spinning in circles, wont stop, normal?

radak

My  baby is almost 14 months old, she won't stop spinning in circles.  I don't know if she likes the feeling, but she does it till she is dizzy.  I googled and found a lot of information on autism.  She has no other signs.  She talks, walks, smiles and laughs, points, follows our pointing, babbles non-stop, she isn't very cuddly, and hand flaps a lot, but I think that is just the way she is.  Would you be worried?  Is this totally normal?

Chelle112

DS does this all the time. He thinks it's hysterical. 

Bemyselfandi

I've worked with a lot of autistic kids...and my kid hand flaps when he gets excited watching his favorite shows on NickJr and also thinks it's HILARIOUS to spin in circles until he falls. I don't believe my kid has autism. I think it's pretty common right now. I'd say if she's still doing it past 3 years old, maybe. But you'll find other symptoms, too.

mavs_girl07

Honestly, it's hard to tell just from a post whether it's normal or not.  Spinning and hand-flapping can be characteristics of autism, or it could be just something a perfectly normal child does for fun.  If you're concerned, then I would talk to your pedi at the 15mo well check.

radak

Thank you.  I don't want to be paranoid, but I also don't want to miss anything obvious that I should be picking up on.  I will definatly bring it up at the 15 mo. apt.  my chart is already flagged as crazy paranoid parent for the day I took her in for possible whooping cough after she had already had the vaccine.  To my defense, she was making gasping sounds after coughing because her cold was so bad.   Thanks again ladies! 

leneae10

Mine does this too, but I don't think he's autistic.  I think it's just good fun since they now know they CAN do it, kwim?

mavs_girl07

radak:

Thank you.  I don't want to be paranoid, but I also don't want to miss anything obvious that I should be picking up on.  I will definatly bring it up at the 15 mo. apt.  my chart is already flagged as crazy paranoid parent for the day I took her in for possible whooping cough after she had already had the vaccine.  To my defense, she was making gasping sounds after coughing because her cold was so bad.   Thanks again ladies! 

Well no one can blame you for that!  I would've taken my LO in for that as well.

azzyberry

Excessive spinning and hand flapping are characteristics of Autism but those two things alone does not mean that she has autism.

There are a ton of behaviors that all typical developing babies/children exhibit during different development/learning stages that are also considered autistic behaviors such as hand flapping and spinning.  The difference is that a typical developing child will display one or a few of these behaviors at a time that is deemed age appropriate but eventually they will grow out of it and move on to something else.  An autistic child will display multiple behaviors at a time and do not outgrow these behaviors well past the point of what is considered age appropriate.

Certaintly if you are concerned talked to your pedi at the next check up.

 

greyt00

I know nothing about autism, but my 13-month old (14 months tomorrow!) has been obsessed with this for the last couple of weeks.

He babbles a lot and points but only with his left hand.  He also walks, climbs, and is very outgoing.  So, I hope this is just a temporary phase!