Arm Flapping?

Question

Does anyone know what age arm flapping usually starts in babies/children with autism. I know that arm flapping is a red flag when it comes to autism. thanx in advance.

Answer 1

My middle child was pre-diagnosed with mild autism, and is trying to recover since we discovered one of the things that was causing the build-up of toxins in his system (an undiagnosed food allergy that we caught at the age of 5). He has never flapped his arms...instead, he twiddles his fingers. However, he didn't speak (except to echo what he has just heard) until he was 5-years-old.

The only true red flags to autism are an inability to speak (at the times they are suppose to be able to), and an inability to connect emotionally with other people.

If your child is flapping their arms, but otherwise has hit all of their social and speaking milestones (or near when they are "suppose to"), then the arm flapping is either something new they've discovered and it feels interesting, or they've discovered it gets them attention from a fearful mom.

Edit: No sympathy needed for us. Since we discovered the food allergy, he has been accelerating in his ability to speak to be social at a faster than normal pace.

Answer 2

Not all kids "arm flap." Some wiggle fingers in from of there faces. Some rock back and forth, or maybe side to side. Some spin anything they can get their hands on. Some don't have any of the above 'idiosyncratic' movements.

Lack of eye contact and social cues are the best indicator of autism. You know how babies will look at you intently, then smile & wave their arms & kick their legs, then stop & look at your face some more? That is a little social games even babies do. 80% of all babies later diagnosed with autism didn't play such social games. They would be more interested in objects, especially swinging, spinning or rocking objects.

Speech aren't a big factor for diagnosis until almost 3 because there can be so many other reasons for speech delays.

Answer 3

Arm flapping is not necessarily a sign of autism. Many times autism can not even be diagnosed within the first couple years. All babies have a discovery phase at which time they flap their arms and any other body part that they can. It is their way of finally realizing that those parts actually belong to them. There are some signs to watch for, but again none of them mean that your baby is autistic...avoiding eye contact and minimal body control of arms and legs past six months old are just a couple. Now if you are talking about a toddler then you need to have your pediatrician take a look, but if this is still a baby I would not worry to much about it.

Answer 4

I think it just depends on the child and thier physical development. Usually there are other signs, like looking out of the side of the eyes and perseverating on hand movements. There are some development characterisitcs that I have noticed are acroos the board with many children autisitic and non-autistic. I've noticed that many two year olds enjoy lining objects up, cars etc. color coding and babies like to sift through objects. Babies and toddlers are learning about sensory stimulation, like spinning, covering ears with objects, laying around with thier eyes and physical stimulation as well. Arm flapping does not necessarily mean autism. If it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as no/little eyecontact, speech delay or lack of social responding, and learning delay then there may be a need to be concerned. I've worked with many autisitc children and toddlers. Arm flapping varies and some autisitic children don't do it. I've also seen typcial children do things that to me look autistic, but I know that they are not.

Answer 5

Flapping is usually referred to as stimming (self stimulation) and is common along with other stims among autistics. This serves a need for the person and is not just random movements that seem meaningless, although they often present as very odd behaviors like some of the ones described by other answerers.

I've read some articles by autistic adults explaining in detail why they stim, and for many it is a way to help concentration and to "find themselves in space." It is also a way they are reacting to their environment. It can relieve stress and should not be eliminated-it is necessary. When we were learning about autism with our then 2 year old child, we tried to stop the stims and it often made the situations worse and led to self-injurous behavior. Luckily he stopped hurting himself and we allow him to stim whenever he needs to-it does help.

Here's a link written by who many would call a low functioning autistic. She does not speak but can write very well (different parts of the brain are used). She can articulate better than me on the subject. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

My son (high functioning asperger's) doesn't flap, but he engages in posturing. He holds his hands in front of his face in a particular form when he's mad, excited, etc. It's very awkward to see. He began doing this around the age of three. I would imagine that these would start around the same age. Good luck.

Answer 7

I am unfamiliar w/ this concept but you have definitely sparked an interest. I have to find out exactly what arm flapping is.........

Best Wishes

Answer 8

Oh my gosh, I have no idea. Call your dr right away. The earlier they diagnose autism, the better everyone's able to deal with it. Good luck, I wish you the best.

Answer 9

what is arm flapping? what exactly do they do/??