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Stimming: Ways To Meet Sensory Needs
Stimming: Ways To Meet Sensory Needs
Individuals with autism may engage in various types of body movements, vocalizations, and touch that help meet their sensory needs. Some of these are not dissimilar to neurotypical movements - for instance, we may tap our feet or twirl our hair or rotate a pen as we listen to a class lecture. Some sensory-based actions that individuals with autism engage in can look different. Rocking, hand-flapping, making repetitive sounds, and feeling textures with hands are some examples of these atypical behaviors.
When the general population is unaware of the fact that people with autism engage in these behaviors to meet their sensory needs or to feel less anxious and regulate themselves in a difficult environment (new people, loud sounds, bright lights, more movement, multiple conversations, strong smells), they may inadvertently stare or show their surprise - which will increase the discomfort of the person with autism. In this video, Amythest Schaber, a person with autism and founder of Neurowonderful, a tumblr blog, explains what stimming is and why it's done.
What Is Stimming?
Video Courtesy: Amythest Schaber
Creating a Sensory Room
Creating a Sensory Room
Shanti Kurada
A sensory room is a place for your child to feel calm and safe, and regulate herself. It's a place she can go to when she feels anxious or overwhelmed. A big part of autism is sensory dysregulation - at some point in the course of the day, the sounds, voices, lights, smells, and the feel of various surfaces will seem too much to bear. The result is a meltdown or a burst of hyperactivity from all that stimulation. A sensory room provides a way to soothe your child's senses and give them space and time to regroup and return to participate in their school or home routines. Read More
In the video (right), a sensory room is built by a designer for a family with children with various special needs, as part of a community project. Your sensory room can be as involved as this or much simpler depending on your child's needs and what's possible for your family.
Whippycake. (2023, January 3). DIY Sensory Room. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Q7SBAGNfTyQ
Auditory Defensiveness
Auditory Defensiveness
Robyn Wu, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Robyn Wu is a pediatric occupational therapist at Communication Works and Assistant Professor at Samuel Merritt University.
Imagine parents who are unable to use the vacuum cleaner because the noise pushes their young daughter into an emotional meltdown. Or a preschooler who refuses to enter the bathroom because the sound of a flushing toilet causes severe distress.
The parents and children in these scenarios are coping with sensory defensiveness, a condition that causes everyday sensations to be perceived as painful or overwhelming. The result is a fight-or-flight response. Fear, anxiety, aggression, and emotional meltdowns — all are common reactions among people with sensory defensiveness - a condition that is frequently seen in children with autism. Read More
Teaching Biking on a Trail
Teaching Biking on a Trail
Shanti Kurada
Biking is an enjoyable and healthy activity for all people. However for individuals with autism, motor planning challenges and paying attention to environmental cues that predict sudden changes make the activity challenging. Children soon outgrow biking in the backyard and will have to learn new skills such as being watchful of running kids and rolling balls, and following adult directions amidst multiple voices - to be able to bike in a park or on a trail. The other challenge that they face is energy and speed regulation. They may want to keep biking forever and not be able to stop or they may not be able to bike beyond 5 minutes. They may ride too slow or too fast or not be able to adjust speed to fit the inclination. These skills should be taught explicitly and systematically so that the child with autism can be successful and have access to this joyful activity. Read More
Susan plays the guitar while the kids try to match her rhythm
Susan doing music therapy
Music
Music
Many children with autism have a keen ear for music and some have exceptional musical ability. Regardless of the child's unique strengths and challenges, learning to play an instrument can help promote fine motor skills, sensory integration, and focus. In this series, we explore music for children on the spectrum.
Dr. Henny Kupferstein, autism and music researcher, discusses the autistic brain and learning the piano.
Interview with Dr. Henny Kupferstein
"Sometimes a child will know the music in his head but is unable to play it. If the child is an auditory learner, his auditory memory competes with secondary learning mechanisms like visual cues, sheet music, and finger instruction. Using his strength in auditory learning and connecting it to developing visual and motor skills is a process that takes time and persistence. During practice, they may experience frustration, inattentiveness, they may ignore instructions or have tantrums. But as they begin to display their skills, they gain confidence and self esteem. Music can become a nonverbal form of expression to them. "
Guy McCormack, PhD, OTR/L, Gina Barnes, MOTS, Melissa Husband, MOTS, Tina Nguyen, MOTS, Samuel Merritt University
Gabrielle Perelmuter, OTR/L
Clinical Director & Occupational Therapist, Little Hands Occupational Therapy
Peter Sullivan, Founder, Clear Light Ventures
Some researchers have reported improvements in autism (better sleep, increased focus) in response to reducing EMF (electromagnetic field) from electronic devices, especially during the night. Dr. Toril Jelter in California has pioneered a simple protocol to reduce exposure to constant sources of wireless radiation and electrical noise. This protocol is simple enough that you can do it on your own. Read More
"Stretch Your Brain" Yoga
"Stretch Your Brain" Yoga
Vanessa Kahlon, MA
During my 13 years of teaching children with autism and other special needs, I found that many of my students suffered from anxiety. I felt that there was a need for more emphasis on lowering stress levels through self-regulation and body awareness. That is when I turned to yoga and created Yoga Education for Autism Spectrum. This yoga program, a K-8 multi-disciplinary program for children with learning differences, is a tool to help them understand their bodies and calm their minds. Read More
Vanessa Kahlon, Founder,Yoga Education For Autism Spectrum discusses how yoga promotes self-regulation, body awareness, and focus for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Students helping each other with poses
"I did it!" she exclaims, happily.
Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic Riding
In this interview, Marcy Uecker shares her son' s experience with therapeutic riding at the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy
Hippotherapy, which is derived from the Greek word "hippo" for horse, is a therapy that is provided under the supervision of a speech/language, physical or occupational therapist. The American Hippotherapy Association defines it as "a purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuro-motor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes".
Equine Assisted Therapy or Therapeutic Riding has many of the same benefits, but it is more of a recreational riding program that promotes social and emotional well being for individuals with special needs.
Both hippotherapy and Equine Assisted Therapy use the horse's multidimensional rhythmic movement to assist positive developmental and well being outcomes. Therapists help individuals ride the horse in different positions, including sitting, laying forward, backward or sideways, standing up in the stirrups, and riding on the horse without holding on. Read More
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Autism Learning Community does not endorse any of the therapies, interventions, or legal/financial strategies discussed by the professionals or parents on this website. Information on this website is general in nature and is not intended as direct or authorized medical, legal, educational, or financial advice. The information is to be used as a starting point for building awareness about the available options and learning to navigate resources. Users are encouraged to conduct further research based on their child's individual needs and seek direct advice from professionals they know and trust.
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