You may be familiar with the different types of stimming, but what causes stimming in the first place? Autistic people commonly experience this behavior, so learning more about what can trigger stimming may help you communicate with autistic people more sensitively. Read on to find out more.
Stimming is short for ‘self-stimulatory behavior’ and refers to repetitive actions, movements or noises as a form of self-expression or as coping mechanism. Many autistic people and those with other sensory processing difficulties stim, as it can be calming and help to reduce the severity of certain sensory overload symptoms. It can present in several ways, including verbal and auditory stimming as well as physical stims – some examples include clapping, hand flapping, and repeating phrases. These behaviors work to distract individuals from distressing external stimuli.
Although there is not one particular cause of stimming, there are a few theories which suggest potential causes. The causes vary between individuals and depending on the complexity of their needs.
One possible cause of stimming is linked back to under-stimulation. When it comes to autism, some people may be under-sensitive to a particular sense; this means that if someone is understimulated, their senses may be diminished. Some of the outward signs of this may include:
Sight – finding objects dark, sharp peripheral vision but blurred central vision, magnified primary object, poor depth perception demonstrated by problems throwing or catching
Sound – only hearing through one ear, not able to hear certain sounds, unfazed by crowded or noisy environments
Smell – no sense of smell or inability to smell potent odors, licking things to get a better idea of the flavor as they can’t rely on scent
Touch – displays a high pain threshold which can lead to self-harm, squeezes people or animals tightly, chews on objects or prefers heavy objects, such as weighted blankets
Vestibular – seeks sensory input through rocking, swinging or moving
Proprioception – unaware of personal space, struggles to avoid obstructions
Taste – enjoys very hot or intense flavors and practises pica, which is when someone eats non-edible items
An alternative cause of stimming is often connected to over-stimulation. In contrast to under-stimulation, some people stim because they feel over-stimulated, which can lead to difficulties regulating emotions. In these cases, stimming can help focus and calm individuals. However, stimming can also become counterproductive and even harmful if taken to extremes. Over-stimulated individuals may have the following experiences:
Sight – vision distortion, more comfortable to find a focal point than focus on a larger object, sensitive to light
Sound – magnified sounds, unable to filter out background noise from conversations
Taste – extra-sensitive taste buds which are overwhelmed by strong flavors or unusual textures
Touch – pain when touched or sensitivity to certain clothing textures
Vestibular – struggle with sports activities, car sickness and stopping quickly
Proprioception – difficulties with fine motor skills, so uses the whole body to make slight movements
Smell – overpoweringly intense smells such as perfumes and air fresheners
Extremes of emotion can lead to a feeling of overstimulation – this can lead to an individual stimming to cope with the situation. As a parent or carer, you should make a note of how intense emotions usually present via stimming. For example, the feeling of anger could intensify a typically-harmless stim until it becomes dangerous, which could lead to harm to the individual or those around them.
Autistic people may experience stimming when faced with unpredictable and overwhelming external environments because this can trigger stress. Stimming behaviors can help shut out distressing external stimuli and distract the individual’s attention.
Repeatedly banging the body or head can decrease an individual’s pain by distracting them from other pain sensations. Stimming triggers the body to release beta-endorphins, creating a pleasurable feeling and reducing the overall pain sensation.
Typically, autistic people might regulate their bodies and emotions differently to neurotypical people. Some stims are triggered for self-regulation, enabling the body to soothe and comfort itself.
In some scenarios, stimming is triggered by an underlying medical condition. For children who repeatedly gesture towards specific body parts when stimming, it is worth seeking medical advice to make sure that the child is not suffering from any painful conditions.
You should refrain from stopping a person from stimming unless it appears to be causing an issue, such as causing damage to the individual in question or those around them.
However, parents of autistic children should seek medical advice if they notice their child stimming as this will help rule out any physical cause. After all, as mentioned above, stimming may result from a medical condition that the individual may not be able to verbalize.
You may want to speak to a professional about your child’s stimming if it:
• Impacts the individual’s learning ability
• Is personally destructive, such as hitting themselves
• Is dangerous for those around the individual
If stimming results in self-harm, you should seek medical attention immediately.
If the stimming doesn’t result in any of the above points, you should avoid trying to control it completely. To help a child manage their stimming, you may consider designing a sensory diet for autism to suit their personal sensory requirements.
Indeed, some studies suggest that stimming helps to release endorphins and make individuals feel comforted. This might explain why individuals often stim when feeling distress or anxiety.
We hope this article gives you a better understanding about what causes stimming. While stimming doesn’t usually need to be controlled, knowing what triggers it can help you be more sympathetic and understanding towards the autistic people in your life. Additionally, it’s best to create a healthy environment and support system for the individual, enabling them to stim safely.
If you think you would like to explore our free sensory room design service, please contact us to find out more information about creating the best environment possible.
