Expert: Moshe Adler, MD - 7/19/2004

Question
    My grandson who is 5-1/2 years old now continues with the habit of flapping his hands when becoming very excited.  He will begin school this September and we think that other students may make fun of him, or laugh.  We have tried to use the phrase: "Quiet hands, please", and he knows that we would like him to stop the action, but will continue it later that day, or on to the next excitable activity.
    He is extremely smart and does not have any problem socially. He is a very active child.
    Please help us understand this and what we may do to help him stop this habit.  What action should his parents take?  Thank you in advance for your time.

Answer
I am not sure why he is doing this.  Have they discussed it with his pediatrician?  If it's really a problem, it may be worth seeing a psychologist to see if something can be done to lessen this behavior.  It may be just a habit that will stop without doing much about it.  If no one minds the flapping, you can probably do nothing and wait.

Moshe Adler, MD