Stimming in autism, a repetitive behavior that must be controlled

Autism, which has the full name autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, social interactions, and behave. Those with autism tend to show stimming behavior. What is stimming in autism? Here's the explanation.

What is stimming?

Stimming, as reported by the health sites Verrywell, com and Healthline, stands for self-stimulating behavior aka behavior that is deliberately done to provide stimulation to certain senses. This stimming behavior refers to body movements, moving objects, and repeating words or sentences. This behavior is common in someone who has autism. Stimming itself can cover all the senses including sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste, as well as balance and movement.

Several studies have shown that stimming can stimulate nerves and provide a pleasure response from the release of certain chemicals in the brain, these compounds are called beta-endorphins. Beta-endorphins in the central nervous system are responsible for producing dopamine which is known to increase the sensation of pleasure.

Another theory states that stimming can help stimulate the sensory system. There are also opinions that stimming in autism has a calming and comforting effect. Stimming in autism occurs when they experience emotions such as joy, happiness, boredom, stress, fear, and anxiety.

What is stimming behavior like in autism?

The following are stimming behaviors in austism that are often done:

Nail biting
Playing with your hair by making circular motions with your fingers
Cracking knuckles or joints
Tapping your fingers on the table or any surface
Tapping on a pencil
Wiggle your legs
Whistling
Snapping fingers
Jumping and circling
Pacing or walking on tiptoe
Pulling hair
Repeats certain words or sentences
Rubbing or scratching the skin
Flashes over and over
Likes to stare at a lamp or object that rotates like a fan
Licking, rubbing, or stroking certain objects
Sniffing people or objects
Rearrange certain objects, such as spoons and forks on the dining table

Those with autism may spend hours arranging toys instead of playing with their toys. For example, sorting toy cars from the biggest to the smallest size or based on a certain color pattern. Repetitive behavior also involves feeling obsessed or "preoccupied" with a particular object.

Stimming behaviors in autism that are dangerous are:

Banging your head over and over.
Punching or biting.
Excessive rubbing or scratching of the skin.
Picking up or picking up wounds.
Swallow dangerous goods.

How can you deal with stimming behavior?

Although stimming in autism is rarely dangerous, there are several reasons why you should control your stimming behavior in autism. It will be easier to control stimming in autism if you know why.

Their behavior is a form of communication they carry out, therefore understanding what they are trying to convey is an important part. So, what should you do? Here are some simple things you can do.

The first thing you can do is to remember the situation or condition before the stimming behavior occurred to find out what triggered the stimming behavior.
Do what you can to eliminate or reduce triggers for stimming behaviors, such as reducing stress and providing a soothing and comfortable environment or condition.
Try to make a routine a daily chore.
Avoid punishment to control behavior, this is highly discouraged. If you stop one stimming behavior without addressing the cause, they will still be stimming in a different way and it could be worse.
Teach something else as a substitute for stimming behavior. For example, wringing a ball which is commonly used to stimulate motor activity.
Discuss stimming behavior in autism with a specialist who specializes in this to find out the causes of stimming behavior. When the cause is identified, you can get the advice you need to control your behavior.
Quick to respond if the stimming behavior is dangerous, for example stabbing the tip of a pencil into his own body.