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Please help - I'm so puzzled...

Jdog

My 5 year old son has had a repetitive "tick" from the time he was an infant that presents itself (mostly) when excited or concentrating.  He rocks forward and pumps his hands in toward his body then away.  He does this at leas a dozen times a day.  I realize this is textbook "stimming", however, he has no issues with social situations (he is very popular in his school and seeks out friends), he is compassionate and empathetic toward others, makes eye contact, and is overall a happy boy.  No behavioural issues or trouble in school / caregiver setting.  We took him to a developmental pediatrician yesterday, and they (based primarily on video of the stimming) think he may have Aspergers.  Are there other syndromes that primarily focus around stimming?  The foundation of an Aspergers diagnosis appears to be social, but we have no concerns in this regard, so the possible diagnosis is quite confusing.  We took him to the doctor because of his physical tick...now having a possible Aspergers diagnosis is a shock.

Parents

  • I'm not sure of my ground but feel certain points need to be made.

    You need to let the medical avaluation go its sometimes slow and circuitous way, and probably not look for explanations unless more problems arise. Otherwise you could be looking for things that are not really there.

    I have read that some repetitive movements are just normal phases, and that rocking is included as such a response.

    Rocking and hand movement however could be a response to sensory restrictions - information not getting through - that could be autistic spectrum, but it could be dyspraxia, or a hearing deficiency, or a few other things. For example could he just be immitating another child?

    Looking for social clues is not easy. While books might refer to eye contact and forming friendships, and play interaction, its not that easy to detect. There are many stories in books on autism/aspergers about children who appeared to make friends but on detailed analysis didn't do it properly - for example had toys and a nice house that attracted people round but didn't actually engage well when other children there.

    But I suggest if no other obvious factors, it may be best having started an investigative process, to follow it through without anticipating complications that may not be there.

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  • I'm not sure of my ground but feel certain points need to be made.

    You need to let the medical avaluation go its sometimes slow and circuitous way, and probably not look for explanations unless more problems arise. Otherwise you could be looking for things that are not really there.

    I have read that some repetitive movements are just normal phases, and that rocking is included as such a response.

    Rocking and hand movement however could be a response to sensory restrictions - information not getting through - that could be autistic spectrum, but it could be dyspraxia, or a hearing deficiency, or a few other things. For example could he just be immitating another child?

    Looking for social clues is not easy. While books might refer to eye contact and forming friendships, and play interaction, its not that easy to detect. There are many stories in books on autism/aspergers about children who appeared to make friends but on detailed analysis didn't do it properly - for example had toys and a nice house that attracted people round but didn't actually engage well when other children there.

    But I suggest if no other obvious factors, it may be best having started an investigative process, to follow it through without anticipating complications that may not be there.

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