Redirect or substitute - Things like encouraging a different vocalization or offering a piece of gum or a chewable necklace instead can be a good way to redirect or substitute a vocal stim.

So instead of discouraging the vocal stims, we usually try one of two things in these instances: It's just that some days our sensory needs conflict and compete and the vocal stims simply overwhelm me. However, I also know what it's like to have to hear the ear piercing shrieking types of stims on a regular basis.There are days where I cannot cope or handle it and that's a me issue, not my son's fault.

So despite what some other autism specialists (ahem, behavior therapists in particular) might say, you shouldn't stop stimming. Stims serve a purpose and they likely aren't harming or hurting anyone. Like other forms of stimming, you should not discourage or try to stop these vocal stims. Should you discourage or stop these vocal stims? So now that leads to the big question that I see and hear a lot. Should You Discourage or Stop Vocal & Verbal Stimming? I particularly like how this autistic adult describes their verbal stims as 'a massage for my language circuits.' I simply love that! It gives these individuals an opportunity to just have fun playing around with language. Vocal and verbal stimming is also a great way to explore sounds and language. To them, it's pure joy, loads of fun, and a great way to express themselves. The vocal stim essentially becomes a way for them to express their emotions and their interests. They might repeat a specific phrase or sound over and over not only because it feels good, but because it makes them feel happy (or some other emotion). Vocal and verbal stims can be a good way to express oneself and how they're feeling. I mean how often have you repeated certain phrases to yourself when overwhelmed or anxious? It's the same thing here.Īfter all, repeating certain vocalizations just feels good! 2. These stims can be used to block out sensory input when overstimulated or they can be used to stimulate the senses when understimulated. So the same applies to vocal and verbal stims as well. Stimming is often used for self-regulation purposes. Now that you have a better understanding of what both vocal and verbal stimming are, let's talk about the reasons why your child uses these vocalizations. Reasons Why Your Child Uses Vocal & Verbal Stimming You'll see common examples of both, learn why these types of stims are used, and find out why you shouldn't discourage them. Just ask my husband or my kids.Īnyway, let's take a closer look at these specific types of auditory stimming called vocal stimming and verbal stimming. Lately, he's been stimming with a sound that sounds like 'bee-doo,' where he puts a lot of emphasis on the second syllable and says it quite loudly, often making me jump. He went through a phase for months - or maybe it was even years - where he would make these 'oo-loo' type sounds over and over. I know my son loves to stim vocally and verbally, often repeating and mimicking sounds that clearly bring him immense joy. They are giving themselves the sensory information that they love and crave. When they vocally stim, they get to reward themselves by hearing that intonation pattern over and over.

So, that paired with their strong auditory memories make it not only easy to replicate and mimic the fun sounds that they hear, but rewarding as well.

Why is that? Well, gestalt processors often focus on intonation instead of the actual words ( see sign #10 here). Since hyperlexic kids, and many autistic kids as well, are gestalt processors and use language rich in intonation, vocal and verbal stims tend to be quite common. What is vocal stimming and how is it different from verbal stimming? Let's take a closer look at these types of auditory stimming and learn all about vocal and verbal stimming.ĭoes your hyperlexic and/or autistic child repeat a lot of noises or specific sounds over and over? If so, they might be doing what's called vocal and verbal stimming.

Auditory stimming