How to Deal With Stimming

A child with autism, Asperger's Disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified may exhibit self-stimulatory behaviors either to increase stimulation or reduce stress. The stimulating behaviors involve all five senses and can include behaviors such as smelling different objects, staring at lights, blinking repetitively, rocking behaviors, making sounds, snapping fingers or rubbing/scratching the skin. While stimming is not harmful, it slows the child's learning.

Things You'll Need

• Age-appropriate toys
• Exercise equipment or outdoors play equipment

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Instructions

• 1

  Give your child an age-appropriate toy to play with when she begins to stim -- self-stimulate -- that she can use as an alternative form of stimulation.

• 2

  Give your child one chore to do. When he begins to self-stimulate, interrupt him and give him a simple chore to do. When he has completed the chore, allow him free time. If he stims after completing his chore, allow him to do so. After he is used to the chore routine, add a second chore that he needs to do right after the first chore. Giving him something positive to do reduces the amount of time he has to self-stimulate, and it teaches him how to interact with you and help you out around the house.

• 3

  Observe your child's stimming behaviors. If she receives stimulation from rocking back and forth, encourage her to swing back and forth on a swing set. Your goal is to reduce her self-stimulating behaviors by replacing them with activities that give her a similar sensation.

• 4

  Encourage your child to exercise rather than stim. Once you notice he has begun a stimming behavior, take him outside and engage him in a physical activity, such as jumping on a trampoline.