Self Stimulating Behaviours And The Autistic Child - Your Annoyance, Their Sanity
Self stimulating behaviours otherwise known as stimming is a major part of an autistic child's coping method. Though these behaviour can be difficult for the parent and others to deal with, they serve a very important purpose for the child. Stimming behaviours help them to cope with the world around them, and should be allowed unless they cause a danger to the child or those around them. How can you keep your sanity, while allowing your little one to keep theirs with their self stimulation behaviors? You can always try and replace their current method of self stimulation with one that is more socially acceptable (to increase their ability to socialize with peers and not be ridiculed for their behaviours) of more health appropriate. For example, if their behaviour is to suck on things, you could try giving them a sucker, or a chew toy to suck on instead so that they are not sucking on random items that can cause a risk to their health. Now remember this may not work...