In this article we're going to look at 'what is stimming and why do we do it?'

Many Autistic children (and some adults)  chew or bite on non-edible objects such as toys or pencils. You may find they like to suck shirt sleeves or bite jumpers. This is a form of “stimming” which is short for self stimulatory behaviour. The National Autistic Society describes stimming as,

 

Arm or hand-flapping, finger-flicking, rocking, jumping, spinning or twirling, head-banging and complex body movements. It includes the repetitive use of an object, such as flicking a rubber band or twirling a piece of string, or repetitive activities.

Types of Stimming

Chewing is just one form of stimming. Others can be hand flapping, rocking or spinning. This is often done to relieve anxiety, reduce fear and combat sensory overload. Most people stim to some degree – nail biting, picking fingers, hair twirling and foot tapping are all stimming behaviours.

For Autistic individuals stimming tends to be more extreme and more frequent. This can impair their ability to interact with other people and participate in ordinary activities. Imagine a child in a classroom who is constantly stimming by flapping or pacing up and down. They may find it difficult to take part in everyday classroom activities, and may also be a distraction to others.

 

 

Chewing

Chewing is a very common form of stimming. The mouth has the highest concentration of nerve endings in the body. This is why babies and toddlers put everything they can pick up in their mouths.  Most children have grown out of this habit by the age of three however sensory seeking children will sometimes continue to bite and chew on objects to obtain proprioceptive input and sensory feedback.

 

Proprioception is one of our 8 senses and is a little bit magical. It can help us to feel calm if we feel overwhelmed and it can alert us if we are feeling under-stimulated. The sensory input provided by chewing feels good.  Bryher Hill, OT, Helping Kids Shine.

 

 

 

Chewing non-edible objects is one of the more manageable forms of stimming and has little impact on others. The main issue is what to chew or bite safely without risk of choking, poisoning or just being unhygienic.

Any item that can be picked up is fair game for mouthing – particularly small toys, pencils, shirt cuffs and buttons.   Some children will prefer to mouth and lightly chew on things, whereas other will bite with substantial force that will easily break pencils and toys.   Small tactile fidget toys, not designed for chewing, are a particular hazard and as parents we need to be constantly vigilant as many common items pose a threat as choking hazards.    Other items maybe toxic or simply inappropriate to put in the mouth.

Sucking and biting jumpers and shirts is less hazardous but does lead to dirty sweaters and soggy cuffs!

 

Should stimming be stopped?

There are some who advocate discouraging stimming on the grounds that it is often inappropriate. Another view is that, as long as it is safe and does not impact on others, stimming is a useful outlet, reducing anxiety and allowing the autistic individual to handle situations they find difficult or stressful.

There are various strategies and tools to modify chewing and biting. Chewy foods such as carrots and celery sticks can be used as a temporary chew. Specially designed sensory chews such as the Chewbuddy™  (made from medical grade material) also provide a safe alternative to chewing on fingers, cuffs, pencils and toys.

Additional information

Our blog contains many useful articles including 'sensory chews, what are they for and how do I pick one'.

 

By Andrew Caws
Managing Director of Sensory Direct & Parent of an Autistic Adult
March 2025