Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

4 yr old tensing on chair and zoning out

hi, Our 4.5 yr old daughter is on the Gifted and talented register but recently is struggling at school to finish writing. She is tensing up when sitting at her chair - her whole body tenses and she makes 'up and down' movements with her body. Whilst doing this she 'zones out' and says she doesnt know what to write. She started these movements when she was a baby when in her high chair and does it in her car seat now a lot and when sitting at her little wooden desk drawing . She says she doesnt know why she does it?
Please help as she is going to fall behind at school.
thanks
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
My daughter is 4 yrs. old now and she tenses up her whole body and sweats alot when she is sitting. Sometimes she does it till she falls asleep. She started doing this when she was about 4 months old then she stopped when she was about 1 yr old. Well she never stopped doing it while in the sopping cart. She started to do this again recently But alot more than when she was younger. I asked her doctor and she said it could be because she feels ignored. I am worried because I think is more than that.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi my daughter also tenses up when she goes in the car seat or on her high chair for meals. She pulls faces then settles down. We tend to ignore it as we hope she will come out of it. I am convinced it's not dental related. She does get hot in the cheeks. Have you any advice on any professional help I should seek.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My daughter is 5 and does the exact same thing!!! I thought she was the only one, she has some autistic traits and is going in for an autistic assessment in June....she was tested for seizures at 2 but came back neg....she says she does it cos she is tired
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This sounds like a seizure. There are different types, my daughter gets them without the movements, she spaces out and moves her mouth a bit, tenses and looks like she has stopped breathing but, still get tiny bits in.
There are seizures where they will same the same thing over and over. Tensing and spacing out is what happens in a seizure. Seizures can be caused by low magnesium.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
this is happening to my my six year old exactly the same. We saw a sycologist 2 years ago who said it was a habit nut it is now disrupting her work atschool. The same as you she says she doesnt know why she does it . We are now told by the teacher it may be a slight form of ADD. If you know any more please help:
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
OMG, my daughter is 2 years and almost 3 mths old and does the EXACT same things you are mentioning!!!  i hate coming online cus i'm freaking myself out even more than i need to be, but just a little concerned.  

She is very smart, she's further advanced than alot of children her age...so didn't think i needed to concern myself too much.  she has always done the tensing body and moving body up and down, in her high chair, car seat and small childrens table at daycare.  everyone thinks it's funny cus she makes a serious face and looks so intense.  but i'm starting to get concerned.  i don't know what to think or do???  have you talked to anyone else and come up with anything???  
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Child Behavior Community

Top Children's Health Answerers
189897 tn?1441126518
San Pedro, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
We answer your top questions about the flu vaccine.
Learn which over-the-counter medicines are safe for you and your baby
Yummy eats that will keep your child healthy and happy
Healing home remedies for common ailments