How Parents Can Seek Support for Autism Stimming Behaviors
Contributed by Jess Dawkins.
One of the most common and often misunderstood behaviors that parents observe when raising a child with autism is stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior. These repetitive movements or sounds may appear unusual or concerning, especially in public settings. However, by understanding why stimming occurs, parents can figure out how to seek expert support and make compassionate decisions in support of their child’s well-being.
What Is Stimming?
Stimming refers to self-stimulating behaviors that include repetitive actions like hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, repeated phrases, humming, tapping, or even more subtle actions like finger movements. These behaviors are especially common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Stimming often serves as a form of sensory regulation, helping individuals cope with overwhelming environments, process information, or express emotion. While some autism stimming behaviors may be harmless or even beneficial, others may interfere with learning and social interaction or cause self-injury, like head banging or biting.
Why Does Stimming Occur?
For children with autism, stimming can have different purposes. Not all stimming needs to be changed or stopped. In many cases, it’s a functional coping mechanism. Parents need to recognize when the behavior becomes harmful, isolating or disruptive, and when intervention is appropriate. These include:
Sensory Regulation: In overstimulating or under-stimulating environments, stimming helps a child feel more in control and balanced.
Emotional Expression: Children may stim when excited, anxious, frustrated, or joyful. It can be a way to process feelings that they cannot easily communicate.
Routine and Predictability: Stimming may provide comfort through repetition, particularly in unfamiliar situations or transitions.
Communication: For non-verbal or minimally verbal children, stimming can be a way to signal distress or need.
When Should Parents Seek Expert Support?
While stimming in itself is not inherently negative, there are some situations where a parent might need expert support. These include cases when stimming becomes physically harmful, such as head-banging or self-biting, or when it interferes with learning or participation in school or therapy.
There are also cases when it leads to social isolation that makes it difficult for the child to connect with peers, and when the parents feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to support their child’s behaviors.
If you notice that your child’s stimming is increasing in intensity, frequency, or is causing safety concerns, it’s best to seek professional guidance.
How to Seek Expert Support
If a parent wants to get help for their autistic child, the best thing is to consult a professional for expert support. Here are some steps to follow.
Start with a Developmental Pediatrician or Family Doctor
Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor can be a great first point of contact. They can assess the behavior, rule out any medical causes, and provide referrals to specialists such as developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neurologists.
Ask your doctor different questions like:
Is this stimming behavior typical for a child with autism?
Could there be underlying medical or sensory factors contributing?
What support services would you recommend?
Get a Comprehensive Assessment
A detailed assessment by an autism specialist, developmental pediatrician, or child psychologist can help determine the reasons behind the stimming. The evaluation will include child observations in different settings, parent interviews, and standardized tools to assess sensory processing, communication, and behavior.
With this assessment, professionals can understand the function of the stimming behavior, which can help them develop a tailored intervention plan.
Consult with a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
A BCBA is trained in applied behavior analysis (ABA), a therapeutic approach commonly used to support autistic children. Parents can take their child to the BCBA for a functional behavior assessment to determine the triggers, functions, and outcomes of the stimming behavior.
This includes observing what happens before the stimming begins, the behavior itself, and what happens afterward. Based on this, they can develop strategies to modify the environment and teach alternate behaviors to help your child self-regulate.
Work with an Occupational Therapist
If your child’s stimming is related to sensory processing challenges, you might be directed to an occupational therapist (OT). OTs can conduct sensory assessments and create sensory diets to help children meet their sensory needs in a safe and regulated way.
For instance, a child who flaps their hands due to under-stimulation might benefit from movement-based activities or tools like weighted blankets, fidget toys, or deep-pressure input.
Engage with Speech and Language Therapists
In some cases, stimming behaviors emerge as a way for a child to express themselves when verbal communication is limited. A speech therapist can help build alternative communication methods, like sign language, picture exchange systems, or speech-generating devices, reducing frustration and reliance on stimming for communication.
Tailored Interventions for Each Child
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for managing stimming, which is why individualized intervention plans are important. Experts can devise strategies that include behavior redirection, which gently shifts the child to a safer or more appropriate behavior.
Some strategies also encourage desired behaviors through praise, tokens, or rewards and will create calmer, more predictable environments to reduce triggers. Experts can provide sensory integration techniques, helping the child feel grounded and regulated.
Approaching Stimming with Expert Support
Stimming is a natural part of many children’s experiences with autism. While it may raise questions or concerns, it’s essential to approach these behaviors with curiosity, compassion, and an informed perspective. With expert support from medical professionals, behavior analysts, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, parents can better understand their child’s needs and devise meaningful strategies for growth.
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