Of all the stimming behaviors, hand flapping is perhaps one that is most noticeable in children with ASD. It is a type of repetitive behavior that can occur for short or long durations. Hand flapping can present itself as a stimming behavior in many ways, including: Moving fingers vigorously.

Flapping hands is normal behavior exhibited by toddlers under the age of 3. Usually, toddlers will flap their hands when they’re stimulated by something and are either happy, excited, angry or anxious.

Hand flapping is seen as a way to escape the over stimulating sensory input present in the environment. Other times when hand flapping can be observed in children (both verbal and non-verbal) is when they are trying to express or communicate to others around them.

Hand flapping is a form of vestibular stimming. Children may be doing this when they are feeling strong emotions, such as being excited to play a game. This behaviour may also be self-soothing when they experience overwhelming anxiety. Allow children to retreat to a quiet space when overwhelmed.

In people with autism, stimming might be more obvious. For example, it may present as full-body rocking back and forth, twirling, or flapping the hands. It can also go on for long periods. Often, the individual has less social awareness that the behavior might be disruptive to others.

Stimming might include: hand and finger mannerisms – for example, finger-flicking and hand-flapping. unusual body movements – for example, rocking back and forth while sitting or standing. posturing – for example, holding hands or fingers out at an angle or arching the back while sitting.

Think of a baby bird trying to take off for the first time. Hand flapping is usually seen when the child is in a heightened emotional state , such as excited or anxious, and sometimes even upset . Parents are often concerned when they see hand flapping because it can be one of the signs seen in children with autism.

Arm flapping or hand flapping are classic autistic behaviors, but that doesn’t mean your child has autism if she does this occasionally. Normal children may flap their hands or arms when they get excited.

According to research, these wrist-hand “tremors” or “flapping” motions are most likely to occur when the arms are outstretched and wrists are flexed. Asterixis on both sides of the body is far more common than unilateral (one-sided) asterixis. The condition was first recognized nearly 80 years ago, but a lot still remains unknown about it.

According to medical experts, it is a mild form of autism and generally manifests without extreme mental disabilities. The main outward characteristics of a person with Asperger’s syndrome are poor social skills, lacking nonverbal communication, and being clumsy.