Does It Really Matter?
A teen who said, “A psychiatrist told my parents that I have Asperger’s syndrome,” wrote that he wishes other people would be more tolerant and understanding of some of his “odd” behaviors. He wrote that some of his family members get upset when he rocks or moves his hands. “I wish they could understand that sometimes I forget and just do things that make me look autistic.” He also commented that he wishes they would understand that making repetitive motions is “just part of autism, just like not hearing the telephone ring is part of being deaf.”
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SOME THOUGHTS. Although this teen’s family probably doesn’t intend to be critical, they might want to step back and decide if – in the grand scheme of things – repetitive movements really make a difference. As long as the motions don’t harm anyone, it might be best to ignore things like rocking, repetitive hand movements, twirling hair, or humming.
Other repetitive behaviors that can be irritating but are usually harmless include making repetitive sounds or humming, shaking and flapping objects, playing with string or pulling strings from fabric, obsessively turning pages in books, swinging feet, or snapping fingers. Some individuals with autism have an obsessive attachment to an object, a song, a video, or a person. Others may compulsively arrange objects in a line, sort objects by color, or get agitated if books or knick-knacks get out of order. Sometimes individuals with autism will only eat one food or will insist on wearing the same shirt every day. Although some of these obsessive attachments might be irritating to family members or peers at school or on the job, most are harmless.
Of course, some repetitive or compulsive behaviors are potentially harmful to an individual or to other people. Teeth grinding, hurtful biting or scratching, putting harmful items or substances in mouth, squeezing pets, and other hurtful behaviors need to be addressed immediately. But, in general, repetitive motions or behaviors are a natural consequence of autism, so we might do best to tolerate some repetitive behaviors.
NOTE TO LISTENERS AND READERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com
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