Does my child have a disorder that needs to be treated?

[Cathe]

My child is 4 years old. Sense I can remember he has waved his arms when he gets excited. His arms are straight down by his side and he bends them at his elbows and waves them up and down. He gets very tensed and his breathing is different as this is taking place. This is not a habit. I can see that it comnes from inside him. It's like he can not control himself when he gets excited. Also, he does this when I brush his teeth, dry him off after a bath and when he watches T.V. while standing in front of it. If I asked him to hold on to the counter when we brush his teeth, he will calm down. If he sits down to watch T. V. this does not happen. If I ask him to sit down or to hold on to something when this arm waving is taking place, he stops the wavingand the tensing seems to disappear. I have to stress he is not doing it on purpose. He took swimming lessons for the first time this year. I really didn't know how he was going to do because of the different breathing. It's harder for him to breath and I didn't know if he could hold his breath under the water while being excited about swimming. He did wonderful! When his teacher was asking all the kids to jump in the water to her, he was standing there waving his arms until it got to his turn. He stopped the waving and listened to what she said then jumped in.
I don't know if it is normal for children to have some obsessive compulsive behaviors, but he has had some. I can easily break them in a day or two with bribery, so I don't know if they are really called OCB. Some examples are pulling on his long sleeve shirt to make sure it is all the way down and pulling at his underwear.
Other than the above mentioned he is fine. He is a normal child.  No behavioral problems, smart, socialzes well, a little bit shy, loves to play, etc.
Please tell me if ther is a name for this and should he be treated?

[Nebula]

Your local public school system should have an Early Intervention Program, which could be of great assistance.  More areas are getting mandatory Public school Pre-school, where you may also find therapists.  Much Love to you!!!!

[spunkamonk]

Please see my website at:  www.carsonshope.homestead.com/carsonshope.html
You can also access my email address through that site.
I think I can give you some direction.
Lisa

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your son likely displays sensory integration problems. An evaluation by an occupational therapist who specializes in the pediatric population would be useful in clarifying this. An additional intervention, though not compelling, is an evaluation by a pediatric neurologist.