Is It a Signal of Autism?

Does your little one rub their toes collectively, particularly once they’re falling asleep or sitting calmly? For some kids, this repetitive motion is soothing. However when it turns into a daily behavior, mother and father could begin to marvel—may rubbing toes collectively be an indication of autism?

Let’s discover this habits by a mild and supportive lens. We’ll take a look at why it occurs, when it is perhaps linked to autism, and what it means in your little one’s sensory world.

Why do folks rub their toes collectively?

Numerous folks of all ages rub their toes collectively. It would occur once they’re resting, enjoyable in mattress, or feeling content material. This motion is usually rhythmic and repetitive.

It may be a manner to assist their physique get calm. Some folks would possibly rub their toes collectively as a part of the method of falling asleep. Others would possibly do it once they’re watching a present or mendacity on the sofa.

This isn’t uncommon. The truth is, it’s a type of self-soothing. All of us have methods we consolation ourselves—some folks twirl their hair, others faucet their fingers.

Rubbing toes collectively is only one extra manner our nervous system tries to really feel protected.

Is rubbing toes collectively an indication of autism?

Repetitive behaviors are quite common in autism. Rubbing toes collectively might be certainly one of these repetitive behaviors.

However right here’s the vital half: rubbing toes collectively by itself is not a signal of autism. 

Autism is recognized by analyzing a variety of indicators, together with variations in communication, play, and sensory experiences, quite than specializing in only one habits.

Nonetheless, for some autistic people, rubbing their toes collectively could also be a type of self-stimulatory habits, also called stimming.

Rubbing toes collectively as a type of stimming

Stimming is one thing somebody does repeatedly as a result of it feels good to their physique or helps them really feel extra in management.

It may look totally different for everybody. Some folks flap their palms, hum, spin, bounce, or rock. Others rub their palms, contact their hair, or rub their toes collectively.

For an autistic little one, rubbing their toes collectively could assist them relax once they really feel overwhelmed, or present their physique with a soothing, regular rhythm that feels good.

Stimming shouldn’t be unhealthy. It’s usually the physique’s manner of making an attempt to regulate emotions, particularly in a world that may really feel loud, complicated, or an excessive amount of. 

Rubbing toes collectively at bedtime

You would possibly discover your little one rubbing their toes collectively in mattress. This may be a part of how they assist themselves go to sleep.

Rhythmic motion helps the nervous system chill out. It’s just like how infants are rocked to sleep or how some adults like white noise at evening.

Kids with sensory processing variations, together with these on the autism spectrum, could search rhythmic motion or stress to assist them settle.

For them, rubbing toes collectively may give simply the correct amount of enter their physique must really feel protected and sleepy.

When do you have to search skilled assist?

Usually, rubbing toes collectively is completely innocent. It doesn’t damage anybody and will even assist your little one really feel higher.

Nonetheless, in case your little one appears distressed, struggles to sleep properly, or if the rubbing turns into intense and interferes with each day life, it might be value consulting an occupational therapist or one other skilled.

Generally repetitive behaviors are linked to anxiousness, sleep issues, or sensory processing challenges.

An expert may also help you perceive your little one’s distinctive sensory profile and supply instruments to assist them.

Understanding and supporting sensory wants

Your little one’s physique is all the time making an attempt to really feel protected, calm, and in steadiness. Rubbing toes collectively is perhaps a method they assist themselves do this.

As an alternative of making an attempt to cease the habits, it’s usually extra useful to know why it’s taking place.

After we discover and assist our youngsters’s sensory wants, they really feel extra seen and understood. That builds belief, security, and connection.

FAQs

Q: Is rubbing toes collectively stimming?

A: It may be. For some kids, particularly autistic ones, rubbing toes collectively is a sort of stimming. It helps their physique really feel calm or centered.

Q: What does rubbing toes collectively imply?

A: It normally means somebody is soothing themselves. It might be a part of falling asleep, enjoyable, or managing their emotions.

Q: Why do folks with ADHD rub their toes?

A: Folks with ADHD usually search motion. Rubbing toes collectively could also be one strategy to get sensory enter or focus higher. It may additionally assist with settling their physique for relaxation.

Q: How do I cease rubbing my toes?

A: If it’s not bothering you or anybody else, you may not must cease. If it’s uncomfortable, you possibly can strive changing it with different soothing actions, equivalent to squeezing a cushion or utilizing a fidget.

Q: Why does my toddler rub their toes collectively?

A: Many toddlers rub their toes collectively when drained or enjoyable. It’s normally nothing to fret about and is a part of how their nervous system self-soothes.

References

Baribeau, D. A., Vigod, S., Pullenayegum, E., Kerns, C. M., Mirenda, P., Smith, I. M., … & Szatmari, P. (2020). Repetitive habits severity as an early indicator of danger for elevated anxiousness signs in autism spectrum dysfunction. Journal of the American Academy of Baby & Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(7), 890-899.

Charlton, R. A., Entecott, T., Belova, E., & Nwaordu, G. (2021). “It appears like holding again one thing it’s good to say”: Autistic and non-autistic adults’ accounts of sensory experiences and stimming. Analysis in Autism Spectrum Problems, 89, 101864.

Kapp, S. Okay., Steward, R., Crane, L., Elliott, D., Elphick, C., Pellicano, E., & Russell, G. (2019). ‘Folks ought to be allowed to do what they like’: Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming. Autism, 23(7), 1782-1792.

Mammarella, V., Breda, M., Esposito, D., Orecchio, S., Polese, D., & Bruni, O. (2025). Psychiatric Comorbidities in Pediatric Stressed Leg Syndrome. Sleep Drugs Clinics. https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/abs/10.5664/jcsm.10902 

Muskett, A., Capriola-Corridor, N. N., Radtke, S. R., Issue, R., & Scarpa, A. (2019). Repetitive behaviors in Autism Spectrum Dysfunction: Associations with melancholy and anxiousness signs. Analysis in Autism Spectrum Problems, 68, 101449.