How do you deal with the humming?

[RainyDayHoliday]

DS is autistic. He also has some vestibulary and proprioception processing issues as well as SPD, global development delay and we are waiting for an ADHD assessment. He’s always made noises and randomly shouted. I was told by OT it’s to get the movement from his vocal cords to help with internal balance? But recently, he hums ALL. THE. TIME. It’s driving me nuts. I’m pretty sure it’s connected to him discovering minecraft. He sits still and watches his switch, or watches people play minecraft on YouTube. And then he hums. Sometimes he flaps and hums (especially if it’s really exciting) but the humming is driving me nuts. I know it’s a stim. I know it helps him and I’m supposed to let him get on with it. But I could cry with the frustration of the constant humming. Has anyone found anything that stops the humming? Or some kind of inner peace that helps you tune the noise out?

Have you tried ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones for you?

@Headfirstintothewild its all the time. Literally he’s sat now doing it. I can’t wear headphones constantly and have another child I need to listen out for. But thanks

Obviously it is your choice, but noise cancelling headphones are worth a try, IMO. They will enable you to still hear DS and your other DC speak but block out the background noise.

When ds was around 2 his vocal stimming became unbearable to me. He would hum, scream constantly, make the same noises over and over again. I started putting one earphone in, I could still hear him but it helped massively. He's now 14 and I still do the same thing everyday, always one ear phone in listening to music. He doesn't scream anymore but he does hum and make repetitive noises. I've become to understand why he needs to do it more and have grown to know what each stim means (his communication is exceptionally limited). He enjoys me doing intensive interaction with some of them, others he does when he getting agitated and many just because he happy. The music helps so it doesn't become overwhelming for me. Stimming is.very important, it's finding ways to make it more bearable for yourself. I've certainly got used to it and it doesn't annoy me any more.

Loop do different kinds of ear plugs that have varying degrees of noise cancelling.

Humming activates the vagal nerve and can be a very soothing stim as a result. My DD uses vocal stims when swinging and bouncing on trampoline.

Try offering your DS an ice lolly, ice cube, or cold water through a camel bak type straw bottle. Lots of ice cubes in the water. The cold also stimulates the vagal nerve. Ice lollies help my DD a lot.

I second the suggestion to try ear defenders yourself, they let you hear your other kids but take the edge off the background noise. I would wear ear defenders more, except I don't like the pressure on my head and haven't invested yet in a pair of Loops to try ...

@Exploding he loves chewing ice, so that makes sense thanks