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If you’re a parent of a child with autism, you’ve probably spent a lot of time wondering about those repetitive movements—hand flapping, rocking, humming, or other patterns that seem to appear in moments of excitement, stress, or overwhelm. Maybe you’ve been told to ignore it, try to stop it, or wait for them to “grow out of it.”
But what if stimming isn’t something to suppress? What if it’s actually your child’s way of telling you something important?
At E320 Chiropractic, we take a different approach—one that looks beyond symptoms to understand the deeper neurological story behind stimming. When you realize how stimming connects to nervous system function, everything changes. Instead of simply managing behaviors, we can focus on helping your child feel more regulated, balanced, and at ease—which benefits not just them, but your entire family.
The Hidden Purpose of Stimming
Let’s talk about Amelia. When her mom brought her to our office, she was worried about the repetitive nodding movements that would get more intense when Amelia felt stressed. Her gut told her these movements weren’t random—they seemed to help with the “butterflies in her stomach.”
After trying other medical interventions with little success (and facing the possibility of medication), Amelia’s mom wanted another perspective. Through advanced neurological assessments, we discovered what many had missed—Amelia’s nervous system was stuck in a chronic state of stress, and these movements were her body’s way of trying to self-regulate.
This is a pattern we see in so many kids. Stimming isn’t just a habit—it’s the nervous system’s attempt to find balance. In fact, research shows that 80% of autistic adults say stimming helps reduce anxiety and provide a sense of calm. It’s the body’s way of compensating for an overwhelmed nervous system that’s stuck in fight-or-flight mode.
The Science Behind Stimming: What’s Really Going On?
To fully understand stimming, we need to look at three major neurological factors:
1. Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance
At the core of stimming is something called dysautonomia, a condition where the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) system is overactive while the parasympathetic (rest and regulate) system is underactive. This imbalance keeps kids in a constant state of stress and sensory overload, making stimming a way to cope.
2. Subluxation and Proprioception
A big piece of the puzzle is subluxation—misalignments in the spine that interfere with how the brain and body communicate. This can throw off proprioception, or your body’s awareness of movement and position. When proprioception isn’t working well, the nervous system struggles to regulate itself, and stimming becomes a way to compensate.
3. Sensory Processing & the Brain-Body Connection
Subluxation, especially in the upper neck, can disrupt how the brain processes sensory input. When sensory signals get scrambled, the world can feel overwhelming, leading kids to stim as a form of self-soothing. Instead of seeing stimming as a problem, we should recognize it as a creative solution to a nervous system struggling to find balance.
The Role of the Vagus Nerve: Your Child’s Secret Superpower
The vagus nerve plays a major role in keeping the nervous system balanced. It helps control digestion, emotional regulation, heart rate, and the body’s ability to calm down after stress. When the vagus nerve isn’t functioning well, kids can get stuck in fight-or-flight mode, which can make anxiety, sensory overwhelm, and stimming more intense.
One of the best ways to support vagus nerve function and help the nervous system regulate itself? Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care.
A Natural Path Forward
Most conventional approaches focus on stopping stimming. But modern neuroscience tells us there’s a better way—one that supports your child’s nervous system, rather than fighting against it.
Through gentle, neurologically-focused chiropractic care, we can:
✅ Regulate the sensory system – Helping your child’s brain process sensory input more efficiently, reducing the need for constant stimming.
✅ Support emotional balance – When the nervous system is overwhelmed, emotions can feel out of control. By reducing nervous system stress, kids can self-regulate more easily.
✅ Activate natural calming responses – Supporting vagus nerve function helps shift the nervous system from fight-or-flight into a state of regulation and calm.
Our goal isn’t to eliminate stimming altogether—it’s to address the underlying nervous system stress that drives it. Families we work with often see:
✨ Better sensory processing
✨ More emotional regulation
✨ Improved communication & social engagement
✨ Greater ability to participate in daily life
✨ A happier, more comfortable child
Moving Forward: Listening to What Stimming is Telling You
Stimming isn’t random—it’s purposeful. It’s your child’s way of telling you their nervous system needs support. Instead of viewing it as something to “fix,” see it as an opportunity to help your child feel more balanced, calm, and at ease in their body.
If you’re ready to explore a different approach, we’d love to help. Schedule a consultation at E320 Chiropractic today—we’ll walk you through exactly how we can support your child’s neurological health, sensory processing, and overall well-being.
Your child deserves to thrive in their own unique way. Let’s help them get there—together.