Stimming: understanding the importance of self-stimulating behavior

Autism is a spectrum and, as such, allows for very different realities. Not all people with autism have the same social functioning, the same IQ, or the same abilities or interests. However, there is a characteristic that occurs frequently and that, to the observer, can be not only striking but also incomprehensible and disturbing. It is what we know as stimming.

This term refers to what we know as self-stimulating behavior (self-stimulatory behavior) and consists of a repetitive action without apparent purpose, but which helps the person to regulate. These behaviors are also known as stereotypies and are not exclusive to autism.; They can occur in people with various sensory or neurological defects, in those who suffer from ADHD and even in people without any type of pathology.

The debate that arises around the stimming is: should we try to eliminate it or reduce it? Or, on the contrary, should we understand and respect it? We explore both positions below.

Stimming is a self-stimulating behavior that helps the person regulate themselves.

What is stimming?

As we said, the term stimming designates those rhythmic and repetitive behaviors that are reproduced in a stereotypical way and that the person uses to regulate internally. This self-stimulation can involve any of the five senses and take many forms.

For example, a person may bite their nails or tangle their hair around their fingers when they are bored or nervous, and no one who sees this would be surprised. However, when someone rhythmically sways, flaps their hands, or bangs their head, the people around are extremely surprised. In reality, the underlying function is the same and the difference is found in the type and intensity of stimulation, so that one is more accepted and normalized than the other.

As an example, we can classify the following types of stimming:

Visual: like blinking repetitively.Auditory: such as making high-pitched screams or repeating phrases or words.Tactile: like rubbing the skin or tapping with the fingers.Olfactory or taste: like sniffing objects or licking them.Vestibular: like jumping or swinging back and forth.

Understanding self-stimulating behavior

Although apparently the stimming It has no purpose, the truth is that it is a form of self-stimulation and self-gratification; It is an adaptation mechanism that the person uses in certain complicated and overwhelming situations. Thus, some of its main functions are the following:

Self-stimulation

As its name indicates, the stimming or self-stimulating behavior serves to provide the person with that stimulation that they do not obtain of the environment. When she is bored, in poor environments or monotonous activities, she may resort to these stereotypes.

Sensory regulation

It can also fulfill the opposite function, which is distract or “protect” the person from an overly stimulating environment. Very bright lights, loud noises, bustle, crowds and other similar elements can overload the senses, making it unable to process such stimulation.

Thus, the stimming It helps compensate for disorder in sensory integration and provides pleasant sensations of relief, relaxation, security and well-being.

emotional management

These behaviors also They are helpful when the person faces an emotional overflow. For example, when others demand too much of her, when the social situation is stressful or complicated, or when the environment is unfamiliar or threatening, she may not know how to cope with what is happening. He stimming It helps regulate those intense emotions and reduce anxiety.

Communication and expression

Finally, sometimes it also plays an important role in communication and emotional expression. He stimming It may be the way in which the person expresses his or her discomfort, so that the environment reduces demands or offers support or support. But also can be an expression of emotion, joy and joy, for example. It is, in short, a means of communication.

Stimming can interfere with daily functioning if it becomes frequent and intense.

Should stimming be eliminated?

Traditionally, it has been considered that self-stimulating behaviors or stereotypies should be controlled and corrected. Thus, intervention protocols were designed to act on them. However, in recent times, many professionals, experts and adults with autism consider and defend that stimming must be understood and respected, in light of the functions it fulfills for those who execute it. And it constitutes a useful and very relevant coping mechanism.

There are some points that lead us to consider that it may be necessary to intervene about. For example:

Sometimes, he stimming can be self-harmingfor example when the person hits their head.It may distort attention and this makes learning and the normal development of the person difficult. These types of behaviors feed on themselves; That is, because they are rewarding, they reinforce themselves. Thus, they can lead the person to become excessively absorbed, or increase so much in frequency and intensity that they interfere with normal daily functioning.It can be stigmatizing, while society does not understand certain stereotypes or view them favorably. This can make social relationships difficult and cause rejection.

Thus, before intervening on self-stimulating behaviors, it is important to determine if they cause any harm or interference or if, on the contrary, they are a useful tool for the person. If it is necessary to intervene, it will be important to understand what causes the appearance of the stimming and teach the person other resources with which to cope and regulate sensory and emotionally.

Furthermore, you can instruct the person to perform an alternative and incompatible action with the stimming, that is more accepted and less disturbing. Likewise, acting on certain environmental elements (such as the degree of stimulation or demand) can be of great help.

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