How to Reduce Self Stimulation Behaviors in Children With Autism
Many children with autism use self-stimulation behaviors, or "stimming," as a means to calm themselves or demonstrate that they are excited. Some examples of "stimming" include rocking, hand-flapping, humming, clapping, manipulating an object and jumping up and down. These behaviors are not harmful. However, they can interfere with learning and make your child less socially accepted. Learn to reduce your child's self-stimulation behaviors if it interferes with his functioning.
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Instructions
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Redirect his attention. When your child begins "stimming," focus his attention on something else. Give him something to keep his hands busy if he is hand-flapping or clapping. Play soft music if he is a hummer. Go for a brisk walk if likes to jump up and down. Keep one of his favorite toys or objects with you so that you can distract him with it.
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Replace the "stimming," behavior with a more socially acceptable alternative. Many children with autism are ostracized because some of their self-stimulation behaviors seem odd to the "normally," functioning world. There are ways to teach your child to "stim" in a more socially accepted manner. If your child flaps her hands wildly, teach her a calmer, less obvious finger tap on his desk. If your child licks random objects, provide her with lollipops to lick instead. If your child jumps up and down, buy her an exercise trampoline that is easily accessible. When you give your child an alternative way to "stim," she still gets the sensory stimulation that she needs and she looks more "normal."
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Provide a specific time for "stimming." Make self-stimulation time a part of your child's daily schedule. If you provide your child with an appropriate time and place to "stim," you teach him when and where to do it. This helps reduce inappropriate "stimming." Give your child 10 to 15 minutes of "stim" time in his room when he is on sensory overload. This might be right after school, after an extracurricular activity or after a trip to the grocery store.
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Reduce stressful things in her environment. Many times self-stimulation behaviors are triggered by situations that are stressful to your child. Know what sets your child off, so you can minimize it in her environment. Eliminating the things that stress your child out will reduce her need to "stim."
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Tips & Warnings
Talk to an occupation therapist about reducing your child's self-stimulation behaviors. Many children with autism wear specially designed, weighted vests to help reduce self-stimulation behaviors.
Don't make fun of a child who demonstrates self-stimulating behaviors. Doing so can damage his self-esteem.
References
- Photo Credit children image by Marzanna Syncerz from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Is nail biting considered "stimming?" I do it all the time because of anxiety.
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Really interesting site as I sit in the computer lab without heat with freezing feet dozing off,but great site.
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courtb
Nov 04, 2010
My son is 10 and just diagnosed with autism. My opinion? Should have happened years ago! But, his stimming behaviors (i'm just learning that that is what they are) are in an abundant supply and getting worse by the day. He hates it. He expresses it to me. He did tell me the other day that when he's at school he tries to control it; I didn't think it was something that could be controlled. So, the tips were helpful and i will try them out! -
BodyLogique
Nov 18, 2008
Concise article-most people do not understand how important Sensory Integration is and that these children are using the stim behaviors to integrate their senses. Thanks for keeping us aware!
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BodyLogique
Nov 18, 2008
Concise article-most people do not understand how important Sensory Integration is and that these children are using the stim behaviors to integrate their senses. Thanks for keeping us aware!
