Before we answer how to stop an autistic child humming it is worth addressing if you should even try to stop them?
Stopping humming
Autistic children often engage in self-stimulatory behaviours, also known as stimming, to cope with sensory overload or to self-soothe.
One common form of stimming is humming.
Your child therefore may find comfort in humming so any ‘cold turkey’ ideas should be treated with caution.
That said while humming is not harmful, it can be distracting to others and interfere with social interactions.
So here are some strategies to help an autistic child stop humming:
Provide alternative sensory feedback
Sometimes, humming can be a way to seek sensory input. Providing alternative sensory input can redirect the child’s attention away from humming. For example, you can offer a sensory toy, a fidget toy, or a weighted blanket.
It may be that your child is humming because they like the feeling of the vibration, in which case you could offer them some sort of toy which vibrates.
Provide alternative sound cancelling
It may be that your child is humming due to the fact they want to block out outside noises. One option to assist them in doing so would be to provide something like ear defenders.
Ear defenders are a lifesaver for many parents of autistic children but equally there are obvious communication drawbacks.
An alternative would be to take your child to a quiet area if they are humming to see if the silence reduces their need to hum.
Offer a distraction
If the child is humming out of boredom or to pass the time, offering a distraction can help. Engage the child in an activity that they enjoy or find stimulating, such as a puzzle, a game, or a book.
Teach self monitoring
Depending on the child’s level of understanding attempting to teach them to monitor their own behaviour can help them become more aware of when they are humming and make a conscious effort to stop. You can use a visual timer or a reminder system to prompt the child to check in with themselves.
Provide some food
If your child is constantly humming and you want to break this behaviour you could offer some food as it is likely to distract them and also make it impossible to hum.
Naturally this isn’t always an option and you wouldn’t want to teach your child that if they hum they get a treat but it is something to consider.
Provide a chew toy
Similarly to the sensory suggestion you could offer your child a chew toy depending on their age and your personal preferences.
A chew toy would pass as a distraction and something which provides oral sensory feedback so it is likely to be successful.
Summary – How to stop an autistic child humming
Stopping an autistic child from humming can be challenging, but it is important to approach the behaviour with empathy and understanding.
By providing alternative sensory input, offering distractions, using positive reinforcement, teaching self-monitoring, creating a humming schedule, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can help the child regulate their behaviour and feel more comfortable in their environment.
