Mouth tapping

[jelanismom]

I have too many questions tonite, Jessika, you're not alone!

Starting this year Jelani's been tapping his mouth repeatedly with his index finger. Picture yourself holding up your finger to say "shhhh", but have all fingers up. It looks like maybe he started this whenever they taught him a sign language word for something, but I can't find it in my book. Anyway, it's just been this constant batting on his mouth and when I dropped him off at school today, he wouldn't stop even for a second so I could kiss him goodbye.

I haven't gotten any input from his school, and believe me I've asked. I asked too about his constant teeth grinding, and I haven't heard an ounce of advice from OT or teacher.
So, basically I usually feel I'm on my own with my concerns, sorry to say. I have an IEP next month (triannual) and a separate appt.regarding his current placement, which I plan to change. (another topic all together!)

Is this tapping his mouth thing common? Is this type behavior something I can help him stop doing? Like replace it with something else? I know it's stimming, I'm just concerned that it's getting more frequent. any advice is appreciated.

[Chris too]

{{{{Dawn}}}} Isn't stimming increased in times of stress? The only advise I can provide you right now is to provide as much relaxation time & fun activities with you as you can manage - and take a deep breath yourself. The school year is almost out, you are changing his placement, you hug him every day. I think you are doing the right stuff already & it will pan out. {{{{Dawn}}}}

[Ericsmomma]

I agree about the stimming....Eric will do the "mouth tapping" when he is either stressed or over excited. He does it alot when his favorite video comes on (excited?), or when there is alot of commotion in the house (stress?). I usually try to redirect him to something else...like quietly reading his favorite book to him, away from the cause of stimulation. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've started to keep a diary of times he is stimming...what is happening right before, right after, mood, etc. Maybe I'll be able to see a pattern and head it off before it starts. So Dawn, you are not alone....

[lespring]

Angela's various stimming things come out of nowhere, and new ones develop while old ones disappear. In January she was at her theater group and they played some hand game that apparently involved her thumbs. Good Lord, I could strangle whoever introduced that game! Angela came home that night doing this thing where she pops her thumb joints...both of them...simultaneously.....It's still going on, particularly if she's wearing shirt sleeves that reach her thumbs.

[damarasmom]

Damara taps her tongue...drives me CRAZY!! She will stick out her tongue and tap away with all four of her fingers, tapping all at the same time...But like Angela...she will lose this and pick up something else...it's always changing

[twosomy21]

i think just another habit ,kyle still knawles his thumb at every chance- i would take the tapping. i hate to see his hands go in his mouth ,germie.

[Ericsmomma]

Kyle's Mom,
Eric knaws on his index fingers...so much that they are mis-shapen...and I agree with the germ thing...thats probably why he's sick so often.

[jelanismom]

Oh yes, the mouthing all items in sight is another one, and I once had to take him to ER because he developed oral thrush last Dec. The doc gave me Nystantin drops to use, it cleared up. I get all anxious putting him in those shopping carts at the store, he'll sometimes try to suck on the belt strap or handle bar (ugh). I always bring along antibacterial wipes to clean the cart beforehand. Once I had purchased those "topper" thingys that are plastic with pretty little Elmo pictures that adhere to the handle bar of cart...but that was when he was younger. It's just a never ending battle to keep things out of his mouth, a real health hazard. I know it's SOOO common, even in the adults with Ds.

Thanks for all replies.

[victoriasdad]

victoria would stick the belt on the shopping cart carrier in her mouth that was the last time i belted her in, can u imagine how many kids have had that nasty thing in their mouth, yuck, reminds me my brother use to bite his toe nails, even when he was a teen ager, he said he quit but his wife rolled her eyes behind his back so i guess we all have our secret stimms, my son twirls his hair constantly which is a self nurturing stim, especially when im mad at him