Is Humming While Eating a Sign of Autism?
The word “spectrum” in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is key. Each learner’s experience with autism is unique, leading to a diverse spectrum of abilities and needs. Someone with autism may exhibit differences with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors, and may display a wide variety of strengths and differences in sensory processing.
Once you are aware of how neurodiversity can show up for people, you may find yourself asking “odd” questions that didn’t occur to you before – case in point: Why does my kid hum when they eat? In this article, we’ll look at the process of diagnosing autism, consider an array of symptoms and behaviors associated with ASD, pose some frequently asked questions that may surprise you, and get into the underlying clues potentially embedded in their answers.
Diagnosing Autism
Let’s start with the question that brought us here: Is humming while eating a sign of autism? The short answer is: maybe.
Humming while eating could possibly be a sign of autism, but it’s not likely autism if this is the only observable concern. An autism diagnosis requires several symptoms to be present before a diagnosis can be given. And these symptoms must also be apparent in social and communication skills and present as restrictive and repetitive behaviors, or RRBs (more on RRBs later).
As is well documented, early diagnosis and intervention is tremendously beneficial for learners with autism. Not so well documented, though, is that beginning the diagnostic process is easy. You can request services from a practice you identify through research, or you can ask your doctor for suggestions – most assessments do not require a referral.
The diagnostic process involves a series of prescribed assessments performed by a psychologist or developmental pediatrician. An autism diagnosis requires interviews, surveys, and deliberate observation – there’s nothing invasive, painful, or difficult about it. The hardest part is waiting for the appointment.
Between deciding to request an assessment and waiting for it, keep a journal of your own observations of yourself or your loved one – taking note of those “odd” questions that come to mind.
Understanding Autism Signs & Behaviors
It’s important to keep in mind that there are multiple symptoms and behaviors that may be associated with ASD that can also be present in individuals who are not autistic. Humming while eating could simply be enjoyable by someone. This behavior is referred to as sensory stimulation, stereotypy, or “stimming” – a repetitive event that activates the senses and makes us feel better. Stimming is a behavior almost everyone engages in, including people with autism.
Other symptoms associated with autism include:
- Challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication
- Hyperfocus on specific topics or activities
- Difficulty with changes in schedules or environment
- Hyper or hypo sensitivity to sensory stimuli
Many autistic learners have some, but not all of these symptoms, and they may look different between individuals. Just as neurotypical people vary greatly in their personality and behavior, so do autistic people – or any individuals in the neurodiverse community. Autism is far from a “one size fits all” diagnosis.
For example, stimming for one autistic person may include repetitive vocalizations. For another, it may be flapping their hands. While another may occasionally pace or walk in circles when excited. All of these behaviors meet the same need for sensory input, but the intensity of the behavior and the way the behavior presents, may differ greatly across individuals.
These are examples of RRBs – restricted and repetitive behaviors. RRBs encompass a wide range of repetitive actions, interests, and behaviors and can include repetitive movements, insistence on sameness or routines, highly focused interests, and sensory-seeking behaviors. These behaviors are one of the core diagnostic criteria for autism and can vary widely in severity and presentation among individuals.
Enlightening, right? Knowing the signs and symptoms of autism can be enormously beneficial when talking with your doctor or beginning the diagnostic process. Certainly, these signs and behaviors will be observed by a psychologist or developmental pediatrician during the formal assessment, but it’s helpful to have some shared language when entering new territory.
Behaviors That May Indicate Autism
Let’s dig into some other observations that have the potential to reveal RRBs and other signs of autism. As we’ve mentioned, you can observe indicative behaviors in people who are not autistic – be sure to seek out a professional diagnosis if you think you or your loved one may have autism.
Is ripping paper a sign of autism?
Repetitive behaviors can serve as a way to self-regulate or cope with overwhelming sensory input, providing comfort or a sense of control in otherwise unpredictable environments. In this case, the tactile sensation of tearing paper could provide sensory stimulation or feedback that alleviates discomfort or anxiety.
Is mimicking accents a sign of autism?
Echolalia involves repeating phrases, words, or sounds heard from others – sometimes including mimicking accents or intonations – and it’s a common communication trait in learners with autism. Accent mimicry within echolalia could stem from a combination of sensory processing differences, a need for communication practice, and a desire for social connection, i.e. attempting to fit in or establish rapport with others by adopting speech patterns perceived as socially appropriate or desirable
Is thumb sucking a sign of autism?
Considered a self-soothing behavior, thumb sucking serves as a way to provide sensory stimulation, regulate sensory input, and assist in coping with sensory overload or anxiety. Of course, not all autistic individuals suck their thumbs, and self-soothing behaviors can vary widely based on unique sensory profiles and coping strategies. What’s more, self-soothing is a coping mechanism we all have; it’s not unique to autism.
Is fixation a sign of autism?
Intense interests, or fixations, are common among learners with ASD, often manifesting as an acute focus on specific topics, objects, or activities. They can serve as a source of comfort and stability in a world that can otherwise feel chaotic or overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities and social challenges. Fixations can also provide a sense of purpose, pride, and a means of connecting with those with similar passions.
Is hard blinking a sign of autism?
Frequent or hard blinking can be a manifestation of sensory input regulation and motor stereotypies, particularly in response to overwhelming visual stimuli. Additionally, hard blinking can serve as a repetitive motor behavior, providing comfort or a means of self-stimulation. Staring, particularly at mirrors or lights, is also a form of visual stimming.
Is walking backwards a sign of autism?
Walking backwards can be observed as a motor behavior, potentially serving as a coping mechanism to regulate sensory input or manage anxiety in certain environments.
Is bedwetting a sign of autism?
Difficulty recognizing and responding to bodily sensations (sensory processing) as well as challenges in expressing toileting needs (communication), can contribute to bedwetting. Additionally, heightened stress or anxiety commonly experienced by learners with autism can further impact bladder control.
If these questions and answers have led to an “aha” moment, or you’re interested in having your loved one assessed for autism – reach out to our team or go ahead and request services. At A Bridge to Achievement, we conduct private autism assessments and, depending on your proximity to our offices and your insurance coverage, we can typically begin the assessment process within two or three months of your request. We are here to support you.
