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Neurodevelopmental

Stereotypic movement disorder

Repetitive and seemingly purposeless movements (swinging, flapping, hitting) that interfere with daily life or may cause injury.

Common signs

Repeated rocking, flapping or spinningThey increase with stress or excitementSometimes hits or bites themselves

Tips

For you

  1. If there is a risk of injury, seek help soon
  2. Identify which situations trigger them
  3. Don't punish: look for other ways to self-regulate

For family and friends

  1. Offer alternatives to self-regulate (objects, movement)
  2. Don't punish them for the movements

When to ask for help

  1. If they hurt themselves
  2. If they interfere with learning or relationships

Test for families

For parents or relatives: answer thinking about the child or person you are worried about, over the last few weeks. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. Repeats movements such as rocking or hand flapping
2. The movements increase when they are nervous or excited
3. Finds it hard to stop even when asked
4. Sometimes hits or bites themselves
5. The movements interfere with their activities
6. They attract other people's attention
7. They appear when bored or understimulated
8. They take up a lot of time each day

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or saveFree guide: Childhood and youthFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

Intellectual disabilityNeurodevelopmentalGlobal developmental delayNeurodevelopmentalLanguage disorderNeurodevelopmentalSpeech sound disorderNeurodevelopmental

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Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.