Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
Vocal stimming, such as humming, repeating words, or making sounds, is a common way children regulate their emotions, focus, or sensory input. It’s often helpful and not something that needs to be stopped. However, if vocal stimming becomes unsafe, disruptive, or interferes with communication, a speech-language pathologist can help guide safe alternatives and build a child’s functional communication skills.
If your child hums, squeals, clicks their tongue, or repeats words throughout the day, you might find yourself wondering: Is this normal, or something I should be concerned about?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), also known as speech therapists, often work with children who vocal stim. One of the most common questions we hear is whether it’s something to worry about or try to stop. In most cases, vocal stimming is purposeful and supportive. It helps children regulate their emotions, manage sensory input, or stay focused.
In this article, we explain what vocal (or verbal) stimming is, why children and adults do it, and how it can actually support communication and self-regulation. You’ll also learn when vocal stimming may need to be redirected for safety or participation, and how speech therapy can help in a respectful, child-centered way.
What is stimming?
Stimming is short for self-stimulating behavior. Stimming refers to repetitive movements, sounds, or actions that help a person regulate their body and emotions. People may stim when they feel excited, overwhelmed, bored, anxious, or need help focusing.
Many people stim without realizing it. These behaviors are not a problem. They are often a natural way the brain manages sensory input, emotions, or attention.
Stimming can take many forms, including movement (motor), visual, tactile, and vocal behaviors. Common examples of stimming include:
Flapping hands
Repetitive hand movements (cracking knuckles, clenching fists)
Tapping feet or fingers
Rocking or swaying back and forth
Spinning
Repetitive blinking
Lining objects up in a row
Smelling, licking, or touching items repeatedly
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Get startedWhat is vocal stimming?
Vocal stimming (also called vocal stim or verbal stimming) is a type of stimming that involves making repetitive sounds, words, or phrases. These vocalizations help a person regulate their body, focus their attention, or express emotions.
Ciara Smith-Vazquez, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an Expressable speech therapist and autism spectrum disorder expert. She explains that vocal stims can play an important role in how someone processes their environment: “Vocal stimming may happen when someone is stressed, overwhelmed, excited, or trying to stay focused.”
While these sounds are not always meant to communicate a message, they are closely connected to communication. Vocal stims can reflect how a person is processing what’s happening around them.
Vocal stimming examples
Vocal stimming can sound different from person to person and may change based on mood, environment, or sensory needs. Some vocal stims are brief, while others may happen often throughout the day.
Examples of vocal stimming include:
Repeating sounds such as hums, squeals, whistles, or prolonged vowels
Repeating words or phrases, including immediate repetition or delayed echolalia
Singing, using familiar scripts from TV shows or movies, or making sound effects
Throat or mouth sounds, such as clicking, popping, or changes in pitch or volume
Vocal stimming may be triggered during transitions or moments of excitement, stress, or fatigue. It can decrease when a person feels regulated, supported, and engaged.
Who vocal stims?
“Anyone can stim,” says Smith-Vazquez. “Neurodivergent people, such as autistic people or those with ADHD, are more likely to stim. However, neurotypical people stim as well.”
Young children may stim, but as they get older, some will grow out of these behaviors.
Do non-autistic people vocal stim?
Non-autistic people can vocal stim, too, even if they don’t use that term. Common examples include humming while working, talking out loud when thinking, repeating phrases, or making sounds when excited or stressed.
The key difference is how often, how strongly, and why the vocal stimming happens—not whether it happens at all. For some people, vocal stimming is occasional and easy to control. For others, it may be more frequent or harder to stop, especially during times of stress or sensory overload.
Vocal stimming becomes more noticeable when it helps someone stay regulated, focused, or calm. This is why it may appear more often in autistic people or those with ADHD. But vocal stimming does not mean a person is autistic.
Vocal stimming and ADHD
Vocal stimming is also common in people with ADHD. Making sounds, like humming, repeating words, or tapping out rhythms, can help people manage their attention, energy, or sensory input.
In ADHD, vocal stimming often connects to:
Impulsivity: sudden bursts of sound or repeated phrases without thinking
Sensory seeking: using vocalizations to satisfy a need for sound or movement
Self-regulation: calming or focusing the mind during tasks or transitions
Just like in autism, vocal stimming in ADHD is not harmful on its own. It is often a natural way to stay focused, manage emotions, and regulate energy. Recognizing this can help parents and teachers support children in ways that honor their needs while teaching functional communication skills.
Why do people stim?
As we’ve explained above, people use vocal stimming and other self-stimulatory behaviors for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is to regulate emotions. For example, a study of autistic adults found that self-stimming can help manage anxiety and stress.
People may vocal stim or use other stims when they feel overwhelmed or are responding to a lot of sensory input, such as a noisy, crowded room or bright lights. Stimming can help the brain and body self-regulate in the moment, allowing the person to feel calmer or more focused.
Stimming can also happen for positive reasons, like expressing excitement or joy. Some people may flap their hands, hum, or make other sounds simply because they are happy. Maybe they’re seeing a friend, celebrating good news, or enjoying a favorite activity. Think of how some people jump up and down when their team scores a touchdown, or sway back and forth in anticipation. These are similar types of self-stimulatory behaviors.
Finally, people may stim just because they enjoy it. There isn’t always a clear reason, and that’s perfectly normal.
Smith-Vazquez explains that understanding why someone vocal stims (whether for ADHD, autism, or another reason) helps families and therapists know how to provide support instead of simply trying to stop it.
Should vocal stimming be treated or stopped?
Parents may wonder whether they should treat or stop vocal stimming in their child. There is often a negative stigma around stimming, especially with noticeable behaviors like hand flapping, rocking, shrieking, or repeating words.
Stimming is typically a positive thing for kids who use it, so it isn’t necessarily something to change or stop. In many cases, stimming helps children remain regulated throughout the day.
In one study, researchers talked to autistic adults about why they stim and how it helps them. A participant named Sally said this: “I started kind of incorporating [stimming] more in my life, and it actually managed to help me stave off some panic attacks. For example, I never used to wave my hands that much, but I’ve started doing it more, and it actually helps, like if I’m in a crowded elevator or something.”
When support may be helpful
Sometimes, stimming may need to be redirected or modified if it is harmful or unsafe. Let’s say a child is spinning around outside and getting closer to a road, or they’re unaware that they’re close to falling off a step. A caregiver should intervene in a positive way.
If a child is hitting themselves or doing any other type of behavior that’s harmful, the stim should be stopped and replaced with something safe. If there are certain times of day when a child is likely to do these unsafe behaviors, then a plan should be put in place to safely replace the stims.
Experts suggest helping the child find a less disruptive stim that still gives them the benefits of the original stim.
There are also situations when stims might be disruptive, such as during class in school.
Experts suggest helping the child find a quieter or less disruptive stim that still gives them the benefits of the original stim, such as regulation or self-soothing. For example, let’s say a child is shrieking in class. This stim could be replaced with another vocal stim, like humming or singing quietly. A stim of tapping fingers could be replaced with doodling or a quiet fidget toy.
Tips for caregivers
“If there are situations when a stim has to be replaced, be sure to talk with your child about how they’re feeling,” recommends Smith-Vazquez. She says it’s important to show your child lots of support and acknowledge their need to stim. Remember, in many cases, this behavior is harmless—and hugely helpful to the person doing it.
The goal is not to stop stimming. It’s to support your child safely and respectfully while helping them participate in everyday activities.
How speech therapy can help with vocal stimming
Speech therapists can play a helpful role with children who vocal stim. The goal is not to get rid of stimming altogether, but to expand communication, support self-regulation, and help children participate safely and confidently in daily life.
Here’s how speech therapists can help:
Expand functional communication: Speech therapy can help children use words, gestures, or AAC devices to express their needs, emotions, and ideas. Vocal stimming can be a stepping stone to more intentional communication.
Support regulation and self-advocacy: Speech therapists teach children ways to manage excitement, stress, or sensory input. They may suggest safe alternative vocal stims to use when loud or intense stimming is disruptive, while still honoring the child’s need to stim.
Collaborate with families and caregivers: Speech therapists provide coaching and guidance so parents, teachers, and caregivers can support stimming in everyday routines, recognize triggers, and reinforce strategies consistently at home and school. Online teletherapy sessions make it easier for families to participate in therapy, which is especially important for helping children generalize skills in everyday life.
Vocal stimming is common, purposeful, and not inherently negative. Many children use it to self-regulate, express emotions, or focus. It can even be an important part of learning to communicate. In most cases, stimming does not need to be stopped, though support may be helpful if it becomes unsafe, disruptive, or interferes with daily activities.
If you’re unsure whether your child’s vocal stimming is typical or whether speech therapy could help, it’s always OK to seek guidance. Expressable offers a free screener to help families determine whether their child may benefit from speech therapy. Starting here is an easy way to get answers and personalized guidance.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is vocal stimming related to autism or ADHD?
Neurodivergent people, such as autistic people or those with ADHD, are more likely to stim. For example, some autistic adults report that self-stimming helps manage anxiety and stress. In people with ADHD, vocal stimming may help with focus, impulsivity, or regulating energy. However, neurotypical people stim as well.
What triggers verbal stimming?
Verbal stimming can be triggered by many things, including excitement, stress, boredom, sensory overload, transitions, or fatigue. Loud environments, strong emotions, or changes in routine may increase vocal stims, while feeling calm, supported, and regulated may reduce it.
How do you treat vocal stimming?
In most cases, vocal stimming does not need to be treated. It’s often a helpful and positive behavior. When support is needed, speech therapy focuses on expanding functional communication, supporting self-regulation, and teaching safer or less disruptive alternatives, rather than trying to stop stimming altogether. If you’re unsure whether your child needs support, Expressable’s free online screener can help guide next steps.
How do you stop vocal stimming?
Most experts agree that the goal is not to stop vocal stimming entirely. However, if a vocal stim is unsafe or interferes with learning or communication, it may be appropriate to redirect it. This usually means replacing a loud or unsafe vocal stim with a quieter or safer one that still meets the same sensory or emotional need. A speech therapist can help you decide when support is helpful and how to approach it. Click here to get started.
Key takeaways
Vocal stimming is a common and purposeful behavior that helps people regulate emotions, focus attention, and express themselves. It is not inherently negative.
Anyone can vocal stim, though it may occur more often or more intensely in autistic people and those with ADHD.
Vocal stimming can sound different for each person. Stims may include humming, repeating words or phrases, singing, or making other sounds.
In most cases, vocal stimming does not need to be stopped. Support may be helpful if it becomes unsafe, disruptive, or interferes with learning or communication.
Speech therapy can help people who vocal stim learn to expand their communication and self-regulate. Look for a speech therapist who offers respectful, neuro-affirming support. An important note: We believe that when speaking about any community as a whole, the best approach is to prioritize that community’s voices, needs, and preferences. Within the larger autism community, the current language preference is identity-first (e.g., autistic child), which is why we use that language in our content. Expressable is committed to listening to and learning from the populations we serve. If and when their preferences change, we’ll adjust our approach accordingly.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
