Understanding Your Child's Stimming: A Key to Supporting Their Nervous System
As a parent of a child with autism, you’ve likely observed repetitive behaviors—whether it’s hand flapping, rocking, or specific sounds—and wondered what’s really going on. You may have even been told that these behaviors are just something your child will “grow out of” or, more frustratingly, been advised to suppress them. But what if there’s more to these behaviors than meets the eye?
Today, we’ll explore the deeper neurological reasons behind stimming and how understanding it can help you support your child in a way that addresses their underlying needs. It turns out that stimming is not just a random behavior—it’s your child’s nervous system working hard to self-regulate, and addressing it could make a significant difference in their well-being.
The Hidden Purpose Behind Stimming
Let’s take a look at a case study of a young girl named Amelia, who came to New Hope Chiropractic with repetitive nodding movements. Her mom noticed that the movements intensified when Amelia was feeling anxious or stressed, almost like they were a way to calm her nerves. After trying various medical interventions without success, Amelia’s mom turned to chiropractic care for an alternative approach.
We used advanced neurological scans to look deeper into Amelia’s nervous system. What we discovered was that her nervous system was stuck in a state of heightened stress and dysfunction, causing these movements as a vital form of self-regulation. Amelia wasn’t just “acting out”; she was using stimming to help her nervous system find balance. This is the case for many children with autism—stimming isn’t just a quirky behavior, it’s an essential coping mechanism for their overwhelmed nervous system.
The Neurological Science Behind Stimming
To truly understand stimming, we need to address the neurological factors at play. Here are the three key components:
Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance: The autonomic nervous system has two branches: the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) side and the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) side. When the sympathetic side is overactive and the parasympathetic side is underactive, it creates a dysregulated nervous system, leaving children stuck in a constant state of stress and sensory overload.
Subluxation and Proprioception: Subluxation refers to misalignments in the spine that affect the nervous system. These misalignments can reduce proprioception—the body’s ability to sense its position and movement. When the body doesn’t get the right sensory input, stimming can become a coping mechanism to compensate for this deficit.
Sensory Processing: Subluxation, particularly in the upper cervical spine, can hinder the brain’s ability to process sensory information properly. This sensory overload leads to stimming as a way for the child to self-soothe and manage the overwhelming sensations they are experiencing.
The Role of the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve, which is crucial for the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) functions, plays a central role in this process. When the vagus nerve isn’t functioning properly due to stress in the nervous system, children may find themselves stuck in fight-or-flight mode, leading to increased anxiety and repetitive behaviors.
A Drug-Free, Natural Approach to Support Your Child
Rather than trying to eliminate stimming, our approach at New Hope Chiropractic focuses on addressing the root cause of the behavior: nervous system dysfunction. Through Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, we can:
Regulate Sensory Processing: By relieving nervous system interference, we help the brain process sensory input more effectively, naturally reducing the need for constant stimming.
Support Emotional Regulation: As we address the stress on the nervous system, children can better manage their emotions, which reduces the frequency of stimming during moments of anxiety, frustration, or excitement.
Activate Calming Responses: By optimizing vagus nerve function, we can help activate your child’s natural calming mechanisms, shifting them out of the stress-driven fight-or-flight mode.
While our goal is not to completely eliminate stimming, addressing the neurological stress at New Hope Chiropractic can significantly reduce its frequency and intensity. Many families have noticed improvements in:
Sensory processing and regulation
Emotional balance
Overall well-being
Communication and interaction with others
Moving Forward: Understanding and Supporting Your Child’s Nervous System
Instead of seeing stimming as a problem to fix, we encourage parents to view it as a clue into their child’s nervous system health. Stimming is their way of communicating that they need support—and by understanding this, you can offer your child the help they need to thrive.
At New Hope Chiropractic, we are committed to providing neurologically-focused chiropractic care that addresses the root causes of stimming and helps children find balance. If you are ready to take the next step and explore this approach for your child, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
If you're not local to New Hope Chiropractic, check out the PX Docs directory to find a trusted provider near you.
Together, we can help your child’s nervous system find the balance it needs for a healthier, more peaceful life.
