Stimming FAQ: What it Looks Like, Causes, and More

Stimming refers to repetitive, self-stimulating (or self-regulating) behaviors, either in sound or movement, to manage strong emotions or sensory inputs. Although everyone stims in some way, stimming behavior is more common in individuals diagnosed with autism but unique to every individual.

What does stimming look like?

It's important to note that everyone has stimming tendencies in some form, including neurotypical individuals. For example, many people tend to bounce their leg(s) when anxious or stressed. For autistic individuals, the urge to stim may be more difficult to manage and more noticeable. The most common stimming behaviors include hand-flapping or rocking back and forth. Many stimming habits are not widely accepted in social situations. For example, knuckle-cracking may be socially acceptable, but autistic stimming, such as hand-flapping may be frowned upon.

What causes stimming?

Children will stim in a variety of ways to cope with feelings or emotions. Stimming is often triggered by stress, large emotions (good or bad), sensory overload or simply because they find it comforting or satisfying in the moment.  Stimming can assist a child in feeling more alert while enhancing their focus and engagement. For instance, an autistic child might rock back and forth while someone is speaking to them, as it helps them concentrate. Note - triggers and stimming behavior are unique to every individual and should not be compared to other individuals.

Can you control stimming?

Stimming is not a bad thing as long as it does not escalate to becoming harmful. Since stimming is a visible behavior linked to feelings and emotions, it is more appropriate to find ways to understand and manage stimming rather than to attempt to eliminate it completely.  Recognizing the triggers of stimming behavior can help in finding strategies to regulate it, if needed. For example, an autistic child may become anxious and overstimulated by loud noises. A noisy environment can trigger stimming, so finding a quiet space is an effective and manageable solution.

Stimming is a crucial self-regulation tool for autistic children, allowing them to process emotions and cope with sensory overload. Instead of trying to eliminate these behaviors, it's essential to find supportive ways to manage them, ensuring children can freely express themselves while feeling understood and comfortable.