Stimming
Stimming or self-stimulating behaviour includes arm or hand-flapping, tapping with fingers, rocking, jumping, spinning, or twirling
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“I quickly become overwhelmed [in social situations]. Is it surprising that I then feel like blocking the world out and literally putting my thoughts back in order? That I start to rock to tell myself which feelings are mine? That I start speaking to myself or groaning to block out other sounds and so that I know which thoughts are mine? I think anyone experiencing life this way would do the same.”
Autistic adult
Stimming or self-stimulating behaviour includes arm or hand-flapping, tapping with fingers, rocking, jumping, spinning, or twirling. It includes the repetitive use of an object, such as flicking a rubber band, or repetitive activities involving the senses such as repeatedly touching a particular texture. Some repetitive behaviour can be self-injurious such as head banging.
Why do some autistic people stim?
Stimming varies from person to person, some of the common reasons for these repetitive behaviours are:
- it is enjoyable and provides comfort
- to help regulate and express emotions
- to gain sensory input (for example, rocking to stimulate balance (vestibular) system, and hand-flapping to provide visual stimulation)
- to reduce sensory input (for example, focusing on one particular sound to reduce the impact of a loud environment)
- to cope with stress and anxiety
Should you intervene?
Stimming is often experienced as enjoyable to the autistic person and is a way for them to reduce stress and as such, should not be stopped or reduced. However, certain stimming can be harmful and cause self-injuries such as head-banging or scratching.
Before intervening, ask yourself if the behaviour is causing distress or discomfort to the individual or impacting them negatively. If the behaviour is causing them distress or discomfort or is in some way harmful or unsafe, we may need to consider alternative strategies to stop or modify the behaviour, or reduce the number of times they engage in the behaviour.
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