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Fine motor skills in 4 year old autistic....
As a grandparent of a newly diagnosed grandson, we are trying to understand the nature of his condition.
Our 4 y/o grandson appears to have keenly developed motor skills. He does peculiar things wiuth this skill. He had a penchant for lining things up. He'll take his box of Hot Wheels, and create a parking lot of cars, all in neat rows. We took him to a children's pumpkin patch at 3. He immediately began to gather pumpkins up setting them carefully down in a line. He seems adept at Legos and build and stacking things. We have no idea why he likes to do this, but his creations are sometimes at tall as he. There appears to no frustration if they fall. He just starts over. Is this a skill that his parent should try and cultivate, or is it just something that he doesn't realize that he's doing. I've enclose a picture of the pumpkin patch incident.
Our 4 y/o grandson appears to have keenly developed motor skills. He does peculiar things wiuth this skill. He had a penchant for lining things up. He'll take his box of Hot Wheels, and create a parking lot of cars, all in neat rows. We took him to a children's pumpkin patch at 3. He immediately began to gather pumpkins up setting them carefully down in a line. He seems adept at Legos and build and stacking things. We have no idea why he likes to do this, but his creations are sometimes at tall as he. There appears to no frustration if they fall. He just starts over. Is this a skill that his parent should try and cultivate, or is it just something that he doesn't realize that he's doing. I've enclose a picture of the pumpkin patch incident.
Best Answer
This is very common for children with autism to do. It's called stimming. Stimming in itself is not considered a bad thing, unless it is harmful. It's a way to self sooth and calm down. It controls anxiety. I certainly wouldn't have him stop the activity all together, but maybe interrupt and try and join him every so often. It also has a lot to do with sensory integration. It's often difficult for ASD kids to self regulate so they do things like flap hands, toe walk, and line things up. Is he seeing an occupational therapist? They can find some great ways to meet those sensory needs so that when he gets older he won't feel like he needs to stim as much. Eventually those behaviors will become distracting and make school harder. I really like that you are trying to learn about autism. When everyone involved in the child's life tries to educate themselves they can help it makes things a lot easier. It takes a village to raise a child...
As a PCA for a 10 year with Autism. I know about stemming all too well. What your grandson is doing is tame compared to the 10 year old I take care of. For his stemming, he jumps up and down, claps his hands,and will hit whatever is nearby. One thing you can do is get your grandson a weighted vest, weighted blanket, or a kicking sack.
Also a therapy swing would be a very good idea. Swinging relaxes them and is very calming. Also a small trampoline might bot be a bad idea.
Good luck with this.
Also a therapy swing would be a very good idea. Swinging relaxes them and is very calming. Also a small trampoline might bot be a bad idea.
Good luck with this.
Thank you for the info. No, he is not seeing anyone at the moment, but the plan is to get help some form of therapy soon. He did have a behavior and speech therapist last year when he was diagnosed as having a sensory disorder. He's been classified as "high functioning", and we are all in his corner as he develops. He's a remarkable little boy, yet can put you at your wits end at times!
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