self stimulation
/ˌsɛlfˌstɪmjəˈleɪʃən/
noun
- The act of providing sensory or mental stimulation to oneself, often used in contexts like autism or child development to describe repetitive behaviors that regulate arousal or focus.
- Self-stimulation can include tapping a pencil or humming to stay focused during a task.
- Some children with autism use self-stimulation, like hand-flapping, to calm themselves.
- The therapist explained that rocking back and forth is a form of self-stimulation that helps the child concentrate.