Expert: James Michael Roan - 2/5/2009

Question
I was reading your responses to Lisa, about her son that puts his hands in the air, etc.  My son is 5 1/2, and is diagnosed with high-functioning autism, although I believe, the more I learn, that it is Asperger's.  My son has a tic that seems to have gotten worse over time.  It started with just moving his head form side to side, and now it is a full-body twist, where he swoops his head to the side, pumps his arms in and out, alternates stomping feet, and spitting raspberries-style.  I feel the social effect this could have on him in the future, especially if he adds anything to the already elaborate movement.  My confusion comes in that you (and others) say that this is his body's response to controlling anxiety.  My son typically does this when he is either a)excited about what he is doing or talking about, or b)bored.  I would love to try to help him find ways to get this energy out of him in less-conspicuous ways, but I also don't want to damage him if his body NEEDS to do this.  
Any thoughts?
Thanks
-Diana

Answer
Hi Diana;

This is a very tough challenge indeed. The Golden Rule of behavior is you do not try and eliminate a behavior without having an acceptable replacement behavior in mind that will serve the same function. Certain tics/repetitive behaviors also help a child focus and organize their thinking better. We all have them, we just conceal them well because we are concerned about what others think of us. This is not the case with Asperger's syndrome at this age. This too will change with age. In many cases a sensory stimulating toy like a Koosh ball in the pocket will serve the same function of a repetitive behavior. These behaviors have a real purpose and function, which is why they eventually become part of our behavioral repertoire. A good example is President Obama's stuttering and throat-clearing while he speaks. Originally, this behavior probably gave him time to think and organize his thoughts before speaking, but eventually it became a part of his everyday speech pattern even when he does not need to be careful about what he says.

Have a talk with him and share your concerns that others might think he is odd and give him a try with the Koosh ball or some other hand held object like two marbles. There is no easy solution here.





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Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Mayo, Kerry, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.