StZeXeWv1Y
Again, I want to qualify this with the thought that typical kids hand flap too some at younger ages. I, think, though that this tyoically occurs when they are really emotional and is quick and then ends. What you see in this video looks different to me for sure....this looks spectrum as opposed to what you would see a typical child do. Part of it to me is probably context, the repeated nature of it, and the lack of other emotion. I'm no expert though...just that I've seen it in my typical son and I've occasionally seen it in my spectrum son and they are different.

[mamocak]

Thanks for sharing the video. That helps me see things better. I don't think my dd's is from autism. Probably just a thing that she does. One thing that was the same for my dd is that she does the tiptoe and flapping at the same time.

[Nature]

Thank you for the video!