Questions on stimming.. - Autism Spectrum Message Board

NaomiR · 05-31-2005, 10:08 PM

How do you know if a certain behavior is considered a stim? Does your child enjoy when he is stimming? Do they ever smile or laugh while doing it? Is it bad or wrong...should we stop the stimming behavior?

Thanks guys!!

jeffreys mom · 06-01-2005, 12:35 AM

I don't know how others feel but I guess it would depend on what the stim was and how the child is when it's happening. A stim is a repetitive behavior used for the pupose of self stimulation. Some are okay and some need to be redirected. For example, many people twirl their hair when tired, that's a stim and then theres the spinning of an object and zoning out. It depends on what it is whether it needs to be redirected.

My son has food issues. When stressed at meal times, his little fingers are flicking a mile a minute. I would not think of trying to redirect that stim because it's a sense of comfort for him. He began spinning in circles about a year ago and I was able to redirct him and stop that behavior. Now if he finds himself starting to spin he tells himself no spinning. My theory has always been if I find it's something he's fixated on or zoning out on I try to redirect, if it's something that's happening out of stress or excitement I let him continue until he has worked it through.

Beautifulchild · 06-01-2005, 09:14 PM

My son loves to jump and hand flap. His pre-school teacher(at an autistic school) told me that it his form of relieving stress. He does enjoy doing this and he sometimes laughs while doing it. I don't have any problem with him doing this as long as it doesn't interfere with him learning. He doesn't do it all day, just after he has been sitting down for long periods. So as long as you don't mind what he or she is doing I wouldn't worry about it because it is probably just their way of dealing with stress issues.

Jana2676 · 06-05-2005, 01:36 AM

My DD used to suck on my ear, but we had to put a stop to it. It was very hard for her, it was such a comforting thing for her. Now that she is older, she will rub my ears, rock under a blanket, sing You are my Sunshine, or go through her treasure chest rubbing each item in it. She has other odd behaviors that she only does once in awhile, but we let her do it, it makes her feel better.

mommaboyz · 06-06-2005, 03:29 PM

I dont think my son even relizes hes doing it. He does the hand flapping sometimes. He also hold and folds his ears back. and makes sounds with his mouth.