Anytime that my daughter is sitting she starts to bounce. She bounces in her highchair, carseat, stroller, shopping cart and even when she is just sitting on the floor. She crosses her arms so the she is grabbing her shoulders and gets real stiff with her legs. If we say her name or distract her she will stop. It doesn't seem to matter what time of the day it is or if she is tired. Even if she is excited about something like a new doll she will hug it really tight and bounce. She has been doing this ever since she has been able to sit. I talked to the doctor about it and he says she should stop by the time she turns two but as of right now I don't think that it is getting any better. We have never seen her play with her private area, but alot of people do think masturbation. And maybe it is something as simple as that. I have never seen another child do this, and was just wanting some other opinions and help.
Thank you so much to everyone that has replied to my request. They are all helping to comfort my husband and I. I did want to mention a few things that would maybe help. My daughter has been tested for autism but I am sure that it was not a very thorough test. It was a check list that you answered yes or no to. But my husband and I both thought autism at one time also. She is very interactive with other kids. She holds eye contact with us and smiles at appropriate times. She also seems to developing normal, meaning that she is talking, walking, climbing and all of the other normal behaviors that 20 month old toddlers do. We wonder if maybe this is something that she does mostly to comfort herself, but it is so strange looking that it causes us to be concerned. Our family members tend to ask question too, I know that they are only concerned but its hard to explain when you dont really understand it yourself. It has really helped knowing that other people have seen or have experienced this. Any information that anyone can give is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for all of the encouragement.
C.
If she stops when you distract her then I would do that EVERY time and I think eventually she will stop.
C. - I have a 4 year old with autism and Martha R is right on.
The checklist you have spoken of is not adequate to disqualify the diagnosis. I read a 40 page booklet from the American Academy of Pediatrics and of the dozens of behaviors they listed, my child had only 2. And he has it. I'm glad that she talks, smiles, meets your eyes, etc, but as Martha said, be careful about that. What the literature doesn't tell you is that none of the behaviors of children on the spectrum are absolute. Each is different. My child did all of those things, too.
A team of professionals can better tell you including a developmental pediatrician/neurologist who specializes in this, along with a psychologist, an Occupational Therapist and a Speech Therapist. Pediatricians are great and so valuable to us all, but they are generalists and many don't know what to look for. My pediatrician (very well respected in the area and with nearly 30 years of experience) told me for more than a year that I had nothing to worry about when I brought the problems to her.
She told me that she'd been to three conferences on it and the only thing she came out with was that if your child points to things, chances are they aren't. My son had no problem pointing. When I told her of the diagnosis later, she said, "I guess we'll learn about it together." That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with the checklist, but it really only skims the surface because each of these children are as different as thumbprints.
I know it's hard to read these kinds of responses, but you are doing the right thing by checking it out. And there is no harm in ruling it out. The earlier you address it, the better your outcomes will be. If you live in the Columbus area and want more information, please feel free to contact me. I hope it isn't autism and it's just something she grows out of, but if it is, there's lots of good help available here and great moms on this site who can help you. Good luck!
Chistina,
Be very careful when you think about Autism. There is nothing that she can do that will disqualify the diagnois, this is a mistake that many parents make in not seeking treatment or evaluation sooner, because they must not be autisitic if they can look you in the eye, etc. You may be right, but self stimulation is a big sign and she is very young. Many kids on the spectrum walk, talk, smile and even look you in the eye. You could start with an OT and see if therapy for sensory issues will help, but be very honest with yourself about what the signs of autism spectum really are, check www.autismspeaks.org for a list, and don't ignore anything else you see even if it seems to be no big deal. Early intervention is the key, even if it is just bouncing!
M.
I'm not sure if this behavior can be identified at this young age. I suggest at some point consulting or taking her to a psychologist for testing. Some of these behaviors can be indicative of OCD or autism. There are high functioning levels of autism, and you may not see the severe symptoms like that seen on TV.
Because this behavior can be indicative of learning disabilities, it's better to identify these things early on. The sooner a coping regimen can be started, the less likely the child is to become behind in schooling and build behavioral issues.
Everyone acted like my son was just a little behind the normal curve with school. I finally had him tested and found out he does have a few symptoms of autism and other disorders. Others do not see the difference so much, but I feel it at home with trying to complete normal things like going to the store, changes in routine and a bit in speech delays.
I agree with the first post. I would just divert her to a new thing to do. And just tell her that she can't do that anymore, or she's going to end up hurting herself or something.
I have seen babies bounce, scoot across the floors instead of crawling, I have seen babies roll, go into rages for no explained reasons. Get a weighted blanket or massage her to calm her down when she does that. A massage where you take your hands and squeeze gently and go down her arms, mid down her legs. It works.
As for playing with her private areas - she has discovered she has this new and unexplored territory. At her age she is not self masterbating! She simply learned there is more to her body than she realized. She'll stop this as well. Just relax and enjoy her.
My sister did that all the time she was growing up. She STILL does it once in a blue moon, when she's real tired (she's 38!). She now has a son who is almost 8 and HE does it too! We all laugh about it and think it's cute. The only time that we find it annoying is in the car. I'll be driving behind her and I can see the whole car just rocking back and forth because of him bouncing in the back seat! I don't think it's anything to worry about. I think it's something he does to "relax" himself. My sister pretty much outgrew it....sort of....I wouldn't worry.
I did the same thing when i was a little girl. I finally grew out of it when i was about 5. but sometimes in my alone time iI still do it. Hope this helps.
Good afternoon C., I wouldn't worry about your daughter bouncing. I have a nephew that would jump most of his time on his tippy toes and I have another nephew that would just jump and down constantly. They both grew out of it and one is a PI in Bakersfield California and the other is a truck driver. Let her be herself and then later on past two or three if it is still bothering you then see more advice from her peditration. Good luck and Love that baby.
Hi C.. My husband and I had the same problems particularly the bouncing...with our daughter 5 or 6 years ago. She's 7 now and doing a lot better. We went to an occupational therapist and found out that she was a "sensory seeker". It's like an itch, everytime she had that urged or itch, she tend to bounce on everything, the couch, on us, the chair, etc. They told us to do a bear hug sometimes which helped to calm her down, play with playdough because it helps with their muscles structure, bouncing/jumping on a trampoline, and a lot more. Hope this helps.
As far as what I can tell, it's not really a dangerous behavior. Can't say if it's masturbation or not, but either way just gently distract her from it. Usually when my two year old gets "hooked" on something, like spinning in a circle or shaking her head to make her pony tails flop in her face (silly girl) I just gently distract her and tell her "That's enough now." and guide her to something else.
Good luck.
This sounds quite normal to me. Usually is just a way of the baby trying to use her muscles to move. I doubt is has anything to do with masturbation at all. Just give her time.
C.,
I wouldn't worry too much about it. All my life I have been a "rocker"..this is going to sound odd...but here is what I would do...no matter where I was sitting...the couch, the car the floor...and no matter what I was DOING I would rock back and forth. Like picture me in an imaginary rocking chair. And sometimes I would rock HARD!!!
At night time the way I'd put myself to sleep is....(this is goofy) I would place both my hands under my pillow and I would "bang my head" against the pillow alot of times singing.
I'm still a rocker. Not like I use to be by no means but I find myself rocking here and there. Especially if music is on!
I don't bang my head against my pillow either, ever since I moved in with my husband I just never felt an urge, not because it would be embarrassing the urge was just never there........now with that said, I have noticed once in a blue moon that if I am in the bed alone I feel an urge to "bang my head" on the pillow in a sense it's like rocking myself to sleep since I can't "rock" while laying down...As an adult I've given in to the urge but it don't last long because I never find it satisfying. I do however get the urge to kick my leg up and down on the bed tho...weird I know...it's not effected my life or nothing..I think it's just a way I learned to deal with things and calm myself. I wouldn't be too worried. I did read once that these types of behavior are linked to an autism trait but when I was a kid austism wasn't something that ever was..if that concerns you you could maybe talk to your pediatrician but otherwise I wouldn't worry so much.
I don't share my embarrassing story much, but I hope it brings you "some" comfort.
S.
Has anyone evaluated her for Autism? I know this may sound scary, but at least try and rule it out.
L.
my child just turned 8 and she does it too, she was born premature no signs of autism. She does it all the time in her seat in our vehicle, everywhere and she doesnt do it hard enough for head damage its just irritating, i ask her to stop she says she cant, her doctor told us shes bored. any suggestions??
