Update on afternoon suspension

[Grandma01]

OK, good morning, good afternoon! My grandson has turned into a spinner with his body. The last few incidents have all come about because he's spinning with his body, fists into a ball and where he stops seems to be into some kid. The children were lining up to use the restrooms, he was in line then pulled out until he could calm himself down, was asked if he was ready to rejoin the line and sometime later his fists connected with a little girl.

So, I guest I'm curious if this is the movement that is so often identified as fidgeting. Like hand movement with things in his hands like a pencil or something. I think we are looking at the beginning or the end of his ASD connected to his ADHD.

[Sloth123]

Might be worth buying him a fidget spinner to alleviate the problem.

[TinaK25 in reply to Sloth123]

Sounds like stimming.

[Sloth123 in reply to TinaK25]

What's stimming?

[TinaK25 in reply to Sloth123]

Repetitive self stimulating movements or sounds use to help people calm themselves.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sti...

[Sloth123 in reply to TinaK25]

Thanks, will check this out!

[Healthyman11 in reply to Sloth123]

[osgood]

Through my work as a movement educator (yes- I am biased!) I've seen large muscle movement (walking, running, etc.) to be helpful for children with ADHD and ASD. Dr. Ed Hallowell (Driven to Distraction, Super-parenting for ADHD, who has ADD himself) talks about stimulating the cerebellum, the part of the brain that helps control movement and has connections to the prefrontal cortex, which helps control "higher order" thinking skills and impulse control. Balance exercises (yoga for kids? marital arts?) may be one way to do this. I imagine spinning is another way! So many times, I've found that kids' bodies/brains "know" what they need - but the structure of school, etc. don't allow them to do what they need to activate more balance in their brains. (This is why I'm doing research about how movement can benefit kids with ADHD, ASD, etc.) It seems like your grandson is trying to give his brain the movement "food" it needs in order to deal with the demands of school structure/learning! Just my two cents... Best wishes!

[Grandma01 in reply to osgood]

Thank you for your input. I will do some reading.

[Grandma01]

Bought him a weighted vest for school. Need a week or so to see if it's working on calming him down. A fidget spinner reminds me of toys and I'm not sure about sending one to school where anyone has access to it. Considering new school next year for kids dedicated to teaching diverse learners, including those with Dyslexia and ADD/ADHD. It's a private school and I just hope I can find a way to help pay for tuition.