RE: Question for parents about stimming

[Guest guest]

Well put....your words struck a chord in me.

-- RE: Question for parents about stimming

I don’t think it is bad but rather it is a behavior that identifies our children as different and “odd” (for lack of a better word). There is certainly nothing wrong with being different and I would like to believe that most social behavior is understood and accepted however, even if this was true, these behaviors can still make our children targets. Ridicule, bullying, assault are all real threats. I would like to believe that we can change how children/people see each other and hopefully work towards the goal of full acceptance but the reality (now any ways) is that it does not exist. So, it seems we spend a lot of time trying to make our children fit into the world with in which they live. I know I struggle with this myself – wanting to accept my daughter for who she is and honor the uniqueness about her but then fighting with the idea of needing her to fit in. I am so afraid that one day, because her quirkiness is obvious, that she will be a vulnerable target. I want to love and accept my daughter for the practically perfect child she is but I also want to protect her. I hope this provides some insight and is not taken the wrong way.

Cohane, LCSW

creating connections and strengthening families by providing

developmental-behavioral interventions and psychotherapy services

Cohanecomcast (DOT) net

From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Lydia Glider-Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 8:54 PMTo: sList Subject: Question for parents about stimming

Why is it so important to stop kids from stimming, if the stims are not injurious to the child or others? If the child enjoys rocking or hand-flapping, is it really such a problem? I know autistic people in various locations... some in institutions, and they have mentioned being punished for rocking, hand-flapping or making up their own words. I just don't understand why it's considered so bad.-- Lydia Glider-Broward County Special Needs Parents Examinerwww.examiner.com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:www.iamautism.org<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi