In our world of Autism, we're always encountering new behaviors. From tics to stimming to sensory or attention-seeking actions, it feels like we've seen it all.
But Brantley's latest behavior has thrown me for a loop: violent head shaking. Is it a tic? A sensory-seeking behavior? Maybe a new type of stimming? Or could it be related to ear pain?
In the past, distinguishing between Brantley's tics and his stims was straightforward. Tics are those sudden, repetitive movements or sounds often linked with Tourette syndrome. While, Brantley doesn't have Tourette's, he does have an unspecified tic disorder. His tics, which occur often but last only a few seconds, often resemble absence seizures where his eyes rolling back and his eyelids flutter.
Brantley’s tics have always drastically varied from his stimming. While his tics were sharp, fast and uncontrollable, his stims are very clearly repetitive movements for self-regulation. For Brantley, stimming is all about shaking his chew cords and jumping repeatedly.
While my initial inclination leans towards categorizing the violent shaking of Brantley's handsome head as either a tic or a stim, I can't help but ponder other possibilities. Could it be a form of sensory seeking behavior? Or perhaps it's connected to an underlying ear pain that has yet to be identified. As I contemplate these potential factors, I'm reminded of the intricate nature of autism and the importance of considering all angles when deciphering behaviors.
As we navigate this journey, each new behavior brings its own set of challenges and mysteries. While we strive to understand and support Brantley, the complexity of autism reminds us that there's always more to learn. With patience and perseverance, we'll continue to unravel the puzzle of Brantley's behaviors, one piece at a time.
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