hand flapping started

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	Ds never did that until about a month ago. He started doing it maybe a few times a week but this past week he is doing it all the time. I don't know what to think about it. He had some changes over the past month, he started ABA about 10 hours/week, and more speech therapy. I don't make a big deal about it but I was just curious why this is happening now. Any thoughts?You know...I work with an 8 y/o with DS and ASD, and he didn't hand flap before he started ABA. About 6 months after he started, he began to flap. We're really unsure of where it came from, but he's so easily redirected that we're not really concerned. I do have a partial theory though, that it might have come from a Wiggles video where they do some sort of flapping dance...he does pick up repetitive actions from videos quite often. It'll be interesting to see if anyone has had similar experiences. Hm. My daughter grade 1, and she's started to flap her hands. I think it's a way to channel her tension. On my list of problems, it's kind of down there.     Thanks for your replies. Jess, he does not watch Wiggles but I was thinking that it may be because they started using his hands a lot in the ABA sessions, you know hand-over- hand and such. Epiphany, tension or excitement may also be a reason. And you are right, it's not that I am so concerned, I was just wondering. I do not try to stop it, it may or may not stop, right now he is non-verbal and it may be him understanding more but unable to express it. My son hand-flaps more when there is a rise in stress due to transitions and/or stimulus. Recently we have bought a trampoline and have been doing deep pressure therapy which seems to have reduced some of the hand-flapping but I do not discourage the hand-flapping...he seems to use it to help him process input and to cope with tension. Sam Sweetpups, I hope I did not sound like I was trivializing your hand-flapping concern. If that's how I came across, I'm very sorry. Interesting you should mention the work with the hands. My daughter also started with an OT, and they've been working on her handwriting.       Well, that was the first sign that triggered the thought that my son was autistic (and visual stims with his hands in front of his eyes).  I was pregnant with twins, put on hospital bed rest for the last few weeks (after home bed rest).  The poor boy was living with my parents practically, then I cam home with these two screaming infants and a lot less attention for him.  That's when the hand flapping began.  He is still doing it, but our house is still pretty stressful for him I am sure (two crying siblings).  Anyway, my theory is the stress and/or change in environment.  It actually has me pretty bummed.  I hate seeing him do it - perhaps b/c it was the first real "sign" I had. I hear those sorts of stims come and go. My son started hand flapping around Halloween.  He hadn't really done it before, at least not enough were I had noticed, and he is 4.5.  As things calmed down after, so did this. It will be interesting to see if it starts up again with the holidays.Epiphany, you did not say anything wrong, don't apologize. I appreciate your thoughts and the truth is that among all the 'behaviors' of our children, hand flapping is not so concerning. It is only because it's so excessive all of a sudden and I was trying to figure out what the reason may be. I really want to see how this will play out... Take care and thanks everybody for your input. My 5 yr old used to hand flap a lot.  That behavior does come back once in a while when he is either excited or stressed.  I also wouldn't worry too much about it.  It looks kind of funny to people who don't know what it is but I always figured it didn't hurt anything.  (Not like hitting or banging head etc. )  I have noticed it seems to improve as they get older. Laurie My 7 year old just started flapping this year. Usually after something visually exciting like a movie, and always before lights out. I think it is his way of releasing tension. I also keep a rebounder in the living room and I swear it helps with the stims and flapping.
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