FoggyRock General Forum

That does seem like behavior that is observed in boys a few years older.  I would be curious to have his testosterone levels checked as well.  But would definitely want to consult someone who has studied the autism/testosterone connection.  Seems like Dr. McCandless has talked about it.....

LOL I meant Hasnt been too bad.
its amazing the typos you find when you go back and read your posts. I really do know how to spell and type.

My son loves his spandex shorts! I think it grounds him.

Being curious in their bodies is a normal thing but it does come with rules. What we did was set rules that there are appropriate times and inappropriate times to touch. I told them if they were going to inspect the "pickle" (good word) then they had to go to their room and shut the door. That would keep them from sharing the "pickle" in public knowing there were boundaries to that. So each time I saw a hand go there I'd say "go to your room" and off they'd go. Eventually the shock and awe of it all did wind it's way down and they stopped running off to their rooms and didn't do it in public.

There was a similar discussion that arose on another autism board regarding boys, and the somewhat embarrassing and seemingly-incessant need to "hump"...bedsheets, couch pillows, etc.  Many were amazed to find they were not alone in dealing with this issue.

First of all, one thing we all need to be aware is that this type of curiosity and exploration is completely normal for all children.  It is society and adults that place the sexual and taboo connotations on this type of exploration, not the children.  Babies when left undressed will touch themselves - all they are aware of is that it simply feels good...not that it is sexualized in any way.  For a child who may be stressed by strangers or unfamiliar places, it would be a reassuring "feel good" thing to do to help cope.

Being the parent, we have to determine whether this need and action is brought on by the hormonal issue one previous poster discussed, the need for that "deep pressure" sensation which some of our children need,  needing reassurance in a stressful situation or simply being a normal (albeit embarrassing!) boy.  Previous posters have suggested several good ideas to help deal with the need for that "hugging" pressure...spandex shorts, or brief (not boxer) underwear maybe a size too small.  If it's testosterone levels, then medical assistance is necessary.  If it's reassurance in a stressful environment, the a replacement behavior needs to be taught, and gentle reinforcement of personal space boundaries. 

My son (4) humps... he stacks 3-4 pillows, peels off his diaper and goes to town.  Normally he does it when he is winding down after a very difficult day, sometimes when he's just on overload in general.  He's done this for well over a year now, but these days he prefers to do it in private, and will actually tell us "go 'way" if we accidently interrupt him.  To get to this point took simply being matter-of-fact about it (not freaking out or being embarrassed or angry) and consistently telling him "private touch belongs in private space," in other words, the bedroom and taking him there so he could continue.  It took a bit of time (and a lot of embarrassment on the part of his older pre-teen sister in particular!), but he now goes on his own to a private space and we don't have any public displays any longer.

Boys aren't the only ones who do this though... girls "scooch" on chairs, straddle and rub a table leg while sitting there, etc.  With boys, though, given the visibility of their "pickles," it's just more obvious