Could Thumb Sucking be a stim?

[TMcDwyer]

DS has Aspergers (DX in August) and in December we learned that he also has severe gluten & dairy intolerances. At the beginning of January he started sucking his thumb again, which he gave up about 18 months ago. Could this be a stim for him? What do I do? Ignore it and hope it goes away? Constantly harp on him about it? I am so overwhelmed...

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I wouldn't say thumb sucking is a stim but it is definitely sensory seeking behavior. You can give him something else to chew/suck on. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Perhaps since he is 7 and a half you can talk to him about things you do at home vs things you do other places and just let him do it at home. Look at it this way: it could be worse.


ETA: our 10 year old NT neighbor sucks her thumb sometimes. I know it's more acceptable with girls but just consider that it's not too out of the ordinary.