Stimming

Stimming is short for self-stimulating behavior. It's a repeated movement or sound, usually with a rhythm, like hand flapping, rocking, spinning or humming. Most people stim a little, such as tapping or twirling their hair, but autistic people may stim more. Behavior analysts often call it stereotypy. They look at what a stim does for a child, which isn't always about how it feels.

U.S. health officials list hand flapping, rocking and spinning among the signs of autism. Still, stimming alone doesn't mean a child is autistic. In one study, autistic adults said stimming helps them calm down and also communicate. The National Autistic Society sees no reason to prevent harmless stimming, while Leaf and colleagues say behavior analysts will likely be required to address it and should aim for more options, not conformity.

Your child might flap their hands when excited or rock when a room gets loud. Stimming often goes up with stress, excitement or sensory overload. Many autistic people say it helps them cope. It can be hard to tell apart from obsessive-compulsive behavior. If a stim causes injury, or your child seems upset instead of soothed, raise it with your child's clinicians.

• What the stim does: Ask your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) what your child's stimming seems to do for them, since the reason can vary.
• Goals about stimming: If any goal targets stimming, ask why and how it gives your child more options.
• Safety concerns: If a stim causes injury, ask what safe options the team can offer that meet the same need.