7 year-old-girl intense "stims" - Nothing fits!

by Davis
(Bothell, WA)

For the past 4-5 years I have researched and sought out help in diagnosing the behavior my now seven-year-old daughter displays. We have visited multiple doctors and researched conditions along the lines of SPD, ASD, ADD/ADHD and even OCD. Nothing fits.




My otherwise usual functioning child (who seems happy, social, loving, outgoing, and only slightly below average academically), exhibits a behavior I describe as "her intensity." On a daily basis, my daughter gets very excited and tenses the muscles in her arms, neck, face and most apparently down to her wrists and fingers. She then makes tight fists or awkward positions with her fingers and then rotates her wrists in a sort of "stimming" fashion. When she does this her face become tightly contorted and her mouth is usually open, her breath held. She will do this anywhere from once to several dozen times each day.

Has anyone else seen this behavior in their children (apart from other accompanying symptoms of the SPD/ASD conditions), and if so, have you been able to get an identifier or diagnosis for the behavior?

Since she was 3, doctors have advised that she will hopefully grow out of the behavior, although clueless as to what might be going on with her. Although, it has continued to become more and more predominant and seems to have fused its way into her life even more with time. My daughter's teachers have observed the behavior and indicate it has some distracting downfalls in the classroom, mostly for her. It also impacts her extra curricular activities and social relationships. I feel that every couple of months we attempt to chase down answers and then when left with nowhere to turn, we sadly go back to our daily routines again (which the behavior is very much a part of).

Hoping reaching out on this site may provide some new avenues for us to try down. We just want to do whatever we can to help our little girl. Any ideas are welcome!



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May 29, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Child 21 months
by: Anonymous

Hello, my son does this similiar thing. Cathy you describe my son so wel! He also shakes his toys and looks intensely at it. How is your daughter now? Pls i hope you will see this.
Jul 22, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Update on child who “stims”
by: Anonymous

I posted on here 5 years ago (made the comment on the Johns Hopkins Primary Complex Stereotypy). I wanted to thank the adults on here who have provided such inspiration on how they have dealt with this. My daughter is 10 now. She still has these movements (opens and closes her mouth, clenches her fists), but she does it a lot less. She can control it a quite a bit more now. We don’t stop her from doing it or call attention to it. She says she does it when her imagination is running wild. She’s one of the brightest kids in her class, joyous, funny, and full of energy. Best you can do is ignore it so they don’t internalize it. Accept your child as they are and they will be able to handle it if other kids make comments about it (which happens very rarely).
Jul 21, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Trance-like states
by: R

In elementary school, I used to squeeze my hands together while having vivid visualizations (often, space battles!). Sometimes I'd stare at a blank wall while doing this. I kept doing it for decades. It's happened less and less often and has probably stopped in the last few years (I'm 34). I also *suspect* that I sometimes enter a brief trance-like state, even these days, when I'm imagining something intensely. A clue is that sometimes I'm in public and I catch a few people looking at me funny. I also used to clench my fists and arms until it felt like my blood vessels were vibrating. (Is this how a cat purrs?)

The trance-like states, the staring, the clenching - none of this harmed me, my cognitive development, or my social life. They probably helped me develop my imagination, which is still pretty potent. For what it's worth, I love my life. I'm married with a kid, have been a college prof for many years, have started a couple businesses, and have plenty of old and new friends. There's always room for improvement, but fortunately I'm not living in an alley, and haven't been consigned to a rubber room. I'm glad my parents ignored my trances and just let me do my thing. I would caution parents and teachers against trying to snap their kids out of it just because it's strange.
Jul 15, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Stereotypy?
by: Anonymous

Hi, I'm reading this thread because my 7 year old son presents some of these uncontrolled movements. I just came across this link about a girl with these same movements who was diagnosed with "Sterotypic Movement Disorder." Thought the readers of this thread might be interested.
https://www.5minutesformom.com/15452/diagnosis-stereotypy/
Jul 10, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My daughter is 7 and doing the same thing
by: Suzy

My daughter is in the same thing! I just got on here to try to figure it out I have not talked to Doctor yet because I thought it would go away but it’s not kind of scaring me
Jun 21, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Similar experience and I’m 26
by: Crardude

I’m always searching the web for something like this and I’m not even sure this is the same thing. It mostly happens when I’m getting into a really intense activity, mostly a video game. I can control it though and do it at will. I kind of just make my arm vibrate. Not really shake but some what like an energy surge? I did it with my boyfriend once, and he was like WTF?!?

It was like he’s never seen anything like it and he certainly couldn’t do it. If I do it too much, it kind of tires me out so I gotta be careful sometimes.
Mar 17, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		54 and still doing it
by: Anonymous

I have been doing this since I was a baby.

When thinking deeply, proud of my work, using my imagination or reminiscing I clench my fists tense my legs, straighten my back and tighten my face muscles.

It feels good and at times gives me a rush of good feeling or inspiration.

As an adolescent my friends would think it was weird at first and then very quickly get accustomed to my unique quirk. I recall one amusing time I did it with my new Girlfriend. She look at me in a quizical way which prompted my mate to say "dont worry, he does that sometimes, it means he likes you"

It continued through to adulthood and has never been an issue unless I was under pressure or over stimulated and would sometimes do it in front of my colleagues or later on in front of my staff.

I'm an entrepreneur and one of my business partners would see me doing it and say "I love it when you do that because you almost always come up with brilliant ideas or solutions directly afterwards". He was correct. I can achieve a moment of mental clarity that often precedes a unique revelation to problems I have been mulling over for some time.

He would catch me doing it, smile slightly and go "what?" I would often respond with "I think we should try this". It became such a meme between us that he would often ask me do it when we needed to solve something and I would remind him "it doesn't work like that. It just happens, I cant force it."

If your baby does this, you are very lucky. They will be a highly valued, creative and intelligent addition to the people they love.
Jan 20, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		I can relate!
by: Anonymous

Hi there! I’m almost 40 and I still do something like this. I can’t explain it, but I do it when I am excited, or thinking of times when I’ve been very happy or proud of myself. I tense up from my head sometimes to my toes, but especially in my upper body.

When I was a kid, and all the way up through my teenage years, I used to wring my hands so badly they were dry and cracked sometimes. As I’ve become an adult it’s just a normal part of me, and I’ve definitely learned early from social situations when to manage it, or do it in a subtle way. My closest friends know I do it, so they don’t mind, of course.

I don’t believe I have any ill effects from it, I just "stim" when I’m super excited or happy, and it’s definitely not painful for me. It’s more like an outlet for the energy I’m feeling.
Jan 18, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		I could've written this myself.
by: Anonymous

My daughter has done her "shaky thing" since she was a baby, she is now 5yrs old and the paediatricians finally are seeing us due to other behaviours regarding my daughter but the tensing thing being the most concerning. She is the most kindest and polite child I've ever come across, almost like a little old lady. She tenses up from head to toe with excitement or stims with anxiety. She ticks so many boxes to say she is autistic but

I'm not fully convinced as other "symptoms" contradict. The school think it's ASD, same as the GP she was diagnosed with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) when she was 18m due to eating hairc.

She over-feels her emotions ALL OF THE TIME. I can't help but be concerned, a lot of people are including her teachers. I am so worried because I just know how judgemental people (especially children) are and I don't want her being bullied. I don't know how to help her, she says she doesn't know she's doing it and it hurts her brain when she does do it.

Its reassuring to see others have this quirk, i don't feel so alone, as everyone I've come across have never seen anything like it.
Jan 16, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Twin 5 year old girls
by: Anonymous

I have identical twin 5 yr old girls that have been behaving in a similar way since 6 months old. Back then it would be opening their eyes wide and dropping their jaw during feeding time or watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then as they got older, the "crab claws" came out (what my family would call them). They still dropped their jaw but now their hands would open and close, like crabs. After the claws, jumping up and down repeatedly would be added. Rubbing their backs or calling their name usually snapped them out of it. I would ask the doctors but they didn't seem concerned as I only noticed these behaviors when they were excited and happy. They are very bright, very social, loving and not really hyper.

I have been searching on the internet for years and couldn't really understand where it was coming from. I am more curious than concerned as it hasn't impacted them at all in a negative way. I actually enjoy seeing them excited about things.

Good to know they are not alone and it doesn't seem to really cause a burden to anyone here that has been living with these behaviors.

We all have our own quirks anyways!
Jan 14, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		7yr old
by: Anonymous

I’m raising my younger sister and I’ve noticed this behavior in her since she was a baby. Because I’m young and not really a parent, I thought she would grow out of it but it’s only gotten more intense as she’s gotten older. Due to covid I haven’t been able to get her checked out for anything bc it isn’t considered "high priority."

I’ve noticed she’s becoming a bit insecure about it and it’s hard to bring it up. I’ve asked her if she does it at school bc her kindergarten and first grade teachers never knew what I was talking about and she says she doesn’t. I’m wondering if that’s why it’s becoming so intense now, almost like she’s "saving" it for when she’s home and comfortable, if that makes sense. I don’t know how to further talk to her about it without developing an insecurity about it because I want her to feel comfortable, as I know it’s not terribly interfering in her life (but it does interfere some).

Does anyone have any advice as for the social aspect of this? She has other behaviors too that are more "intense" I guess you can say, like than the average kid. For instance she has an uncanny amount of energy. From the moment she wakes in the AM till she talks herself to sleep, she is always on 100% with her energy. Her second grade teacher hasn’t really noticed the mouth opening and body tensing but does say she thinks she may have ADHD but as I’ve said, I’ve had no luck trying to get her in anywhere.

I just really don’t want her to feel less confident because of this and I’m really not even sure where to start when it comes to talking to her about it
Dec 23, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		23 years old and I still do this
by: Anonymous

I know this forum is a little older but I was digging around to see if anyone else does this and what it might relate to. I've done this almost as long as I can remember if I'm being honest but I've gotten good at "keeping it a secret". I was always self aware enough that it was weird so I usually would do it where people couldn't see me in school or at home (where my parents never really acknowledged it).

I was academically gifted growing up, especially with math, and had no troubles with school work but I always struggled really badly socially. Unfortunately, I never got the proper help from my parents despite teachers saying I "most likely have a developmental disorder". As a teen, I was diagnosed formally with mild autism but it never sat right for me as I couldn't relate to common symptoms of autism. Now, as a full-fledged adult, I've been told it's actually a form of ADHD. This is a rather new diagnosis so I'm not sure if it fits, but I've been rolling with it for now. I've been on ADHD medication for almost 8 months and it's been working out pretty well.

Even so, if anyone reads this, I just want you to know that it hasn't affected my life tremendously nor have I "grown out of it". I still do the excited "stim" thing where I tense my muscles, scrunch my face, do a weird thing with my fingers/hands, and violently shake. Occasionally, I make a strange noise as well that gets distorted by the shaking. Sometimes the excitement feels really random, like a burst of energy that didn't have a specific trigger. In a way, it feels like a method to relieve an intense emotion that I don't have any other way to control. Even so, I will say I do it way less as an adult than I did when I was in elementary school. I'm graduating with a bachelor's in software engineering this year where I sit and code a lot and I believe being hyperfocused on my work helps.

If you're here because you do it and you're insecure about it, it's really not a big deal. If you're here because you have a young child that does it, it isn't a big deal unless it's horribly distressing them or causing a disturbance. I'd say the only frustrating part of it all and not knowing what this could be a symptom of, or perhaps, if this is a symptom that exists in a multitude of mental or developmental disorders. Not having that label and the comfort of researching the specific disorder can be a bit alienating. Regardless, I would suggest working with therapists and psychiatrists to see what counseling methods and medications work best opposed to solely hunting for that specific name. There will probably be a lot of trial and error with this behavior.
Dec 10, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		4.5 year old
by: Anonymous

I have been trying to figure this out for my daughter as well! She’s 4.5 and dealing with the same exact thing! I keep being told it will go away with age but now in pre k the teacher said the flapping and social skills are not like the other children and are inappropriate to her class.

My daughter is a loving outgoing smart little girl. I feel like she just gets super excited in situations and flaps her hands, mouth open and shakes but soon as you say her name she snaps out of it.

I’m so happy I’m finding other moms going through this cause I feel lost and keeping being told my daughter will be labeled in school if we don’t help her. I’m ready to pull her from the school because the teacher this year just thinks she’s inappropriate.

She’s has went to this school since 1 years old and no other teachers have said anything she’s had always been the life of the class room and high energy to pump up her class for doing a good job. It’s just been super frustrating being told from a teacher and other wise from a doctor.

It’s like the teacher doesn’t know how to handle it and is just calling her inappropriate.
Oct 11, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		55 year old woman
by: Anonymous

Wow. I've looked for someone...just one other person on the internet..and had so much trouble explaining my movements that I just never knew what to type.

Today I tried to explain it, and I find out that I'm not the only person in the world doing this? Enlightening. I've never heard anyone else ever talk about it, and I haven't seen anyone else do it, not even my children.

I don't know when it started, but I can remember I've been doing this for as long as I can remember. It only happens when I'm incredibly excited about something...when I was little it could be that I got a new barbie doll, and I loved the sparkly dress....as I got older I would clean the house and be so excited that it looked so nice. I'm now 55 years old, and for the most part, I can stop this when people are around, but recently I've noticed that when I'm working ( I work at a radio station), I do it while I'm conducting on air interviews when I'm alone in the room..while I'm waiting for the person on the phone to complete their discussion with me.

It's a lesser version of what it used to be. I used to make a strange face, hold my breath, stretch my arms out and my hands and fingers would contort.

Now, I mostly do it when I'm driving alone...and it's mostly holding my breath, probably contorting my face although I've never really seen it...it's sort of trance like...and if I'm driving for long periods of time and alone it happens a lot.


I have a son that is on the autism spectrum. He is pretty much normal, but when he goes for walks, he's completely engulfed in conversation with himself, so it probably appears to others on his path that he is schizophrenic...I haven't brought it up to him that he may want to try to hold that back. He also walks on his tiptoes a lot.

I had a very normal childhood. I went to college and have a 4-year bachelor of science degree in Mass Communications, and I am a morning show host on two radio stations. I am still embarrassed if someone sees me do it, but it's hard for me to stop. I think it's a way of getting things out safely.

I have other things that happen from time to time though. Right now, I've been chewing and biting the inside of my lip. I think it started when the bar was raised at work and once I started about 3 months ago, I'm having trouble stopping. I try to think of other things that are like this...If I open a pack of gum, I chew the whole thing in about 30 minutes. When I have a cookie, I want all of the cookies. Those things might not be related, but I wonder sometimes.

Anyway, I have no mental disabilities and am typically a very happy normal woman. So if your child does this, I'm sure it looks pretty crazy; but it's been completely harmless in my life.
Sep 03, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I have lived with this. Embrace it!
by: Nick

Hi there, I have lived with this my whole life. Thought I would google it today and came across this discussion. I see a lot of concerned parents on here and a lot of people giving testimony. Thought I would throw in my experience to ease the concerned parents out there. My advice is to embrace it in your child!

I've had this my entire life. I am 27 now. When I get really excited about something I will do weird things with my fingers, make a weird face, tense my muscles and shake like a crazy person. Usually, I don't realize I'm doing it until I kind of 'snap out of it' when I'm in a cold sweat. It typically happens when I'm super excited about something. It will probably happen once or twice a day when I'm zoning out at the computer or on my phone.

When I was in elementary school I used to do it in class and my mom and the teacher were concerned. As I got older I learned to control it and never do it in public or in the presence of anyone. If you met me you would never know. The only people that know are my childhood family and my Fiance.

EMBRACE IT! That's right, even though this behavior of mine is pretty weird and can be very distracting at times, it lets me get really excited about the things I enjoy. When I was young, this behavior always came out when It came to making art. Whenever I would draw, paint, or make things with my hands I would start shaking because I was so excited. Now sometimes It did take me a lot longer to get my artwork done, but it fueled my creativity and let my mind wander and explore new possibilities. It was the energy and passion for what I REALLY loved doing. I kept pursuing that passion and used that as a sort of guide throughout my life. If it was something I would start shaking about, it was something worth doing. It made life exciting. Today I'm 27, I have a Masters Degree in design, and make a six figure salary as a 3D Designer. Not to tute my own horn, but that passion has driven me to be amoung the best in my field.

My advice to you parents: Embrace whatever your child gets really excited about. If they are so excited that they start tensing up and making weid faces, it means that they truly enjoy that thing. As they get older, work to make them not do it in puiblic, but keep pushing them toward whatever lights that fire in them. Even though it's a weird way of expressing it, as long as they keep chasing that passion, they will have a fulfiling life.
Aug 28, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Does It Need Fixing?
by: Anonymous

I have had these excited hand and facial movements since I was a baby. I am now 28 and still do them and they are completely out of my control sometimes I don’t even know I’m doing it until my husband tells me. I now notice the same signs in my baby and he is a very happy and smiley little boy who gets excited all the time and just loves life.

It has never caused me any harm and my friends and family have always been aware I do it but as long as I’m happy why does it matter? Why do I need diagnosing? Who do I need help? The only way I can describe it is that when you feel excited it’s like having this extra energy that your body feels it needs to burn so you make extra movements.

At school for example I used to love reading so would shake the page of the book with my mouth open. I hate to think how it would have made me feel if an adult had told me to stop being excited. Just think is it necessary is this behaviour negatively impacting their life but because if they are anything like me or my baby I can assure you they feel nothing but excitement or happiness.

I have never been made to feel like I need help or feel negatively different or that I needed intervention but guess I’m lucky to have the friends and family I have had my whole life and plan to give my baby exactly the same!! I hope this helps people to see they won’t necessarily grow out of it but that it really isn’t something that needs to be grown out of. Either way they will be just fine :) xx
Aug 24, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		5 year old with same issue
by: Ben

So glad I found this page! We have a five-year-old who is intelligent, well-socialized, and who has always been extremely high energy (but also very capable of focusing in class, etc., so not ADHD).

Since she was probably a year old, and developing over time, when she gets excited she will open her mouth and "lock" it while her hands open and close rapidly. She may also clap quickly. Sometimes her eyes start to grow cross-eyed. Then once the excitement passes she goes back to normal. It can all last a few seconds to up to 30 seconds if something is very exciting.

The reaction can be triggered by an external stimulus like an exciting moment in a TV show or the way she looks in the mirror with a new dress, or by something "internal" like thinking about something that excites her. There will always be some kind of trigger.

I figure this is a way for her to channel her excitement, and been reluctant to stop it as this is natural. But it's come to the point where it would be best for her to control it due to extra-curricular activities she's involved in and also for kindergarten. She has a pediatric appointment next month where we'll discuss it with her doctor and see if there's something more to it. I did like the idea that was suggested here of a "magic word" which I will try.
Jul 09, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		11 yo
by: Heather

My son does this and is 11. Just a quick thing we do is we named it. A code name. So when he does it in public we say the word and he stops. This way it doesn’t bring attention to it.
Dec 21, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My 4 year old son
by: Jesse

My son has done this from about the age of 1.
Same as most of you describe, "mouth opens, shakes while opening and closing his hands" nobody can seem to figure out what it is exactly?
He does have ONH "optic nerve hyplasia" and nystagmus.
Has anyone else noticed or have any eye conditions with this?

This seems to happen when excited, or just any kinda of stimulation, multiple times some days.

I am glad I found this page, it's the first I have found that I have read that I see that we are not alone in this.
Dec 04, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I do it too. 53 years old.
by: Anonymous

I do this and I'm 53! It may be genetic because my older brother also does a version of it (although I've always suspected he is on the spectrum) and my 23 year old daughter does it.

There is definitely a habitual element to it for me as I find myself often doing it in similar situations and places.

As I have got older it is very rare for anyone to see me doing it as I tend to control it until I am completely alone. It's almost as if I save them all up and have have a binge when nobody's looking.

I still do it sometimes when my wife is present, but it freaks her out because she doesn't understand it.
Nov 18, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstar 		My daughter too
by: Anonymous

Hi All,

My daughter started twitching on the floor since she is 11 months old. We went to the best doctors, did all possible scans. The conclusion is voluntary brain activity and a way to relax her muscles, she will grow out of it. BUT so far she didn`t.

Now she is 6, still twitching, and flaps her hands when she gets overly excited which is pretty much about everything. Academically she is below average because she loses focus very fast and wonders in la-la land. She is a great big sister, with extraordinary artistic skills (singing, drawing, and dancing) and our little diva but when she gets angry has a difficult time expressing herself.

I am sick and tired of doctors asking how was my pregnancy and delivery with her because all was normal. Also, teachers in school want to know what is her official diagnosis and we don`t have one.

Anyone with similar issues? Any advice?
Thank you.
Sep 22, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		7 year old
by: Alissa

My 7 year old son does this too. When he was very little, toddler years, he used to do what we called his "excited dance" where he would almost run in place and flap his arms when he was watching or doing something exciting or that he was interested in. I always assumed he would grow out of it.

However, as he has gotten older, it has become a frequent behavior. He will tense his entire body, he will open his mouth and contort his face, while clasping his hands together and shaking. He has started doing this more and more frequently, many times throughout day and when I ask him about it, he just says he does it when he is thinking about something exciting or he is imagining being in a video game or doing something intense. He says it's how he gets his excitement out. I think he does it without realizing it but when I mention it he stops.

Some of my family members have commented on it out of concern, suggesting I have him assessed by a neurologist or specialist. I always just found it to be cute and assumed he was quirky but the older he gets and the more frequent it is, the more I have started to get concerned.

I find it very comforting to hear of so many people with similar situations, because I did not realize that there were other children who exhibited the same behavior. He is extremely sensitive and my main concern is how other children at school may react to it.

I have been reading and trying to find out if this could be any particular diagnosis or if this is just a behavioral habit. He has been in therapy since his father and I divorced and he has talked about symptoms of anxiety and intrusive thoughts such as fear of getting kidnapped or bullied or that something bad will happen to him or his family. We have been working on that and practicing positive thinking and it seems to have gotten better however I've noticed that just recently he has begun smelling his hands front and back constantly throughout the day. I have been gently reminding him not to do that, and he gets embarrassed and says he will stop but before long he starts doing it again almost as if he cannot control it. I'm wondering if this could be a form of OCD?

Aside from these behaviors he is a very bright, social and fully functioning child with no other deficits that I am aware of. I'm just not sure what steps to take from here or if I should just stop worrying so much.
May 04, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My 7 year old son does this too
by: Stacy

Hi there...

My 7 year old son does this too. We noticed from when he was still in his high chair from 1 years old he would stim when happy. We took thought he may grow out of it, but that's not the case. He now tells me 'mom, mum just going outside to shake (stim)' and he would stay out there for ages. He is starting to understand that others can see him do it, but he thinks no one will ever talk to him about it.

How are things for you now?
May 04, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Don't worry.
by: A 22 yr female

Hello, I do this, I have done it since I was a baby. I will Tense my entire arms, face and neck and put my hands in fist up to my chin in a fashion that people say looks like I'm having a seizure.

It is not a seizure. It is just pure excitement and it might never go away. It didn't for me, I just learned to hide it but sometimes it slips but yes, in school I was certainly bullied for it and had many tests done on me with no results.
I was even put in a special ed program during lunch where I had to eat away from my friends and with mentally disabled kids instead which wasn't pleasant.

point is, she should be fine, but this behavior is like a reflex, it just happens on it's own. On the plus side, I have very toned arms (:
Mar 03, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Physiological
by: Anonymous

Could it be a type of seizure?
Jan 14, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		My daughter does the same thing!!
by: Courtney

My daughter does the same thing!! She started doing it around 9 months and we thought it was cute but not that she’s 2, we are starting to get concerned. Everything I’ve read on primary motor stereotypies sounds exactly like what my daughter does! She will open her mouth and open and close her fist (sometimes on one hand other times on both). When she’s doing this it’s almost like her mouth is locked open and she shakes a bit.

My pediatrician asked us to record her and to see if we can "snap her out if it" by calling her name or grabbing her hand - we can. She sad if my daughter responds to not worry and that’s it’s probably a stimming behavior.

As a teacher I hear the word stimming and I go on high alert!! I’m just so worried this won’t go away and what it will mean socially for her when she’s in school.

Has anyone had treatment? I’ve read behavioral therapy is recommended but not until around age 5.
Jan 02, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My niece does this too
by: Anonymous

My 6 year old niece does exactly what you are describing. When she gets excited, especially while watching a movie, she begins to open and close her hands really fast and her face becomes contorted. As far as I know she hasn't been diagnosed with anything other than ADHD. Would love to get more insight on this.
Dec 06, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Daughter does the same
by: Anonymous

My daughter also has been doing this since she was around 8 months old. She’s 5 now and will tense up when something is "dangling" or while she is holding objects that are long she will focus her eyes on it and tense up/ tremble. Her arm will go straight and her hand will turn and will clench and her fingers will form a claw(middle finger out always). She will snap out of it if we say something to her. It’s ONLY when she is holding something or she’s focused on something intensely. She will do it with any objects but mostly long things like wands, etc. she will also hold the objects really close to her face and tense up while focusing on it. She is a completely normal child. Absolutely no health issues.

All the doctors we’ve been to say it’s just a way for her to release some tension. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Nov 15, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Different kinds of stimming
by: Anonymous

As the comment section here implies, stimming can occur in all sorts of different ways. Hang in there.
Oct 14, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Yup-here too
by: jwalsh

My 7.5 year old daughter does the same. I notice that it's mostly during intense movie scenes or if she is waiting for something exciting to happen. What's weird is since her showing that behavior, it made me realize that I think I did something similar as a child.

Now (as someone else mentioned) I will rub my hands together fast I guess for the same sensation. It's like your muscles have a ton of energy that needs to burn off really fast. For my daughter it seems to be harmless (until someone is to notice it and say something). My step son is autistic and stims severely alot of the day (shaking his hand against his cheek, biting his own hand, shaking a rob or cord of some sort).

My daughter has been diagnosed with high anxiety, but the source is school. I thought she had ADHD because she is always moving...always. Very hard for her body to be still for even a few second. Neurologist said its anxiety. Still not convinced. I treat her anxiety with magnesium, L-Theanine and GABA.
Sep 27, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Me too!
by: Anonymous

I was actually doing a google search for my own behaviors when I was a child and found your post.

I’m a business owner, foster mom and productive member of society. I have never been diagnosed with anything but I remember as a child feeling abnormal with my reaction to emotions. When I was extremely excited about something I would clench my fists together and either bite my fists or blow into them. My whole body would tense and shake for a moment.

As an adult I have found myself rubbing my hands together quickly when I feel a rush of accomplishment, or a great idea that excites me.

It’s an adrenaline high when this happens. It’s feels amazing. It’s almost as if it’s so strong and powerful that it manifests itself physically.

I was in hopes of finding similar stories and found this feed.
Sep 15, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Not genetic
by: Anonymous

My daughter has blonde hair blue eyes and does it.
Sep 15, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		12 year old boy same thing
by: Anonymous

Same exact thing with my son . Noticed at around 15 months and he still does it now although he is aware of it a bit more and they are a lot less frequentl. He is a red head and I’ve read that it could be a gene thing ??
Jun 23, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same!
by: Caty

After scouring the internet for similar behaviors, I found nothing that really fit my daughters "tics" which are incredibly similar to the ones your daughter displays. She does this twisting motion as well, where she has an object, a toy, pages of a book (happens with reading constantly...) and she will twist the object back and forth and kind of intensely look at it. She also squeezes her fists, shaking them in excitement so much so that my sister calls her squeezie.
There are some other behaviors as well, I’m just relieved to discover we’re not alone!
Jun 06, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Question
by: Anonymous

Finally someone else can describe what my 5 year old does. Does your child ever touch your face when they are excited and shake his hand on your face also?
Apr 13, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My daughter too
by: Natasha

Hello, I came across your post about your 7 year old daughter and your not alone. My daughter who will be 12 next week has been doing the exact same thing since she was about 8 months old or so. She would "shake" at things with her fists tight, hold her breath, and just sit there and shake at things she was focused on.

She also "talked to pencils" as she called it and that started when she was almost 2 years old. She would take two pencils one in each hand and make them hit the tip of her nose while shaking and making them role play but she was talking of course. I wasnt sure what to think the first time i seen it but her doctor also said that she would grow out of it. She never grew out of it she was embarrassed because someone at school found out from one of her friends that she did that, and she stopped with the pencils and started having little tics. She still shakes at things in private.

She did the flapping when she was little too. They tried to say that she has adhd, which she might but i dont think that is all that is going on with her. She has been slipping academically for a while now because she just doesn't want to do the work and she says she doesn't care.

I am curious to hear if you do get a diagnosis for whatever is going on with our children and i think it should be looked into. Thank you for sharing!
Dec 04, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Complex Motor Stereotypies
by: Anonymous

Hello there,

It sounds like you're describing something called Complex Motor Stereotypies! My daughter has this as well. If that is what it is there's nothing to worry about. These movements come out more in times of stress, fatigue, excitement, etc. Here is a wonderful link explaining the signs, symptoms, etc.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/pediatric-neurology/conditions/motor-stereotypies/index.html

There are also videos on YouTube showing the movements. I run a support group on Facebook called, "Apraxia Kids Learning Activities and Support- Parent Led Group. There are lots of families with children who have the same thing in the group. There are also Complex Motor Stereotypy and Motor Stereotypy support groups on Facebook as well.

I hope this has been helpful as you figure out what is going on. It's always helpful to record the movements and show them to your pediatrician. A neurologist would find the recordings helpful in making a diagnosis as well. It really is nothing to worry about if this is what it is though:)

Angela
Nov 01, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My 4 year old daughter too
by: Anonymous

My daughter has been doing this since she was a few months old. My pediatrician keeps saying that she will grow out of it. She only does it when happy or excited. She clenches her fists and opens her mouth wide and her whole body shakes. This normally lasts for about 5-7 seconds. I want to accept this, i am just nervous about other children bullying her for it. She is normal in every other sense. She was speaking clearly and in full sentences at age one.
Jul 25, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		same for us
by: Anonymous

right now it is my grandson who is 6 and does this. both of my daughters did it, but he has done it for longer. his pre-school teacher thought he was angry and freaked out about it. he is one of the most interesting and social kids i have ever met. he is very active but most boys his age are. has some trouble concentrating but he is very knowledgeable in mechanical things and has a great imagination.
May 23, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		5yr old son
by: Anonymous

My son is similar. He tenses up, clenches, sometimes paces back and fourth. If he is thinking about something or very excited, anxious. Some days are bad he does it all day, intensely, other days he hardly does it or doesn’t at all. Overall nothing else is abnormal with him.

Had a minor speech delay that he no longer is receiving services for and speaks very well now. I have brought him to different specialists, nobody can pin point the cause. All the conditions that make sense with this he doesn’t fit into; ADHD, autism, OCD, etc.

I’m Starting to try to redirect him not to do at school or social environments so kids don’t look at him differently. That’s really my only
concern with him doing it, would hate to see it effect him socially.
Feb 03, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Me and my daughter
by: Matthew

Hi, Ive had this all my life, mainly in my arms I tense them up and make a fist or stretch my fingers into a kind of claw sometimes I go onto my tip toes hold it for a while at the same time, then I shake it out and it’s fine. I also pace around the room sometimes mainly when I’m deep in thought with an idea or something. (We both seem to have the ability to visualise things very clearly in our minds)

Over the years Iv learnt to control it and sometimes I just tense my body and no one would ever notice. I’m 40 years of age and have a very successful career so I don’t see this as something that holds you back it’s just a kind of tic when over stimulated.

My eldest daughter is 5 and has been doing this for a number of years it dose not affect her life and she’s doing very well at school and is a well adjusted little girl. Our solution is not to mock the condition but we talk about it openly and make jokes and fun about it with each other.. we find if we as a family are relaxed about the condition it’s then no problem telling others about it but for the most part people don’t even notice it..

All I’m saying it’s not a curse and for us it dose not affect us in the slightest way and to be honest when I tense and shake it out it’s quiet pleasurable. Hope this helps some of you to feel a little better. Anyone wants more help understanding feel free to mail me. mattdotmatt77@gmail.com
Oct 26, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Stereotypies
by: Anonymous

I have this behavior and so does my 17 year old son. Its called stereotypies. It took me a long time, but I finally learned to control it.

When I'm alone or someplace safe, I will let loose. My son hasn't learned to control it completely yet, but, as he becomes more and more aware of it, he's learning. We are both bright, normal people. He's a great kid with a strange behavior.
Oct 22, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I have this
by: Anonymous

I’m a 24 year old woman. I have been successful thus far in my life.

I have exhibited this behavior since I was a baby. It doesn’t go away, but you learn to control it pretty quickly. When I’m excited about something my arms and hands tense up and I have to shake them back and forth rapidly to find release.

I learned that doing it with just my hands looked bad, so now I do it to fluff my curly hair or "itch" a part of my body. I can hold back if I need to but the release of energy feels so good. I don’t have autism but most likely have adhd.

Don’t shame your child about it. Let them work it out on their own. You don’t want a strong sense of guilt to wash over your child for the rest of their life due to a semi involuntary tick. It doesn’t affect my life whatsoever.
Oct 04, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		my 5 year old boy does this
by: Anonymous

I know this is a old post, but my 5 year old has done this since a baby i always hoped he would grow out of it but he hasnt.

He doesnt realise hes doing it either if hes sitting still it will happen if hes excited it will happen, i just say his name to snap him out of it, but still I have no idea why he does it.
Sep 27, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My 6 year old daughter does all this
by: Fiona

Since she was tiny I've noticed she tensed and circled her hands. Always in a positive, new or excited situation. Her feet mirror her hands unless she's stood on them but still her toes are wriggling.

It developed to tilting her head to one side and holding her mouth open. She literally shakes her whole body and every muscle is clenched. It's obvious to me she is enjoying the experience as she smiles at me when she stops for breath.

She's never liked it if she noticed me looking when she was doing this and it used to be what made her stop. As she has got older she doesn't stop until she wants to.

Her thumb is always positioned between her fingers (2 fingers each side of her thumb tip) in a fist.

If she is standing up when she does it, her arms are stiff and in tight against her body with circling movements from her wrists.

A lady earlier mentioned 'dangling'. Similarly my daughter holds something up to just above eye level and goes into this state of tension. The other day it was a bag of glass marbles in a net. I dared to ask her about her thoughts afterwards and she told me a fascinating story about two boys playing in a park and a magpie wanted the shiny marbles. So the boys were throwing the bag of marbles back and forth to each other to distract the magpie. (A 6 year olds words)

I felt I could ask her about it, although I won't keep intruding, because recently if I walk into the room to ask her something and find her tending, she will stop and answer, but then say, 'I was thinking then' or, 'I'm thinking so can you shush please?'. (In a nice way)

She is always polite and frustration or aggression is never present. At times of frustration, she never tenses.

She has always been a clingy child, has to assess every new situation first, even a regular situation that has a slight change before entering into comfortable play. Often this will be done by standing close to me and tensing.

I've noticed rocking when she's standing up now too and if the tending is interrupted several times or I'm unable to give her the time to do it, it will frustrate or upset her.

She has told me she likes it, but it gets in the way sometimes because she can't do two things at once.

I know that when I'm telling her about plans to do something, she gets excited and goes off with her thoughts and no longer can hear what I'm saying. She will apologise after tending and say she's sorry, she wasn't listening she was thinking.

This is a worry regarding school so
I've informed her head teacher and have just had a call from the school nurse who has asked me to see her GP to begin with to rule out any medical conditions. Feeling bad that I've not acted on thus yet although It's never left my thoughts. I've constantly observed her and worried on and off about it.

I have always pointed her tensing out to teachers at school, but to date, all teachers have said they haven't noticed, but will make a point of looking out for it.

I don't want or feel she needs medication, just understanding. I'd like to think there are some strategies she could use to control theses states when they get in the way, for her. I also feel that if I don't speak to some professionals that I am not acting on it.

I'm so glad I found this feed because we are all experiencing the same concerns about our little ones and I have gained some comfort from reading the posts.

I will post again once I have some feedback.

Would be great if this contact can continue so we can all help each other.
Jun 24, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Update for you
by: Anonymous

We just let her dangle still. She doesn't do it while at school or daycare but when she comes home it's almost the first thing she does. If I ask her to draw a picture for me she immediately stops and starts drawing. Not much has change and she is still the smartest outgoing extremely lovable kid. We were just told that she will "out grow" it.
Jun 24, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My son does the same thing!
by: Anonymous

My son has done the exact same thing since he was a baby. He's now three and a half, and it's happening more often. He has NO signs of a SPD, or being on the spectrum. He is very bright, social, he's great with social cues, and his teachers even describe him as the "bright light in the classroom", he welcomes others and makes sure everyone is included. He is also welcomes physical contact and has always been an "easy" kid.

I'm going to talk to the doctor this week, but from what I can tell it is happening more often because he's getting older and understands excitement and anticipation It seems to happen more often when he's in the car and cannot "walk it off". He can stop it/control it when I ask him what he's excited about, and I think he is becoming more aware, but when I turn around and see him doing it, he stops right away.

He never flaps his hands, or participates in other stimming behaviors. I'm a teacher and I've worked with a number of children on the spectrum and nothing about him reminds me of these children.

If anyone has any updates after talking to their doctors please let me know!
May 05, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Primary Motor Stereotypy
by: Anonymous

My 5 year old does the same exact thing. Has had this habit since around 1. Look up the Johns Hopkins webpage on Primary Complex Stereotypy. It is a Complex Stereotypy when it involves several body parts such as mouth opening/closing while hands move. This is different from a tic disorder that starts in slightly older kids.

Stereotypies start before age 2. Dr. Singer has done a lot of research in this arena. It is involuntary movement often when the child us engrossed in something or excited. If there is an underlying disorder such as ASD or ADHD, it is termed Secondary Complex Stereotypy.

In most kids it does not go away, but many learn to control it. He says many are helped with behavioral therapy after the age of 7.

Unfortunately, many physicians are not aware of this and may either be dismissive or automatically point to ASD, ADHD, SPD, anxiety, etc.. Nothing has helped my kid completely, but it appears that lots of exercise helps.He recommends ignoring it unless it becomes a problem in school/self-acceptance in which case behavioral therapy may help to decrease the habit.
Apr 29, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My soon to be 7 year old does this...
by: Cassie

You described my daughter to a T. We are struggling to get answers. Did you ever?

We have seen a few specialists... none will diagnose or have an answer.

I am afraid as she gets older it will affect her social life and academic life.

If you would ever like to touch base my email is cassie122909@gmail.com
Nov 07, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Tensing of face and arms
by: Anonymous

My grandson does this as well. He has spd, mild cp in lower body, a shunt, rsp, and minor and major motor skill issues. He was born at 23 weeks and is super smart. Every doctor we have seen (he has several) tells us the same thing. They don't know what it is. He tenses when he gets excited and is stimulated.

I worry it won't go away and as he matures it may be an embarrassment for him. But other than this he is progressing. It seems odd to me that the medical profession cannot identify what this is. His language and eating therapist says that when he does this, tell him quietly "Go easy on your jaw". Or Ease up. Go gentle now.

Things like that since tensing burns a tremendous amount of calories and actually weakens the jaw and bite. Hope this helps.
Aug 09, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same boat
by: Anonymous

My six-year old daughter has done this since she was a baby. There are no other concerns with her--she is social, happy and very bright. Her older sister did it as a baby but grew out of it around 2.

Happens when she is excited or when she is proud of something she has just done. Probably happens anywhere from 5-10 times a day on average. She knows she is doing it but says she can't control it.
Jun 13, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My daughter does the same thing
by: Anonymous

My five year old daughter does the same thing ever since she was a baby I have noticed it when she gets excited. Also her speech becomes very enunciated. I've had her evaluated at two and they said she is normal just has some quirks. I really don't know what to do about it. It is going to become an issue for her when she is in school, I'm afraid she will be teased.
Apr 15, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My daughter does something similiar
by: Anonymous

When my daughter was in her bouncer (that young) she would tighten her fists and spin them around. We thought it was extremely cute. She is now 4 1/2 years old and has since we can even remember done what we call "dangling". She will take her mermaid, and dangle its tail JUST above something while the rest of her body tightens up and her free hand clenches her fist and spins around.

She responds to requests and it does not affect her health as far as we can tell. We are going to be bringing her to a specialist in the next week or so to try and figure out how to approach this. She is extremely smart, friendly, loud, outgoing and very strong willed. Everything points to stimming but the only thing that i have not seen in common is the dangling of things (necklaces, her mermaid etc.)

If anyone has seen this type of behavior or has some insight i would greatly appreciate it. If we get a diagnosis i will also reply back to let people know as well.
Mar 02, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		How I Stopped These Behaviors at 26 Years Old.
by: Anonymous

Hi Everyone,

I'm 26 years old and have been displaying many of the behaviors mentioned in this thread for as long as I can remember. I have always been a top performer academically, socially and in the workplace. I do have a younger brother with ASD who displays similar behaviors when he stims to self-regulate.

I would like to quickly profess that in all my hears living with these behaviors, they do not cause me physical pain and I can control when and where I enter my "blissful state of trance".

Evidently, these behaviors are not wholly uncommon in children. I vividly recall having a peer member who would share in these ritualistic behaviors with me, as a child. Whether that individual carried these traits with them all these years later, I'm unsure.


It seems for many of you parents, you might just come to find your child has stopped these behaviors all together, one day. In the event that it does persist, I'll offer some additional remarks regarding my experiences below.

To begin, I am certain that these symptoms alone are nothing to be overly-concerned with. You may be pondering over questions like "What is it called? What causes it? Is it harmful? Can it be treated?" and so on...I certainly was.

To this day, I have yet to seek out a professional diagnosis. Had I done so, I suspect the conclusions drawn would resemble the conclusions mentioned here. Basically, "We don't know for sure, but perhaps you should try this medication..."

To address the first question, "What is it?" I reply with- A HABIT. For a greater part of the last year, I took the initiative to gain a greater level of control over my body in a variety of ways. This includes:

-Proper nutrition (whole foods, nothing processed, minimal sugar and refined carbs)

-Proper exercise (workout 5-7 days, mixture of cardio and weightlifting)

-Proper sleep (8 hours-I know that sounds like a lot but I want my body to have what it wants)

***AND***

-Practicing Meditation- this may be the most controversial topic of the mix, BUT it proved absolutely essential in increasing my overall awareness of my thoughts.

Thanks to my poorly structured science experiment, I was able to go from roughly 100 simulations daily to 0, but cannot deduce which lifestyle change put the "nail in the coffin."

If any of you have ever quit smoking after years of addiction -I have- I would offer this as a point of reference. In order to break a habit and expect to win over the addiction, requires a shift in identity. I had to decide it was in-congruent with who I aim to be.

What was most debilitating was the amount of time I expended daily going into the most blissful state of trance and how it took away from valuable minutes I could be making progress with something "real". Next, I had to become aware of the stimulants that would trigger the repetitive thoughts which led to showcasing these behaviors. For me, this was anytime I changed scenes from a public setting to a private one. Literally, anytime I was alone I would fall into these patterns of behavior.

As with any habitual behavior, you have to want to change, realize that you actually can change and that it's not a lifelong ailment, then begin making small changes and experiencing the sense of achievement one would as you gain momentum.

Alright, I don't want to extend this post beyond the length of a college thesis, so I'll close on this note - PLEASE DON'T FORCE MEDICATION ON YOUR CHILD SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF THESE BEHAVIORS AND BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID. Knowing how much control I have over it nowadays, I would have beaten my parents senseless if they had force-fed me med's (I know, pleasant right?)

If you're a fellow adult-you can break it like you break any other habit. Although I must admit, it takes time getting used to all the additional minutes in your day that suddenly reappear. :)

I'll return to this thread in the future do see if there are any further questions or areas I can expand on or shed some light on. For now, I hope this helped to at least calm your nerves and accept your child as he/she escapes reality in some strange, autistic-like fashion :)
Jan 21, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My son now does it too
by: Davis

My daughter is now 10, and the intense "stims" never stopped. We haven't had her on ADD Meds now for about 9 months. We stopped when school let out and didn't really see a difference in behavior or learning.

My son is now seven years old, and this year he has now picked up the same intense behaviorisms. He has actually been a kid who "flaps," interestingly, but I think we just felt he liked to jump and do this when he was excited but thought it would be temporary. He has done this for the past couple years now.

When excited he jumps, even in his seat. He'll bounce in a seated position on the couch if we tell him not to jump. If he jumps though, he holds his elbows close to body and his wrists are sort of limp and "flap" near his head.

He was diagnosed with developmental delays in fine motor, large motor, and adaptive at 4, and attended a special preschool where he received PT and OT. He's now in 2nd grade and receives OT only for continued fine motor delays. He is definitely behind academically.

When he was in preschool he was the leader in the group - his delays weren't mental like a lot of the other kids, so he really shined with his peers. Now that he's been in a standard environment for the last 2.5 years, he is behind. He hates to write - it's harder for him. He wears glasses with bifocals for strabismus and a very strong astigmatism in one eye, so reading is also a challenge. The thing with him is, he otherwise seems quite well or normally functioning.

He's funny, likable, SO sweet and loving to me, aggressive like a boy, and he has good friends. As part of his IEP eval last year, his IQ was tested for the first time, and it showed what we always felt - he's super smart! (Touches my heart, this boy!) There then became this great concern because of the large gap between where his IQ was vs. his academic level, and that's what his learning support folks are working on now.

Throughout all of this, I never felt a connection between my daughter's intensity and my sons jumping with excitement. And now just last year, he stims in the same intense way. He gets tight his his arms and contorts face, and holds breath. It almost strikes me more like OCD than anything.

Last year his support group suggested he might have ADD as a component to all of this. We were prescribed a med to do as a trial for him. He took it for one day and acted like a major speed freak. It was so sad to see him like that - talking fast and chewing on his lip - so we haven't used it since!

I feel like we'd come to a place of acceptance with my daughter, that'd we'd just never know what was causing her behavior. Now that we see our son following the same path, I again want to understand!

Anyone with similar stories? How have you resolved or uncovered answers?
Jan 21, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I've got the sweetest flapper
by: Anonymous

My daughter stims as well. She flaps. When she was younger she would to it higher up on her body like full swings.

Now at 9 she holds her arms close to her body and just her hands shake but all the way up through her arms and shoulder shake as well. Her mouth drops open and her breath increases like she's exercising or very very excited. Triggers are all over the place. But, computers, a new exciting thing, a really fun part in her favorite show, even being cold (a real reason to shake) gets her going.

On a real intense day I would say she flaps 100-200 times. She has been recently given a diagnosis of ADHD -- my Pediatrician recommended a Behavioral therapist I have her seeing someone but they aren't acquainted with the sensory issue. We are also going to contact an Occupational Therapist see if we can get a better understanding.

Good luck to all I feel so crazy when everything I look up mentions Autism or being on the Autism spectrum -- yet my daughter doesn't match up with that diagnosis. Normal social situations. Affectionate and happy. Emotional -- some learning issues but for the most part they are able to be worked through.
Sep 06, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My son too!
by: Cassie

Hello, I am reaching out to you as my 6 year old son performs the exact same "thing" you're describing. We call it is his "excited face" as has made it since he was a baby when he was obviously interested in something.
Mar 16, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mouth and neck freezes
by: Anonymous

I have noticed my 7 yr old daughter has had a few occasions first thing in the morning and at bedtime when she is unable to speak or control her mouth and neck movements. She has described it as feeling fuzzy and can't move or feel her tongue. I am concerned and will try and seek answers.
Jan 16, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		No luck so far
by: Davis

No, unfortunately not. She started ADD medication about six mos ago. I still don't think that's what it is. Any luck for you?
Jan 16, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
by: Anonymous

My daughter does the same thing. Have you figured out what it is yet?

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