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Specializes in Telemetry, Gastroenterology, School Nrs.

I just had a 3rd grade teacher ask me about some specific behavior in one of her students. The behavior described sounds like self-stimulation- crossing legs tightly, flushed face, staring off into space, etc... The student is easily brought back to task and it doesn't seem to be interfering with anything, including other students in the classroom. I'm not sure there is anything that needs to be or should be done/said about this but was wondering if any of you have had a situation like this before? My thoughts are the discovery of "something feels good and I can make it happen" is normal in kids and that there is no reason to intervene, especially since there is nothing out of the ordinary (that we know of) with this student and home life.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Tis the season to be jolly? Sorry, can't "like" your post, that may be wrong.

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Tis the season to be jolly? Sorry, can't "like" your post, that may be wrong.

Yes, but we can "like" this.

I don't know. Seriously, yes, it could simply be healthy self exploration, or it could be indicative of something else. Is there a SW in the school? Is the child otherwise "behaving normally"? Does she do this when stressed? Have other kids noticed?

I wouldn't necessarily NOT follow up.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I have a 5th grader who lives with us, ? sexual history. He constantly self stimulates and our 5th and 3rd grader haven't even noticed things yet (older has started puberty). Counselor is definitely concerned. I agree with Farawyn, follow up may be an appropriate response.

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I wouldn't assume. I had a student who did the staring/clenched thing and she was having small seizures!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Consult Nurse Barb G. But really, that has happened a few times over the years; usually 4th graders. When it started to be obvious to the teacher the concern was it would be noticed by other students which could lead to emotionally devastating teasing. Initially the teacher would try to intervene in ways like, if it was hand in the pants, she would privately remind the student to keep their hands out of their pants. If it was riding a table leg, she would seat the student away from the table leg. If the classroom interventions didn't work the teacher would inform the parent by way of not wanting the student to be embarrassed if others noticed and made fun of him/her.

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Not going to lie but if I had to come across this situation I would just put on my coat and leave.

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Yea, 'cause at that age, they really don't know. Aw. :sorry:

I like Snowy's answer, too.

OT, I had to tell The Kid when he was about 4 or 5 that if he wanted to "touch it", that was perfectly fine, but he had to do it in private.

He promptly disappeared in to the bathroom for 3 seconds and came out, triumphant: "DONE!"

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Not going to lie but if I had to come across this situation I would just put on my coat and leave.

Why? Sexual health is health. Or, it could indicate something more.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Oh yea, in most cases this isn't necessarily a school nurse issue. If there is contact with a parent I believe it should be between the teacher or teachers, those with personal knowledge/observation and parent only which lends a communication of privacy.

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Oh yea, in most cases this isn't necessarily a school nurse issue. If there is contact with a parent I believe it should be between the teacher or teachers, those with personal knowledge/observation and parent only which lends a communication of privacy.

Exactly. I wouldn't want a teacher to tell me to call up a parent because of this sort of behavior. Thats what I meant with the early post.

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