Ever noticed someone tapping their fingers, humming a tune, or rocking back and forth? These repetitive actions, known as stimming, are more than just habits; they play a key role in how some people manage their emotions, cope with stress, and navigate the world around them. While stimming is often linked with autism, it’s something that can show up in many different ways for all kinds of people. Flywheel Centers, leaders in supporting autistic children, understands the unique challenges they face and offers insight on the relationship between autism and stimming.
The Significance of Stimming in Autistic Individuals
What is stimming in autism? Stimming, repetitive actions such as humming, tapping and rocking back and forth, is a common aspect of life for many children with autism, helping them manage a range of challenges. Stimming happens for all sorts of reasons, and each one is unique to the person. It could be a way to calm down when stress or overwhelm kicks in, or it might help them concentrate better. Sometimes, it’s just something that feels good on a sensory level. Let’s explore some of the different reasons people engage in stimming:
-
Self-Regulation: Calming the Mind and Body
Stimming helps people with ASD regulate their emotions. When things feel too overwhelming—whether it’s too much noise, too many people, or just a stressful situation—stimming can help them stay calm. Actions such as rocking back and forth or tapping fingers can provide a steady, soothing rhythm that helps calm the nervous system when everything feels a little too much.
-
Expressing Emotions: A Form of Communication
Stimming is also a way for many autistic individuals to express their emotions. Sometimes, it can be hard to put feelings into words, and stimming provides an outlet. A child might flap their hands or hum when they’re feeling excited, or they might tap their feet when they’re anxious. These movements enable them to release and express their energy.
-
Coping Mechanism: Dealing with Sensory Overload
For many autistic people, everyday environments can be a sensory overload. Bright lights, loud sounds, crowded spaces, and even certain textures can feel overwhelming. Stimming helps cope with all this sensory input, helping the brain focus on a specific, calming activity instead of getting caught up in all the things happening at once. Repetitive movements or sounds can bring a sense of control and comfort when the world feels too chaotic.
Exploring Different Types of Stimming in Autism
Here’s a breakdown of some common autism stimming examples and what they might show us about the person experiencing them.
Hand Stimming in Autism
Hand-flapping is the behavior most commonly associated with stimming and is where a person rapidly moves their hands up and down or side to side. Children may flap their hands when feeling excited, nervous, or overstimulated.
Autistic Individual Exhibiting Rocking Behavior
Sometimes you will see a person with autism rocking back and forth, often while sitting or standing. This is another common stimming behavior. Rocking is a soothing action for many children with ASD, and it can help regulate sensory input when they’re feeling anxious or overstimulated. For some, it can also be a way to calm themselves before bed or when trying to focus.
Spinning Stim in Autistic People
Spinning, whether it’s spinning in circles, twirling objects, or watching something spin, can be another form of stimming. This behavior might be triggered by a need for sensory input or just a way to experience the world in a different way. The spinning action can create a sense of visual or vestibular (balance) stimulation, which some people find comforting.
Less Common Stimming Examples
While hand-flapping, rocking, and spinning are some of the most well-known stims, there are other types of stimming behaviors, such as tapping, finger-flicking, and pacing. These less common forms of stimming focus on sensory experiences, such as visual or auditory input.
Visual Stimming in Autism
Some people engage in visual stimming which is when they focus on things they see, usually in a repetitive way, to help them calm down or feel more in control. For example, they might watch lights flicker, stare at reflections on shiny surfaces, or follow the movement of a fan’s spinning blades. Some people might even find comfort in the way shadows shift on a wall or the patterns that light makes as it bounces off different surfaces. The rhythm or repetition of these visual stimuli can be soothing, like a type of “mental massage” for the brain that helps them filter out other sensory input that feels overwhelming.
Auditory Stimming
Auditory stimming is when someone makes repetitive sounds or noises because it helps them manage how they’re feeling. This could be things like humming, repeating words or phrases, tapping, or making rhythms with their voice or other objects. For example, someone might hum softly when they’re feeling anxious, or make certain noises when they’re excited.
These sounds can be comforting and help the person deal with too much sensory input. Humming, for instance, can block out background noise and create a sense of calm. Repeating words or phrases (called echolalia), like “I’m okay, I’m okay, I’m okay”, can offer a rhythmic, predictable pattern that soothes anxiety or frustration.
When Stimming Becomes Concerning
While stimming is not inherently harmful, especially in the context of autism and stimming, it becomes concerning if it leads to self-injury. For instance, if someone begins repeatedly hitting their head, biting their hand, or engaging in other actions that cause physical harm, it’s important to recognize that these behaviors are no longer just a coping mechanism they are a sign that the person needs additional support. In these cases, it’s important to step in and seek help, such as from a therapist or behavior specialist.
Strategies for Managing Autistic Stimming
Here are some helpful strategies for managing stimming behaviors in a way that supports the child’s well-being.
Creating a Safe Environment for Autistic Individuals
When helping a child who stims, one of the best things you can do is create a sensory-friendly environment that supports their needs. To do this, aim to make the environment, whether it’s their room, a classroom, or a therapy area, calm and free from distractions like bright lights or loud noises. You can add soft lighting, quiet corners, or sensory tools like stress balls or fidget toys that help encourage stimming in a safe, controlled way. Think of it like creating a safe haven where they can relax, self-regulate, and feel at ease.
Stimming-Friendly Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to traditional autistic stimming behaviors, there are plenty of tools and activities that can offer that same sensory feedback in a safe and supportive way.
Fidget toys like spinners, stress balls, or fidget cubes are great for children who like to keep their hands busy. These can provide sensory input without being distracting to others. For those who enjoy movement, activities like swinging, rocking, or even jumping on a trampoline can give that calming vestibular (balance-related) stimulation.
Other alternatives include weighted blankets or compression vests, which provide deep pressure that can feel comforting. If someone enjoys visual stimulation, things like color-changing lamps or even watching patterns and light displays can be soothing too.
Therapeutic Interventions for Stimming in Autism
Therapeutic approaches like occupational therapy can support people with stimming behaviors. A trained therapist helps children find healthier ways to deal with stimming when it might be disruptive or uncomfortable. For example, they might suggest activities like squeezing a stress ball or jumping on a trampoline. These activities can help reduce feelings of anxiety or stress while also providing calming, repetitive movements that can soothe the child.
Another helpful approach is using behavioral strategies like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a therapy that teaches individuals new ways to manage their behavior. The goal is to help them find healthier ways to cope with emotions or sensory input. For example, ABA can teach alternative behaviors to replace stimming when it might be harmful or disruptive.
Embracing Autism and Stimming Along With It
Stimming is a natural and important part of life for many children with autism. It helps with managing stress, expressing emotions, and coping with sensory overload. Rather than seeing stimming as something to stop or discourage, it’s more helpful to understand why it happens and how it supports those who engage in it. By approaching stimming with acceptance and creating environments where children can stim safely, we can help them feel more at ease.
If you’re looking for expert support in managing stimming and other behaviors, contact Flywheel Centers today to discover how our personalized therapies can help your child thrive.
