singing and clapping at school

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Hello-
My son is 4 and diagnosed with PDD/Asperger's. I was wondering if anyone has experienced this at school. My son is singing really loud and clapping at school. This is ok during music time, but he is doing it when the teachers are trying to show him new things or read stories to the class. He is in a special needs class 3 days a week, and a NT pre-k 2 days a week. He is doing it at both schools. I know he is only 4, but I was hoping someone would have some advice!

We are pretty new to this, but my 7 year old does similar things. She sings a lot in class and causes lots of disruptions with it. She gets in trouble for it quite often. From what I understand, it's a stim and that it somehow helps them to organize themselves. It is rather annoying (she does it at home too), but now that I understand that, I'm working on helping her see how it bothers others and not necessarily punishing her.

I think that at 4 if he wants to sing and clap let him. There is plenty of time in the future for the stress of conforming. Let him enjoy it when he can.

When my daughter was that age she used to sing 'happy birthday' whenever she saw candles. People used to give us dirty looks in church because she sang whenever everyone sat down and she could see the altar. I used to stress about it big time. If I had my time again I'd tell them all to get stuffed and I'd buy her a microphone.

Angelbear,

I'm not sure I can add much, but I would agree that it is probably a type of stim - specifically, a complex tic.

In my unprofessional opinion, any efforts to directly suppress these tics would be more harmful than good. Some method of redirecting them to a less obtrusive manner might help, all the while, some attempt should be made to identify what is causing the stress. I also agree that explaining that it bothers others is good.

My son used to yelp loudly while he would clap. He learned to blow on his hands as an alternative stim. It's quiet, it's physical, and it's "vocal!"

Hope this helps.

Children with AS/autism also have difficulties understanding social conventions. Your son might not understand there is a specific period for singing at the class and a different period to pay attention to the teacher and that singing in the second period is disturbing to the rest of the class. That might also be the reason of singing in the church not understanding social conventions. Not that I'm judging your children for that but it may be a good thing to try teaching them about that.

These are just my thoughts.