cupping the ears when upset or frustrated?

over the past week and a half peter cups his ears when he's upset. Sometimes it's the left, sometimes the right and sometimes both...and sometimes its not the actual ears but just behind them. I took him to the ped to rule out ear infection. Ped says his ears are perfectly fine. I told her I was freaked out by it because I know a symptom of Autism is sensitivity to sound but she said he is much too social to be Autistic.

It generally happens when he is crying. But he's crying for other reasons not because of his ears. for instance if I take something away from him he'll begin to cry and cup his ears. he just turned 1...is this a phase?

Re: cupping the ears when upset or frustrated?

My DS (9 months) has grabbed his ear when he is tired or upset since day 1. It's not related to sound as he loves concerts/music/fireworks/parades,etc and doesn't cover his ears then. For example, he just bumped his head, he doesn't grab his head, he grabs his ear. He was exhausted and I knew it was time for bed. I haven't thought to much about it, since there was always a pattern, but now I'm worried. He doesn't cover it, just reaches for it.

Re: cupping the ears when upset or frustrated?

Re: cupping the ears when upset or frustrated?

Mine does this as well and i had the exact same reactions as you. Ped said the same. My ds does it when he is scared of something or knows something a little scary might be coming but doesnt want to cry, kwim? ds actually covers his ears. I know he is very sensitive to sound, but its almost like a comfort thing. like instead of closing his eyes when something is scary, he holds his ears.

Re: cupping the ears when upset or frustrated?

I had DS's 9 month appt today and brought it up. She said it's the same as sucking a thumb, or twirling hair and the he probably did it in utero.