VOCAL STIMMING IN AUTISM

Does your child intonate more frequently? Intonation refers to the pattern of utterance. It refers to the rise and fall in voice during verbal expressions. How does it connect to autism? What are stimming types in autism? Children with autism frequently have peculiar intonation patterns, either using little intonation, which produces a flat or robotic sound, or extreme intonation can also sound weird. Absurd repetitive sounds made by the child refers to Vocal stimming. Children practice vocal stimming upon getting triggered.

Let’s understand more deeply.

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What is vocal stimming IN AUTISM?

Vocal stimming, often referred to as auditory stimming, is a form of self-stimulatory behaviour that uses the vocal cords, lips, and mouth. It’s one of the specific diagnostic marker in case of the autistic kids. Some examples of vocal stimming include in autism:

• Random humming or singing
• Screaming and shouting
• Squealing or shrieking 
• Mimicking certain sounds on repeated basis
• Groaning or grunting
• Throat clearing
• Absurd high and low pitched sounds
• Whistling
• Repetition of random sounds (phrases)

Also check, Early signs of Autism in kids.

How does vocal stimming help the child?

A Child practices self-stimulatory conduct for a variety of reasons. Self-stimulatory behaviour in those with autism may:

• Helps in getting over stress
• Provides internal pleasure
• Helps in enhancement of the focus
• Aids in conveying the emotions
• Expression of excitement, anger or fear

Also check, Stimming in Autistic kids.

DAMAGING EFFECTS

• If an individual with autism stims vocally while performing any task, it can result is focus diversion due to distraction voices
• A person with autism may be unable to interact with others if they have persistent vocal stimming. People who vocal stim frequently might not be able to engage in daily tasks. They might also be prevented from places like the workplace, public areas, and classrooms.
• Additionally, vocal stimming can cause an autistic person to stim in a harmful way to themselves.
• Vocal stimming can have negative physical, mental, or social effects on some people, especially those with autism, even if it is less risky than physical types of stimming where people can hurt themselves.
• The abnormal intonations can often affect speech

How to manage it?

Teach them when and where the behaviour is appropriate instead of trying to stop it.

1. Identify the triggers:

The potential sources of trigger must be identified. An autistic individual  always responds over some triggers that provoke him/her. For example: Loud noises in the background can trigger an autistic child to make loud absurd noises like “Brr-Brr” in order to get over with the unpleasant environment. 

2. Make rules:

One must hold a realization that stimming offers ultimate comfort to the autistic kids and is the easiest way for them to cope up with their emotions. But this type of behaviour in the long run, on a continuous basis can pave a way for social disapproval. Thus, allot time for stimming or restricting the stimming only for some particular activities so the child won’t practice it again and again more number of times. For example : Asking the child to practice stimming only when at the house and to try to restrict and slowly reduce it at public places.

3. Set up regular routines:

Try to follow a consistent schedule for your everyday duties. Mealtimes, daily duties, leisure time, and times for work, study, or the child’s job can all be a part of the routine. Routines can assist individuals in avoiding being over- or under-stimulated and will lessen their need to stim. Regular routine helps in being consistent with the routine and not lets an individual stim for mere distraction.

4. Discover alternatives to vocal autism stimming:

Provide a fidget toy or any other alternative activity to the person who stims. Offer substitute activities that will achieve the expected goal. The individual who stims, for instance, can play sports for an hour and then create art for another. Encouraging someone to take a singing class may enable them to sing in a different way if they hum or sing as vocal stimming.

5. Consult experts for guidance and support:

Think about ABA therapy or occupational therapy as examples of different forms of therapy. Another alternative for stimming support is personal behavioural support. It might enable someone to identify and avoid their stimming triggers. For an Individual who is a stim user, Individual therapy is better suited. In the similar way family therapy can be helpful for families that include a stim user.

Also check, Types of Therapies for Autism.

Type of diet that can help to reduce the symptoms

1. Nuts:

Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and macadamia nuts all have unique qualities to offer. Macadamias support healthy brain functioning and pistachio nut oils store fatty acids and fight inflammation. Almonds aid with memory improvement. They all help in alleviating ASD symptoms.

Also check, Best Nuts and seeds for protein.

2. Seeds:

Flaxseeds are a great source of fibre and omega-3 fats. They help in enhancing the parts of the brain involved in controlling mood and cognition. Flaxseeds are best eaten ground, and can easily be added to baked goods, oatmeal, sprinkled on salads, or desserts. According to research, Muskmelon seeds help in increasing oxygen flow to the brain thereby calming and making it stress free. Seeds rich in omega-3 and Vitamin E  help in maintaining brain health.

And Also check, Health benefits of pumpkin seeds.

3. Ashwagandha:

Ashwagandha’s most highly valued advantages includes it beneficial effects on stress, anxiety and mood. The ingredients in ashwagandha have anti-inflammatory, brain-protective, and stress-reducing properties that may shield your body from a number of ailments. Ashwagandha is offered at nutritional stores and health food markets in the forms of powder, extract, and supplements.

Also check, Health benefits of Ashwagandha.

4. Shankhapushpi:

According to Ayurveda, Shankhpushpi relieves tension and anxiety and helps in calming the brain. Its Medhya (improves intelligence) characteristic also helps memory by functioning as a brain tonic. Take Shankhpushpi powder with warm milk or water as it assists in improving focus and memory.  Shankhapushpi is a traditional remedy for increasing the functioning of the brain. The powerful antioxidants and flavonoids present in it improve the memory capacity, focus, concentration, calmness, alertness of an individual. Since it is a brain tonic and stimulator, people taking Shankhapushpi have improved memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities.

5. Brahmi:

A wide variety of herbs with therapeutic properties are the center of the ayurvedic world. Brahmi is a popular herb in Ayurveda and is one of these because it can transform your health from unhealthy to highly healthy. It helps to enhance focus and memory. Some of the chemical constituents in brahmi stimulate the neural pathways involved in cognition, which aids in the development of cognitive skills. Furthermore , this plant finds its use in treating dementia, ASD and also other mental diseases like Alzheimer’s. So it helps in maintaining brain health.

6. Sage herb:

Sage is a herb you shouldn’t overlook if you wish to improve your memory. It is power packed with antioxidants. They help in improving the coping strategy in your brain. It helps in sharpening the memory, maintaining brain functioning and coping with speech related issues.

7. Cocoa:

Pure cocoa powder (unsweetened) contains brain boosting components as it is packed with a large number of antioxidants molecules, the main is epicatechin helpful to improve cognition and speech impairment in studies. Hence cocoa powder is also an important brain development food for children and contributes in maintaining sound brain health. 

Also check, Benefits of Cocoa powder.

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