Stimming is a self-stimulatory behavior common in autistic children. In this blog, we examine stimming in more detail: what causes it, how to manage it, and why children engage in these repetitive behaviors. 

What is Stimming, and Why Does My Autistic Child Stim?

What is stimming? 

Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, refers to repetitive actions or movements. Every person stims in some way, whether hair twirling, drumming fingers, or more. Stimming behaviors aren’t always obvious to others, but they are more noticeable in autistic individuals. 

Although not restricted to autistic children, self-stim behaviors are one of the most obvious outward signs of autism and are part of the diagnostic criteria. Although stimming isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can become out of control and cause problems for autistic children.  

This blog examines what causes stimming, the types of stimming in autism, managing stimming behaviors, and when you should intervene.  

What are the different types of stimming

 There are many different types of stimming in autism, and some children may be more inclined toward one form than another. According to WebMD, these are some of the most common types of stimming in autistic children: 

• Auditory stimming involves engaging with sounds, such as snapping fingers, repeatedly touching one’s ears, or listening to a specific sound on repeat. 
• Vocal stimming includes sounds created with one’s own voice or throat, such as repeated throat clearing, coughing, repeating a word, or humming. 
• Tactile stimming encompasses touch-based actions, such as rubbing or scratching the skin, opening and closing fists, tapping fingers on surfaces, or flapping hands and arms. 
• Visual stimming refers to behaviors that engage sight, like staring at lights for extended periods, frequent blinking, or eye-rolling. 
• Vestibular stimming involves balance or movement, such as pacing or spinning in place. 
• Olfactory stimming includes activities related to smell or taste, such as sniffing objects or people or chewing and licking items. 
• Full-body stimming involves movements that engage the whole body, like rocking back and forth or spinning around. 

Examples of stimming behaviors

In allistic individuals, stimming can look like: 

• Fingernail biting 
• Hair twirling 
• Knuckle biting 
• Finger drumming 
• Pencil tapping 
• Whistling 
• Foot tapping 

Some of the classic forms of autistic children include: 

• Staring at objects — especially anything with lights or movement 
• Rocking 
• Gazing off into space 
• Blinking repeatedly 
• Looking out of the corner of their eyes 
• Flipping lights on and off repeatedly 
• Random humming, shrieking, or making other vocal noises 
• Finger snapping, tapping, or putting their hands over their ears 
• Tapping on ears or objects 
• Covering and uncovering ears 
• Tasting or licking — including thumb-sucking, finger-sucking, or tasting something, one wouldn’t normally taste 
• Unusual or inappropriate smelling or sniffing 
• Repetitive blinking 
• Pacing 
• Pulling hair 
• Pacing or walking on toes 

What are repetitive behaviors? 

Scientists categorize repetitive behaviors into two groups. So-called “lower-order” repetitive behaviors include hand-flapping, fidgeting with objects, body rocking, and vocalizations such as grunting or repeating certain phrases. “Higher-order” repetitive behaviors include autism traits such as routines and rituals, insistence on sameness, and intense interests.  

Repetitive behaviors and stimming in toddlers are among the first signs of autism to emerge in young children. They are seen in people across the autism spectrum. They tend to be more pronounced in those with lower cognitive ability; however, repetitive behaviors have been recognized as part of autism since the condition was first described. 

Why do autistic kids stim?

The exact reason for stimming is not entirely known, but many professionals agree that it is a form of self-regulation. Autistic people frequently experience challenges with sensory processing. Based on their specific responses to sensory input, they may either be highly sensitive or show reduced sensitivity to factors like sounds, lights, textures, or smells. 

For instance, a child with a hypersensitive reaction to visual stimuli will experience sensory overload with flashing lights. However, a hyposensitive child may not react or even notice them.  

In these kinds of sensory experiences, stimming can: 

• Diminish overwhelming sensory input for those with heightened sensitivity. 
• Offer the required stimulation for individuals with lower sensitivity. 
• Assist in managing intense emotions (both positive and negative) that may be hard for an autistic individual to process. 
• Provide a means to cope with physical discomfort or pain. 

Stimming Triggers 

Certain situations and sensory input can trigger stimming in autistic children. Some of the most common stimming triggers include:  

• Anxiety and stress 
• Joy, happiness and excitement 
• Physical discomfort, such as tight shoes or itchy clothing 
• Frustration, anger, and unhappiness 
• Loud and crowded environments 
• Unfamiliar settings or people 
• Last-minute change in plans 

Should you be concerned or prevent your child from stimming?

Although it can be viewed as disruptive and socially unacceptable, an autistic stim is often very enjoyable for the individual and is a way to reduce stress. If the actions of stimming are deemed safe, they should not be stopped or reduced. There may be times when your child will function better if they are allowed to stim. However, in some instances, stimming can be deemed unsafe. 

Can Stimming be Harmful

In some cases, intense or constant repetitive behaviors prevent autistic children from engaging in important activities. Occasionally, they can result in self-harm or harm to others. 

Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether your child’s stimming is problematic: 

• Is it causing social isolation? 
• Is it disrupting your child’s schooling or ability to learn? 
• Does it impact other people in your family or your child’s learning environment? 
• Is it destructive or dangerous to your child or others? 

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, then intervention may be necessary. However, you should aim to manage stimming and develop alternatives, rather than trying to control it or remove it altogether. You and your child may need support to stop or modify the behavior or reduce their reliance on it. 

How to manage stimming

At its core, stimming is a form of self-soothing and communication. It’s important to understand the reasons behind your child’s stimming before you implement management processes.  

If your child is engaging in disruptive or dangerous stimming, you can attempt to manage it by: 

• Try to eliminate or reduce the trigger. 
• Lower their stress and create a calming environment. 
• Stick to a routine. 
• Encourage better behavior and self-control. Positive reinforcement is always better than punishing behavior. 
• Teach an alternative behavior or modified behavior that meets the same needs. 
• Teach self-management tools. 
• Work with professionals like occupational therapists to learn new coping techniques. 
• Get professional assistance through ABA therapy. 

It can be difficult to find autism-friendly activities in the winter. We’ve put together a host of outdoor and indoor activities, such as nature walks and sensory boxes, to keep your children entertained during this winter season.

Winter Activities for Your Autistic Child

Autism-Friendly Outdoor Activities

Winter in the Midwest is often unpredictable, cold, and filled with snow. For parents, finding fun winter activities for kids can be challenging, and autism-friendly activities add an extra layer of consideration. While the snow can be a fun and welcome activity for children, other times, the bitter cold can prevent them from playing outside. So, how do we keep children and autistic children busy during the cold winter months? 

Outdoor Activities

When the temperature is a lovely 35 degrees (which is quite warm in this area during the winter months), and there is a fresh blanket of snow, here are just a few activities to try with your autistic child. 

• Build a snowman: This can be a wonderful activity that your child can do independently or with you as a family. Consider building a replica of a favorite character or naming your snowman. Always explain that a snowman is only temporary and will melt when it gets warmer. 
• Sledding: Get your child active by finding a park (be sure to find a safe space) where your child can enjoy a trip sledding down a hill. A favorite pastime of most, this is sure to be something your child will enjoy. Consider getting a sled big enough for two people so your child can sled with the assistance of an adult. 
• Frozen water balloons: Fill balloons with different colors of water (just add food coloring) to make a fun and beautiful display in your yard. Fill the balloons with water and place them outside. Within a few hours, you should have a beautiful display of frozen water. 
• Make snow angels: This can be one of the best sensory activities in the winter for autistic children. 
• Take a drive: Go take a look at all the Christmas decorations in your neighborhood. 
• Go for a nature walk: Being outside in the winter can be one of the most calming activities for autistic children. It provides them with an open space to run, play, and explore without the stimulation of indoor environments. If the temperatures are agreeable, bundle up and head outside to a nearby park or trail. 
• Paint the snow: A fun and creative alternative to playing in the snow is to paint it. Simply fill some squirt bottles with water and food coloring (make sure you use a lot), then turn the snow into your canvas. 

Indoor Activities

When the weather turns bitterly cold, or there are several inches of snow on the ground, you may find your child’s school closed, and you’re faced with a house full of children. Here are a few ideas to keep your autistic child (and all of your children) occupied when they are stuck inside: 

• Pajama day: Consider letting your child have a lazy day in pajamas. Make them their favorite breakfast and let them watch a favorite movie or TV show. 
• Mall visit: If the kids (and you) are itching to leave the house, visit the mall. Make a game of walking around the mall to get some steps in and energy out. If you can, let your child pick out a new toy or item once you have done a certain number of trips around the mall. 
• Movie day: You can do this at a local theater or at home. If you want to get out of the house, take advantage of discounted matinee prices and take the kids to see a favorite movie. Pop some popcorn at home and bring that jumbo-size purse to provide some affordable snacks at the theater. However, you must be aware of screen time and not let it take over the whole day. 
• Indoor snowball fight: You can buy fake snowballs or create them using crunched newspaper. 
• Make pretend snow: Bring the snow inside by combining 2 ½ cups of pure baking soda with ½ cup of conditioner in a bowl and mix together. Show your child how to make snowballs and build a snowman together inside. Show them how to play with this new texture and encourage them to tell you what they think as they touch and shape the pretend snow. This is a great sensory activity for your child with autism. 
• Build an indoor fort: Gather your sheets, blankets, cushions, and pillows for a magical afternoon at home. You can even create a “fort kit” box for that purpose. Prepare your child’s favorite snacks, read a few books, and even encourage a nap — everything is more fun in a fort. 
• Winter sensory bins: Bring the enchantment of winter indoors. One of the best indoor games for autistic kids is to create sensory bins filled with items like faux snow, pinecones, baubles, and whatever else you see fit. Encourage your child to dip their hands and describe what they discover. 

It can be difficult to find sensory activities or group skills games for autistic kids when school or their ABA therapy center is closed. Be sure to do your best to keep a routine and follow through on skills and activities they are working on at home. ABA is meant to be consistent and can only be successful if parents practice many of the same ABA skills their child works on at their ABA center at home. 

Finding sensory games for autistic children is a key aspect in helping them to learn a number of skills through having fun. In this blog, we talk about the benefits of sensory games and look at some specially designed toys and activities. 

Children’s Games and Special Education Activities for Autism

Developmental Games & Activities for Autistic Kids

Sensory activities involve toys, games, and activities that stimulate the senses. Sensory play is important for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who often struggle to process sensory information. Autistic children are often over or under sensitive to certain sounds, lights, or textures. Sensory activities are important to help regulate the sensory system. Engaging autistic children in sensory activities is beneficial for the development of several skills, including: 

• Language skills: Using speech-language activities and engaging in pretend play helps develop a child’s language skills by increasing their vocabulary as they discuss their experiences. 
• Fine motor skills: Manipulating small objects aids in hand-eye coordination and helps strengthen the muscles in a child’s hands and wrists, which, in turn, helps develop their fine motor skills. 
• Gross motor skills: Encouraging kids to practice their running, jumping, and throwing skills through pretend sensory play is an excellent way to develop their gross motor skills by strengthening their large muscles through fun body movements. 
• Social skills: Engaging in pretend play with peers doesn’t just build little imaginations. It also teaches important skills like sharing and taking turns. 
• Self-control: Sensory play helps develop a child’s ability to respond appropriately to sensory stimulation, which helps enhance their self-control and self-regulation. 

Experiment with activities that stimulate all five senses: touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing. You can do at-home activities such as finger painting, making your own slime and playdough, creating a sensory station, and more. However, there are toys and other activities designed with autistic children in mind. 

Sensory-Friendly Activities and Games for Autistic Preschoolers 

The list below offers several sensory-friendly toys and specific online games and activities specifically developed for autistic children. 

Discovery Toys: A Link to Learning for Children with Autism 

Discovery Toys collaborated with the famous Princeton Child Development Institute to develop an Autism Support Project. This project has created toys to develop independent play with limited instruction, toys that promote sustained engagement, toys that build skills for cooperative play, toys that create opportunities for children to talk about their play experience, toys with obvious completion criteria, and more. 

Fun and Function

Fun and Function was founded by a mom who is also an occupational therapist. Its goal is to address the lack of high-quality toys, games, and therapy products for special needs children. Funandfunction.com provides outstanding products to enable children with special needs to reach their fullest potential. 

Infantino 

Infantino has smartly designed products for happy parenting. Packed with smarts, full of fun, and ready for the daily adventures of parenting, they’ve created a line of products to help you, and your little ones grow together. They’ve all been thoughtfully designed and smartly styled, from top to toe, to make this whole parenting thing less of a job and more of a joy. 

Make Beliefs Comix 

MakeBeliefsComix.com is an online site where parents and children can create their own comic strips and practice writing, reading, and storytelling. Parents and teachers of autistic children use the site to communicate more effectively with their children by creating comic strips to teach and convey information to them. 

Me and My World™ Social Skills Board Games and Curriculum

This set of six unique themed puzzle cut game boards (Dragon, Pirate, Space Alien, Castle, Zoo Adventure, and Sea Life) from Joshua Center are interchangeable with any of the Me and My World Game Card Decks. The Me and My World Curriculum includes over 50 lessons aligned with the American School Standards for Students. Each lesson addresses a specific objective, includes several activities, and recommends children’s stories to use. 

Pick and Draw

Pick and Draw is a fun, unique drawing game that teaches you how to make creative cartoon faces. It is simple and easy to use, providing endless hours of fun and learning. In five minutes or less, you will know how to play. 

PlayAbility Toys

A world of special toys for special kids, PlayAbility Toys is a great source of fun, unique toys that are developmentally appropriate for all young children, particularly children with special needs. The company specifically designs and markets toys with sensory features incorporating auditory, tactile, visual, and motor stimulation. 

Special Needs Toys

Special Needs Toys are providers of carefully selected fun products designed to help you or those in your care enjoy life and achieve more. The site and catalog stimulate your child’s imagination and reinforce encouraged behaviors. There is a lot that can be achieved — while having fun. 

Stages Learning

A UCLA-trained ABA therapist founded Stages Learning Materials in 1997 when autism diagnosis first began to rise. The top-selling autism education product, the Language Builder Picture Cards, was created to meet the specific learning needs of autistic children. The Language Builder Series has become a staple worldwide in home and school programs. Today, Stages offers a full range of real photo products for autism education. Stages products are found in preschools, daycare centers, early childhood classrooms, autism programs, speech-language programs, and homes around the world. They are excellent autism speech therapy activities. 

Step2

The Step2 Company, headquartered in Streetsboro, Ohio, is the largest American manufacturer of preschool and toddler toys and the world’s largest rotational plastics molder. Their mission is to be the leading innovator of children’s products that build imaginations and enrich the family’s celebration of childhood. 

Topobo for Children With Autism and ASD

Topobo is the world’s first construction toy with kinetic memory (the ability to record and play back physical motion). Research studies with autistic children show that, compared to passive blocks, Topobo leads to far more cooperative and parallel play, increased observational behavior, and reduced solitary play patterns. 

ZAC Browser: Zone for Autistic Children

ZAC was the first web browser developed for autistic children. They provide one of the best environments on the Internet for your autistic child. 

Many autistic children have sleep problems. This can impact their daily lives, moods, and behavior. In this blog, we explore why autism can impact sleep and provide tips on how to help your child get a better night’s rest. 

Autism and Difficulty Sleeping: Sleep Tips For Autistic Children 

Many children struggle with sleep issues that prevent them from getting a good night’s rest. We explore how autism can impact a child’s sleep and provide tips to help you address them. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder Sleep Problems

Many autistic children struggle with sleep issues, which, in turn, negatively affect other aspects of their lives. We explore how autism may affect your child’s sleep, how common autism and sleep issues are, the consequences for the child, and what helps with these sleeping issues. 

How does autism affect children’s sleep?

There are several common sleep issues that autistic children may have to deal with. These include: 

• Struggling to fall asleep 
• Not going to bed at a consistent time 
• Not getting the right quality of sleep 
• Waking up frequently during the night 
• Waking up too early 

How common are sleep issues for autistic children? 

A study from 2018 titled “The Relationship between Sleep Problems, Neurobiological Alterations, Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Psychiatric Comorbidities” has found that anywhere between 50% and 80% of autistic children have sleep difficulties. The link between autism and trouble sleeping is incredibly high, and, as you may no doubt guess, it can compound the difficulties that autistic children already have to deal with.  

What are the consequences of sleep loss for children with autism?

We’ve already touched on how poor sleep can negatively impact your loved one’s life. But what are the consequences of sleep loss or poor sleep in autistic children?  

If your autistic child is not getting enough rest, they may end up experiencing increased levels of: 

• Aggression 
• Depression 
• Irritability 
• Hyperactivity 
• Poor learning and cognitive performance
• Increased behavioral problems  

They may also struggle with other behavioral issues and lower learning and cognitive performance.  

And yes, many of these problems are not unique to autistic children. These issues can impact the lives of autistic adults, as well as allistic children and adults, but there’s no doubt that these challenges make things worse for many children on the autism spectrum.  

Now that we understand how lack of autism and sleep problems can be connected and affect each other, here’s some advice on how you can help your children get the rest they need at night. 

Tips for helping children rest well

Your autistic child needs to get the right amount of rest to tackle life at their best. Here are nine tips to help them get the right amount and the right quality of sleep. 

1. Set an appropriate and regular bedtime 

Setting and sticking to an appropriate bedtime isn’t only good advice for a parent with autistic children but for everyone. Taking this advice and implementing it will ensure your child’s natural circadian rhythm (the body’s processes that operate on a roughly 24-hour cycle) isn’t disrupted, which makes it easier to get to sleep at night. It also has numerous other health benefits and will ensure the mind operates at its best. 

2. Have a bedtime routine in place

Having a set of activities that you, your child, or both of you partake in can help your autistic child fall asleep. You’ll need to assess and ensure that you implement activities that aren’t stimulating and will help calm your child. Reading them a soothing bedtime story or singing them a relaxing lullaby are some of the possible activities that you can use to help your child drift off to sleep.  

A visual or written list of things that your child needs to do may also be beneficial and can help them stick to their routine. 

3. Set up the right kind of sleep environment

Your child must have a space that’s dedicated to sleep. This doesn’t necessarily mean you must forbid all activities or toys in the bedroom. Rather, ensure these activities are kept to a certain part of the room and don’t take place in bed. If certain things help your child sleep, such as a stuffed animal, these objects can be kept in or near the child’s bed.  

It’s also important the bed itself is set up in such a way that it encourages your child to sleep. Remember, autistic children can be extremely sensitive to certain sounds and textures. Ensure any bedding you use doesn’t cause your child any irritation or discomfort, either due to how it feels against them or the sound it makes when rubbing up against a person or other parts of the bed. 

The rest of the environment should also be conducive to sleep. This means it should be quiet, moderately cool, and dark or dimly lit. 

4. Ensure they don’t eat or drink too late at night

Eating or drinking certain things late is not a good idea because it disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm. Think of it this way: the body is effectively getting ready to “shut down” for the night when, all of a sudden, food arrives. This tells the body that it isn’t time for sleep but time to process the food. Only once the body is done processing the food can it return to a state where it’s ready to sleep.  

Not only is it a bad idea to eat too close to bedtime, but certain foods and drinks can also worsen the situation. Things like caffeine-filled sodas or sugary sweets can be incredibly disruptive and should be avoided at all costs.  

If your child is thirsty, water is fine; if they are hungry, you can give them a small portion of certain healthy foods, such as nuts or fruits that aren’t too sweet. Ensure your autistic child eats at least three hours before bedtime. 

5. Get a good amount of sunshine during the day, particularly in the morning 

Sunlight is another key element that affects the body’s circadian rhythm. It’s important to start the day with a good dose of sunlight so that your body knows it’s the morning and adjusts your circadian rhythm accordingly. This realignment of the circadian rhythm will also help the body know when it’s time to go to sleep, making it easier for your autistic child to fall asleep at the same time every day. 

6. Manage nap times to ensure your child is tired enough to go to sleep at night

If your autistic child naps too much during the day, they may struggle to go to sleep at the same time every night. Keep naps to 20 minutes or shorter to ensure your child can keep to their regular sleep schedule. 

7. Physical activity could be key to helping your child get to bed at night

The study “Potential of Physical Activity-Based Intervention on Sleep in Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder” has found that autistic children are likely to be less physically active than their allistic peers and that by ensuring children took part in exercise, parents could possibly increase the quality of their child’s sleep. While more research needs to be done to confirm the findings of this study, it is something you could try with your child to test and see if exercise helps your autistic child sleep better at night. 

8. Use sleep aids for autistic children 

If you’re wondering what is the best sleep aid for an autistic child, here are some of the devices that you may want to investigate further. 

• A weighted blanket: Studies show that weighted blankets can offer numerous benefits for autistic children, including helping them fall and stay asleep. 
• A white noise machine: A white noise machine can help your autistic child get a better night’s sleep by helping block any noises that might otherwise disturb them. 
• Blackout curtains: There are many sources of light, including unnatural ones, that can disrupt your autistic child’s sleep. Blackout curtains can help you maintain a consistent environment so that they can sleep well. Eye masks could also work if your child does not experience sensory discomfort while wearing them. 

9. Consider speaking to a specialist about medication

While many non-pharmaceutical interventions can help, you may find yourself still struggling to help your autistic child get to sleep. In these scenarios, speaking with an expert about pharmaceutical options, whether melatonin supplementation or another prescribed medication, is important. 

10. Keep a sleep diary

A sleep diary is useful for tracking your child’s sleeping patterns. You can establish any unusual sleep patterns and identify the factors influencing sleep. This allows you to track when you have put certain strategies in place and whether they are effective. A sleep diary is also useful for clinicians, doctors, and social workers to assess your child’s sleep quality better. 

Unlock your child’s potential with the Midwest’s leading autism therapy center 

At Lighthouse Autism Center, we offer a unique approach to autism therapy called Lighthouse Fusion®. This unique approach to autism treatment combines the best aspects of ABA and speech therapy to help your child perform at their best. Learn more about Lighthouse Fusion® ABA therapy and use our autism resources to discover how it can help your child improve their outcomes.