Autism and stimming

Key points:

Stimming is repetitive or unusual movements or noises.

Stimming seems to help some autistic children and teenagers manage emotions and cope with overwhelming situations.

If stimming affects children in negative ways, you can look at ways to reduce their need to stim.

You might be able to reduce children’s need to stim by changing the environment.

Why autistic children and teenagers stim

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 autistic children who are under-sensitive, stimming can stimulate ‘underactive’ senses.

We all use stimming sometimes. For example, some children suck their thumbs or twirl their hair for comfort, and others jiggle their legs while they’re working on a difficult problem or task. You might pace up and down if you’re anxious, or fiddle with a pen in a boring meeting.

Helping autistic children and teenagers with stimming

Many autistic people feel they should be allowed to stim because stimming helps them to manage emotions and overwhelming situations. But if stimming is hurting your child or affecting their learning, social life and so on, it might be best for your child to stim less often.

You might be able to reduce your child’s need to stim by changing the environment or helping your child with anxiety. Also, stimming often reduces as your child develops more skills and finds other ways to deal with sensitivity, under stimulation or anxiety.

Where to go for help with stimming

Occupational therapists can help you look at environmental adjustments to support your child. If your child’s behaviour is causing your child harm or hurting other people, speak to your child’s GP, paediatrician, psychologist, another health professional working with your child, or school support staff.

Autism means our children are amazingly unique, so let’s look at steps to help them develop new friendship skills and social abilities. With the right skills and strategies, life can be easier and more joyful for your family. Learn in free social skills training sessions for parents in Autism families.

Thousands of Australian children have been helped to grow new social skills and make friends. This program is perfect for children aged 7-17 years. Recommended by OTs, psychologists and speech therapists.

Book your FREE parent training session here: https://www.amazingskills.com.au/book-free-parent-training

As educators and parents what we do and say truly matters and makes a difference. The video link below is of an incredible autistic boy, Cillian O’Connor. His magic will astound you but his zest, passion and journey are truly special to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8te7mansZI

Alison Warner

Acting Assistant Principal - Learner Engagement and Wellbeing

13 Block Recount Writing