my child is 30 months old and I have been wondering about some things he does and if they are normal or not. I am a stay at home mom so he is home with me everyday- no daycare. I notice sometimes when he gets excited or happy he stiffens and shakes and will move his hands around. It only happens when he's happy/excited, he doesn't do it randomly. Just the other day he saw a girl about his age in the store and said "hi" to her, he was just so happy to see her that he did the stiff/shake thing. I didn't think anything of it until I realized its a sign of autism. I've been literally freaking out now. I then started thinking about other areas of his personality like how he doesn't really like getting dirty (he's not obsessive about it, his bare chest and face were covered in spaghetti before) or how he's starting to become fearful of things (the dark or monsters) and It's got me even more worried. I feel like I wasn't worried about this at all until 3 days ago and now I'm consumed.
Aside from these things he's been doing fine. He speaks in sentences, I can't even count how many words he says (ex: I asked him to get a toy under his pack n play, his response "I can't see, it's dark under the pack and play" or today when I was backing out of the driveway he said "mommy watch out for papas truck") He understands everything we say, we have to spell the things we don't want him to know. He counts to ten, knows letters, shapes, and colors. He's caring and empathetic and loves other kids. He eats with spoons/forks, can dress and undress himself (aside from buttons) He pretends all the time and has a fabulous imagination. He's just a very sweet little guy. He sees his ped regularly and he insists he's fine, so does everyone else who knows him. Does anyone know if these behaviors can be normal or is it always some sort of larger issue?
He sounds bright, adorable and perfectly normal. Try to get him involved with other kids and both of you will see a wide variety of children. If money is a concern look for free things, ie: story time at the library.
He sounds perfect. Enjoy him!!!
Sounds fine, I think that's just his little quirk when he's super happy/excited. I have a sister-in-law who would hum while she played, a long monotone "Hmmmmmmmm" while she was arranging her ponies on the play-mat. Turned out it was just a thing she did, her little "quirk". My son "pants" and bounces in place. My daughter "skips" like a record if she's excited and speaking. She'll repeat a word two or three times before moving on with her sentence. Her Dad does the same thing, it's like their brains and mouths are trying to catch up to each other.
Talk to your pedi about it, but relax for now. You don't need to freak out, but I understand the feeling. There's a lot of misinformation and fear-based stuff out there. I found a supportive online community that is NOT fear based where autism is concerned. PM me if you like, because my son is 6 and fully integrated in first grade. He also gets "flappy" when he's super happy, but otherwise doesn't. I'm happy to share my experiences.
The pediatrician isn't worried, so like J.C. says, he sounds perfect, enjoy him!
Get some good, reliable books on child development and read up on his age and stage. The local librarian should be able to direct you to some of the best-known books. Your son sounds normal! The sentences and words you describe are pretty advanced. He is empathetic and fends well for himself in many ways, and you mention absolutely no other signs of possible autism. But something you've read or heard has scared you unnecessarily -- Bear in mind that things like "10 signs of autism" articles or "Does your child have autism" checklists are all over the Internet and scare the heck out of parents, often without reason.
I am more concerned that despite what are clearly signs he is developing very well, you are choosing to focus solely on ONE single thing -- the "stiffening" and flapping hands -- as a "sign of autism." I have seen many, many kids who do things like hop up and down and practically vibrate when excited, or who wave their arms when happy -- and they're fine.
It would help you a lot to get a reality check from some good parenting books. Also, if you are home with him, that's great but I strongly recommend that --if you're not doing this already -- you and he do some activities where he's around other kids his age and you can get to know other moms, perhaps an ongoing playgroup or a "mommy and me" class at the local recreation center. This will not only give him more chances to have fun with other kids, it also will give you some good sounding boards when you are concerned about him.
You don't want to let worry over one tiny thing overwhelm what should be your delight at having such an articulate, empathetic, happy child.
My youngest grandson does that too and they have mentioned autism. They have evaluated him but since he's 3 they are just keeping an eye on his behaviors for now. Autism does not have to be a life altering diagnosis. It can be extremely high functioning and they live and work and get married, have children, etc...just like everyone else. Some are very low functioning and have to have care for the rest of their lives. Since your child is already higher than some other kids his age I'd expect him to be higher rather than on the lower end if in fact he ever did get this diagnosis.
Don't focus on the what if's, try to focus on the area's where he excels. He sounds wonderful.
Lol.
I do the same thing, and have ever since I was very young. When I get over excited, my body freezes and I get "jazz hands".
He's two, so he is beginning to process the world in a different way. It is normal for him to be overly excited about things that we find a bit trivial, so I wouldn't worry too much. Especially since he is otherwise completely developmentally on track.
So, don't worry about it. Just ask your pediatrician about it occasionally if it still worries you later down the road, or if he develops other worrisome behaviors.
IF you can't get past the worry based on our collective opinions, and the opinion of your pediatrician (which, as mothers, it's hard not to worry...) then you can always ask for an early intervention referral. They will send someone out who has been trained to spot developmental issues in young kids out to test him at your house in a play-based setting for free. It will ease your mind if anything.
Normal! The monsters, scared of the dark, stiffening when excited...all normal.
Arm flapping, stiffening, jumping up and down, etc. when excited is very normal behavior for children. Really. I promise you. If that is the only thing, your son is fine.
