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CategoriesAutism, Blog, Stimming

Tactile Stimming

Part of the Comprehensive Guide to Stimming

Self-stimulatory behavior is something that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD and other disorders commonly engage in as a way to regulate their emotions and calm themselves. Stimming, as it’s known, is also a behavior that some neurotypical individuals engage in as well.

When people feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or worried, for example, they might tap their fingers on a table, bite their nails or shake their legs repeatedly. A lot of the times, these behaviors are done subconsciously, without the person who’s doing them even really noticing.

Stimming is particularly common9 for children who are on the autism spectrum4, as they often face challenges with processing and expressing their emotions1. Tactile stimming is just one type of this coping behavior, with some children tending to exhibit this form of it over other types.

We’ll discuss what tactile stimming is, and what role it plays in children on the autism spectrum, in more detail below.

Key Takeaways
  • Tactile stimming involves repetitive behaviors connected to the sense of touch, including rubbing, tapping, squeezing and repeatedly touching particular textures.
  • Children may use tactile stimming to self-soothe, regulate emotions, improve focus or cope with sensory overload.
  • Stimming can occur in response to stress and anxiety, but it may also appear during excitement, happiness or boredom.
  • ABA therapy may focus on identifying individual triggers, supporting safe stimming and teaching additional ways to communicate needs and regulate emotions.

What are Self-Stimulatory Behaviors?

Self-stimulatory behaviors, or stimming, refers to any repetitive behavior that an individual engages in in response to certain stimuli. There’s no one reason why the person might be exhibiting the behavior, and there are also many different ways in which the behaviors manifest themselves.10

For instance, it could be that the child bites their nails when they’re feeling nervous or taps their fingers when they’re feeling overwhelmed. These are actually both tactile stimming behaviors, as they relate to the sense of touch.

Children on the autism spectrum commonly stim in response to the emotions that they feel3. It’s not just all associated with perceived negative emotions such as fear, anxiety and stress, though. They might also stim if they feel excited, happy or bored.

A major reason why children with ASD stim is they might feel overwhelmed, whether that be because they’re in a large crowd of people they don’t know, whether they’re in a new environment or anything else.

They use their stimming behaviors to help them regulate their emotions and calm themselves down.2

Tactile Stimming Behavior Example What It May Provide
Rubbing the skin Repeatedly rubbing the hands, arms or another part of the body Comforting tactile input that may help with self-soothing and emotional regulation
Finger tapping Tapping the fingers repeatedly on a table, object or other surface Repetitive sensory feedback that may support focus or help reduce feelings of overwhelm
Opening and closing the hands Repeatedly making and releasing a fist Predictable movement and touch sensations that may help regulate emotions
Touching textures Running the hands over preferred fabrics, surfaces or other materials Pleasant or comforting sensory input from a preferred texture
Rubbing the hands together Repeatedly moving the palms or fingers against one another Friction and tactile feedback that may feel calming or organizing
Leaning into objects Pressing the body against a chair, cushion or another object Physical pressure that may provide a comforting sensory experience
Squeezing objects Repeatedly squeezing a soft or preferred object Focused tactile input that may help a child relax, concentrate or self-soothe

What is Tactile Stimming?

Tactile stimming refers to these self-stimulatory behaviors that relate to the sense of touch.

It could include scratching or rubbing their skin with either their hands or other objects. It could include tapping of fingers repeatedly, or other repeated movements of the hands, such as closing and opening fists.

Other examples include touching surfaces, rubbing their hands together, leaning into certain objects and squeezing things.

Children who exhibit tactile stimming may get a significantly differently reaction from different touches and textures7 than other people do5. They might find comfort through these touches, which is why they’ll exhibit this type of stimming to regulate their emotions.6

Some children who engage in tactile stimming often could benefit from sensory cushions that vibrate, which could help them redirect these feelings.

What Triggers Tactile Stimming?

The main trigger for stimming is emotions, since many children on the autism spectrum face challenges with processing and expressing certain emotions.

When a child with autism feels overwhelmed, for instance, they might not be able to properly express to a parent, teacher or authority figure how they need help. In addition, they might not be able to properly regulate their emotions in ways that others can.

In response to this, they exhibit a self-stimulatory behavior. Children who engage in tactile stimming typically find comfort in how certain things feel.

When they engage in this behavior, they’re better able to self-soothe, which in turn helps them reduce anxiety, focus their attention and relax themselves if they’re experiencing a sensory overload.

These tactile stimming behaviors, in many ways, is a way for these children to express themselves and communicate their emotions.

Possible Trigger Possible Tactile Response How It May Help
Feeling overwhelmed Rubbing the hands, touching a preferred surface or squeezing an object May provide predictable sensory input that helps the child calm themselves
Anxiety or stress Finger tapping, skin rubbing or repetitive hand movements May help reduce anxiety and support self-soothing
Sensory overload Seeking a familiar texture, applying pressure or repeating a preferred tactile movement May create a familiar sensory experience when the surrounding environment feels overwhelming
A new or unfamiliar environment Repeatedly touching familiar objects or engaging in familiar hand movements May provide consistency and comfort in an unfamiliar setting
Excitement or happiness Tapping, rubbing or repeated hand movements May provide a physical way to express and regulate strong positive emotions
Boredom Touching textures, squeezing objects or repeatedly moving the fingers May provide additional sensory stimulation and help maintain attention

How Does ABA Therapy Approach Tactile Stimming?

A main part of applied behavioral analysis is recognizing that all stimming behaviors — no matter what type and how they’re expressed — are natural for children with autism. A basic concept of ABA therapy is providing strategies that help children manage their behaviors more effectively.7

ABA therapists might encourage tactile stimming behaviors, particularly when they’re safe and don’t present any possibility of harm. They might encourage a child to escape to a safe environment where they can tactile stim, for instance, if they’re feeling overwhelmed.

One of the main goals of ABA therapy is to identify what some of the triggers for tactile stimming are for each patient. This allows the ABA therapist to create different strategies that can help children with autism manage their stimming while also reducing the potential exposure to their triggers.

Children who participate in ABA therapy are taught how they can self-regulate themselves in more effective ways. And by doing this, they can learn how to express themselves better so they can get the support they need in different situations.

Blue Gems ABA Addresses Tactile Stimming

Tactile stimming is a behavior that people of all types engage in, whether they are on the autism spectrum or not. Children who have autism just might be more likely to engage in these behaviors as they try to cope with their emotions and self-regulate.

At Blue Gems ABA, we know how important it is to recognize these tactile stimming behaviors and identify the triggers for them. In this way, our experienced BCBAs can create a targeted and customized ABA therapy treatment program that addressed tactile stimming in those who exhibit the behavior.

By doing so, we’re better able to support children as they build the communication, social and daily life skills with which they commonly struggle.

To learn more, please contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tactile Stimming
What does tactile stimming feel like?
The experience varies from person to person. Some people find particular textures, pressure or repetitive touch calming and satisfying, while other textures may feel uncomfortable or overwhelming.
Why does my child keep touching or rubbing certain textures?
A preferred texture may provide sensory input that feels calming, familiar or enjoyable. The behavior may also help a child focus or regulate strong emotions.
Can someone seek certain textures but strongly dislike others?
Yes. A person may actively seek out textures they enjoy while finding other fabrics, surfaces or types of friction unpleasant or overwhelming.
Should tactile stimming always be stopped?
Not necessarily. The article explains that safe stimming may be supported, while behaviors that present safety concerns or interfere significantly with daily activities may require individualized strategies.
How can ABA therapy help with tactile stimming?
ABA therapy may help identify triggers and teach additional strategies for self-regulation and communication. Treatment can also help families understand when a behavior is serving a useful regulatory function and when additional support may be beneficial.

References

  1. CDC — Clinical Testing and Diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder
  2. Rethinking Stereotypies in Autism
  3. National Institute of Mental Health — Autism Spectrum Disorder
  4. Prevalence and Determinants of Motor Stereotypies in Autism Spectrum Disorder
  5. Tactile Responsiveness Patterns and Their Association With Core Features in Autism Spectrum Disorders
  6. Mechanisms of Tactile Sensory Phenotypes in Autism
  7. Evidence-Based Behavioral Interventions for Repetitive Behaviors in Autism
  8. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Autism
  9. NICHD — Autism Spectrum Disorder
  10. Blue Gems ABA — Stimming Examples and Behaviors

Learn More About Stimming

  • Auditory Stimming
    Part of the Comprehensive Guide to Stimming Stimming is something that is oftentimes associated with children who have developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or ADHD. However, self-stimulatory behaviors are actually things that many people do in their daily lives — sometimes without even noticing it. People who feel nervous, for instance, may… Read more: Auditory Stimming
  • Autism Pinching Behavior: Causes and Management
    Part of the Comprehensive Guide to Stimming When children are young, they engage in many behaviors that aren’t appropriate as they age. This could include putting non-food items in their mouth, banging on furniture and pinching other people or themselves. Some of these behaviors are how children learn the world around them. In time, children… Read more: Autism Pinching Behavior: Causes and Management
  • Excessive Blinking in Autism
    Part of the Comprehensive Guide to Stimming While autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects people in many different ways, there are some common challenges that people who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically face. This includes difficulty with social interactions and communication in general, as well as restrictive interests and repetitive behaviors. There are… Read more: Excessive Blinking in Autism
  • Full Body Stimming
    Part of the Comprehensive Guide to Stimming Self-stimulatory behaviors, or stimming, is often associated solely with children who have a developmental disorder such as ADHD or autism. However, stimming is actually something that can occur in any individual, regardless of their abilities. People who are nervous, for example, might tap their fingers or shake their… Read more: Full Body Stimming
  • Head Banging and Autism
    Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) process things differently than others. Their neurodevelopmental disorder affects them in many ways, and it starts with how the brain functions and processes information. While the signs and symptoms of autism can span a wide spectrum, it is commonly characterized by a deficit in communication and social interaction, as… Read more: Head Banging and Autism

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