Stimming behaviors are repetitive or unusual body movements, gestures, or noises that some people use to stimulate one or more senses. These behaviors are very common in people with autism spectrum disorder, but they can also occur in people with no diagnosis. Stimming provides sensory input that can help calm, focus, or energize someone when they feel overwhelmed. Here are some common examples of stimming behaviors.
Hand and finger movements
Many stimming behaviors involve the hands and fingers. These include:
- Flapping hands or fingers
- Wiggling fingers in front of eyes
- Snapping fingers
- Picking at skin or scabs
- Twirling or flicking hair
- Clapping hands
- Tapping fingertips together
- Rubbing hands together
- Twisting hands or wrists
- Finger tapping on surfaces
Repetitive hand and finger movements provide tactile, visual, and auditory stimulation. The sensory input can help someone regulate emotions or focus their thinking. Finger flicking or hand flapping also channels excess energy when someone is excited.
Rocking body movements
Many people stim by rocking part or all of their body. Examples include:
- Rocking front to back or side to side while seated
- Pacing or walking on tiptoes
- Head banging
- Body spinning or leaning
- Leg shaking or bouncing
- Toe walking
The rhythmic nature of rocking provides calming sensory input. It can also channel excess energy or help someone cope when overwhelmed. Rocking may release endorphins that improve mood.
Repetitive vocalizations
Some stims involve making sounds or repeating words and phrases. These vocal stims include:
- Humming
- Grunting
- Repeating words or phrases
- Echolalia or repeating others’ words
- Making nonsense word mixes
- Throat clearing
- Whistling
- Lip smacking
- Tongue clicking
Vocal stims provide auditory, tactile, and oral-motor stimulation. They can be calming, help focus thinking, or release tension. Some people repeat words, songs, or scripts when overstimulated to promote a sense of control.
Fidget items
Many people keep items to stim with their hands. These fidget items provide tactile stimulation and channel excess energy. Some common fidget items include:
- Stress balls
- Fidget spinners
- Rubik’s cubes
- Tangles
- Putty
- Beads for stringing
- Koosh or squishy balls
- Fidget cubes
Handheld fidget items can be less disruptive when stimming in public. Having a preferred item provides comfort and focus for many when overstimulated or bored.
| Fidget Item | Stimulating Effects |
|---|---|
| Stress balls | Squeezing provides tactile input and releases tension |
| Fidget cubes | Clicking buttons and switches provides auditory, tactile, and visual input |
| Tangles | Twisting and turning the plastic pieces provides tactile input |
Self-soothing stims
Some repetitive behaviors are soothing. These stims include:
- Rocking or massaging self
- Twirling or stroking hair
- Skin picking or nail biting
- Thumb sucking
- Rubbing objects on skin or lips
- Hugging tightly
Self-soothing stims provide comforting tactile input when someone feels distressed. They may release oxytocin to relieve stress. Some people rub, twirl, or squeeze favored items to calm themselves.
Seeking or avoiding sensory input
Many stims involve seeking or avoiding specific sensory experiences. For example:
- Staring intently at moving objects
- Sniffing or tasting non-food items
- Craving certain textures or temperatures
- Disliking bright lights or loud sounds
- Always needing background noise or music
- Wanting tight clothes or accessories
Seeking or avoiding sensory input helps regulate arousal levels. Extra stimulation can energize while limiting input can calm. Arousal must be at an optimal level to focus and function.
Self-stimulation versus self-injury
Most stims are harmless ways people regulate themselves. But some repetitive behaviors can cause bodily harm. These may signal a need for intervention.
Self-injury differs from self-stimulation in that it deliberately damages tissue. Common self-injurious stims include:
- Skin picking, hair pulling until wounds occur
- Head banging hard enough to cause bruising or concussion
- Eye gouging, hitting or biting oneself
Self-injury provides stimulation and may relieve distress temporarily. But it can be dangerous. People who self-injure need professional help to find safer ways to self-regulate.
Less harmful alternatives
For those who self-injure, safer stims include:
- Snapping rubber bands on wrists
- Holding ice cubes to painful areas
- Drawing on skin with red markers instead of cutting
- Hitting a pillow or punching bag
- Squeezing putty or stress balls strongly
Replacing the stimulation of self-injury with less destructive stims can provide relief until unhealthy needs can be addressed therapeutically.
When stimming becomes problematic
Most stims are harmless ways for people to self-regulate. But some repetitive behaviors are disruptive or unhealthy. Stimming may signal a need for help when:
- It interferes with learning or engaging socially
- It leads to bodily damage through Self-injury
- It causes extreme visible agitation in public spaces
- It absorbs so much time it precludes other activities
- It causes sensory overload and distress or exhaustion
There are ways to manage problematic stims. Counseling, medication, improved coping skills, sensory aids, and lifestyle changes can help. The goal is not to eliminate stims, but to replace troublesome ones with healthier options.
Redirecting stimming behaviors
Stopping stimming behaviors outright is not recommended. This can increase anxiety or distress. The aim should be redirecting strong urges to stim into safer, more socially appropriate channels. Ways to do this include:
- Providing sensory toys to handle instead like fidget items
- Offering gum or crunchy foods to stim the mouth in public
- Taking movement breaks for pacing or rocking if needed
- Doing isometric exercises like Wall push-ups if unable to flap hands
- Listening to music or white noise through headphones when overwhelmed
- Using weighted blankets for soothing touch input
- Keeping hands busy with art, crafts, typing, or apps
It is important that replacements provide adequate sensory input. A supportive environment that allows for stimming is ideal.
Example stimming replacements
| Disruptive Stim | Replacement Stim Idea |
|---|---|
| Finger flicking in front of eyes | Fidget toy held in hands like Tangle |
| Hand flapping when excited | Squeezing putty or cloth in pocket |
| Vocal outbursts in public places | Gum chewing or listening to music with headphones |
Accepting stimming behaviors
Rather than seeking to stop stims, many advocates urge greater acceptance. They argue that stims should be celebrated, not shamed. Some reasons to allow stimming include:
- Stims provide sensory input people strongly need
- They are soothing coping methods
- Repressing them can cause distress
- They allow social engagement for some
- People may focus and learn better when stimming
Greater acceptance enables those who stim to regulate themselves, focus, and participate socially with less judgment. This creates a more inclusive, neurodiverse environment.
Advantages of accepting stimming
| Point | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Provides necessary stimulation | Redirecting stims risks sensory deprivation and anxiety |
| Avoids shaming | Acceptance fosters inclusion and self-esteem |
| Allows better focus | Stimming can aid concentration and learning |
Conclusion
In summary, stimming behaviors involve repetitive movements or vocalizations that provide sensory input. They allow people, especially those with disabilities like autism, to self-regulate. Most stims are harmless, but some can become disruptive or unhealthy. The goal should be redirecting problematic stims, not eliminating them. With greater acceptance, those who stim can do so without shame as a means of coping, communicating, and engaging with the world.