Posted on Monday, March 21, 2016 by Guo Hua 1 minute
What is stimming?
The term “stimming” is short for self-stimulatory behaviours. It is also known as “stereotypical repetitive” behaviours. Common stimming behaviours include: hand flapping, rocking, head banging, repeating noises or words, snapping fingers, spinning objects. Stimming behaviours vary from child to child. For example, two children can flap their hands but, they will do it differently.
From an occupational therapy perspective, stimming can be categorised in the following domains.
| Domain | Example of behaviours |
| Touch | Constantly touching an object of certain material |
| Smell | Enjoys smelling marker pen |
| Visual | Looking at ceiling fan or light, Looking at the wheels of a toy car |
| Movement | Move around in circles |
| Muscles and joints | Enjoys crashing, tip toe walking |
| Taste | Constantly put objects into mouth |
| Hearing | Making sounds or repeat certain phrases |
Stimming and self-harming
Stimming can become self-injurious behaviours. For example, a child may clap his hands too constantly that it results in bruises. Other forms of these behaviours:
Stimming and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Stimming is almost always a symptom of autism, however, not all children with autism have stimming behaviours. Clinically, it can present in children with Down Syndrome or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
Is thumb-sucking a stimming behaviour?
To determine whether thumb-sucking is a stimming behaviour, we need to look at a few factors.
What are the explanations for stimming behaviours?
Therapists view this behaviour as a protective response to being overly sensitive to environmental stress. For example, a child starts to flap his hands when he is in a noisy shopping centre. Stimming is less reported when a child is engaged in activities that they like. In this case, stimming is recognised as an activity to occupy them while they are bored. Stimming is also viewed as a form of cause and effect play. The children tend to have laughter while engaging in such activities.
What are the interventions?
Stimming behaviours can change from time to time. It has been observed that a child shows different stimming behaviours at different age groups.
Different professionals implement different intervention techniques. Occupational therapists use the sensory integration technique to provide the child with the appropriate sensations to achieve the goal of calming. Tools such as the brushing protocol, joint compression or music therapy are utilised.
Other techniques include providing an individual with alternative forms of stimulation. Drugs have been used to reduce stimming. However, it is not clear whether the drugs are actually beneficial or restrict the individual from finding relief.
Guo Hua is a highly - motivated Occupational Therapist who has been working with special children for the last 5 years. He has strong communication and organisation skills that enable him to conduct workshops and lectures for parents and professionals beyond his therapy sessions.
