Leg crossing? 3 year old crosses her legs and squeezes/tenses
I’ve never known another kid that does this and I don’t know why she does. She’s always done something like this too since she was very little like months old. It’s clearly a sensory seeking behavior. She only does this when she’s tired, bored, frustrated, or isn’t getting attention. When she was little she used to press against the high chair (when seated) and sort of hold her breath and now it’s turned into this. She also used to shake like put her arms out in front of her and shake when she was excited or intrigued with something that started around 5-6months and lasted for her first year, again I never saw another kid do this to this extent. Now she doesn’t do the shake thing and doesn’t sit in a high chair anymore but she does the legs now. She basically planks face down or on her side on the ground or bed and crosses her legs all intertwined and straight legged (her legs are super hard to the touch) and she just periodically holds her breath sometimes makes an uncomfortable face like lots of tension in the face, and will just lay like that when she’s tired until she falls asleep or when she’s bored. She’ll make little grunting sounds sometimes cause of the breath holding. You can talk to her like easily snap her out of it so it’s not a seizure. She will do it more if I draw attention to it like in defiance. I guess I just am wondering if anyone else out there has or has had a kid than did this too and when did this behavior stop? I’m worried for her. She’s going to go to preschool soon and I don’t want her to be that kid that’s doing something odd in the corner that other kids parents and teachers are like wtf. It obviously looks very odd and she’ll just randomly do this in front of company we have over and they always are like what are you doing are you okay and I’m like yep she is. How do I get this behavior to stop?? I can’t say anything it makes it worse but ignoring it she’ll just lay there for ages it feels like doing that. Help.
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**Oh and I highly highly doubt it’s autism related she meets zero of the criteria in all other aspects (and this is coming from someone who used to work with special needs children, many with autism so I’m very familiar with it). She was born at 36 weeks and has had some issues with sleep (related to brain immaturity) so this sensory seeking behavior could be related to that.**
My daughter does this when she’s in her car seat. It’s stress related she doesn’t always do it but it’s the only time she does it.
Sounds like stimming, which isn't exclusive to autism. I also work with children with SEN as well as my oldest being on the spectrum and having sensory processing issues and have seen this kind of behaviour before. If she's not hurting herself I wouldn't try to stop it, if you're really concerned speak to your doctor for their advice but discouraging a safe method of releasing tension or discomfort is not advisable
I can really relate to this! Our daughter is 4 and has also done this since she was literally months old. It use to not bother me I just thought maybe she was constipated or it was a comfort thing ( which i still believe it is) but she does it a lot and Will do it around other kids and i’m just trying to save her from being shamed by other kids or made fun of. Idk what to do about it. It’s come to the point where Ive spoken to her and asked her if she would be okay just doing that when we’re home. But even when we’re at home it’s all the time it seems more than what it used to be. We are at a loss we don’t know what to do about it. I know it’s a self soothing thing and it stimming but it’s still frustrating cause she’s holding her breath and zoning out. She does not have ASD but she is a sensory seeker. It’s relieving to read about other kids doing it though. Just wish Ihad more answers. I have brought it up to doctors they say just let her do it she’ll grow out of it but she hasnt
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