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22 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication Approach4.5 MOTOR STIMMING AND PHYSICAL SENSORY RESPONSESStimming is different to EchopraxiaBerkson & Davenport (1962) described stereotyped movements in autistic individuals as %u2018stimming%u2019 . Stimming can include physical movements, such as:%u2022 hand flapping%u2022 body rocking%u2022 spinning%u2022 repetitive jumping%u2022 finger flickingIndividuals can engage in movements when calm and happy, or to release excess energy. For example, a child or young person may repeatedly jump up and down when they are excited. Stimming may also be a sign of them feeling anxious and needing additional support. Since Berkson and Davenport used the term %u2018stimming%u2019, autistic individuals have described their experiences and this has helped to develop our understanding of stimming. More recent descriptions include:%u2022 Hammond (2024) describes %u2018Stimming is quite possibly one of the most quintessential parts of the autistic and Neurodiverse experience. Stimming is any repetitive action carried out with the intention of expressing or redirecting emotion and/or sensory input.%u2019%u2022 McCarty et al (2021) %u2018Stereotyped movements (%u2018stereotypies%u2019) are semi-voluntary repetitive movements that are a prominent clinical feature of autism spectrum disorder. They are described in first-person accounts by people with autism as relaxing and that they help focus the mind and cope in overwhelming sensory environments.%u20194.6 PHYSICAL MOVEMENT AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATIONA Gestalt Language Processor may use non-verbal communication to demonstrate their wants or needs by pulling, pushing, eye pointing or going over to an item. They may communicate their feelings and emotions with a physical response such as jumping up and down with excitement. This non-verbal communication needs to be differentiated from echopraxia. A body movement and facial expression can be echoed as part of non-verbal communication. For example, someone nods and smiles at another person and they then respond with a nod and a smile. This is not echopraxia because it is a mirrored, interactive response.