Rocking
I used to rock as a child too but only when I watched tv. It's a stim. I was a very nervous child and I would do this to keep myself calm - usually when I was at the babysitters. The family wasn't very nice.
Does she have poor balance?; Difficulties going up/down stairs?; Slouches off to one side?; Trouble maintaining good posture?; Afraid of heights or fast-moving activities?; Prefers spinning activities?; Fear of escalators, open staircases?; Avoids sports or has a hard time playing them?; Bumps into things a lot?
If the answer is yes to many of these then she may have difficulties modulating vestibular proprioceptive senses (balance, movement, body position) Children with modulation difficulties, in particular, are likely to rock too hard and overstimulate themselves.
Rocking is also a characteristic trait of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Has she been evaluated by any doctor yet? Who?
Does anyone know if rocking is a trait of ADHD? My eight year old daughter has always rocked from about the time that she was a toddler. She does not have to be in a rocking chair, although she will rock very fast and wild if she is in one. She does this when sitting on the couch, in the car, etc. I suspect that she is doing it on the school bus, as no one wants to sit with her. I try to talk to her about stopping, as it is embarrassing, let alone annoying, and I worry about the social impact upon her. It seems to be a compulsion, as she seems unable to stop. She does this very hard with her entire upper body banging against the back of the couch, chair, etc. I have mentioned this to doctors, but they do not seem overly concerned about this. This has persisted throughout the use of several medications.I know that rocking is a symptom of autism, not ADHD. PSM will know more about this -- she's the resident expert on autism. Hope she comes on to help you out.
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