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Stimming is perfectly normal and helps neurodivergent children self-regulate.
As a parent with a neurodivergent child, you may have noticed your child repeating certain behaviours or movements, such as nail biting, rocking back and forth or even humming and wondering if this is ‘normal behaviour’ because of how often your child does it. This behaviour is known as stimming.
While stimming is a common and natural form of self-regulation for many neurodivergent children, it is often misunderstood and stigmatised. Dr KL Sanyane, Specialist Paediatrician at Mediclinic Muelmed, delves into some of the reasons behind stimming and the reasons behind it.
What is ‘stimming’ and why do children do it?
“Repetitive self-stimulatory behaviours, also referred to as stimming, refer to a variety of motor movements often seen in neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Stimming has been recognised as an important adaptive tool for self-regulation in neurodivergent individuals when they are over or under-stimulated by sensory input from the environment they find themselves in. Stimming does not necessarily impact neurodivergent children negatively, but may be a negative experience if and when it is stigmatised,” Dr Sanyane explains.
A parent should only be concerned when the stimming is harmful or interferes with normal physiological functioning. This would include behaviours like biting and chewing non-edible objects that may be harmful,” Dr Sanyane adds.
Types of stimming
Different kinds of stimming include hand flapping, rocking, spinning, and pacing. Stimming is also seen, to a lesser extent, in neurotypical individuals. Behaviours such as hair twirling, humming, toe tapping and pen clicking are considered stimming.
How stimming manifests differently in girls and boys
“Stimming presents differently in all neurodivergent individuals. Masking, or suppressing stimming, is thought to be more common in girls as they have been found to conceal their dysregulation better than boys.”
Is stimming something that a parent should aim to stop when they see their child doing it?
“There is no need to regulate or eliminate harmless stimming,” says Dr Sanyane. “Rather, caregivers should be educated and supported in understanding stimming and how it benefits neurodivergent individuals. Professionals such as psychologists can assist in exploring ways to support the individual and the whole family.”
For parents who are seeking guidance on managing stimming or obtaining additional support, Dr Sanyane recommends seeking assistance from a developmental paediatrician, a child psychiatrist or a paediatric neurologist.
Further publications on the topic
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