Stimming Across The Autism Spectrum: How To Manage It?

A Quick Guide

Stimming is the term for a natural self-stimulatory habit. Nail biting, drumming your fingers on a surface, or whole-body motions like rocking or swaying are a few examples. To “stim,” you don’t have to be autistic. For instance, tapping your foot uncontrollably while anxious is an example of stimming. When stimming is an indication of the autism spectrum, it does seem different. For instance, with an autistic person, repetitive and bothersome habits like finger flicking and twirling may occur. This article provides stimming examples. Additionally, you’ll discover why stimming occurs in people on the autism spectrum and how to support them if it causes issues for them.

What is stimming?

Self-stimulating actions, typically including repetitive sounds or gestures, are referred to as “stimming.” In some manner, everyone stims. Others may not always understand. The diagnostic standards for autism spectrum include stimming. That’s not because stimming and autism are always associated. It’s because autistic people’s stimming can spiral out of control and lead to more pressing issues. Stimming doesn’t always need to be suppressed because it’s undesirable. But when it disturbs others and impairs quality of life, it needs to be handled correctly.

What Stimming can look like?

Pay attention to your loved one’s or child’s actions if you’re unsure whether they’re stimming. Stimming implies a routine activity that deviates from what is deemed socially or culturally acceptable. For instance, biting one’s nails and twirling one’s hair can be distracting, yet they are typically acceptable in most social settings, such as at work or school. It would be less acceptable socially to flail one’s hands or whirl around in circles, two common stimming behaviors on the autism spectrum.

Hand flapping is another example of autism spectrum related stimming along with: 

• Back and forth pacing
• Blinking a lot
• Covering and uncovering the ears
• Door opening and closing
• Finger-flicking
• Finger-snapping
• Flicking switches
• Humming
• Repetition of phrases or sentences (echolalia)
• Rocking back and forth
• Spinning or tapping items
• Twirling or spinning

How does stimming differ in those who are autistic?

Almost everyone engages in self-stimulating behavior in some way. When you’re bored, anxious, or need to release stress, you could bite your fingernails or wind your hair over your fingers. Stimming can become so interwoven in your routine that you may not even be conscious of it. It’s generally acceptable behavior. You are aware of occasions and places when it is unacceptable.

For instance, if you have been tapping your fingers on the desk for 20 minutes, you should stop since other people are getting annoyed. Stimming may be more noticeable in autistic individuals. For instance, it might manifest as spinning, flapping of the hands, or full-body swaying back and forth. It may potentially continue for a very long time. The person frequently lacks the social understanding that their actions could annoy other people.

Autism spectrum-related stimming isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm. Only when it hinders education, causes social isolation, or is destructive does it become a problem. It might be harmful in a few uncommon circumstances.

Impact of Stimming on Your Health

In an effort to assist their kids to fit in with their peers, many parents inquire about how they might encourage their kids to quit stimming. However, stimming is extremely common, if not socially accepted. Try asking your child why they are stimming rather than how to stop the habit. People frequently stim for the following causes:

Overstimulation: Stimming assists in the suppression of excessive sensory input caused by overstimulation. Making a loud “brrr” noise with your lips is an example of stimming action.

Under stimulation: Stimming adds more sensory input if an area lacks enough stimuli, such as sights or sounds, or if you are bored. Clucking in a too-quiet environment is a prime example of this kind of stimming. ‌

Pain reduction: Your impulse may be to damage yourself in another way to alleviate the pain if you fall or hit your arm. Children frequently hit their bodies or heads to relieve pain. Although it would seem counterproductive, medical experts think that this kind of stimming could generate beta-endorphins that lessen pain or increase pleasure.

‌Management of emotions: The unexpected onset of happiness or sadness may cause you to stim. When you’re excited or upset, you could flinch or start biting your nails.

Advantages of stimming

Self-regulation

The act of stimming has a use. Stimming is a technique for us to be present and control our emotions, regardless of the circumstance. Someone with autism experiences quick bursts of emotion, and that energy needs to be expended. Stimming gives that energy somewhere to go. It enables the individual to carry on with their daily activities in the environment they are in.

Mental health

Your mental health improves when you are able to self-regulate and process your emotions. It might be difficult if you experience an embarrassing stim. Try to direct your stim into an alternative, more frequently performed movement. To get other people to perceive your hand flapping, for instance, as a relaxing technique, consider combining it with a deep breath. In order to moderate your sensory input, you can self-regulate without the extra pressure of observing unfavorable reactions.

Is Stimming Bad for You?

The majority of stims are harmless, though neurotypical people may find them strange or distracting. A person with autism may stim to “defuse” emotions of being overstimulated or agitated, although this does not necessarily mean that they are uncomfortable. Many autistic individuals stim when they’re happy and excited.

However, some stimming activities can be disturbing to others and lead to self-harm. The person may require assistance managing their stims if they have the potential to be dangerous. The following stimuli may need to be controlled to avoid harm: 

• Ear-clapping
• Excessive biting of nails
• Excessive self-rubbing or self-scratching
• Hand-biting
• Head-banging
• Slapping or hitting oneself

These examples frequently contribute to the stigmatization of people with autism. Potentially dangerous stimming habits may continue and worsen as individuals experience greater isolation and social exclusion.

Social acceptance is one of the biggest obstacles that come with stimming. Those on the autism spectrum are frequently taught to conceal their stimming in order to fit in. Instead, those who are not autistic should try to understand the value that stimming can have for a particular person and allow for it in social situations. People can choose to divert their attention to something else or accept stimming behavior rather than reacting adversely to it.

ADHD Stimulation

Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD who stim share some of the same causes as autistic people. When someone with ADHD is “fidgety,” they are frequently attempting to self-regulate their desire for stimulation in an environment where they feel under or unstimulated. A student with ADHD may think that stimming helps them focus, but an autistic student may stim in the classroom because the light and noise in the room are overpowering. Others with ADHD just develop the habit of stimming.

How Do You Control Stimming?

If stimming is not an issue for someone on the autism spectrum, there is no reason to prevent it. Stims only require management when they are extremely disruptive (like in a school classroom) or harmful (like when they injure someone).

It can be challenging to stop stimming. Parents may believe that disciplining an autistic child for stimming will stop them, yet doing so may make matters worse. Punishment overlooks the primary cause of a child’s stimming. Keep in mind that stimming is a coping mechanism. It is not “bad” behavior, nor is it always deliberate activity. A person with autism can use the following methods to manage stimming:

Applied behavior analysis

This type of behavioral therapy seeks to help autistic kids adjust to potentially confusing social circumstances. It includes rewards for good behavior and penalties for bad behavior. ABA therapy is debatable, and some specialists do not believe it is a suitable or successful treatment for autistic individuals.

Sensory diet

By planning activities into a child’s day to fulfill each of their unique sensory needs, “sensory diet” occupational therapy seeks to lessen stimming.

Environmental changes

The risk of sensory overload can be decreased by reducing social and environmental stress. Smaller classrooms soundproofed windows and rooms, and the removal of potentially distressing materials or lighting may all be necessary to achieve this.

Stress management tools

Some people may find it easier to switch between stims by substituting stress balls or fidget toys for hand flapping or rocking. A swing set or a separate area with headphones that shut out noise might also be helpful.

Working on anxiety

You might be able to determine whether your child is stimming because they are anxious if you pay attention to when and how often they stim. Then you may assess your child’s anxiety and alter the setting to lessen it. For instance, has your child’s environment changed, or is something new? Stimming can be decreased by preparing your child for unfamiliar events and giving them new coping mechanisms for anxiety-provoking scenarios. Here’s how to deal with flight anxiety in a child with autism who engages in stimming behaviors:

• Assess anxiety levels by observing the occurrence of stimming.
• Take note of how changes in the surroundings can cause anxiety.
• Make the flight process easier to understand by using pictures and stories.
• Feelings can be controlled by teaching deep breathing and giving sensory tools.
• Bring comforting and sensory-regulating objects.
• For predictability, make a visual plan.
• During the flight, reinforce positive behaviors and coping strategies.

Medications

If necessary, doctors can prescribe drugs like Risperdal (risperidone) and Abilify (aripiprazole) to lessen the irritation and aggression that can encourage excessive stimming.

Can Tests Diagnose the Reason for Stimming?

Stimming by itself is not a disorder. Despite being a key aspect of the autism spectrum, stimming is not a sign of the disorder. It might be challenging to diagnose autism spectrum disease (ASD). There is no one medical test that can identify the illness with absolute certainty. Since autism is a spectrum disorder, not every autistic person experiences life in the same way. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition DSM 5 of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is used to make the diagnosis of autism. To be diagnosed with autism, an individual needs to satisfy all three of the following DSM-5 criteria with deficits in:

Social-emotional reciprocity: A person who lacks social-emotional reciprocity is unable to initiate or participate in social contacts, share interests or emotions with others, or engage in typical back-and-forth dialogues.

Non-verbal communication: A person who lacks the ability to understand social cues or communicate nonverbally is said to be non-verbal (such as with facial expressions or body language).

Building, sustaining, and comprehending relationships: This includes having a hard time changing how they behave in social settings, playing imaginatively, or showing an interest in friendships or developing friends.

Where to go for help with stimming?

Occupational therapists can assist you in examining environmental modifications to support your kid. Speak to your child’s doctor, pediatrician, psychologist, any healthcare provider who works with your child, or the support workers at their school if they believe that their behavior is harming them or others.

Outlook

To deal with stimming, one must learn to accept it. You might not comprehend the stimming of your child, partner, or other loved one on the autism spectrum. It could embarrass you or be annoying. It’s crucial to remember that stimming has many benefits for autistic people and generally has no negative effects. There are techniques to assist an autistic child or adult in learning to self-regulate their emotions or use stims that won’t be damaging to themselves or others if stimming does become a problem.

We hope you found this article useful in learning more about stimming behavior, how it presents itself along the autism spectrum, and what you can do to manage it.