People with autism may also stim to help manage strong sensations like:. Some people with autism may stim out of habit, just like neurotypical people do.
At times, stimming can be helpful. Stimming makes it possible for a person with autism to manage challenging situations. Sometimes, though, stimming can be a problem, especially when it is a distraction or it hurts someone.
Most neurotypical people stim only occasionally. They are usually aware of their stims. They can control their behavior and don't usually stim in obvious ways. People with autism, however, may not notice the way other people react to their stims.
Some may not be able to control their stims. Some find it stressful to try. Some people with autism may even stim during most of their waking hours. People with autism stim to help manage strong emotions and sensations. Under stress, they may stim for long periods of time. Stimming is usually harmless. It can become a problem in some situations, though, including:. Unless the behavior is dangerous, there is no reason to try to stop stimming.
Sometimes, though, it does need to be managed. It can be hard to change stimming behavior. Stims are a tool for managing unpleasant feelings. Punishing a child for stimming can cause them harm. Management of stimming should start slowly. The needs of the individual should be the first concern. Management techniques include:. Stims can sometimes be managed. Therapy and activity plans can help. It may also be helpful to reduce stress in the environment.
Stimming is commonly seen in people with autism. It includes behaviors like rocking and hand flapping. People with autism stim to help manage emotions and overwhelming sensations. Many people with autism find it difficult to stop stimming. Stimming becomes a problem if it is constant, distracting, or attracts negative attention.
In these situations, it may be helpful to find ways to manage it. Stimming is rarely dangerous. It can create other problems, though. It can be embarrassing for parents and siblings. It can be disconcerting for teachers.
It may also be off-putting for potential friends and co-workers. People with autism and their families should decide for themselves how much of their behavior should be dictated by other people's discomfort.
It may be possible to reduce stimming, but it may be impossible to eliminate it. Parents and caregivers may have to learn to accept the behaviors of an autistic loved one.
This isn't always easy. If you're sensitive to the judgments of others, consider talking to a therapist. Counseling can help you manage your feelings and frustrations. Yes, there are toys that help with stimming. Often called fidget toys, they are small toys or gadgets that encourage repetitive motion using the hands.
Many are available online and at a number of retail locations that sell toys. Fidget toys may be a healthy, non-disruptive way to help manage stimming. In some cases, being happy and stimming can happen.
Many autistic children and teenagers stim, although stimming varies a lot among children. For example, some children just have mild hand mannerisms, whereas others spend a lot of time stimming. Stimming can also vary depending on the situation. Stimming seems to help autistic children and teenagers manage emotions like anxiety, anger, fear and excitement. For example, stimming might help them to calm down because it focuses their attention on the stim or produces a calming change in their bodies.
Stimming might also help children manage overwhelming sensory information. For autistic children who are oversensitive to sensory information, stimming can reduce sensory overload because it focuses their attention on just one thing. For example, if a child flicks their fingers near their eyes, they might not be playing with toys so much and not developing play skills. One of these behaviors in particular—called stimming—has a specific purpose or multiple , yet can be potentially dangerous or maladaptive.
The term stimming is short for self-stimulatory behavior and is a common symptom of autism. Examples of stimming are individuals who flap their hands, rock back and forth, spin around, get up and down, hit themselves, hum, pace around, make loud noises, bang their head, or repeat the same word or phrase.
Any behavior that is stimulating for the individual with autism is considered stimming, and stimming in children with autism can happen for a variety of reasons. There are several functions of the behavior for a child with autism who practices stimming. Many types of self-stimulatory behaviors can be quite helpful to a child with autism.
Many people, with autism or not, engage in self-stimulating behaviors. Temple Grandin , who is a leading advocate in the field of autism and who has autism herself, speaks about stimming from her own experience:. When I stimmed, sounds that hurt my ears stopped. Most kids with autism do these repetitive behaviours because it feels good in some way. It may counteract an overwhelming sensory environment, or alleviate the high levels of internal anxiety these kids typically feel every day.
Since stimming can help regulate emotions, doing so appropriately not harming self or others or being excessively disruptive can help children with autism focus more in the classroom and prevent outbursts or meltdowns.
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