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March's Tips For Parents
From ISVI Speech & Language Department
Repetitive Behaviors-What Are They?
Families of some children with visual
impairments may find that their children repeatedly behave or act in ways that
can be confusing to sighted observers. Several terms used to describe these
behaviors include stereotypical behaviors, mannerisms, self-stimulatory
behaviors, and “blindisms.” Regardless of what the behavior is called, it’s
important to understand why it’s happening and what you can do about it.
These behaviors, which can differ among children, include:
• Eye poking or pressing - some visually impaired children
repeatedly poke or press their hands or fingers on or in their eyes. Before
trying to change that behavior, make sure it’s not happening because your
child's eyes hurt. Find out from your eye care specialist if there is a possible
medical explanation.
• Hand flapping - some children flap their hands when they’re
excited and stop after a little while as they calm down. This can happen
repeatedly for no apparent reason.
• Rocking - a child may rock back and forth or from side to
side either while sitting or standing. For some children the behavior increases
as they become more excited.
• Light gazing - light is very stimulating for some children.
They may enjoy staring at a lamp or a sunny window and may also flick or wave
their fingers in front of their eyes to cause the light or make patterns.
• Head shaking- a child may shake his head from side to side
repeatedly even though he is not saying “no.” Some babies are especially prone
to do this when lying in their crib or on their back on the floor.
Why Children Exhibit These Behaviors?
There is no one agreed-on theory about why some visually impaired children
engage in stereotypical behavior, which is also sometimes seen in children with
a variety of other disabilities. One theory is that a child may not be getting
as much stimulation from the environment as sighted children do. Since he cannot
see everything a sighted baby sees, he seeks stimulation from within himself.
Another theory is that some visually impaired children do not play with toys or
socialize the way sighted babies do, so behaviors that all babies engage in from
time to time become more of a habit. Once that happens, it’s difficult to change
or redirect the behavior and help the child learn more socially acceptable ways
of expressing excitement or boredom.
What You Can Do To Change Stereotypical Behavior
Most people engage in some behaviors that are self-stimulatory that they do
without thinking--jiggling their knees or cracking their knuckles, twirling
their hair or clicking a pen repeatedly. People tend to do this when they’re
bored, nervous, or worried. Often we do not realize we’re exhibiting these
behaviors, and others may not either, because they fall into the “socially
acceptable” category. But the stereotypical behaviors some visually impaired
children engage in are not seen as socially acceptable and may be considered
highly unusual by many people. It may be helpful to work with your child to
replace that behavior with another that is viewed as more socially acceptable.
Babies need pleasurable physical activity. One way to change your baby’s
stereotypical behavior is to help him to find stimulation in acceptable ways.
For example, when you introduce him to a variety of toys, give him reason to use
his body, particularly his hands, to explore and play with these new objects.
Once he is involved in a stimulating activity, he is less likely to think of
poking his eyes or shaking his head. Refocusing your baby’s attention from
stereotypical behavior to a different, pleasurable activity can help to wean him
from that habit. Toys are not the only useful distractions--you might sing a
song together, tickle him, or play patty-cake.
Try not to scold your baby if you see him engaging in self-stimulatory behavior.
He may quickly learn that he can get your attention, even if it’s negative, by
doing that. Instead, try to redirect his behavior.
Remember to give your child attention and praise when, for example, he isn’t
rocking or poking his eyes while waiting to pet the pony at the petting zoo.
Giving him a big hug and telling him you’re proud of the way he is waiting his
turn is a good way to reinforce that behavior.
As your child becomes more aware of other children, let him know that most
others do not have the habit you’re trying to break him of. Let him know, in
some way that doesn’t make him angry or embarrassed, how others respond to his
behavior. “There’s a little girl in the sandbox who looks scared because you’re
waving your hands around. If you keep them still she might come and play with
you.” It can be hard for young children to understand how others perceive them,
so your child may not be ready for this type of feedback.
Ask family members and friends not to encourage your child’s self-stimulatory
behavior because that will make it harder for him to break the habit as he gets
older. At the same time, make it clear that you don’t want them to scold or
tease him about it. They can help distract your child from these behaviors by
playing with him or in some other way engaging him in an activity.
The above article was taken from:
www.familyconnect.org
American Federation of the Blind (AFB)
Diane Wayne
Speech and Language Specialist
Illinois School for the Visually Impaired
email: Diane.Wayne@illinois.gov
Phone: 217.479.4477
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