strange habit

[termabero]

is it uncommon for my 8 yr old stepson who most of the time while he is laying face down wriggle about as tho he was mastrubating . but not touching, he will spend hours doing this . hiding behind the bed or laying on the sofa , i have told him that he must not do it in public and i do tell him off every time i see him dong it.but he still dose it.  he dose not live with me and i only have him during the school holidays , what is the best way to stop him doing this as it seems to take up all his free time . he has been doing this from the age of 4

[MarkLakewood3367]

If this behavior occurs in other environments, it might be best to get this behavior evaluated by an MD.  It could be a form of autism or a developmental disorder.

[termabero]

yes if left alone, and he thinks nobody is looking,  he will do it for an hour or so then just stop i think it must be some sort of soothing . it is strange that he will do it in preference to other normal activity for a child of his age although he is normal in many other ways

[Kermit the Hermit]

like above

but i feel possible masturbating learning that feels good lots of others

im adhd and as long as i can remember embarrassing

i masturbated in one way or anothe all the time some is normal male discovery

but its hard to know the line if its all the time consult docs counselors etc for ideas

its really his parents his home life discipline or lack of

my wifes work her old boss her kids heard to much of the sick crap in the house

and always tried to reenact on playground we wont go into the nasty details

start by seeing if you can find out what goes on in the other house

some just laugh o there young its funny and encourage this to get worse

good luck

[Sandman2]

  Ya, does seem odd.  Does he really do this for hours at a time?  If so may be a form of self soothing - not mastrabating.  Does he seem sensitive to clothing ,  or food, or sound, etc

[MarkLakewood3367]

It seems a bit odd to me.  Have you spoken to his other parent about this behavior?  Does it occur there as well?