Understanding Primary Motor Stereotypies

Did you know that...

I'm a mother of a 20-month old who hand-flaps and grits his teeth when he's too excited.  It became most noticeable when he turned 18 months. For peace of mind, I had him assessed at 19 months (last month), but mostly for speech delay. We thought it was just that.  But the moment of truth came when my son failed all parts of the assessment. (PEDS, MCHAT, etc)

This had me looking into ASD, which I haven't entertained before. Dev't Pedia said he got a lot of Red Flags. It was a roller-coaster of emotion. I started my research on ASD since then (a month ago). But first & foremost, the changes that we had to do to see if his speech will improve.

Doctor's top of list:
1. NO TV! It sure helped a lot. Saw quick improvement in days.
2. Let him mingle with other children.  Since he's our first born, we were so overprotective and we didn't even notice that my son has no playmate for 1 1/2 years. Just us,all adults.

After a month of following the NO TV route and letting him play with other children, his speech greatly improved. As well as his social skills. He plays and reacts with other kids already unlike the past months which he was more responsive with adults. He's role-playing and following instructions already.
Note: he's a happy, warm and cuddly baby boy. He's got the most infectious smile and eyes that could penetrate your soul. Thus, I'd really like to rule out ASD.

However, with all the improvement, hand-flapping and teeth-gritting are still there when he gets overly excited. In my research for answers, this site: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/specialty_areas/pediatric-neurology/conditions/motor-stereotypies/symptoms.html crossed my path.  Reading it helped me a lot to understand the repetitive movements that he's doing. I am also thankful to this site: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/hand-flapping.html, because someone mentioned primary motor stereotypies.

He shows signs of improvement day by day.  Of course, we gave him attention twice as much. We're more sensitive now on how we react to him.  I don't have concrete answers for now. I just hope that he outgrows these involuntary movements in time or at least when he could express himself thru words already. My heart will always be hopeful and faithful...

Back to blog...back to share...

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It's been 2 years and 2 months since I decided to try my luck in blog. As "techie" is not my last name, I keep on thinking why does this keep on crossing my path? Yes, I write for a living. Copy, scripts, features, magazines, flyer, etc. But blogging? With all the commands and programs that I need to learn...Ugh! Good thing, there's a free blog site with ready layout, templates and designs (thanks to http://www.blogger.com) Years went by, months and days, and still opportunity will present itself a reason why I should share my thoughts, my learnings, my journey. I know there are thousands, maybe millions of bloggers since this term has been coined and was given life on the net. I am not even aware about the sophistication or eloquence in delivering timely blogs. But the only thing I know is that I have a gift of communication. It has been given to me for a reason and I owe my maker to give back. I am not sure who will reach my messages, my stories, my tribulations. But "the voice" inside my heart would say: "just be an open channel". I am back to share my journey. Maybe I have similar stories as yours or maybe I would play a part in your day-to-day struggle. At this point, I have no idea. But I will keep on writing from hereon. I will let the river run its course...

Seraphim Favorite Numbers as of 06.13.12

He would pick these numbers up  everytime from his rubber mats bring them up in the air and leave it separately to be noticed.   He would open the page of his Number Book on Number 5.  And his favorite shape in the cookie jar, STAR, has number 5 on it...

So I decided to look up for the meaning. AND HE MADE HIMSELF KNOWN ON DAY 5 OF OUR JOURNEY.


Five: The spiritual meaning of number Five deals with travel, adventure, and motion. With the highs that come with these attributes, Fives also carry instability and unpredictability, and radical changes. The spiritual meaning of Five draws our attention to the wonder of life, and beckons us to appreciate the perception of chaos all around us. Five has wild vibrations: primitive and erratic. When Five continues to pop up in your life be prepared for some action, like a trip. Remember, trips aren't all necessarily taken physically. Some of the best journey's are taken in the mind and spirit.

Then followed by this:

Two: The symbolic meaning of number Two is kindness, balance, tact, equalization, and duality. The number Two reflects a quiet power of judgment, and the need for planning. Two beckons us to choose. The spiritual meaning of number Two also deals with exchanges made with others, partnerships (both in harmony and rivalry), and communication. Two urges us out of our indecision, calls us to unite with like-minds, and like-ideals. Two asks us to exert our natural flow of judgment to do what is best for our souls.

Is he communicating to us thru his mind? YES HE DOES! :)