Someone Tell Me About The Sensory Issue When Kids Constantly Tug On Their Hair

[mommiesherie]

This drives me insane!!!!!!!!! I don't know why but it does lol. My gifted child has always tugged on his hair some but lately its getting worse (his behavior is better though). Now his 7 month old brother does nothing but pull on his hair also. Really? Is this because he sees his brother do it? I just find it strange both kids do this. Ugh my pet peeve too lol. I know its a sensory thing but just don't know a lot about it.

[Solandia]

I cant help you, really. I have always played with my hair, not pull it out, but I braid & rebraid a section by my ear, touch, rub it, etc....anytime I am not actively doing something. I rub my eyebrows and eyelashes,too. It was a habit I picked up starting in preschool/kindie to stay focused or I would just drift off in daydream land because sitting and listening is soooo boring. It went up several notches in college, it was the only way to stay awake in class or I would zone out & fall asleep. I also have a high IQ, so take that with a grain of salt..lol.

I have tried other things...bracelets, necklaces, squishy things...but I just like the tugging on my scalp...it is relaxing and stimulating at the same time. AND I can pay attention rather than letting my mind wander all over the universe. I don't do this when I am actively engaged in a convo, debate, etc...just the passive listening is where need the hair thing to focus.

I am almost positive I would have been considered to have some sensory issues if those types of dx's were around then....I would refuse to eat anything but a whole cracker (couldn't be chipped off or broken in half). TV/light sensitive, hearing, smells...you name it, my mom has a story about how I made everything difficult. Mom, I love her to pieces, just adjusted (umm, gave in to me )...I was a quirky kid, but socialized well and my quirks turned into preferences rather than obsessions. I still do the hair thing when I am at conferences, speeches, lectures, etc.

[mommiesherie]

Originally Posted by Solandia

I cant help you, really. I have always played with my hair, not pull it out, but I braid & rebraid a section by my ear, touch, rub it, etc....anytime I am not actively doing something. I rub my eyebrows and eyelashes,too. It was a habit I picked up starting in preschool/kindie to stay focused or I would just drift off in daydream land because sitting and listening is soooo boring. It went up several notches in college, it was the only way to stay awake in class or I would zone out & fall asleep. I also have a high IQ, so take that with a grain of salt..lol.

I have tried other things...bracelets, necklaces, squishy things...but I just like the tugging on my scalp...it is relaxing and stimulating at the same time. AND I can pay attention rather than letting my mind wander all over the universe. I don't do this when I am actively engaged in a convo, debate, etc...just the passive listening is where need the hair thing to focus.

I am almost positive I would have been considered to have some sensory issues if those types of dx's were around then....I would refuse to eat anything but a whole cracker (couldn't be chipped off or broken in half). TV/light sensitive, hearing, smells...you name it, my mom has a story about how I made everything difficult. Mom, I love her to pieces, just adjusted (umm, gave in to me )...I was a quirky kid, but socialized well and my quirks turned into preferences rather than obsessions. I still do the hair thing when I am at conferences, speeches, lectures, etc.

Thanks for that insight. I know he has a high IQ no doubt about that. He use to just do it when he was in trouble. Lol. Now its like constant. Was just wondering why the change. I would rather him do that than be a demon. Lol just find it strange his 7 month old brother is now doing it constantly also. No idea why it drives me crazy. Haha. I just try to not pay attention to it. Just wondered if there was something I was missing about it. Thanks!

[Heidi]

sounds like a coping strategy. I would let him do it, as long as it doesn't negatively affect his learning or interfere with his daily life. It actually sounds like he's gotten better! .

Maybe the little man is on the edge of the autsim spectrum, maybe he's just quirky.

Originally Posted by mommiesherie

This drives me insane!!!!!!!!! I don't know why but it does lol. My gifted child has always tugged on his hair some but lately its getting worse (his behavior is better though). Now his 7 month old brother does nothing but pull on his hair also. Really? Is this because he sees his brother do it? I just find it strange both kids do this. Ugh my pet peeve too lol. I know its a sensory thing but just don't know a lot about it.

My Son is ADHD combined type impulsive/inattentive plus Bi polar manic and he has a habit of taking his hair between his finger and thumb and rubbing it he doesnt have any sensory issues it is a way of calming hisself down is this maybe why he is doing it?

[e.j.]

Originally Posted by bbo

sounds like a coping strategy. I would let him do it, as long as it doesn't negatively affect his learning or interfere with his daily life. It actually sounds like he's gotten better! .

Maybe the little man is on the edge of the autsim spectrum, maybe he's just quirky.

I was thinking the same thing.

My son tends to tug on and twirl his hair, too. I usually notice an increase at times I would think would be stressful for him - holidays, vacation weeks, transition times, exam weeks, etc. I've always just assumed it's a stim.

Since he's been doing it a lot this past week, I asked him about it to see if I could get an answer for you. He was totally surprised, saying he hadn't even realized he's been doing it - which is incredible to me seeing as how my own head feels sore just from watching him pull and tug his hair! Sorry I can't help explain the behavior but I can empathize with you!

[SilverSabre25]

It sounds sensory seeking to me

It could indicate an issue, or it could just be his "thing" (brother may learning it through example). Everyone has some sensory seeking/avoidant behaviors. I would only suspect a problem if he has a lot of other sensory issues--seeking/defensive (with any of the senses), or if he has other warning signs (for autism, something else).

[Kaddidle Care]

My son does it as well, especially when stressed. I've always automatically told him to stop, he's greasing up his hair but it is a coping thing for him. He does it a lot when he's concentrating on doing his homework. His Teacher has noticed it too.

I guess so long as he's not yanking it out in clumps it's not a horrible thing.

I'd rather he grease up his hair than suck his thumb. Choose your battles - this is a small one IMHO.

[Heidi]

I also have a "tic". Since as long as I can remember, I drum my fingers against my legs at times. I don't actually lift them, just move them in some wierd rhythm.

I believe I have ADD. According to my family doctor, girls often supress (remember I am 47) the hyperactivity with that sort of thing. We tried medication for a short time, but the side effects were yucky for me. I felt like I was in a fish bowl. So, I just deal with it (and so does my family, lol). Just no jobs in data entry, and I'm fine!