My son turns three next week. When he gets excited, he does this strange twitch thing...straightens his arms and puts them between his legs. He has always done this, but it seems like he is doing it more often and family members have showed concern lately. I have asked his pediatrician about it and she said as long as he only does it when he is excited, it's normal and will outgrow it. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and might have a better explaination.
It's normal. Kids are MUCH more physical beings than adults. They express their excitement physically because they've not yet learned to repress it. He'll grow out of it.
My 4.5 year old has a variety of twitches. She twirls her hair when anxious, and she will flick herself if she is really upset about something.
I'm sure she will outgrow it. My plan is to not worry about any "unusual behavior" for as long as possible. I strongly believe you do more damage by bringing attention to this stuff.
I recommend you video tape a few of the 'excited twitch' episodes. Keep your camera handy so you can catch it. And also keep track on your calendar the details of when/where he has them. See if you can track their frequency and if the episodes are indeed on the rise as you are thinking.
Then also factor in how he is feeling at the time of the time of the event, for instance, is he is well rested, or perhaps not as hydrated?
If the twitches do continue at a pace that is still alarming to you or your family you will have the necessary documentation to show your Pediatrician. If you are nevertheless still worried, see a Pediatric Neurologist, but go with the video which will enable the diagnosis.
It's very common for boys to have more 'tics' in general and the good news is that the majority normally do outgrow them.
My niece does the same type thing. She just turned 5. When she gets really excited about something (or really, even mildly excited) her whole body shakes. Her arms go stiff at her sides & she shakes. Doc said the same thing. :) Good luck
He will grow out of it. I thought my son would never stop wiping his mouth on his collar, and finally he stopped some time in 4th grade. Your son will stop his little habit sooner because other kids will make comments about it as he gets older.
Dawn
My daughter has always done this thing where she puts her hands up to her mouth and sucks in her breath when excited or when watching something intensely.
I did video tape it and showed her Dr who said, that's what your worried about? That is nothing to worry about.
And actually this post just made me realize I haven't seen her do it as often anymore. So I think she is already outgrowing it.
ETA: My daughter had been doing it since she was a baby and now is 5.
Maybe I'm not perceiving it as you mean it, but it doesn't sound at all odd to me. It sounds like he's so excited he feels his arms will fly away -- kids do all kinds of strange things when emotions are raised.
