Self-Stimulating Behaviors
Managing Stimming in Daily Life
Stimming can be a valuable coping mechanism for autistic and non-autistic people alike. As long as the behavior is not dangerous or excessively disruptive, letting it run its course is usually the recommended course of action. While parents or caregivers may feel embarrassed or frustrated by a child’s repetitive behavior, punishing a child for stimming is usually ineffective and may have lasting negative consequences, such as heightened anxiety or distrust of a caregiver .
In many cases, however, someone with autism may wish to hide or minimize their stims in order to avoid negative attention from others. And when stimming is physically harmful to the individual or those around them, or when it interferes with daily life, taking steps to manage or redirect the behaviors may be appropriate. Common techniques to manage stimming include behavioral therapy , replacing one stim with another, implementing a “ sensory diet ” to provide appropriate sensory input throughout the day, or adjusting the individual’s environment to eliminate triggers. In some cases, medications may be helpful, especially if someone is struggling with strong anxiety that manifests in stimming behaviors.
Many autistic people, but not all, are able to manage stimming behaviors with practice. However, it’s important to remember that most people engage in self-stimulating behaviors to some degree, and stopping these behaviors entirely is often neither possible nor desirable.
In general, no. Trying to force a child to stop stimming altogether is often counterproductive; even if one stim is eliminated, it doesn’t eliminate the child’s need to self-regulate, and the original stim is usually replaced by another. What’s more, children who are made to stop stimming may lash out, withdraw, or develop symptoms of depression or anxiety. Instead, parents should ask themselves if the stim is actually harmful to their child or simply embarrassing to the parent. If the former, steps should be taken to redirect the child to a safer or less disruptive stim, while still allowing them space to manage their emotional and sensory needs; if the latter, the parent should work on managing those feelings (with the help of a qualified therapist , if necessary) without attempting to change their child’s behavior.
Explore More About Stimming
For a comprehensive understanding of stimming, read our complete guide: