How Does Stimming Affect Children in Social Environments?

Stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior, is extremely common in children with autism spectrum disorders. Stims are repetitive physical actions or vocalizations. They are soothing to kids who are hypersensitive to their surroundings, and they are stimulating for those who are under-sensitive. Young children̵7;s stims are generally very obvious. As kids grow and become more socially aware, they typically switch to stims that they feel are less embarrassing.

  1. Common Stims

    • Each child is different, and no two kids have precisely the same stims. However, some are more common than others. The stereotypical rocking and flapping portrayed in Hollywood movies are the stims of choice for some children with severe autism. Other stims include playing with the hair or skin, spinning or otherwise manipulating toys or small objects, finger tapping and inappropriate facial tics. Vocal stims run the gamut from barely audible noises to shrieking.

    Social Consequences of Stimming

    • The social consequences of stimming can be devastating, as many people are uncomfortable around those who are behaving ̶0;oddly.̶1; In general, the more offbeat the behavior, the more off-putting it is to others. Encourage your child to transition from major, obvious stims, such as rocking or shrieking, to smaller, less noticeable stims, such as squeezing a soft ball or doodling with a pen and paper.

    Other Consequences of Stimming

    • Stimming plays a valuable role in releasing tension and anxiety, helping children return to a sense of peace and tranquility. The stim becomes a focal point for the child, helping her withdraw from the world around her. While this soothing nature is valuable, it can also have negative repercussions on the child̵7;s development. When she is focused on the stim, she is not focused on her schoolwork, social interactions or other things happening around her. Children with developmental disorders need to learn to engage with the world, rather than solely retreating into the stim.

    Minimizing the Use of Stims

    • Noted autism sufferer and advocate Dr. Temple Grandin discussed her own experiences with stimming in a 2011 article for Autism Asperger̵7;s Digest. According to Dr. Grandin, her parents placed limitations on the times and locations at which she was allowed to use stims. She believes that stimming is important but should not replace other, more advanced coping skills. Try using the stim as a reward or teaching your child to use it only as a last resort to ward off a meltdown.

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