self-stimulatory Behaviour

Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behaviour, is a natural method for individuals, particularly those with sensory processing differences, to regulate themselves and cope with their surroundings. Understanding and appreciating the benefits of these behaviours is not just important; it's empowering. This understanding is key to providing effective support for educators, caregivers, and individuals interested in supporting these individuals. 

Vestibular activities involving movement and balance play a significant role in helping individuals regulate their sensory input. These activities, such as 

💜 Swinging: Using a swing to move back and forth.

💜  Bouncing on a trampoline: Jumping up and down on a trampoline.

💜 Rolling: Rolling on the ground or down a hill.

💜  Climbing: Scaling playground equipment or climbing walls.

💜  Sliding: Going down slides at a playground.

💜  Somersaults: Performing forward or backward rolls.

💜  Balancing on a beam: Walking on a balance beam or curb.

💜  Scooter boarding: Lying on a scooter board and propelling with hands or feet.

💜 Dancing: Engaging in rhythmic movements and spins.

💜  Riding a bike: Cycling, which involves balance and coordination.

These activities can help stimulate the vestibular system and support sensory regulation.

provide a sense of movement and spatial orientation, aiding in self-regulation.

 Visual stimming behaviours, which encompass a range of activities such as 

💜 Turning lights on and off

💜 Repeated blinking of eyes

💜  Gazing into the distance

💜 Watching spinning objects: Fascination with fans, wheels, or other rotating items

💜 Staring at moving lights: Enjoying the sight of moving or flashing lights

💜 Looking at reflections: Gazing at reflections in mirrors or shiny surfaces


💜 Tracking moving objects: Following the movement of objects with the eyes,
like watching cars or people pass by


💜Flicking fingers in front of the eyes: Moving fingers rapidly in front of the eyes
to create visual patterns

💜 Watching repetitive videos: Viewing the same video clip or animation repeatedly

💜 Color sorting: Arranging objects by color and visually examining the patterns

💜 Peering through fingers: Looking at things through partially closed fingers
to create a different visual effect

💜 Examining textures: Closely looking at the textures of objects, such as fabrics or surfaces

💜 Light filtering: Using hands or objects to filter light and create shadows or patterns.

are instrumental in providing individuals with sensory input and assisting in self-regulation.

Olfactory stimming involves seeking sensory input through 

💜 smelling people or 

💜Smelling objects, 

💜 licking, and 

💜 chewing, 

💜 Sniffing hands or fingers

💜 Smelling food

💜 Inhaling scents from the environment: Actively seeking out and smelling flowers, plants, or other natural elements.

which can provide comfort and regulation for some individuals. 

Vocal stimming may include

💜  singing or 

💜 humming repeated phrases, 

💜 making repeated mouth sounds or whistling.

💜 Echolalia: Repeating sounds, words, or phrases heard from others or from media.

💜 Making animal sounds:

💜 Vocalizing non-words: Producing sounds  like “la-la-la” or “ba-ba-ba.”

💜 Changing pitch or tone: Modulating the voice in unusual ways, such as speaking in a high-pitched or deep voice repeatedly.

 These vocalizations can serve as a means of self-expression and self-regulation. 

Auditory stimming behaviours may involve 

💜 tapping on ears or 

💜 cupping ears, 

💜  Listening to the same sound

💜 snapping fingers near the ears

💜  vocal noises

which can help individuals regulate their sensory input and manage their environment. 

Tactile stimming includes

💜  tapping objects or the 

💜 body tapping, 

💜 butterfly hug 

💜 Squeezing or 

💜 pinching, and 

💜 rubbing or 

💜 scratching. 

Proprioceptive stimming activities that help with body awareness:

💜Pushing and Pulling: Activities like pushing a heavy cart or pulling a wagon.

💜Carrying Heavy Objects: Carrying items like groceries, books, or a weighted backpack

💜Climbing: Using playground equipment, climbing walls, or ropes.

💜Jumping: Jumping on a trampoline or doing jumping jacks.

💜Crawling: Crawling through tunnels or on the floor.

💜 Squeezing and Kneading: Using stress balls, playdough, or therapy putty.

💜 Weighted Blankets: Using a weighted blanket for deep pressure input.

💜Animal Walks: Doing bear crawls, crab walks, or frog jumps.

💜Yoga and Stretching: Engaging in yoga poses or stretching exercises.

💜Heavy Work Chores: Tasks like vacuuming, mopping, or gardening.

Interoceptive (how you ‘feel)  stimming activities that help individuals become more aware of their internal bodily sensations

💜 Deep Breathing Exercises: Practicing slow, deep breaths to become aware of breathing patterns and heart rate.

💜Mindfulness Meditation: Focusing on internal sensations and emotions through guided meditation.

💜Body Scanning: Mentally scanning the body from head to toe to notice different sensations.

💜Yoga: Engaging in yoga poses that encourage awareness of muscle tension and relaxation.

💜Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups to feel the contrast.

💜Hydration Check: Drinking water and paying attention to the sensation of thirst and hydration.

💜Temperature Awareness: Noticing changes in body temperature, such as feeling warm or cool.

💜Hunger and Fullness Cues: Eating mindfully and paying attention to feelings of hunger and satiety.

💜Heartbeat Monitoring: Feeling the pulse or heartbeat, either manually or with a device.

💜Emotion Matching: Identifying and labeling emotions and their corresponding physical sensations.

These activities can provide sensory input and contribute to self-regulation and comfort.