FLAPPING ARMS

[PATTI143]

My 5 yr old granddaughter has flapped her arms since she was an infant.  Rather than laugh or smile, this is how she shows her excitment.  Her behavior is great.  She is very bright, sweet disposition and considerate.  Lately, she has added to the flapping arms, pressing her middle finger & thumb together and making an "O" with her mouth.  She is in K5 and doing well.  She was seen by a therpist when she was 3 & they were not too concerned and so nothing since has been said.  She seems well adjusted except for this different behavior.  I am concerned as time goes on, the children will make fun of her.  We have not tried to stop her from doing this or really called attention to this behavior.  My concern in doing this would make her more aware and cause more problems.  It is not going away by itself as we all hoped.  Where or what should we do at this point?

[PATTI143]

Thanks for the comment...so there is a difference between a regular pediatrician and a d developmental pediatrician?

[angelinamarina]

I would take her to a developmental pediatrician for an eval.  however, you say she is bright, has great behavior, and is sweet....geeesh, what i would give for that with my 4 yr old....  if the only thing wrong is flapping arms, maybe just let it be and realize it is a qwerk.  however, if you are concerned, i would take her in for an eval.

[Myrna Libby, Ph.D., BCBA]

Since you are concerned and the issue seems to be continuing rather than abating I would recommend that you have her evaluated by a developmental pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist to rule out any developmental issues.  If this is just an idiosyncratic behavior you can try to teach her an alternative and reinforce her for engaging in the alternative.  One strategy that might help is a technique called "habit reversal" which has been used successfully with some individuals with more serious tic disorders.  If you search the journal JABA (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis) it has several publications on that treatment which is a form of self-monitoring.  You teach the individual to identify the behavior, teach an alternative and reinforce for engaging in the alternative.  On the other hand you could let this go a bit longer and see if peer pressure helps her modify it.

[angelinamarina]

Hi,
yes there is a difference for sure.  The reg ped usually does not have much experience in developmental issues as far as I know.

Good luck!
:)

-Angi