Common Examples Of Stimming Behaviors

Medically reviewed by Andrea Brant, LMHC

Updated February 27, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior, involves engaging in repetitive movements or sounds for self-stimulation, often observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Autistic children may exhibit repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, rocking back and forth, or repeating the same song. Stimming serves to manage emotions, alleviate physical discomfort, or cope with sensory overload in the context of developmental disorders.

While individuals without autism spectrum disorders may engage in self-stimulatory behavior such as nail-biting or knuckle cracking at times, an Autistic person may engage in stimming that is different in that the actions can vary by quantity and type while being more obvious and harder to control. Many Autistic children, as well as those with ADHD, also manifest stimming. The difference is that ADHD stimming helps in focusing and controlling impulses while stimming in autism aids in alleviating anxiety and managing sensory overload.

In this article, we’ll explore common examples of stimming, how it can differ for individuals with autism, and tips for managing if it becomes disruptive.

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What is stimming? Examples and how it can differ in autism

Stimming refers to self-stimulating behaviors such as repetitive motion and noises.

The behaviors associated with autistic stimming, related to autism spectrum disorders, may include noticeable actions that go beyond what is considered socially acceptable, such as repeated finger flicking, rocking the body, or flapping one's hands. Some self stimulatory behaviors, like head banging or hand flapping, may garner more attention due to societal expectations for behavior and may cause concern for the person's well-being. For example, someone on the autism spectrum may make loud noises that sound threatening or hit their head repeatedly against a wall.

Examples of stimming

Autistic individuals may engage in stims for hours at a time. These may include being obsessed or preoccupied with objects, words, or an aspect of a particular subject. These behaviors may include the following:

Pulling hair
Blinking repetitively
Rearranging or moving things
Rocking
Walking or pacing on tiptoes
Scratching or rubbing the skin
Stroking, rubbing, or licking certain objects
Staring at moving or rotating objects like a wheel or fan
Jumping, bouncing, or twirling repetitively
Flapping, flicking, or snapping their hands or fingers
Repeating phrases or words
Smelling objects or people

It is important to note that some repetitive behavior may lead to physical harm, such as:

Placing dangerous items in the mouth or swallowing them
Scratching or rubbing the skin excessively
Biting
Punching
Picking at sores and scabs
Banging one’s head against things.

Differences in stimming with autism

Research is ongoing to understand why Autistic people may engage in stimming, and there can be several reasons why individuals with autism may display self-stimulatory behavior. They may do it when they are overwhelmed, excited, anxious, or happy, or they may do it as a way to bring comfort to themselves. Some may engage in the behavior when they are in a stressful situation, experiencing negative emotions, or to help themselves gain comfort in new surroundings. In many circumstances, an Autistic individual may not be able to control their stimming and may find it difficult to stop.

Individuals not on the autism spectrum who engage in self-stimulating behaviors may be able to control the behaviors and recognize that they wouldn’t do them during certain situations. On the other hand, an individual with autism may twirl, swing back and forth, or flap their hands in an obvious way for prolonged periods and find it difficult to control or stop. Their behavior may disrupt others, but they may not understand this due to challenges with interpreting social cues. For this reason, it can be difficult to reduce stimming behaviors.

Managing stimming

Autistic adults' views on stimming may vary, but many people with autism who stim do not experience behaviors that become problematic; if the behaviors aren't causing problems, they don't need to be stopped. However, a behavior may become a concern if it creates disruption in daily living, interferes with learning, or leaves an Autistic child socially excluded. In rare situations, it may cause danger or be associated with a medical condition, such as a seizure. According to The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, management of stimming may be necessary in some cases.

Below, we'll explore how to determine if management is needed and a few tips for managing stimming if it has become disruptive.

How to determine if management is needed

If a behavior is causing problems, it may be controlled with professional guidance. There are management techniques for other forms of stimming depending on how they affect the individual. To understand if management may be needed for stimming, these are a few questions to consider:

Has social seclusion or isolation resulted from stimming?
Is the behavior disruptive in social settings, such as school?
Is the ability to learn affected by stimming?
Has the behavior led to danger or destruction?

If self-harm is a possibility or concern, contact your doctor or emergency personnel immediately. A doctor may want to examine and evaluate existing injuries.

Techniques to help manage stimming

Managing stimming may vary from person to person. There are techniques for people with autism, including therapy, applied behavior analysis, medication, and changes to their surroundings or environment to limit stress. Understanding what is behind the behavior may give insight into which methods to consider to achieve effective results. You might assess the situation before the stimming occurs to note things that may prompt it. Below are a few other tips to consider:

Getty/AnnaStills

Create a calm environment to keep stress low. You might start by making settings quieter or more manageable by reducing things that cause distractions.
Establish a daily routine to complete tasks.
Encourage self-control and behavior that is acceptable.
Avoid punishing someone for stimming. You might give a reason when addressing the behavior so that the individual can understand why it may be disruptive.
Set an example by teaching behaviors that are acceptable to replace stimming. A stress ball may be encouraged.
Seek guidance from a specialist who works with Autistic individuals if necessary. They might assess the situation and explore the reason(s) behind the behavior.
Learn about professional treatment options, such as therapy and medication if desired.

After you gain further understanding of the situation, it may become clearer what management techniques to consider. Other factors to consider as part of the management process may include knowing when to intervene so that a person doesn’t get hurt, knowing when to say something or respond to an act of stimming, and knowing how to advise others, such as family, on how to help their loved one when they stim.

How online therapy can help

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Has stimming become disruptive?

Connect with a therapist for support

If you have questions about stimming or would like professional support in managing stimming, online therapy may be a good option.

Research has shown that online therapy can be effective for concerns including symptoms of autism. For example, one such study explored the effectiveness of web-based interventions delivered to children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism. The study concluded that “web-based interventions can be effective in reducing symptoms in children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders.”

Autistic individuals may find it difficult to communicate at times and may find some new environments to be overwhelming. With online therapy such as BetterHelp, you can communicate with a licensed therapist in a variety of ways, including calls and in-app messaging. And, you can speak with your therapist wherever you are most comfortable, including from the comfort of your own home.

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Takeaway

If you have concerns about stimming related to yourself or a loved one, know that you are not alone and help is available. To start, you may consider learning more about stimming, how it differs in autism, and tips for managing disruptive behaviors detailed above. For additional support, there are online therapists with years of training and experience helping individuals address concerns around a variety of behaviors.

Frequently asked questions

Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.

What are stimming behaviors?

Stimming is short for “self-stimulation.” Stimming is most commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder but can also appear alongside other conditions. It is also sometimes referred to as “stereotypy,” referencing the stereotyped (repetitive) movements common to those on the autism spectrum.

Stimming behaviors in individuals with autism spectrum disorder can include full-body movements or more isolated motions. Full body stims may include behaviors such as rocking or spinning. Localized stims may include hand-flapping, squirting, stroking surfaces of a certain texture, head banging, or vocalizations.

Neurotypical people - those without neurodevelopmental concerns like autism spectrum disorder - also display self-stimulating behavior, but the behavior is typically much more pronounced in those on the spectrum, especially children. Common stimming actions might include foot tapping, twirling hair, or tapping fingers.

Can you have stims without being autistic?

While stimming is commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder, a diagnosis of autism is not required for stimming to occur. Stimming is also related to other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD. It is thought that stimming helps with focus and may provide a valuable tool to those with ADHD or similar concerns.

Stimming may also serve a purpose in neurotypical adults. Behaviors like foot and finger tapping, playing with hair, or minor vocalization can be considered stimming. Experts theorize that stimming provides a valuable form of self-soothing and may block out unwanted environmental stimuli.

What are some signs of stimming?

Stimming behavior is most common in childhood and adolescence. Regardless of whether a child has a neurodevelopmental disorder like autism, stimming is common in the first few years of life. Over time, neurotypical children tend to replace stimming behaviors with activities like imaginative play and social interaction. Neurodiverse children, like those on the autism spectrum, may display stimming behavior for a longer period, often into adulthood. Stims can be either full-body or more localized, often involving repetitive movements.

Some common examples of stimming include:

Arm or hand flapping.
Finger-flicking.
Foot or finger tapping.
Snapping fingers.
Rocking.
Spinning.
Head-banging.
Repetitive use of an object (such as flicking a rubber band).

Sometimes stimming can be harmful, such as hand biting or skin-picking. While stimming is not necessarily a bad thing, stims that are destructive or harmful may require intervention.

What is nonautistic stimming?

Nonautistic stimming refers to stimming behaviors that appear in those not on the autism spectrum. In this context, “nonautistic” does not mean the same thing as “neurotypical.” Nonautistic stimming also includes stims in those with neurodevelopmental disorders other than autism, such as ADHD. Those with ADHD often engage in self-stimulating behavior to maintain focus.

Neurotypical people can also engage in stimming, which is also considered nonautistic stimming. Common stims in neurotypical adults include foot tapping, hair twirling, or biting fingernails. In both neurotypical people and those with neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD or autism, stimming is thought to serve a function that helps people adapt to their environment and self-manage.

What triggers stimming?

Stimming likely serves multiple purposes and may be a valuable tool for both those with neurodevelopmental disorders and those without. Evidence suggests that stimming is likely to be in response to one or more of the following conditions:

Overstimulation. When a person is overstimulated, they are receiving too much sensory input. Stimming can block out unwanted or excessive sensory input from the environment.
Under stimulation. When sensory input is low, stimming may provide a tool to increase it.
Pain Reduction. Evidence suggests that repeated bodily movements may reduce the overall sensation of pain.
Emotional Management. Both positive and negative emotions may trigger stimming. Negative emotions like frustration or anger may intensify stimming to the point of potentially being harmful.
Self-Regulation. Stimming may help people soothe or comfort themselves, maintain focus for long periods, or adapt to their environment.

Is stimming a positive thing?

Stimming has routinely been described as a negative thing; a symptom of a larger condition that requires intervention. However, recent research suggests that stimming is likely not harmful and serves many positive functions. Many Autistic people describe the relief that stimming provides, and although the vast majority of stimming is not harmful to the person displaying it or those around them, significant stigma regarding stimming continues to exist.

There is a recent push to normalize stimming. Stim behaviors are typically negatively received, especially in children, where most efforts to eliminate stimming have been concentrated. Historically, stimming was seen as something that required intervention, even if the child was not harming themselves. Experts theorized that stimming could disrupt learning, interfere with daily tasks, and significantly impact relationships with other people.

Recent evidence suggests that stimming may be positive and helpful, and asking individuals to suppress their stim behavior continually can have significant negative consequences. Suppressing stimming can increase the risk of depression and lower cognitive abilities. Most people prevent themselves from stimming in response to social pressure or to appear more “normal,” leading to a growing belief that stimming should be normalized within most social situations.

Is stimming only for ADHD?

Stimming is most commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder and has only recently begun to be associated with ADHD. For those on the autism spectrum, stimming is thought to provide a valuable self-soothing function that helps them manage emotions, overstimulation, and under-stimulation. Stimming may serve a similar purpose in those with ADHD. Evidence suggests that stimming helps those with ADHD maintain focus and manage their attention.

How do I stop stimming?

The gold standard for reducing stimming is behavior therapy. Behavior therapy applies the principles of behaviorism to change compulsive or unconscious behaviors, like stimming. For consenting adults, behavior therapy conducted with a qualified mental health professional may provide substantial relief from their concerns related to stimming.

Behavioral therapy can become problematic when used with children or if an adult is forced to enter therapy. For example, consider a teenager who exhibits stimming behaviors. During his first appointment with a mental health professional, his therapist asked him how his stimming negatively impacted his life. The teen responded, “It doesn’t bother me much, but my mom and dad get really annoyed by it.” At this point, the therapist will likely not proceed with behavioral therapy; the teenager likely feels forced or coerced, contraindicating behavioral management.

Adults with stimming behaviors should take time to consider the impact their stimming has on their lives. In a 2019 survey of Autistic adults, 80% of participants reported that stimming reduced anxiety and helped them remain calm. Unless the stim behaviors impact the person negatively substantially, it may be more beneficial to focus on accepting the stimming rather than treating it.

What is the difference between fidgeting and stimming?

Stimming and fidgeting are closely related, and there is no consensus on exactly what separates them. They are also likely related to other repetitive movements, such as tics. Some researchers suggest that “fidgeting” and “stimming” are nearly synonymous, with the former being used primarily to describe neurotypical individuals and the latter referring primarily to neurodivergent people. Other scholars believe that stimming represents a more complex behavior. They argue that stimming tends to be more repetitive and follows a more predictable routine than fidgeting, separating stimming as a feature of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Contemporary research suggests that neurotypical people can and do engage in self-stimulating behaviors, often for the same reasons as those on the autism spectrum or with other neurodevelopmental disorders. Stimming behaviors like hair twirling, finger tapping, or biting nails are common among neurotypical people, and evidence suggests those behaviors may reduce anxiety, boredom, or under stimulation.

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