We have an eight year old that gets overstimulated some when playing and also when he gets excited.
Evidence of his self stimulation is tiptoe walking and verbal noise making. Typically it happens only when he isn't engaged in a concentrated activity. When there is free playtime is when he reveals the behavior. Its not a really bed thing for him to have a safe place at home to do this but, We want to begin to help him discover ways to moderate the behavior as he gets older.
I def don't want to stop any self stim for him at home. I just want to help him learn how to manage and recognize it so he can manage outside the home socially. I would like to help him redirect it as ya'll said. These are great suggestions! Are their any type of compression devices or clothing?
Our kiddo has a genetic condition (Fragile X) that causes him to struggle with overstimulation. Lucky for us his ears get red and he has this little laugh I have learned to recognize right before the meltdown!
As you indicated unstructured play is hard. Using PECS or scheduling helps. There is a How Does Your Engine run book that has an approach for talking about overstimluation and helping them identify it.
Try using a fidget. He would play with that instead. Check out www.kidcompanions.com