Why do children with autism engage in self-stimulatory behaviors?
Self-stimulatory behaviors are also sometimes called stereotypic behaviors, or stims. They are the repetitive body movements, repetitive movements of objects, or repetitive topics, in which the child might engage. Self-stimulatory behaviors can involve any or all of the senses (i.e., visual, auditory, tactile, vestibular, taste, and/or smell). There is much research surrounding the theories for self-stimulatory behaviors. One theory is that children engage in these behaviors so they can receive sensory stimulation. For some neurological reason, the childs body may crave stimulation, so they engage in these behaviors to arouse the nervous system. Another theory suggests that these behaviors release beta-endorphins in the body, and gives the child some form of internal pleasure. Yet, another body of research suggests that self-stimulatory behaviors occur in order to calm the child. In other words, the child might be overwhelmed by an environment that is too stimulating, so he or she enga
