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Information disseminated by Autism South Africa is for information purposes only.
The onus rests with the reader to explore and investigate the relevant information and alternatives for each individual.
Information disseminated by Autism South Africa is for information purposes only.
The onus rests with the reader to explore and investigate the relevant information and alternatives for each individual.
Information sent out does not imply that Autism South Africa underwrites or endorses any particular therapy, intervention, method or medication. Autism South Africa assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information provided herein.
Repetitive behaviors
Although individuals with autism usually appear physically normal and have good muscle control, they unusual repetitive motions, which may be called, stereotypic movement disorder, stereotypies or repetitive behaviors. Self-stimulation, or "stimming", is another common term for repetitive behavior. Typical examples include hand waving, teeth grinding, rocking movements and nail biting. In some cases, it can involve self-injurious behaviors such as head banging, self-biting, picking at the skin and self-hitting.
Written by Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Center for the Study of Autism, Salem, Oregon
Stimming
Stereotypy, or self-stimulatory behavior, refers to repetitive body movements or repetitive movement of objects. This behavior is common in many individuals with developmental disabilities; however, it appears to be more common in autism. In fact, if a person with another developmental disability exhibits a form of self-stimulatory behavior, often the person is also labelled as having autistic characteristics. Stereotypy can involve any one or all senses. We have listed the five major senses and some examples of stereotypy.
SENSE STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIORS
Visual
staring at lights, repetitive blinking, moving fingers in front of the eyes, hand-flapping
Auditory
tapping ears, snapping fingers, making vocal sounds
Tactile
rubbing the skin with one's hands or with another object, scratching
Vestibular (sense of balance)
rocking front to back, rocking side-to-side
Taste
placing body parts or objects in one's mouth, licking objects
Smell smelling objects, sniffing people.
Routines, rituals & Compulsions:
discussion & practical strategies for parents
Written by Barry K. Morris B.ScWk
People with autism or Asperger's syndrome are often inclined to develop intense, very narrow fields of interests. There is also a tendency to develop repetitive behaviors and routines, some of which may make life very difficult for the family, and be very hard to change.
To some extent, families will need to learn how to avoid the triggers for some of these behaviors, as well as how to cope when the behaviors occur. In many cases, it may be better to develop a tolerance rather than look at prevention. There may also be opportunities to turn obsessions into a positive outcome, such as teaching your child how to find further information on a favorite topic through libraries and the Internet.
THE POSITIVE SIDE OF ROUTINES, RITUALS & COMPULSIONS
A well known woman with autism, Temple Grandin, talks about the positve side of her fixations in one of her many articles, Inside View of Autism: