2Yrs Old Daughter Obsessed with Rocking and Jumping

I used to nanny a boy would was autistic and he rocked a lot. I'm not a doctor or medical specialist but maybe it's something to look into.

I don't know, but you may have cause to be concerned. A lot of children with autism rock. And the obsessive part of it is also another possible sign. I don't want to freak you out, and maybe I am wrong, but I think the sooner you know about things like that, the better you are.

Call Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) and get an appt. as soon as you can. Always listen to your Mom intuition! Never take the wait and see approach. It sounds like self-stimulatory behavior that many autistic kids display. It's how they regulate incoming sensory stimulus. Somewhat like people twirl their hair or chew their fingernails. I'm not saying she is autistic but she is displaying some very classic characteristics of autism. Early intervention is the key, the earlier the better. Some children can completely lose the autism diagnosis with intensive early intervention. Go to TACAnow.com website. They list sign and symptoms of autism and talk about the gluten free-casein free diet, Applied Behavior Analysis and DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) doctors. Another intervention is Tomatis listening therapy. They are trying to get a session started here in town this month or next. It's expensive but worth it. Also call F.E.A.T. (Families For Effective Autism Treatment) their website is featsonv.org. They also have tons of info. I know all of this first hand as my almost 4 year old daughter has high-functioning autism. It's heartbreaking but once you know you can get the help she needs. Good luck. Listen to that Mom intuition, it won't steer you wrong. I listened and my daughter is so much better and hopefully on her way to recovery.

B.

Something I've found with my kids is to trust my intuition. I believed that something was wrong with my son and everyone told me it was just boys. Turns out that he has a mild form of autism called Aspergers Syndrome. I just wish that I'd listened to myself sooner!! Your daughter may have found something she likes to do that feels good, or she may need the sensory input. Occupational Therapy is fantastic for kids needing sensory stimulation. Try a developmental pediatrician or call the Elks or Easter Seals -- they both have great evaluations that will let you know if there's anything going on.

Hello M.~
I have a friend whose daughter was doing this same thing. She to was having difficulties getting an answer. After taking her back to the pediatrician and demanding some testing. So they did the testing and found her daughter has Autism. The rocking back and forth and the jumping in her sleep does sound like traits of autism. Some good websites to check out are the as follows: www.bretfavrefoundation.com or www.autism.com or www.webmd.com
I hope this helps~good luck~

Reading this almost makes you want to laugh, but I know to you, this is no laughing matter. My mother went throught the same thing with me.... I would rock back and forth in my sleep, all night. Lying on my back I'd roll from side- to-side. I'd do it so violently that I'd fall right out of the bed, but it never wokr me up, I'd just keep in rocking. I would also rock back in forth on my couch or on long car rides. My mom took me to several specialists who told her I had everything from Autism to sleep apnea. Well, here I am 23 years later, and I still do it. Nothing is wrong with me (I promise) but every once in a while I will wake myself up in the middle of the night from rocking back and forth. I noticed that I do it more when I'm stressed or upset. As odd as it is, it really hasn't harmed me in any way. Your daughter might just be using it as a self-soothing technique. I'm sure she'll be okay, good luck!!

I had a cousin who used to bang his head continuously when it came to taking naps and falling asleep at night, if he woke up it would start all over again. He outgrew it, but not until he was well into his teenage years. This was his blanket. Also, my son had a lot of the jumping habits that you are talking about with your daughter, and once he stopped getting attention for it he grewe out of it.

Just something to ease your concern, the reason why children are able to walk away from things that seem like they should hurt (without being hurt) is because their bodies grow faster than their nerve endings. So, when they hit their heads or bump into things and do not cry it is because they truly do not feel pain, there is no nerve ending there to send the impulse to the brain. Also, it is a training process. The more attention they get for anything, the more they are going to do it...whether the attention is positive or negative. Just breath through hit, ignore the behavior and look for any changes. If there aren't any, get refered to a specialist for a 2nd opinion. Keep your chin up.

I had a cousin that did that when she was little. I think the doctor told my aunt that it was a comfort thing. She outgrew it.

Hey M.,
I don't want to make you worry even more, but you should definitely see a different doctor. My dad works with autistic children, and this is something that could be related to that. Any time you are not comfortable something, you should follow your motherly instinct, because its usually right. Often doctors just assume that since it is your first child, you are being paranoid. Don't let it go. If nothing else, take your daughter into the doctor's office, and bring the chair into the exam room. Let the doctor see the behavior and see if he or she still thinks you're overexaggerating. It would be one thing if it was just the way that she plays, but since it occurs at night, I would pursue finding out what is causing it. I am worried that she may hurt herself. Does she have any other habits? How well does she express herself verbally? Just take a deep breath and take it one day at a time. It could be something as simple as a phase. My son went through a brief period as a baby when he would bang his head on the wall while he was falling asleep. Kids just do weird things sometimes. Good luck!

this sounds to me like a thinly veiled yet deeply rooted method of gaining attention from away from your new baby. The more opportunities you can find to gain personal time with her alone with a lot of physical nurturing and affection (she sounds like a touchy feely person) AND giving her bunches of praise for being an awesome big sister, etc. The sleep element is peculiar, it may be wise to sleep with her, right at your side, so you can offer your own nurturing comfort instead of having her seek to jump. Some kids have blankies, she has her jumping. Perhaps if you give her a limit like: "ok, you can jump for 20 seconds! 1, 2, 3, ..."
good luck!

When my oldest son was 2 he started doing weird facial ticks and jerking his head and arm to one side. Of course I freaked thinking he was having seizures.

My doctor didn't think it was anything but referred me to a neurologist who preformed an EEG. The EEG came out fine and the neurologist ask how I acted when I witnessed the behavior. Because I wanted Dr.s to see what he did I had been video taping just about every episode; When I wasn't taping I was watching him and taking notes or trying to distract him from doing the behavior. The Dr. suggested that I completely ignore the behavior, leaving the room if possible when it started. He ask that I come back in 3 months for a follow-up. I didn't even bother with the follow-up, my son had stopped his jerking after about two weeks. Months later when I spoke to my pediatrician about it he suggested that because my son had recently had a little brother (my youngest was about 3-6mo old at the time of his jerking) he may have thought he had found a way to "steal" a little attention back. When the behavior stopped working he simply moved on to new things. BINGO!

After reading your post I see that your daughter has a new little brother that she is now competing with. So you may want to try ignoring her behavior for awhile and see what happens. If it doesn't stop after a few weeks pester your doctor for more suggestions. Im sure this will end up being a funny story you tell your daughters boyfriend someday! Good Luck

I've done behavorial therapy with autisitc children for several years and your daughter's behavior sounds like a classical "stim" or stimulatory behavior that autistic children display when they become obsessed with one activity and derive comfort from repeating it over and over. I don't consider autism, in milder forms such as Asperger's, a disease but a certain type of personality that can be greatly helped with therapy and careful nurturing. How is she in social situations? What about her level of eye contact? These are all good indicators of autism. Take her to get evaluated and if your doctor isn't receptive, try someone else.

Hi M.,

Yes, I would agree that you should definately take her to a different doctor. Try one that specializes in autism and at least get it ruled out. The things that she is doing are behaviors that autistic children have/do. As well, you said she has been doing this for a long time. So, this was her pattern of behavior prior to the baby being born? What about prior to you being pregnant? Yes older siblings that are starting in the 'two's' can definately do some extreme things to keep you focused on them. But, I would also look at her speech development. And her interaction with other children, adults, etc. There are different levels of autism as well. Not all are extreme cases where they are not able to carry on some level of 'normalness' with their peers, etc.

I would try and be as patient and understanding as possible as not to let her feel or see your worry or stress. I know that's hard but children (especially autistic) children are very sensitive to those things, and you might be make yourself nuts with worry. And obviously not good for your son to have you stressed either. As mentioned in someone else's post.. take it one day at a time and at least go with the frame of mind to rule it out. And then go forward from there. I hope you find a doctor that can at least give you a diagnosis for her behavior and would you please keep us updated?

Take Care

HI M.,
noone knows your child better than you. no matter how many years experience your doctor has he doesnt know her like you do. If you feel like this needs more attention keep asking. If he wont listen find someone who will untill you are satisfied. Also you make call your local school district and ask for an evaluation from them. Often they can catch any possible devlopmental issues and they have alot of qualified people who know many things. Plus, thisis a free service. But I highly recommend not giving up until you are comfortable with the answer. Good luck!

Have you researched this behavior pattern through a child psychologist? She is quite young for diagnostic intervention I would imagine, but they may be able to help you with some managment techniques. Another resource I know of is something called the Education Service District (at least in Oregon where I am from). They help evaluate children for a variety of psychological/physical delays. I have there phone number if it appears to be fitting, send me a message and I can get that to you.

You might want to have her tested for autism.

Take her to a doctor. You should talk with a professional. Does your daughter have any other unusual or "compulsive" behaviors?

Hi M.,

Sounds like you have your hands full right now! You must be feeling pretty anxious about this right now, but just remember, if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will get through this time. :)

I don't know what to think about your little girl, but I do know that a mother's instincts should be listened to. If you feel like something is wrong, I think you should seek a second (or third) opinion about your daughter. This could be something physical, mental, or just something that she's going through in her development. I know it is not easy to seek other opinions, but I think until you feel satisfied with an answer, you should continue to pursue knowledge regarding her behavior.
I wonder if maybe you video taped some of this behavior, it may help a doctor or other professional to know exactly what she is doing as she may not do this in their office? Just a thought...
I really hope you find the answers for this!! :)

You are in my prayers,
M.

My son displayed the same sort of symptoms. He constantly had to be on the move. He rocked or spun or emptied our book shelves, about every hour. He didn't sleep very well or for very long. It just got worse as he got older, now, please, don't misunderstand me, but my son Has ADHD and Bipolar disorder. I am not saying your daughter has the same thing but I would keep an eye on it. The other women who gave you advice had some very good ideas. The new baby could be the trigger. We've had my son medication sinse he was five, he's almost eleven now, and when he misses a dose, we see all the old behaviors come back. Repeating motions, words, jumping up and down and irritablility. He doesn't sleep well at all then. He can even tell his therapist, and doctor when he feels "all jumbled in my brain." his words not ours. I hope this doesn't scare you off or anything and I wish you the best of luck.

I don't know if it's anything to worry about or if it could be something serious, but I would highly suggest you get a second opinion. It's better to have two or three doctors to tell you it's normal and you'll feel better or, in the event it is something abnormal, then you've taken the first steps to learning about it and see what can be done to help her.

Definitely seek a second opinion.

M.,
I remember rocking in everything that could or couldn't move when I was little, then one day my Mother yelled at me and I don't remember rocking any more. I'm not saying yell at her, She could be bored and trying to keep busy or trying to wear herself out to sleep.On the other hand you might want to have her pediatrician for a check and possible referrals for may autism or adhd. And about how long has she been doing this Because it could be for attention or because she is jealous of her new baby brother. Does she do the same kind of activities elsewhere or does she throw tantrums because she can't rock or jump? These would be some questions of concern for the doctor to essess.
A. W.

It sounds like maybe she has discovered something so new and fun that she is kind of "obsessed". My Ped. told me that kids will do that and it is usually a phase that will fade out in a couple weeks. How long has it been? She told me that it is a way of mastering and controling something that satisfies a need it them.