Your Child’s Stimming is Sending a Message

As a parent of a child with autism, you’ve likely found yourself wondering about those repetitive movements—hand flapping, rocking, spinning, or vocal sounds. Maybe you’ve been told to try to suppress them, or that your child will “grow out of it.” But what if those movements are actually telling you something important?

Today, let’s take a deeper look at what stimming really is, why it happens, and how understanding its connection to the nervous system can transform the way you support your child. The truth is, stimming isn’t just a behavior—it’s a signal. And by addressing the underlying sensory and neurological stress, we can help your child (and your whole family) find more ease, regulation, and relief.

The Hidden Purpose of Stimming

Take Amelia, for example. When she first came to our office, her mom was concerned about her repetitive nodding movements. They seemed to intensify when she was stressed or anxious—like a way to calm the “butterflies in her stomach.” After trying various medical interventions and being told medication was the next step, her mother’s intuition told her there had to be another explanation.

Through advanced neurological testing called INSiGHT Scans, we discovered something that had been overlooked—Amelia’s nervous system was stuck in a state of stress. Her stimming was her body’s way of trying to regulate that tension.

This reflects a broader truth: stimming isn’t a behavior to suppress—it’s a coping mechanism for an overwhelmed nervous system. In fact, research shows that 80% of adults with autism report that stimming helps reduce anxiety and provides essential calming effects.

So instead of trying to stop these movements, we need to ask: Why is the nervous system so overwhelmed in the first place?

The Science Behind Stimming

Stimming is deeply connected to the nervous system, and three key factors help explain

why:

1. Nervous System Imbalance (Dysautonomia)

At the root of stimming is dysautonomia, an imbalance between the two main branches of the autonomic nervous system:

• The sympathetic “fight-or-flight” system is overactive, keeping the child in a state of stress.

  
  

• The parasympathetic “rest and digest” system is underactive, making it hard for the body to calm down naturally.

This imbalance can lead to sensory overload, making stimming a necessary way for a child to self-regulate.

2. Subluxation and Proprioception Disruptions

Another piece of the puzzle is subluxation, a condition where the spine and nervous system aren’t functioning properly. This often affects proprioception, the body’s ability to sense movement and position in space.

When proprioception isn’t working well, the brain lacks the calming input it needs, so children instinctively create their own—through stimming.

3. Sensory Processing and the Brain

Subluxation, especially in the upper cervical spine, can interfere with how the brain processes sensory information. This leads to sensory overload, triggering stimming as a self-soothing response.

In short, stimming isn’t random—it’s a way for your child’s brain to create the regulation it’s missing.

The Role of the Vagus Nerve

A key player in all of this is the vagus nerve, which helps control the body’s rest, regulate, and digest functions. When it’s not working well due to nervous system stress, children often get stuck in fight-or-flight mode, leading to heightened anxiety and increased repetitive behaviors.

But here’s the good news: we can help activate the vagus nerve naturally through Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care.

A Natural Approach to Supporting Your Child

Rather than focusing on stopping stimming, we take a different approach—helping the nervous system function better so that stimming isn’t as necessary in the first place.

Through Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, we can:

• Balance the Nervous System – By addressing nervous system interference, we help the brain process sensory input more efficiently, reducing the need for constant stimming.

•  Improve Emotional Regulation – A calm, well-regulated nervous system helps children manage emotions more easily, leading to fewer moments of distress-driven stimming.

•  Activate Natural Calming Responses – By improving vagus nerve function, we help shift the body out of fight-or-flight mode and into a more relaxed, regulated state.

While chiropractic care isn’t aimed at eliminating stimming, families often report that as their child’s nervous system becomes more balanced, they see improvements in:

• Sensory processing

• Emotional stability

• Communication and interaction

• Engagement in daily activities

• Overall quality of life

Moving Forward

Instead of seeing stimming as something to “fix,” what if we saw it as valuable information—your child’s way of telling you their nervous system needs support?

If this resonates with you, we’re here to help! Schedule a consultation with Bright Futures Chiropractic today to learn more about how Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care can support your child.

Your child’s stimming isn’t just a habit—it’s a message from their nervous system. By addressing the root cause, we can help your child feel more at ease, more regulated, and more capable of thriving in their own unique way.

We look forward to serving the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago and the northwest suburb, Arlington Heights.

818 W 18th St, Chicago, Il 60608

and

914 S Arthur Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Phone: 224.764.1644

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