Is this stimming?

[Holycowiloveyoureyes]

DS often makes a clicking type noise in his mouth/throat. He does it when watching TV or when we're out and he seems anxious.

He doesn't seem to be conscious of doing it but it is becoming more and more frequent. In fact as we get closer to going back to school it's become more noticeable.

Just wondering if this is classed as stimming?

I guess it could be, although I would regard stimming as getting in the way of or stopping them from doing what needs to be done.

Thanks for that explanation, I wasn't quite sure what would be classed as stimming. Still very new to this!

What do you mean claw ?

I suppose its the level of acceptability, for example biting your nails or twirling your hair when anxious could be regarded as a stim.

I think if the behaviour is constant and interferes/distracts a child from things they need to do on a daily basis. So more degrees of stimming, I suppose!

Ds twirls his hair when anxious, but that doesn't really interfere with life too much. Where as shutting himself in his room, lining things up constantly, does interfere with his life and development, if that makes sense.

Hi Holycow, my ds makes a clicking type sound when he is anxious. I had always thought of it as a verbal tic. But I am not sure if this is correct, maybe the correct term would be stim? The clicking sounds seems to sooth my ds when he is anxious and it disappears when he is feeling happy and relaxed. I have always left it alone and not said anything to my ds about it because I knew it would eventually go. But not sure what I would do if it was louder and more annoying to people. I would probably get some advice from his psychologist.

Is it not a tic?

Verbal tic seems a good explanation. Not used to all the terminology yet.

Will add it to my long list for when we finally see the autism team.

Mrsbaffled - is it a tic? I have read that tics are involuntary and could indicate tourrettes. My ds's paed said she may refer him to the team who can assess for tourrettes as I had mentioned tics and movements which sounded like tics. But I think my ds is more likely stimming. Does that make sense?

Holycow- I am not used to all the terminology either. I think we will always be learning about our dc. Good luck for when you see the autism team.

I am a little unsure how stims and tics are alike / different. My youngest was dx with Tourettes at Easter and his movements and sounds ARE involuntary, but are worse at certain times (like watching TV or when really excited). They are classed as tics, not stims, though.

Am I right that a stim is done for a purpose? eg my eldest makes sudden random noises when it's too loud for him as he is covering up noises he doesn't like, or he spins as he likes the feeling?? But a tic doesn't have a purspose as such??

I've always thought ds's stims are a means for him to cope with things . So rather than stopping him from doing what needs to be done, they allow him to cope with what needs to be done...they comfort and steady him.

Yes trout, it seems to comfort him when anxious I think.

Its confusing isn't it!

I don't think the terminology is that important. I think both tics and stims are a result of not coping in one form or another.