Question about stimming

[Wendi]

My Aspie-ish son bites and chews on his fingers and fingernails. I think it's an oral sensory thing; he also occasionally bites his arm when frustrated. Is this considered stimming, or is just a nervous habit?

 

Thanks,

Wendi

[Mom2J112903]

For J it was part sensory seeking, part anxiety related. He was sucking his arm so badly that he was making it bleed.

[Geek]

In my 11yo aspie son it's stimming. He loves these. They help organize him when he's doing school work. He has always been our little puppy dog, LOL!

 

I'm guessing your son will love these, too.

 

Chewelry

 

 

Pencil Toppers

[Wendi]

Natalie,

 

What's the difference (or is there one) between stimming and sensory seeking? I'm wondering because we're having our son evaluated. We suspect Asperger syndrome, yet he doesn't flap his hands or rock or any obvious stimming. But he has always chewed on his fingernails, fingertips, and bit his own arm a few times when very frustrated and overwhelmed. We've been aware of his sensory issues for years. I know sensory issues are very common in Asperger kids, but what's the difference between "just" sensory (not necessarily Asperger or other neurological issue) and stimming (maybe indicating Asperger)? Does that question make sense?

 

Wendi

[Mom0012]

Wendi -

 

Have you ever tried magnesium supplementation with your son? My son was always putting things in his mouth and chewing and would take the front of his shirt and ball it up and chew it until it had holes in it. Giving him a magnesium supplement made this behavior totally disappear. It's been years since I started this, so I don't remember the reasoning behind it, but it really made a difference for him.

 

Lisa

[Geek]

Wendi -

 

Have you ever tried magnesium supplementation with your son? My son was always putting things in his mouth and chewing and would take the front of his shirt and ball it up and chew it until it had holes in it. Giving him a magnesium supplement made this behavior totally disappear. It's been years since I started this, so I don't remember the reasoning behind it, but it really made a difference for him.

 

Lisa

Huh. Never heard of that before. Is he still taking it? In what form: pill to be swallowed? (I can't see that going over very well here.)

 

I would like to try this for him.

[Geek]

Natalie,

 

What's the difference (or is there one) between stimming and sensory seeking? I'm wondering because we're having our son evaluated. We suspect Asperger syndrome, yet he doesn't flap his hands or rock or any obvious stimming. But he has always chewed on his fingernails, fingertips, and bit his own arm a few times when very frustrated and overwhelmed. We've been aware of his sensory issues for years. I know sensory issues are very common in Asperger kids, but what's the difference between "just" sensory (not necessarily Asperger or other neurological issue) and stimming (maybe indicating Asperger)? Does that question make sense?

 

Wendi

Hmm. You know, I don't really know. I was just told by his first therapist (neurodevelopmental, started at age 5) that it was stimming. Any repetitive, compulsive behavior designed to self-organize and self-soothe. But she connected that with sensory seeking behavior as though they were the same thing. :confused:

[IsabelC]

I don't know but my son (now 7) used to bite his arms and wrists quite frequently. For him it wasn't a stimming behavior, as it was something he mostly just did when his sister upset him. He wasn't able to assert himself with her, so he punished himself instead. He grew out of it once he learnt how to look at her and communicate that he didn't like whatever she was doing.

[acat]

I never made the connection until I saw this posting. My 9 year old had stopped chewing on her shirt and hair and picking at her skin after we started magnesium for her migraines. We used "Kid Calm" which is a powder you must mix with water.

 

 

Wendi -

 

Have you ever tried magnesium supplementation with your son? My son was always putting things in his mouth and chewing and would take the front of his shirt and ball it up and chew it until it had holes in it. Giving him a magnesium supplement made this behavior totally disappear. It's been years since I started this, so I don't remember the reasoning behind it, but it really made a difference for him.

 

Lisa

[Mom0012]

Huh. Never heard of that before. Is he still taking it? In what form: pill to be swallowed? (I can't see that going over very well here.)

 

I would like to try this for him.

 

I continue to use Water Oz liquid magnesium on and off for him. Herbal Remedies sells it. Another option is epsom salt baths. Just put 1/2 a cup of epsom salt in the warmest bath your child will tolerate and let him soak for 20 minutes or so. You can then increase the amount of epsom salts if you want to about a cup. It's been a while since I've had my son do that, so you might want to google it to get ideas about amounts. There are lots of different types of magnesium, but I know both of these were easily absorbable for my son.

 

My son doesn't chew on things the way he used to anymore even without the magnesium, but I still feel it benefits him.

 

Lisa

[Night Elf]

What's the difference (or is there one) between stimming and sensory seeking?

 

Google for 'what is stimming' and you'll find they are pretty much the same thing. I've always referred to my son's repetitive behaviors as stimming. Over the years, he has:

 

- twisted his fingers into shapes (he called it finger formations at age 4)

- hand flapping (not excessively)

- rapid pacing, usually in conjunction with hand movements

- stuttering

- twisting his fingers in his hair (he had a large bald spot on the top of his head age age 9)

- repeating the last couple of words from sentences

- echoing certain words

- eye blinking

- making ticking noises with his mouth

- turning to the right when going around objects

 

They haven't occurred at the same time. He generally has 2 stims at a time. One might last a few months, and is then replaced by another. Right now it's stuttering and eye blinking. Most of the time, he has no idea he's doing them. The stuttering does bother him. But it's not the first time he's stuttered and the last time it lasted only a couple of months.

 

No one would listen to my concerns until he was 9 yrs. old and had a bald spot on the top of his head. That was when we finally got a diagnosis, and they said Aspergers. I read and read and read about it and it sure seems to fit him.

[Susan in TN]

From what I understand, stimming produces endorphins which is why it calms kids and becomes an excessive habit. Our neurodevelopmental therapist says their number one priority in helping kids is to stop all stimming. period. She said stimming is guaranteed to stall or reverse any developmental progress. Which may mean that child has to be at your side constantly for a while so you can physically stop them.

[Night Elf]

From what I understand, stimming produces endorphins which is why it calms kids and becomes an excessive habit. Our neurodevelopmental therapist says their number one priority in helping kids is to stop all stimming. period. She said stimming is guaranteed to stall or reverse any developmental progress. Which may mean that child has to be at your side constantly for a while so you can physically stop them.

 

To what extent are you talking about? Which end of the spectrum? I've only heard that stimming is a problem if it interferes with daily functioning. My son's stims, or tics as I refer to them, don't interfere with his life. They are just a part of him. I can't imagine forcing a child to stop stimming can be healthy when it's to self-soothe. I hum when I get nervous or uncomfortable. I bounce my knee when I get restless. I listen to soft music when I need to feel peaceful. These can all be considered stimming. I believe that everyone stims to a certain degree. It's just that people on the spectrum can spend more time stimming than people not on the spectrum.

 

I think kids on the lower end of the spectrum stim to a more intense degree than those on the higher end of the spectrum. My son has Aspergers. He doesn't get lost in his stimming like autistic children on the lower end of the spectrum. I just call his name and he stops and looks at me.

 

So is your therapist referring to all stimming, or just the type that is truly self-involved and interfering with daily functioning?

[iammommy]

To what extent are you talking about? Which end of the spectrum? I've only heard that stimming is a problem if it interferes with daily functioning. My son's stims, or tics as I refer to them, don't interfere with his life. They are just a part of him. I can't imagine forcing a child to stop stimming can be healthy when it's to self-soothe. I hum when I get nervous or uncomfortable. I bounce my knee when I get restless. I listen to soft music when I need to feel peaceful. These can all be considered stimming. I believe that everyone stims to a certain degree. It's just that people on the spectrum can spend more time stimming than people not on the spectrum.

 

I think kids on the lower end of the spectrum stim to a more intense degree than those on the higher end of the spectrum. My son has Aspergers. He doesn't get lost in his stimming like autistic children on the lower end of the spectrum. I just call his name and he stops and looks at me.

 

So is your therapist referring to all stimming, or just the type that is truly self-involved and interfering with daily functioning?

 

I agree! My ds, 11, with autism is very high functioning. He stopped handflapping on his own, but now has other "stims" Actually, to throw a wrinkle in the definition of "stimming", our psychiatrist says what he does is not even really stimming, it's more of a focusing behavior. It's hard to explain what he does, but he puts his hands out in front of him and drops little items like rice, or sand, or rubber bands through his fingers. But as he's dong it, he's VERY focused on *something* (what ever the obsession de jour is! LOL) and he asks tons of questions about that obsession. I asked him what it's like and he says it's like watching a movie of his obsession (like tornadoes, or firetrucks, or whatever). I find this so fascinating. Shrink says it's not really a soothing behavior, but a focusing behavior and she differentiates it from "stimming".

 

But, I would never stop him from doing it. And when he was smaller he did plenty of stimming and continued to develop and thrive. We all "stim",and as long as it doesn't get in the way of ds's daily life, it's ok with us. I guess it doesn't even look that weird to his nt friends because he does it in front of them and they don't even pay attention to it. Tons of "stims" are socially acceptable.

 

Nan

[Night Elf]

Actually, to throw a wrinkle in the definition of "stimming", our psychiatrist says what he does is not even really stimming, it's more of a focusing behavior.

 

Yeah, this is why I refer to my son's behaviors as tics. He's never had any reason for his behaviors and most of the time he is totally unaware he's doing them. When he paced, I knew he was just restless. I could redirect his attention very easily. His stuttering is a bit of problem right now because he gets frustrated when certain words won't come out easily.

 

Anyway, this is fascinating stuff. I am googling for differences between stims and tics, and I found another issue called Stereotypic Movement Disorder. I found this website that talks about these things, as well as Tourette's.

 

I'm trying to read between school subjects with the kids. :)

[Susan in TN]

I can't remember the technical terminology, but if I understand it correctly, an endorphin addiction works to block neuropathways and can prevent the nervous system (especially brain function) from developing properly. It may act to calm a person or help them feel like they have some control over themselves, but in the long run, it's not going to help them. And I'm talking about true stimming - usually something done pervasively that they wouldn't stop doing on their own. Sometimes when they are stopped they get irritated or flustered - like an addiction. I'm sure there are many repetitive things that kids do that wouldn't be considered stimming.

 

Here's a short article on it: http://www.littlegiantsteps.com/documents/Sensory%20Play%20-%20Kay%20Ness.pdf

And another - discusses stimming about halfway down - http://nacd.org/journal/0909_autism_spectrum.php

 

One example that was given by our therapist is of a young boy with downs. His occupational therapist discovered that she could get his attention more quickly when she dangled a string in front of his face. But then the boy began dangling things in front of his face himself and within a couple of months he was showing all the signs of autism, which hadn't been there before at all.

 

Another example was of a boy who had been diagnosed with autism. When he stopped stimming, his development progressed rapidly - verbal and social interaction, memory function, etc. He had gotten to the point where his autism diagnosis was "upgraded" to highly functioning. Then he began stimming again and in a very short period of time, "lost" most of his development. Once the stimming was curbed again, he was back up to his previous progress, and eventually "lost" his diagnosis altogether.

 

One of my daughters has sometimes struggled with visual stimming. Weird hand and finger movements, like miming over and over that she's eating an apple or things like that. When this was going on, she suffered horribly with focus on school work or anything and she was strangely impulsive. Many people saw it as being very creative and fanciful, but we knew her mind simply wasn't able to focus on a single train of thought for more than 3 seconds. Since we've worked to curb that behavior, she has been able to focus on her lessons and has begun to interact more "normally" with other kids. When she tells a story or sings a song, it's still very "imaginitive", but it doesn't usually deteriorate into complete unintelligible nonsense.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Susan in TN

[cjbeach]

I posted this a few posts back but I have found my son stims a lot with the computer and TV. When we have "unplugged" him he does not stim as often and he is ON. Spot on. I spoke to a RDI counselor I know about and she said many parents have told her the same thing.

 

But with my guy his echolalia and obsessiveness are all centered around computer/tv/video games. If I disconnect him the OCD stops and the stimming stops. He does find obsessiveness in other things but the visual/auditory computer-type things REALLY draw him in. (This is the kid at almost 3 who totally stimmed out on Baby Einstein's color video. He was obsessed with the colors.)

[asta]

From what I understand, stimming produces endorphins which is why it calms kids and becomes an excessive habit. Our neurodevelopmental therapist says their number one priority in helping kids is to stop all stimming. period. She said stimming is guaranteed to stall or reverse any developmental progress. Which may mean that child has to be at your side constantly for a while so you can physically stop them.

 

I'd get a new "specialist".

 

To what extent are you talking about? Which end of the spectrum? I've only heard that stimming is a problem if it interferes with daily functioning. My son's stims, or tics as I refer to them, don't interfere with his life. They are just a part of him. I can't imagine forcing a child to stop stimming can be healthy when it's to self-soothe. I hum when I get nervous or uncomfortable. I bounce my knee when I get restless. I listen to soft music when I need to feel peaceful. These can all be considered stimming. I believe that everyone stims to a certain degree. It's just that people on the spectrum can spend more time stimming than people not on the spectrum.

 

I think kids on the lower end of the spectrum stim to a more intense degree than those on the higher end of the spectrum. My son has Aspergers. He doesn't get lost in his stimming like autistic children on the lower end of the spectrum. I just call his name and he stops and looks at me.

 

So is your therapist referring to all stimming, or just the type that is truly self-involved and interfering with daily functioning?

 

Exactly.

 

Spectrum folk use stims to self-soothe in an overwhelming environment or situation. To force them to stop with no alternative is to give them no coping skill whatsoever for how to function in said environment.

 

Examples of "non-socially" acceptable stims for a teenager:

*picking at acne on your face

*chewing on your fingernails

*pulling out your hair, eyebrows, lashes

*scratching at arms

*sitting down and rocking (or just sitting down wherever they are)

*grabbing at your crotch (this is usually an extension of mild self stimulation; something most parents don't want to think about, but which exists)

 

Examples that a parent can guide a teenager toward that won't get them beat up or ostracized:

*politely chewing gum

*lightly tapping fingers as if practicing an instrument (bonus if they actually are so they can say "oh, I'm running through the tune ______")

*having a hairstyle that lends itself to a quick swipe of the hand through it to "readjust" the style (very popular among adolescents)

*having interesting things in ones pockets: an MP3 player, a high speed small flashlight, an intricately woven something that they made (conversation starter - "hey, could you teach me how to make that?")

*light heel to toe rock or shifting feet with hands in pockets - tons of kids do this when chatting

 

Trust someone who was beat up and ostracized and is therefore teaching their own child the second list - neurodevelopment isn't stalled by stimming, it is most definitely a protective mechanism for those of us living in a world whose social rules are quite foreign. Forcing a child to stop their one sense of protection isn't going to do anything but make them delve deeper into their own world and further away from yours.

 

We're not going to magically become NTs; the best we can ever do is be spectrum folk pretending to be NTs - please try and remember that. It's an act. And it is exhausting.

 

 

asta