shaking when excited

I have an 8 year old daughter that spasms every time she gets excited.  Her fingers stiffen and her face stiffens whenever she is excited about something.  We thought she would grow out of this, she has been doing this since a few months old.  It only occurs when she is excited, Never out of frustration or other emotions.  It looks as though she is having a seizure but if I touch her hands she will stop.  We have discussed trying to stop this behavior but she says that it is a part of her and she doesn't care who sees her do it.  We are worried that she will be made fun of at school.  Right now, she has no social problems but her friends have asked her why she shakes and does that with her hands.  Please advise, as her pediatrician has said that he is not alarmed and that she will most likely grow out of this.  

[painkiller99]

Hi.

The behavior that your daughter exhibits when she gets excited doesn't seem to be a serious condition as evidenced by the "spasms" being easily suppressed by touching her hands.  However, if you want to be sure, you could opt to consult a neurodevelopmental pediatrician to conduct a proper assessment regarding your daughter's behavior.

[rrizz]

My son is 2 and ever since I can remember he has reacted to things that excite him by making little fists opening his mouth like he is squealing with excitement (but no sound comes out) and his body shakes all over as though he has all this excited energy that needs to come out. It scares me sometimes, but he is perfectly normal in development in all other ways and his doctor has shown no concern. I've only seen one other child do this ever. My son only does it when excited.

[zadyn]

Hello,
My daughter who is almost 5 exhibits the exact behavior.  Whenever she is excited or overtired she flaps her arms stiffens her face with her mouth open.  She has been doing this since she was a baby.  I took her to Dan Marino Neuological Center in Florida when she was 3.5 years old.  They said she has a very rare situation.  She exhibits something called repetetive stereopathy which is often seen in children with Autism or Asperbergers and she has neither one of those.  The doctor said some children do outgrow it.  I am so concerned, I plan on getting another opinion because it scares me when I see her do it and she tells me it feels good (almost like a relief).  It is not a seizure or a tic as it is not random and I can stop her from doing it.  Anyone with any other information on this, please let me know.

[HammerUp]

Yes, we have a ten year old with high functioning autism and he did that as a baby, and still will do it occasionally now. He does seem to be out growing it though. Also, our 1 year old is now doing it, it seems to be prevalent in Autistic prone children. Of note, we did not immunize this child for fear it may exasserbate autistic behaviors.
Our 1 yr old has made all milestones ahead of schedule, way ahead, so I would keep a close eye on milestones. It was our tell tale for our ten year old as he was behind 6 months.

[HammerUp]

My sister used to call it "the silent vibrating scream".  Apparently it is quite normal, and most kids grow out of it by age 3 or so. I think it's more of a self stimulating event, which would bode well for that diagnosis of PDD or PDDNOS, ADD - all under the auti spectrum.

[Feismom32]

Hi - my daughter has been doing this similar thing since she was a baby.  She mostly does it when she is excited, but also does it when she is anticipating something.  If she is standing, her body stiffens, arms by her sides and hands opening and closes rapidly.  Her head tilts sideways also.  When she was younger her mouth would form the shape of an 'O'.  Now at seven, she hums.  She seems to hold her breath throughout an episode.  When I hold her hand, she stops and will finally breathe.  I've always been told that it would go away, but it hasn't.  I've discussed this with pediatrician, who did not seem concerned.  I'm wondering who can I talk to to help her stop.  She said she wants to because she doesn't want anyone making fun of her.  I should also mention that doesn't realize she's doing it till she notices she's not breathing or I hold her hand.  Thanks for any help!

[enlightenment253]

Hopefully my comment here helps! I know all situations vary based on the individual, but I was reading up on this, body stiffening, hand shaking, sometimes mouth open, movement, because I occassionally exhibit it as well. Never thought it was abnormal really until I consciously thought about it now. I'm a 23 year old girl, graduated with a degree in Psychology. I've always enjoyed academics and definitely have the ability to excel in school, so this "motor-stereotypy" or whatever it may be has NOT at all affected my life negatively by any means - not in any way that I'm aware of at least. The only negative aspect I could see in relation to children is that, as someone mentioned, the child may be made fun by other kids... I only ever exhibited it when I was alone though. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was younger, but seem to have grown out of it, so it may be in relation to that? Stimulation issue? Not sure.

I also ONLY do it when I'm excited and used to do it a lot more as a child, now not so much. So I definitely agree, in my situation at least, that you can grow out of it. While the feeling of excitement almost feels involuntary, the shakes themselves do feel like a release - it feels good! I know it sounds strange. The shakes are voluntary though, I could consciously abstain from them. It's almost like an indulgence if you will.

Anyways, hope that helps! I can imagine the worry you parents may feel at times with young children!

[enlightenment253]

Hopefully my comment here helps! I know all situations vary based on the individual, but I was reading up on this, body stiffening, hand shaking, sometimes mouth open, movement, because I occassionally exhibit it as well. Never thought it was abnormal really until I consciously thought about it now. I'm a 23 year old girl, graduated with a degree in Psychology. I've always enjoyed academics and definitely have the ability to excel in school, so this "motor-stereotypy" or whatever it may be has NOT at all affected my life negatively by any means - not in any way that I'm aware of at least. The only negative aspect I could see in relation to children is that, as someone mentioned, the child may be made fun by other kids... I only ever exhibited it when I was alone though. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was younger, but seem to have grown out of it, so it may be in relation to that? Stimulation issue? Not sure.

I also ONLY do it when I'm excited and used to do it a lot more as a child, now not so much. So I definitely agree, in my situation at least, that you can grow out of it. While the feeling of excitement almost feels involuntary, the shakes themselves do feel like a release - it feels good! I know it sounds strange. The shakes are voluntary though, I could consciously abstain from them. It's almost like an indulgence if you will.

Anyways, hope that helps! I can imagine the worry you parents may feel at times with young children!

[colemanator]

I am an 7 years old. I put my hands in my pockets sometimes to help me not to shake my hands. Sometimes i twittle my thumbs to help me not shake my arms. I never let anyone bother me about shaking my arms. Sometimes it helps to take a deep breath and breath it out slowly. If I am close to something I can hold it tight and that helps. I somtimes try to think of something else. Walking relax's me.
I am typing this for my son he wanted to try to help someone else that shakes their arms and hands. He is a wonderful boy that does anything he wants to do.

[littlebigman426]

That helps me a lot. Thanks for your comments.

[Pjcliffo]

I have a daughter who has done this since birth and she is now 21, so don't rely on this "growing out of it". She has no other problems, just the excitement thing.

[Rae8419]

I am 28 years old and have been experiencing the hand shaking with excitement ever since I was a child. My mother took me to several doctors. Many many doctors actually without explanation. Eventually at 12 I told my mother it was cured to end my family spending money on doctors. What a relief to see I am not the only one experiencing this as i thought I was. It does not effect my life nor has it ever mostly bc as I aged I did it in privacy as now I do and never did i get made fun of. But in my case it will never go away. And I'm fine with it. It's kept a secret. Only my mother knows I still have it and control it. I am married with three children and my husband has no idea so you will live a normal life. And actually my oldest daughter was born with it as well. Some people ask why
she does it. I say she's just excited and that ends the convoy or they say its cute.But she is seven and does control it more. Sometimes I have to remind her about her arms if I see het do it and she stops but don't be concerned that this is going to event you or your child's life bc with my experience it has not

[Soph2225]

My daughter does the exact same thing and always when she is excited or anticipating something and ofcourse I was and still am worried.  The pediatrician recommended that I get her blood tested which I did and he called me back and said that she has a severe reaction to cow's milk.  I completely stopped the milk intake and pretty much anything that contains milk.  It's been a week that she has been milk free and I don't see a major difference yet but the pediatrician is telling me that I have to give her at least a month if not more to see a difference.  
I hope this helps with your situation and I wish your daughter well.