What is stimming?
Stimming is self-stimulatory behavior, usually involving repetitive movements or sounds. It is very common among people with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Some examples of stimming behaviors include hand flapping, rocking back and forth, pacing, finger snapping, and repeating words or phrases.
Stimming serves several purposes for autistic individuals. First, it provides sensory input which can have a calming effect. The repetitive motions stimulate the senses in a predictable way which can help regulate emotions. Second, stimming can help autistic people focus and concentrate when they are feeling overwhelmed. The behaviors provide a release for nervous energy and anxiety. Finally, stimming is a way for autistic people to express joy and excitement.
Why do people stim?
There are several theories as to why autistic individuals engage in stimming behaviors:
Sensory processing differences – Many autistic people have differences in how they process sensory information from the environment. They may be oversensitive or undersensitive to stimuli. Stimming provides controllable sensory input that makes them feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Self-regulation – Stimming helps autistic individuals regulate their emotions and energy levels. The repetitive motions can have a calming effect when someone feels anxious, overwhelmed, or overstimulated. Stimming provides a release for excitement, stress, or nervous energy.
Communication and expression – Stimming behaviors may serve as a means of communication or self-expression for some autistic people who have verbal language difficulties. Hand flapping when excited or pacing when stressed are ways to express moods and emotions.
Executive functioning differences – Some researchers believe stimming helps those with executive functioning challenges, like planning and impulse control. The repetitive behaviors provide a needed structure and outlet.
Common examples of stimming behaviors
Some common types of stimming include:
- Hand flapping
- Rocking front to back or side to side
- Head banging
- Spinning or pacing in circles
- Snapping fingers
- Flicking hands in front of eyes
- Repeatedly lining up toys or objects
- Opening and closing doors or drawers
- Echolalia – repeating words, phrases or noises
- Rubbing surfaces or tapping fingers
- Staring intently at moving objects
- Scratching skin repeatedly
Stimming behaviors are unique for each autistic person. They involve different senses and serve varying sensory needs. While hand flapping may provide needed input for one person, another may rock or pace to stimulate their senses.
Is clapping a form of stimming?
Clapping or applauding certainly shares features with many common stimming behaviors. The repetitive hand motions generate sensory input in a predictable fashion. As such, clapping could potentially serve as a form of stimming for some autistic individuals.
There are a few factors that point to clapping’s potential as a stim:
- Provides rhythmic and repetitive motor movements
- Creates sensation against palms and fingers
- Makes a soothing auditory sound
- Can be done independently or alongside others
- Allows the individual to control the speed and intensity
Autistic people report sometimes feeling the urge to stim by clapping their hands when feeling excited or joyful. The rhythmic clapping motions help regulate emotions and let out positive energy. Some may clap repeatedly on their own, while others describe clapping enthusiastically when applauding at events.
Clapping could also serve a communicative function for some autistic individuals who struggle with speaking or forming words. Clapping or applauding at preferred stimuli could serve as a means of expressing enjoyment and engagement non-verbally.
Potential benefits of clapping as stimming
If clapping provides needed sensory input for an autistic individual, it could offer similar benefits to other common stims:
- Regulates arousal levels
- Releases tension or nervous energy
- Improves focus and concentration
- Expresses excitement and positive emotions
- Provides comfort through predictable sensations
Clapping may be particularly useful as it generates both sound and touch sensations. The ability to control the intensity and speed also make it adaptable to individual sensory needs.
Some potential advantages of clapping as a self-stimulatory behavior include:
- Socially acceptable in many settings
- Accessible and easy self-regulation tool
- Fun outlet for excitement that fits with social events
- Less likely to cause self-injury
Compared to stimming behaviors like hand biting or head banging, clapping provides sensory input in a more socially appropriate way. It also serves as a fun and accessible stimming option during activities like concerts, plays, or sporting events when excitement is high.
Considerations for clapping as stimming
While clapping shows potential as a constructive stimming outlet, there are a few factors for autistic individuals and their caregivers to consider:
- Does the clapping help regulate emotions and energy levels?
- Is it distracting or disruptive to others in the environment?
- Does the individual control the intensity and speed?
- Can subtle options be offered in sensitive environments?
- Does the individual also have access to other stims if needed?
As with any self-stimulatory behavior, the function and impact are important to assess. Clapping should serve a regulatory purpose rather than become a compulsive behavior. Caregivers can provide guidance to help determine suitable times and places.
Having a range of stimming options is ideal so clapping can be incorporated as just one helpful sensory tool among many. With some thoughtful consideration, clapping has the potential to serve as a fun and socially adaptable stimming behavior for autistic individuals seeking sensory stimulation.
How to use clapping as a stim
If an autistic individual finds clapping helps meet sensory needs, here are some ways it could be incorporated constructively into daily life:
- Keep clapping and applauding during joyful activities
- Take clapping breaks during stressful or overwhelming times
- Clap along to music with preferred rhythm and tempo
- Use clapping to transition between activities
- Clap quietly with hands in lap or while holding a soft ball
- Replace more disruptive stims with clapping when possible
Caregivers can support functional use of clapping stims by:
- Modeling and joining in clapping when appropriate
- Providing fidget toys that make clapping noise
- Teaching subtle clapping when needed in sensitive settings
- Redirecting to clapping from stims that cause injury or disturbance
- Noticing situations where clapping seems to help most
With this type of guidance, clapping can become a stimming outlet that provides sensory regulation in a fun and socially inclusive way.
Conclusion
Clapping shares many characteristics with common autistic stimming behaviors. The repetitive hand motions produce sensory stimulation that may have a regulating or calming effect. Clapping alongside others also provides a way to communicate enjoyment and interact socially. With some consideration for times and settings, clapping could serve as a functional self-stimulatory behavior for autistic individuals seeking sensory input. This harmless outlet allows autistic people to self-regulate in a joyful way that’s often socially encouraged and could even build social connections.
| Stimming Behavior | Sensory Modality | Self-Regulation Function | Social Acceptability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand flapping | Proprioceptive | Calming when overwhelmed | Variable depending on setting |
| Rocking | Vestibular | Calming and focusing | Usually acceptable |
| Snapping fingers | Auditory | Concentration aid | Can be disruptive |
| Clapping | Proprioceptive & Auditory | Joyful expression & excitation release | Socially encouraged |