A 41-year-old member asked:
Can hand flapping be a symptom of anything besides autism?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kevin Passeranswered
37 years experience
Yes: And, the diagnosis of autism is not made by a child only having the hand flapping movements. Two other main characteristics seen in children with autism are problems with both communications and social development. I would seek an evaluation with either a child psychiatrist, a pediatric neurologist or a developmental pediatrician.
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5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Johanna Frickeanswered
Pediatrics - Developmental and Behavioral 52 years experience
Just flapping: Not all children with "stereotypies, "repetitive motor movements that seem to have no function, have autism. A two-year old who hand-flaps when excited, but has normal social communication and no other signs of autism. May be developing typically. Less commonly, stereotypies persist into school-age. Tics and compulsions can look like stereotypies. Video it for your pediatrician to check it out.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 29-year-old member asked:
Can "hand flapping" be from something besides autism?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Glen Elliottanswered
Child Psychiatry 45 years experience
Yes: Some individuals (adults and child) engage in repetitive movements because they find it pleasurable--it's called stereotypic movement disorder. If there no problems with social interactions or language abnormalities, it typically is benign and self limiting. That said, i agree with dr. Hoffman that, if you are concerned, an assessment would be well justified.
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5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Autism causes hand flapping?
3 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in
Dr. Anatoly Belilovskyanswered
Pediatrics 37 years experience
Repetitive...: ...Activities are one of several diagnostic criteria for autism.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Timothy Gunn commented
Clinical Psychology 15 years experience
I agree and I would add that hand flapping MAY be a sign of autism, but autism does not necessarily CAUSE autism.
Apr 26, 2012
Last updated Oct 12, 2012
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