Stimming

[Riham El Asady]

Hi Dr Woeller,
As this course is coming to an end, I wanted to thank you very much for the great content and the incredible support you and your team have been providing. This has been very informative. Your prompt feedback to questions and queries has been remarkable. I am still catching up on some lectures and I have started taking the exams, which also demonstrate enormous flexibility. You have been very accommodating and considerate of individual variations and needs.
I have been trying to read quickly through lectures that I missed to avoid asking a question about an issue that you already addressed in a webinar that I missed. So, here goes one such question:
Regarding finger stimming, I wanted to please ask you if you have encountered a situation where the excessive stimming using fingers evolved into hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joints. I have seen this happen with my son (9years old), and it is quite obvious. (I am attaching a photo to demonstrate). If anything, I feel this is a reflection of how his muscles have become hypertonic over the years, as has been the case with the hyperactivity and impulsiveness. I am hoping that many of these issues can subside with proper implementation of a controlled diet and appropriate supplementation, which I only recently started.
I am, however, concerned this condition may need to be seen by a neurologist or might have a permanent effect on his hands.
Many thanks again,
Riham

[DrWoeller]

Riham,
Thanks for your kind words. I am very happy you have found this course helpful.
I have seen some fairly significant stimming behavior and this certainly is an excessive situation with your son. It sounds like his sensory system is out of balanced to the point that he either doesn’t fully feel the pain that this causing to his fingers or if provides some odd sensation that would be abnormal to you and I. I would recommend you get him evaluated by a neurologist familiar with autism and likely a referral to specialist such as a physical rehabilitation medicine specialist familiar with autism. What I am thinking is some type of hand/finger brace that he wears and prevents him from pulling on his finger joints so aggressively.

Dr. Woeller

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