4/5/2023 0 Comments Auditory stimming![]() If the stim is seeking out vestibular input, then replacing it with something that provides proprioception typically won’t work. It is important to consider which senses the individual is targeting with their stim when you are looking to redirect it. If these changes are made and the individual continues to be unsafe with their stim, then it will need redirecting to a safer option. In these instances it is essential to keep the individual safe.įirstly, it is important to consider the Why? Why is the child stimming? If it is because of sensory overload or dysregulation then changes to the environment or the activity may need to be made. For example, head banging into a hard surface. I would consider a stim unsafe if the child was at risk of hurting themselves. The second is when the stim is being done to the exclusion of any other activity. The first is if the sensory stim is unsafe. There are two occasions where, in my opinion, vestibular sensory stimming should be redirected. When should we stop vestibular sensory stimming? The experiences from autistic adults are also powerful. She challenges us to rethink and understand stimming behaviours within the context of autism. Her explanation of why ‘extinguishing autistic stimming behaviours’ is not an appropriate goal is also very clear. I always nod my head when she starts talking about ‘quiet hands,’ as her opinion echoes some of my own experiences. Her examples remind me of many children I have worked with and makes me very grateful that the first approach I experienced was sensory integration and not behavioural. ![]() Her first question was, ‘Why do I need to discourage the stims?’ This has led to her ongoing research on ‘Why did the children engage with these behaviours?’ She describes her experiences supporting autistic children using a behavioural focused approach. If you have time, this 20 minute TED talk by occupational therapist Amy Laurent offers a helpful perspective. Also, sensory strategies like heavy work, oral activities or weighted productsmay help the individual to calm down. We discuss many strategies for this in our training Sensory Processing with GriffinOT. This might be by changing the environment, ourselves or the activity. When the individual is overloaded, it’s important to help to reduce the overload. Either way, the individual is using the stim to help them to organise, or regulate, themselves. In my experience sensory stims occur for three reasons.Īs Agony Autie described, stimming is often an attempt to regulate. Why do autistic children (and adults!) stim? Some children really like having their head upside down and will manoeuvre themselves into very interesting positions. Head banging is another example of a vestibular stim. Putting this together, vestibular stimming is a sensory stim that includes movement. ![]() Vestibular relates to the our movement sense. Some children may also have vocal stims where they repeat phrases or sounds. Common stims include hand flapping, looking persistently out of the corners of the eye, watching spinning objects, and jumping. Stimming is the name that is given to repetitive movements or actions, it is usually associated with autism. What is a sensory stim?Īs some readers may also not be familiar with the term vestibular, or stimming, I will describe these first. However, if you have come here with an open mind and are ready to start to change your perspective, I invite you to read on. So my warning is, if you are looking for the answer to stop sensory stimming, you may want to find another article or opinion. In fact, my hope is that I will be able to help N to rethink her question. However, it is not going to provide a magic bullet to stop stimming. It will provide some strategies to consider when a sensory stim may be unsafe. The post will discuss sensory stimming and explore the reasons for it. I am thankful for the question which has been submitted, but would like to begin this post with a warning. Sensory stimming – I will start with a warning
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