Is there a reason for seemingly purposeless behavior? HANDLE says Yes

Many children and adults on the autism spectrum have repetitive , specific behaviors including hand-flapping, rocking back and forth, jumping, and switching the lights on and off. These behaviors have often been termed “slimming” (suggesting that their purpose is to self-stimulate), considered disruptive and disturbing, and responded to as such. HANDLE recognizes that these behaviors are a form of non-verbal communication and view these behaviors from a perspective that involves acceptance, compassion and curiosity, and assumes that each of these behaviors actually has a reason or purpose that can open the door to learning a lot about the swimming person’s sensory processing and neurodevelopment.