While not surprising at this point, I often find myself caught off guard when a parent is resistant to their child using headphones in situations where they feel overwhelmed. I'm not even suggesting that they wear them for any specific amount of time; rather, just having the headphones available if the child needs them raises objections. Frequently, parents are concerned about how the child will "look" with headphones on or worry that the child will become dependent on them. This perception is often far from the truth. By providing such accommodations, it is possible for your child to engage in and enjoy an activity rather than internalizing and trying not to cry when the class becomes loud during a game. 

Hand flapping, turning in circles, body rocking, singing, and other actions are often misunderstood. For years, these behaviors, and others like them, have been discouraged in some situations. These actions help individuals by expressing their excitement, directing excess energy, and blocking out aversive stimuli in their environment. In short, these behaviors serve to meet their needs. If we do not allow stimming, it can lead to other problems, such as becoming so focused on suppressing these behaviors that individuals fail to pay attention to what is actually happening around them, or experiencing a buildup of energy that eventually explodes at another time.