Although individuals with autism usually appear physically normal and have good muscle control, they unusual repetitive motions, which may be called, stereotypic movement disorder, stereotypies or repetitive behaviors. Self-stimulation, or "stimming", is another common term for repetitive behavior. Typical examples include hand waving, teeth grinding, rocking movements and nail biting. In some cases, it can involve self-injurious behaviors such as head banging, self-biting, picking at the skin and self-hitting.
Repetitive behaviors can be easily confused with the tics that arise in Tourette's syndrome, which is itself acomorbid disorder with the Autism Spectrum Disorders. The tics associated with Tourette syndrome usually begin at around age six or seven years of age, while repetitive movements typically start before two years of age in children on the autism spectrum and are more likely to be triggered by excitement or stress.
These behaviors might be extreme and highly apparent, or more subtle. Some children on the autism spectrum may spend a lot of time repeatedly flapping their arms or wiggling their toes, while others can suddenly freeze in position. Repetitive behaviors can also extend into the spoken word as well. Echolalia is the repetition of a single word or phrase, even for a specific number of times can also become a part of the child's daily routine.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF REPETITIVE BEHAVIOR
Many theories exist as to what function repetitive behaviors serve, and the reasons for its increased incidence in autistic people. For children with an understimulated nervous system, it may provide needed nervous system arousal, releasing beta-endorphins. For hypersensitive people, it may provide a "norming" effect, allowing the person to control a specific part of the world they perceive through their senses, and is thus a soothing behavior.
SELF-INJURY AS A FORM OR REPETITIVE BEHAVIOR?
Sometimes self-injury is viewed as a form of stimming. Usually, self-injury is very different from stimming, but people with decreased pain sensitivity may injure themselves because they like the feel of it, similar to other stims. For example, they might like the way their hand feels in the mouth when they bite themselves, while not feeling the pain of the bite. Or they might like pressure on their forehead and bang their head without it hurting, even if they are risking brain damage in the long term.
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