What Is Stimming? A Simple Guide to Understanding Sensory Needs

As a special education teacher and a mom to two autistic boys, I’ve seen firsthand that stimming isn’t a behavior that needs to be “fixed” or hidden. It is a language of regulation and a window into how a neurodivergent brain is feeling.

Why Do Autistic People Stim?

Stimming (short for self-stimulatory behavior) is essentially the body’s way of balancing its own sensory system. It serves several critical purposes:

• Sensory Regulation: It helps manage “sensory overload.” When a room is too loud, too bright, or too crowded, stimming provides a predictable sensation to focus on.
• Emotional Expression: It’s often a physical release for “big feelings.” You might see it during intense joy and excitement (happy stims!) or during times of deep frustration and anxiety.
• Focus and Grounding: For many, the rhythm of a stim helps them concentrate on a difficult task or simply feel grounded in their own body when they feel “disconnected.”

What Stimming Looks Like In Our House

Stimming looks different for everyone. Even within the same family, the “how” and “why” can vary wildly based on a child’s unique sensory profile.

N’s Journey: Pacing and Patterns

My son N has always been a “mover.” At 18, his primary way of regulating is pacing back and forth. It’s how he processes his thoughts, clears his head, and copes with unwanted noise. He also frequently requires noise-canceling headphones to handle loud sounds at school.

Back in second grade, N was in an inclusion class with a teacher who truly understood his needs. Instead of telling him to sit still, she gave him a dedicated spot in the classroom where he could pace whenever he felt the need. He still uses this rhythm today to stay regulated. Interestingly, when he was little, he used to line up his toys in perfect, meticulous rows—a visual stim that brought him a sense of order. I also remember he needed to be rocked constantly as a baby to be able to sleep. While he doesn’t need those things anymore, his pacing and headphones remain his go-to tools for regulation.

L’s Journey: High Sensory Needs

My son L has much greater sensory needs, and his stimming is a constant, beautiful part of his daily life. L seeks out intense sensory input to feel comfortable in his environment.

You’ll often find him rocking back and forth, spinning with incredible balance, humming a rhythmic tune, watching the spinning fan, or repeating lines from his favorite videos. He also has strong oral sensory needs, which leads to chewing on non-food items, like his nails or the collars of his shirts. One of his biggest “resets” is water; he loves the weight and warmth of it, often taking multiple baths a day to regulate his system. For L, these aren’t just “habits”—they are essential for his peace of mind.

Common Types of Stimming

If you’re noticing new behaviors in your child, they likely fall into one of these sensory categories:

• Visual: Staring at spinning objects (like fans), lining up toys, or flickering fingers near the eyes.
• Auditory: Humming, repeating favorite movie lines (echolalia), or making specific clicking sounds.
• Tactile/Oral: Rubbing specific fabrics, chewing on sleeves or “chewelry,” or hand-flapping.
• Vestibular/Proprioceptive: Pacing, rocking, spinning, jumping, or “crashing” into pillows.

A Neuro-Affirming Approach

In the past, many therapies focused on “extinguishing” these behaviors to help kids “look normal.” Today, we take a neuro-affirming approach. Unless a stim is causing physical harm to themselves or others, our goal shouldn’t be to stop it.

When we stop a stim, we are often taking away a child’s only way of coping with a stressful environment. Instead, we should ask: “What is this behavior helping my child achieve?” When we celebrate stimming as a tool for success, we show our kids that their way of experiencing the world is not just accepted, but valid and beautiful. ❤️

Every child’s sensory language is unique. Does your kiddo have a favorite way to stim that helps them feel regulated? Drop a comment below and let’s celebrate our kids’ unique ways of navigating the world!

Medical Disclaimer

I am a Special Education Teacher and a parent, but I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or licensed medical professional. The information on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Affiliate Disclosure

To help keep Our Autism Village running, some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I earn a small commission which helps me continue creating resources for our community.

I know that seeing these behaviors for the first time can feel overwhelming. To help you navigate this, I’ve put together a free Stimming Toolkit available for immediate download.

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