Stimming: A Slice of it
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Cracking my knuckles, biting my teeth and zoning out at times are some of my favorite behaviours to stimulate myself. What are these behaviours? Why does everybody different stim differently? First, let's understand what is stemming.
Self-stimulating actions are shortened to "stimming." One of these behaviors, which can include repeatedly performing an action or making the same sound, is referred to as "stim." Stimming is a coping mechanism for emotions.
A few examples of these repetitive behaviors are twirling your hair when you are bored, banging your head when you are frustrated, shaking your legs with no reason, tapping your pen on the table, simply whistling a tune and the list can go on and on…Although stimming is a common practice, it has come to be linked to autism.
What is Stimming in Autism?
Since people with autism experience sensations rather differently, their stimming behaviors can appear more obvious. A few examples are:
What are the different types of Stimming?
Tactile stimming: They are actions that involve touching or feeling, such as scratching and feeling objects around with the hands.
Vestibular stimming: This involves balance and movement-related stimming, such as pacing back and forth or spinning around.
Visual stimming: They involve the sense of sight, such as looking at lights for a long time, gazing through space frequently blinking or rolling eyes.
Olfactory stimming: These behaviours involve tasting or smelling, such as sniffing things or people.
Auditory stimming: These involve the sense of hearing, such as tapping on tables, making buzzing noises, snapping or clapping.
Vocal stimming: This involves the sounds made with voice, such repeating the same word or phrases several times, humming or prolonged vocal sounds
Full body stimming. They involve actions related to movements of the entire body such as rocking lying or specific surfaces, spinning, and rocking.
What can set off these quirky behaviors, you ask? Well, buckle up!
Too much stimulation—like a toddler on a sugar rush!
Too little stimulation—like watching paint dry!
EMOTION BURST- ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS AT ONCE!
“Understanding why a person can stim is more important than trying to stop it.”
Benefits of Stimming
Self-control. Stimming has a function. It may help us control our emotions and feel rooted in the here and now. When an autistic person experiences an intense emotional outburst, that energy must be directed elsewhere. Stimming gives the energy a way to be released. It enables the individual to carry on with their activities in any given space.
Mental well-being. Your mental health improves when you are able to control and manage your emotions. It could be difficult if you have a stim that you find embarrassing. One option is to try channeling your energy into a more popular movement.
For instance, to have others perceive your hand flapping as a relaxing technique, try combining it with a deep breathing. As you manage your emotions, this helps you self-regulate without the added burden of witnessing unpleasant reactions.
Methods for coping with stimming
Stimming is not inherently harmful. It can be beneficial to learn how to control stimming instead of attempting to stop it.
Younger people and children will particularly benefit from this. Certain stimming activities may be controlled by reducing anxiety through routine and expectation. Food, transportation, and the sequence in which tasks are completed can all reinforce better structure and routine.Occupational therapy can help by giving out structured routines that help them avoid harmful stimming behaviors.
Providing the needed sensory needs in the form of activities can help reduce stimming. For instance, wheel barrow walking, different types of animal walking like elephant walk, bear walk helps in providing the needed proprioceptive and vestibular sensory needs which will impact in reducing stimming. Different textures mats can be added to these activities which will additionally provide tactile stimulation.
Many parents ask whether this will go away or how to stop it. As I always tell them, first we need to find out what is the reason their child is stimming, then find out triggers, evaluate if it is harmful for the child as well as others around them. If it is, try to direct children into meaningful and engaging activities that spike their interests.. if it's not harmful to themselves or others then there is no need to force them to stop. Giving structured activities will do wonders for our children! Just reach out to our Occupational Therapists at DCCD to give your child a detailed plan to help with your child's stimming! Talk to you next time!
Blog by Anders Spencer, Occupational Therapist (DCCD).