Body Rocking

by Deana
(RI)

Jillian's first day of Pre K2

Jillian's first day of Pre K2

My daughter is 3 and we have recently REALLY started working on her SPD issues. Since she was 9 months, she has been a body rocker.




Recently, she has been rocking (and chanting/humming) more often and harder, especially at night. Also, she has a sudden fear of shower/tubs, which she never had before. Any advice?



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Jan 05, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Rocking
by: Anonymous

I rocked in my crib, bed, bathtub, couch, car, and chairs. This went on until I was 17 years old when the 2nd chair broke and my parents refused to replace another one.

Since I couldn't rock in my chair I pretty much traded rocking for smoking cigarettes and marijuana. Do not remove the stimulus from your children like my parents did. The stress caused by that lead to smoking weed and cigarettes.

I am now 36 yrs old and still want to rock back and forth all the time. The need to rock has never gone away. I would rock in that chair all day humming and singing unless something stopped me (father who said I was alienating myself) which was true, I'd rather "bounce" than play with friends or family. I can't even be around a rocking chair without getting weird feeling.

As an adult I tap my hands and feet all the time and pace back and forth. The only thing that helps it to find something that I can fully engage in. Not sure if this post will help anyone but know the rocking will not go away on its own.
Jan 27, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Toys
by: Beth

My little girl is 2 and has Turner Syndrome as well as sensory problems which manifest themselves as extreme anxiety, body rocking, arm flapping, repetitive sounds, craving tight hugs, vertigo and a fear of water. I've found the best way of dealing with water (although she will still scream during washing) is to try and distract her with toys. We have a bubble machine in the bathroom, rubber duckies and a water proof xylophone. Also it helps to sing with her during bathing as a distraction. Basically anything you can do to distract her from her anxiety would be wonderful.
Apr 03, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Rocking
by: Anonymous

I have a 2.5 year old daughter who is also a rocker. it got much worse when her brother was born when she was 20 months old. We began OT 4 months ago and it seemed to work a little at first, but the past 2 weeks the rocking has gotten really bad (very frequent throughout the day). Also, her quality of sleep is very poor and she seems tired/anxious often. I'm just wondering if you found anything with your daughter that worked and did it get better? I feel like my daughter does it when she's overwhelmed and cant' control her environment, and also when she doesn't get enough attention. But i can't tend to her all day long with my 9 month old around either.
Jul 04, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tubs
by: Anonymous

My son was about 17months old when we had a sudden tub fear. The water seemed to be fine, but he was terrified of the tub itself. I ended up getting into a swim suit and bathing with him a few nights in a row. After that he seemed to be fine with it and we haven't had an issue since. If your daughter is having issues with the water itself, this might not help. Good luck!
Jun 07, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tubs
by: RL

I took my son to the car wash and since then he has been afraid of the tub and shower and bathing in general. I cant even get him in a tub without him demonstrating extreme fear and anxiety. Anyone have any tips for bathing him now? This site says not to force him, but he has to bath. I cut his hair short - but he is also afraid of hair cutting. He shows other signs of SPD. Will this disorder fade with time or will he always be "different". I am a little scared.

Nov 06, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks!
by: Deana

Thank you both for your comments and support. I will be checking out your website!!
Oct 30, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		rocking
by: Anonymous

Hello,
It sounds as though she may have sensory issues, but the best thing for you to do is to contact your nearest Occupational therapist for an evaluation. I am an occupational therapist and also have a child who has sensory issues.

Shelby
Oct 30, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rocking behavior
by: Anonymous

My son is also a rocker. He used to do this to put himself to sleep and still does it during nap time at school. I do notice he goes through periods of time where he increases this behavior. I think this is their attempt at meeting their own sensory needs.

If it works I would not worry about but it may be a sign she needs increased sensory input. My son also went through a period of fear of the water getting too high in the bathtub. This eventually went away. We just tried to give him some control and also used distraction.

I also tried to brush him before his bath with mixed results. I think the fears can come out of nowhere and maybe just represent their feeling of lack of control. With your daughter it may also be a tactile issue.
Sep 18, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks Jessi
by: Deana

Thanks for the advice Jessi. I think that with Jillian, its more the feel of the water on her than a fear of the drain. Until about 2 months (or so) ago, she LOVED the tub and pools and the lake. She is SLOWLY coming around. I have had 2 consecutive "tubbies" without much of a fight or crying episodes. Maybe we are turning the bend!
Sep 16, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Tub fears..
by: Jessi

I have not experienced the rocking so I don't have advice for that. But as for the tub, kids that age are often afraid that they might go down the drain just like the water does, because they don't have the capacity to understand size differences. It may help to make a little game where you're daughter, while on the outside of the bathtub, puts different objects in the tub while it drains and sees that they cannot go down it. Then ask her what is bigger, her or the object that won't fit in the drain. Then try to explain that if the object can't go down the drain, and she is bigger than the object, therefore she can't go down the drain. Sort of Toddler Logic 101.

Hope that may help.

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