Is Humming a Sign of Autism? How to Control Chewing Habits

When talking about autism, the discussions often hit sensory behaviors like humming and chewing. Many have asked, "Is such behavior in the form of Is Humming a Sign of Autism" Can chewing behaviors be controlled properly? In this blog, let us explain why they occur, what they mean, and how they can be controlled into a chewing habit effectively.

Is Humming an Indicator of Autism?

Humming is one of those sensory behaviors that is common in children diagnosed with autism. Please remember that autism is a spectrum disorder, so the manifestation of signs and behaviors varies significantly between individual sufferers. While some may hum, others won't. Here's why humming is more common among individuals diagnosed with autism:

Self-Regulation

Humming can be viewed as a form of self-regulation or even self-soothing. Repeated rhythmic repetition of sound or vibration helps one feel grounded, especially in those settings that are overwhelming or overstimulating. In fact, this behavior is often described as "stimming," or self-stimulating to manage sensory intake or emotional regulation.

Communication

Some hum in an attempt to convey their emotions or needs. It may be a sign of excitement, frustration, or a need for comfort. It is one way in which people communicate when it is hard to express what they are trying to convey with verbal words.

Sensory Processing

An individual with autism might have sensory processing issues, meaning they are either oversensitive or under sensitive. Humming may be a way of developing predictable and constant sensory input that helps a child calm down during sounds or feelings that are not predictable.

Humming might sometimes be one of the signs of autism, but one should note that not everyone who hums will have autism. In itself, humming does not indicate autism but could be one of many behaviors that make part of the sensory experiences among those on the spectrum.

Understanding Chewing Behaviour in Autism

Like humming, chewing can be an autism-friendly strategy to obtain sensory input. Chewing behavior management typically falls under two broad heads: why it happens,

Sensory Seeking

Many individuals with autism have sensory-seeking behaviors. And chewing is included among them. The feeling of chewing can be soothing, and it can keep a person focused especially during stressful or stimulating situations. Chewing is a powerful oral input that some find calming.

Anxiety and Stress Relief

Many people use chewing to help release from the feelings of anxiousness or stress. In a way, the physical act of chewing can be used to release tension and assist with calm in those with difficulty controlling feelings.

Focus and Concentration

In some, chewing serves as a way to focus and pay attention. The gentle stream of input created by chewing may be soothing for the brain and even facilitate better concentration when other input is too loud or just too much.

While managing chewing behaviors can be a good self-regulation tool, it may quickly start to be either disruptive or inappropriate in certain settings. That is why teaching an individual to manage their chewing behavior can be of enormous use, not only for that individual but also to those around him.

Tips on How to Cope with Chewing Behavior

Managing chewing behavior is all about finding strategies that work for the individual and considering their needs and sensory preferences. Here are some very helpful tips:

• Provide Safe Chewing Alternatives

One of the best ways to control chewing is by having safe alternatives. Chewable jewelry, silicone necklaces, and chewable pencil toppers are one of the most popular tools that one might use in offering oral input in a way that does not damage clothing, fingers, or other objects.

• Use Fidget Tools

It might also be a form of sensory regulation, in which case introducing alternative sensory tools may help. Fidget toys, such as stress balls or textured items, and even small blankets for some can provide enough sensory input to replace the chewing.

Pay attention to when and where the chewing behaviors are most likely to happen. Is it when she is stressed, bored, or amid many sensory stimuli? That understanding can be very helpful in the mitigation of solutions that address the cause.

• Teach Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

If there are associations to chewing with anxiety or feelings of stress, then teaching deep breathing exercises would become an alternative that may help feel comfortable and provide relief. The simplest techniques, such as counting up to five while inhaling and then exhaling slowly, would reduce anxiety levels and could produce a result not so dissimilar from chewing.

• Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment

When possible, create an environment that minimizes overwhelming sensory input. This may include reducing lights and sounds, as well as providing a comfortable, quiet environment. To some extent, this reduces the individual's dependence upon self-regulatory behaviours such as chewing.

• Implement a Sensory Diet

A "sensory diet" is a schedule of activities designed to give an individual the sensory input they need over the course of the day. These can include heavy work activities, deep pressure, oral motor exercises, etc., that would render an individual less likely to be engaging in such behaviors as chewing for purposes of sensory input.

• Set Boundaries and Use Positive Reinforcement

Even though her need for input from the environment must be recognized, there are limits, and sensory chewing can be kept within manageable limits by establishing what is and isn't acceptable to spit or chew in unacceptable situations. Reward positive behaviors when the child selects an appropriate item to chew on or uses alternative regulation strategies.

• Referral to Occupational Therapists

If chewing management is not effective, then the occupational therapist may further provide instructions on how to assist. Occupational therapists work with sensory integration; therefore, a plan will be designed with regard to the individual's feeding of the child in accordance with the needs and demands of the sensory needs and chewing.

Balancing Understanding and Management

The dilemma is that as much as one would want to know why people exhibit such behaviors as humming and chewing, one must still learn to curb this behavior in a way that helps the individual's needs be met. Many people with autism are trying to survive the world. The issues of management revolve around provision of alternative supportive measures that help to avow the sensory needs of an individual.

Conclusion

Humming and chewing are two of the most common maladaptive behaviors exhibited by individuals with autism, typically self-soothing or some type of sensory stimulant. If their needs are to be met effectively, then understanding why these individuals do such things and not trying to eliminate them is necessary. Stop attempting to extinguish humming and chewing and look for safe, appropriate ways to support these students instead.

Always remember that every autistic child is different; what may have been successful for someone else may not be for someone else. Patience, observation, and clear communication are the basic premise to explore the right approach to facilitate chewing behavior management but respecting sensory needs.