Guest guest Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hi , Why, are they considering a timer? Nothing would surprise me. Charlyne Subject: Stimming Question To: " " < > Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 7:57 PM Hi Everyone, 's PT asked during the parent/teacher conference today what appropriate amount of time of stimming is necessary for at school. (I appreciated her question and awareness of this need that many of our kids have. He can generally be redirected, but sometimes he " craves " stimming all of a sudden or seems to need it more during difficult times, ie, transitions, a sudden change in the schedule, etc.) I didn't know how to answer this question- just curious what other families/schools have done to address this issue and what has been successful. I hope this makes sense and thanks in advance for your input. Best, Mom to , 5 yrs old DS/PDD-NOS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Hi Charlyne, The staff at school thinks that is inclined to stim too much, even in the middle of an activity at times. I don't know exactly how to respond. I realize that shouldn't be left to stim frequently for extended periods of time, but redirection generally works for him. They did not mention a timer, although who knows, maybe that's what they are going to propose. I would appreciate any ideas you might have to bring back to them. Thanks so much. - To: @...: charlyne1121@...: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 21:33:40 -0800Subject: Re: Stimming Question Hi ,Why, are they considering a timer? Nothing would surprise me.CharlyneSubject: Stimming QuestionTo: " " < >Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 7:57 PMHi Everyone,'s PT asked during the parent/teacher conference today what appropriate amount of time of stimming is necessary for at school. (I appreciated her question and awareness of this need that many of our kids have. He can generally be redirected, but sometimes he " craves " stimming all of a sudden or seems to need it more during difficult times, ie, transitions, a sudden change in the schedule, etc.) I didn't know how to answer this question- just curious what other families/schools have done to address this issue and what has been successful. I hope this makes sense and thanks in advance for your input.Best,Mom to , 5 yrs oldDS/PDD-NOS[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 , One should not stop an individual from stimming but could redirect it towards like desentizing with some type of an alternative solution. My son still stims but when he was at school it was requesting the teacher and staff to consult with the OT who specialize with SPD to implement a sensory diet incorporated within their schedule. A timer would be a great idea and allowing their favorite stimming item. It is baby steps and all of this could be faded out, well at least it did for my son. http://www.jeanshaw.com/site/1357437/page/875494 While these behaviors may seem inappropriate or unnecessary to others, those who suffer from autism are not simply looking for attention or trying to be disruptive —stimming is a way to reduce the stresses of the world. Autism is a disorder that causes people to react to sensory stimuli in non-typical ways. Stimming is one way of dealing with this bodily malfunction. Stimming can be a difficult habit to break because it is so pleasant to an autistic individual. Some stimming is not bad, for the same reasons in which we all self-stimulate when we are nervous. However, if a child's stimming is interfering with learning, disrupting others, or becoming an obsession or addiction, steps should be taken to reduce this action. Discourage stimming if it makes sense—every case is different and therefore, no steadfast rules regarding stimming can be set. Stimming is all about comfort, and your child, autistic or not, should be comfortable as long as his or her activities do not interfere with others or are not self-damaging. In regards to stimming, reduction of these behaviors is ideal, but remember that complete elimination is usually not necessary. Autistic individuals perceive the world in a different way and we must take that into account. Removing of stopping the stimming entirely can lead to a sensory overload. Irma,20,DS/ASD > > Hi Charlyne, > > The staff at school thinks that is inclined to stim too much, even in the middle of an activity at times. I don't know exactly how to respond. I realize that shouldn't be left to stim frequently for extended periods of time, but redirection generally works for him. They did not mention a timer, although who knows, maybe that's what they are going to propose. > > I would appreciate any ideas you might have to bring back to them. Thanks so much. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Dr. Temple Grandin a well known person with autism said she used to have to hold a spoon that it helped to calm her and if they took the spoon away she was very anxious. Someone once tried to say that stemming was bad and that we lose our children by letting them stem but if you listen to people that are high functioning individuals with autism usually they will say it helped to calm them. I agree with Margaret not to stop the stemming. Cyndi B > > , > > One should not stop an individual from stimming but could redirect it > towards like desentizing with some type of an alternative solution. > > My son still stims but when he was at school it was requesting the > teacher and staff to consult with the OT who specialize with SPD to > implement a sensory diet incorporated within their schedule. > A timer would be a great idea and allowing their favorite stimming > item. It is baby steps and all of this could be faded out, well at > least it did for my son. > > http://www.jeanshaw.com/site/1357437/page/875494 > > While these behaviors may seem inappropriate or unnecessary to others, > those who suffer from autism are not simply looking for attention or > trying to be disruptive —stimming is a way to reduce the stresses of > the world. > Autism is a disorder that causes people to react to sensory stimuli in > non-typical ways. Stimming is one way of dealing with this bodily > malfunction. > > Stimming can be a difficult habit to break because it is so pleasant > to an autistic individual. > > Some stimming is not bad, for the same reasons in which we all > self-stimulate when we are nervous. However, if a child's stimming is > interfering with learning, disrupting others, or becoming an obsession > or addiction, steps should be taken to reduce this action. > > Discourage stimming if it makes sense—every case is different and > therefore, no steadfast rules regarding stimming can be set. > > Stimming is all about comfort, and your child, autistic or not, should > be comfortable as long as his or her activities do not interfere with > others or are not self-damaging. > > In regards to stimming, reduction of these behaviors is ideal, but > remember that complete elimination is usually not necessary. Autistic > individuals perceive the world in a different way and we must take > that into account. > > Removing of stopping the stimming entirely can lead to a sensory overload. > > > Irma,20,DS/ASD > > > > > > > Hi Charlyne, > > > > The staff at school thinks that is inclined to stim too much, > even in the middle of an activity at times. I don't know exactly how > to respond. I realize that shouldn't be left to stim frequently > for extended periods of time, but redirection generally works for him. > They did not mention a timer, although who knows, maybe that's what > they are going to propose. > > > > I would appreciate any ideas you might have to bring back to them. > Thanks so much. - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 We work at redirecting Elie IF the stimming is preventing function. But I cana tell you, he stimm less if we leave him to it. One of his more annoying (to me) stimms is to straiten his shirt whenever he changes position (sit to stand, climb in or out of the car, etc. IF I try to redirect him, he spends 4-5 minutes on it. IF I leave him alone 3-5 minutes (I have timed the activity - not timed the child). My thinking is that if the stimming is taking away from instructional time, then try to redirect. IF it is a soother WHILE LEARNING, leave it be. IF it can be stubstituted - like taking a walk insteaad of riocking - then try that. TIMER???? Hell NO!! Next they will be timing his bathroom time. Tell the school to get over it. We used timers to give Elie a framwork to complete dressing - we are leaving in 5 minutes, the timer is set, can you beat it? On Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 6:42 PM, wrote: > Dr. Temple Grandin a well known person with autism said she used to > have to hold a spoon that it helped to calm her and if they took the > spoon away she was very anxious. Someone once tried to say that > stemming was bad and that we lose our children by letting them stem > but if you listen to people that are high functioning individuals > with autism usually they will say it helped to calm them. I agree > with Margaret not to stop the stemming. Cyndi B > > > > > , > > > > One should not stop an individual from stimming but could redirect > it > > towards like desentizing with some type of an alternative solution. > > > > My son still stims but when he was at school it was requesting the > > teacher and staff to consult with the OT who specialize with SPD to > > implement a sensory diet incorporated within their schedule. > > A timer would be a great idea and allowing their favorite stimming > > item. It is baby steps and all of this could be faded out, well at > > least it did for my son. > > > > http://www.jeanshaw.com/site/1357437/page/875494 > > > > While these behaviors may seem inappropriate or unnecessary to > others, > > those who suffer from autism are not simply looking for attention or > > trying to be disruptive —stimming is a way to reduce the stresses of > > the world. > > Autism is a disorder that causes people to react to sensory stimuli > in > > non-typical ways. Stimming is one way of dealing with this bodily > > malfunction. > > > > Stimming can be a difficult habit to break because it is so pleasant > > to an autistic individual. > > > > Some stimming is not bad, for the same reasons in which we all > > self-stimulate when we are nervous. However, if a child's stimming > is > > interfering with learning, disrupting others, or becoming an > obsession > > or addiction, steps should be taken to reduce this action. > > > > Discourage stimming if it makes sense—every case is different and > > therefore, no steadfast rules regarding stimming can be set. > > > > Stimming is all about comfort, and your child, autistic or not, > should > > be comfortable as long as his or her activities do not interfere > with > > others or are not self-damaging. > > > > In regards to stimming, reduction of these behaviors is ideal, but > > remember that complete elimination is usually not necessary. > Autistic > > individuals perceive the world in a different way and we must take > > that into account. > > > > Removing of stopping the stimming entirely can lead to a sensory > overload. > > > > > > Irma,20,DS/ASD > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Charlyne, > > > > > > The staff at school thinks that is inclined to stim too > much, > > even in the middle of an activity at times. I don't know exactly how > > to respond. I realize that shouldn't be left to stim > frequently > > for extended periods of time, but redirection generally works for > him. > > They did not mention a timer, although who knows, maybe that's what > > they are going to propose. > > > > > > I would appreciate any ideas you might have to bring back to them. > > Thanks so much. - > > > > > -- Sara - Life is a journey- we choose the path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 I do have lots of stories to share in how we worked around my son's stimming modes. This is one of the current ones, though. This is when Soma with the RPM worked with my son and she got him to express, on paper and spelling it out on a letter board, not vocally but why does he stim? He had chosen because it is a ritual for him, a calming affect. The latest he uses is some type of a slimy like lizard, when working he places it on the side, in the past it was not like this but working around it was figuring out to get him to know it was near kept him calm. It took some work but this is when ABA/VB had helped here too in the past. The ABA therapist was also studying to be an OT, specializing within sensory integration, this was great. This is what Soma had shared at one of her presentation. Self-stimulatory actions (stims)- The window to the 'open learning channel'. Self-stimulatory actions (stims) are the window to the student's 'open learning channels, RPM sessions must be sympathetic to the self-stimulatory actions because they are the clues to which sense is stronger than the others depending upon what type of self-stimulation the person is doing. RPM should allow the 'calming stim' (which does not interfere with learning), but overpower the 'excitatory stim'(which disrupts the student's ability to learn). This is one of her explanation as learning what type of a learner is and understanding the function of the brain. " Don't worry about learner type so much. Some children show multiple stims with multiple selective preferences at different times auditorily/tactily/ visually/ kinesthetically. See the open learning channels when you are about to start your session. Is he tactile at that moment (rubbing his arm / holding something / mouthing) Is he kinesthetic at that moment ( moving around / rocking/ flapping) Is he visual at that moment ( selectively seeing something ) Is he auditory (selectively hearing his own voice /listening to something) No matter what, you start your lesson and slowly redirect those channels towards a left breain visual/ left brain auditory channel (that is the best state towards learning). It will happen as he gets into a habit of learning " . Here is another wonderful site. http://www.myspecialsweetpea.com/stimming.html Irma,20,DS/ASD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 > TIMER???? Hell NO!! Next they will be timing his bathroom time. Tell the school to get over it. We used timers to give Elie a framwork to complete dressing - we are leaving in 5 minutes, the timer is set, can you beat it? Unfortunately this is what helped decrease his anxiety issues, knowing that he did not have to work long depending what type of day he was experiencing or he knew more or less how much to apply. This was actually used during his private sessions which most of the therapist and even Soma uses. It is one of those Time Timer. This could be faded off, it was just getting him to stay seated and engage in whatever task applied & transition from activity to another. I guess, it all depends on the person teaching and the student's learning style. This helped him big times or I still would of had him bolting as he did in the past. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/education/TransitionTime.html Irma,20,DS/ASD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Personally I would request a sensory diet so he gets his sensory needs met. I would thank them for recognizing that he needs to do this and give them ways to redirect the behavior. I would also help them to recognize possible reasons he is doing this. Does he do this when bored, or a task is too hard, etc.? then give them ways to work with him rather than deciding if he can comfort himself or not. Karyn From: McDonnell Subject: Stimming QuestionTo: " ds- autism " < >Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 7:57 PMHi Everyone,'s PT asked during the parent/teacher conference today what appropriate amount of time of stimming is necessary for at school. (I appreciated her question and awareness of this need that many of our kids have. He can generally be redirected, but sometimes he " craves " stimming all of a sudden or seems to need it more during difficult times, ie, transitions, a sudden change in the schedule, etc.) I didn't know how to answer this question- just curious what other families/schools have done to address this issue and what has been successful. I hope this makes sense and thanks in advance for your input.Best,Mom to , 5 yrs oldDS/PDD-NOS[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Irma, Thanks for the info. does all of this and then there are times he does not stim at all. Thanks Cyndi B > > I do have lots of stories to share in how we worked around my son's > stimming modes. > This is one of the current ones, though. > > This is when Soma with the RPM worked with my son and she got him to > express, on paper and spelling it out on a letter board, not vocally > but why does he stim? > He had chosen because it is a ritual for him, a calming affect. > The latest he uses is some type of a slimy like lizard, when working > he places it on the side, in the past it was not like this but working > around it was figuring out to get him to know it was near kept him calm. > It took some work but this is when ABA/VB had helped here too in the > past. The ABA therapist was also studying to be an OT, specializing > within sensory integration, this was great. > > This is what Soma had shared at one of her presentation. > > Self-stimulatory actions (stims)- The window to the 'open learning > channel'. > Self-stimulatory actions (stims) are the window to the student's > 'open learning channels, RPM sessions must be sympathetic to the > self-stimulatory actions because they are the clues to which sense is > stronger than the others depending upon what type of self- stimulation > the person is doing. RPM should allow the 'calming stim' (which does > not interfere with learning), but overpower the 'excitatory > stim'(which disrupts the student's ability to learn). > > This is one of her explanation as learning what type of a learner > is and understanding the function of the brain. > > " Don't worry about learner type so much. Some children show multiple > stims with multiple selective preferences at different times > auditorily/tactily/ visually/ kinesthetically. > > See the open learning channels when you are about to start your > session. Is he tactile at that moment (rubbing his arm / holding > something / mouthing) > Is he kinesthetic at that moment ( moving around / rocking/ flapping) > Is he visual at that moment ( selectively seeing something ) > Is he auditory (selectively hearing his own voice /listening to something) > > No matter what, you start your lesson and slowly redirect those > channels towards a left breain visual/ left brain auditory channel > (that is the best state towards learning). > > It will happen as he gets into a habit of learning " . > > > Here is another wonderful site. > http://www.myspecialsweetpea.com/stimming.html > > > Irma,20,DS/ASD > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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