Tapping a pen, shaking a leg, twirling hair—we have all been in a classroom, meeting, or a public place where we find ourselves or someone else engaging in repetitive behavior—a type of self-stimulatory movement also known as stimming. For example, my grandmother hums. Some folks tap their foot rhythmically or anxiously bite their nails to the point of bleeding. I have a cousin in her 50s, who sucks her thumb! I twirl my hair to the point that it looks like corkscrews jutting out like antennas. For people with autism, stimming can include movements like flapping one’s hands or rocking back and forth. These actions are believed to help relieve overwhelming sensory environments (such as bright light or loud noise), regulate emotions, or express joy. And while the behaviors are mostly harmless and, in some instances, beneficial, stimming behaviors like head banging can cause serious injuries.
According to the Hope Autism Clinic, stimming, short for “self-stimulatory behavior,” refers to repetitive movements, sounds, or sensory experiences. As aforementioned, many non-autistic people stim. It’s a common way humans self-regulate. Autistic people may stim more frequently, intensely, or find it harder to suppress, but stimming alone isn’t diagnostic of autism. Many autistic folks, as well as individuals who suffer from anxiety, those with other mental health conditions, and allistic (non-autistic) individuals, may rely on stimming in stressful environments, as well as to preempt stress.
Before my daughter was officially diagnosed with autism, I noticed that she had an obsession with paper, specifically cards. Every birthday card would be curled into these perfect cylinders. It baffled me because I wondered, what was the fascination. It continued until one day her dad noticed that she got hold of his driver’s license and shaped it into a perfect straw. Personally, I was impressed with the precision, until I observed that many of our family pictures were molded in the same fashion! Then came the teeth grinding. I would hear her from the next room, grinding her teeth voraciously. Her pediatrician suggested that we try a mouth guard. I looked at him incredulously. How on earth was I going to force her to retain a mouth guard, when it was a struggle to brush her teeth!
Although it can seem confusing, scary, or beyond your reckoning, your child’s stimming is nothing to be alarmed about. Nor should it be stopped, shamed, or a cause for additional angst. In fact, stimming has many purposes beyond being the body’s natural physiologic response to an overstressed or excessively agitated nervous system. It can also serve as a form of communication, a way to activate when bored, or help with focus. For example, rocking back and forth, which helps anchor thoughts and emotions.
Contrary to what many think, stimming is not a side-effect of autism. Rather, the hyper-focused, repetitive motions associated with stimming are one of the criteria associated with an autism diagnosis. The majority of children with autism (92%) have what is called sensory processing disorder, which means their brains have a harder time processing information and stimulation entering through the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch). This is why stimming tends to occur in autism when: Lights are too bright, or they’re flashing. Noise is loud or more chaotic than normal, or verbal instructions are coming at them too fast. Fragrances or smells are either very strong or unpleasant. Clothes, blankets, or furnishings are itchy, prickly, or otherwise uncomfortable.
However, stimming becomes dangerous when it leads to self-injury. If stimming involves hitting their head, biting themselves, or other harmful behaviors, intervention is necessary. Also, social situations can become challenging if stimming draws unwanted attention or interferes with interactions. Also, daily activities might be disrupted if stimming prevents eating, sleeping, or learning. If stimming suddenly increases or changes dramatically, consider what else might be happening in your child’s life. If your child is engaging in self-injurious behavior, speak to the team at school or seek behavioral therapy such as ABA (applied behavioral analysis) or a neurologist.
Recently in the car, my daughter flapped her hands and giggled as other vehicles whizzed by. A woman in an adjacent car must have thought that my daughter was waving to her. She waved back. My little artist kept flapping back as if to say, “Have a wonderful day!”
Please share your thoughts by emailing: kami@rockawaybeachautismfamilies.org
