Key Points:
- Hand rubbing is often a form of stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) used to regulate sensory input, reduce anxiety, or manage emotional states in autism.
- The context, intensity, and triggers around hand rubbing matter: it may be harmless or may interfere with daily life, depending on severity.
- Intervention approaches, such as functional behavior assessment, teaching alternative coping behaviors, and ABA strategies, can help when hand rubbing becomes disruptive.
When you see someone with autism rubbing hands together, it’s natural to wonder: why do they do that? For many, this repetitive action, often called “autism rubbing hands together”, is not random but part of how the person copes, senses, or self-regulates. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind hand rubbing in autism, how to understand it in context, when it might become problematic, and what strategies can help when needed.
Understanding Hand Rubbing in the Context of Autism
What is “hand rubbing” as a behavior?
In the autism field, repetitive behaviors like hand rubbing fall under the broader umbrella of stimming (self-stimulatory behavior or stereotypy). Individuals may rub their hands together, rub their palms, slide palms over each other, or rub against surfaces. Because it involves tactile sensation, hand rubbing is classed as tactile stimming.
Stimming isn’t unique to autism: many people tap their fingers, bounce their leg, or fidget when thinking or anxious. The difference is that in autism, these behaviors can be more frequent, more intense, or more tied to sensory and emotional regulation.
When is hand rubbing benign, and when is it concerning?
Most of the time, autism rubbing hands together is harmless and noninterfering. However, we should watch for warning signs:
- Intensity or frequency is extreme: continuous hand rubbing to the point of distraction or exhaustion.
- Interference in daily functioning: stops the person from doing tasks, playing, or engaging socially.
- Physical harm: skin breakdown, soreness, or abrasion from repeated motion.
- Social stigma or self-consciousness: when the person becomes distressed about it.
- Sudden increase in behavior: could signal stress, change in environment, or medical cause (e.g. pain) (Autism Research Institute)
If the behavior becomes disruptive or harmful, then intervention is warranted.
How to Make Sense of Hand Rubbing Behavior
Observe the pattern: when, where, and how
One of the first steps is gathering data:
- In what settings does hand rubbing occur most often (quiet room, loud room, transition times)?
- What triggers or precipitating events happen right before it (change in routine, noise, demand)?
- How long does each episode last, and how intense is it (speed, pressure)?
- What consequences follow (attention, escape, or no consequence)?
This kind of functional behavior analysis helps determine why the behavior occurs and guides intervention.
Understand overlapping sensory and emotional needs
Because sensory processing differences are common in autism, hand rubbing may serve as a tool to manage sensory input. Some people have sensory hypersensitivity (too much input) and need to block or reduce incoming stimuli; others have hyposensitivity (too little input) and seek stimulation. Hand rubbing can plug into both needs. (thetreetop.com)
Also, emotional states like anxiety, excitement, or uncertainty can amplify stimming behaviors. The context matters deeply.
Rule out other factors
- Medical or discomfort issues: pain, itching, or skin irritation could prompt rubbing as a response.
- Communication difficulties: behavior might communicate a need or discomfort rather than being purely sensory.
- Environmental factors: changes in lighting, temperature, noise, or crowding might exacerbate sensory overload and increase rubbing.
A comprehensive view helps prevent misinterpreting the behavior.
Ways to Support and Intervene (When Needed)
If autism rubbing hands together becomes disruptive, the goal is not erasure—but to guide safe, functional alternatives and reduce interference. Here are strategies grounded in principles of behavioral support.
1. Teach alternative, more functional behaviors
Because hand rubbing likely meets a sensory or emotional need, you can teach alternative responses that fulfill the same need but are less disruptive:
- Use fidget tools (textured toys, squeeze balls, sensory brushes) that the person can use with their hands.
- Teach hand gestures or movements that are socially acceptable and have similar tactile feedback.
- Introduce calming routines (deep breathing, weighted blankets, hand massage) to reduce reliance on rubbing.
- Build transition cues or scripts so that when discomfort or anxiety arises, the person can shift to a more acceptable behavior.
These alternative behaviors must be strong, accessible, and functionally equivalent to hand rubbing to be successful.
2. Modify the environment to reduce triggering sensory load
Because hand rubbing may be a response to sensory overwhelm:
- Lower ambient noise, soften lighting, reduce clutter, or limit multiple sensory inputs simultaneously.
- Schedule breaks or quiet zones where the individual can self-regulate without stigma.
- Use predictable routines and visual supports to reduce uncertainty, which can trigger stimming.
- Provide sensory tools proactively (e.g. textured mats, tactile panels) so self-regulation doesn’t always rely on hand rubbing.
3. Use behavior-analytic strategies
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) offers techniques to intervene respectfully and effectively.
- Conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to identify antecedents and consequences maintaining hand rubbing.
- Use positive reinforcement to encourage alternative behaviors rather than punishing or suppressing stimming.
- Use differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO or DRA): reward when the person engages in the alternative rather than hand rubbing.
- Gradually shape reduced rubbing by reinforcing shorter, lighter episodes, if total elimination isn’t realistic.
- Monitor progress closely, and adjust strategies over time.
4. Collaborate with occupational therapists or sensory specialists
OTs skilled in sensory integration can assess tactile needs and design personalized interventions to support the individual’s sensory profile. They may recommend:
- Brushing protocols or tactile stimulation programs
- Joint sessions to integrate alternative behaviors into daily routines
- Fine motor tasks that provide tactile feedback in a functional way
5. Monitor and adjust over time
Behavior is dynamic. What works one year may not work the next. Regularly revisit data, progress, and the individual’s changing needs. Stay flexible and responsive rather than rigid.
Common Misconceptions & What to Avoid
- Don’t assume every stim must be stopped. Many individuals use stimming, including hand rubbing, for essential regulation. The aim is to reduce problematic behavior, not stigmatize all.
- Don’t punish or shame. Scolding or harshly redirecting can increase anxiety and worsen behaviors.
- Don’t ignore context. Behavior tied to stress or environmental overload needs intervention at the root, not just suppression.
- Don’t expect immediate change. Behavior change takes consistent, gradual effort.
Case Example (Hypothetical)
Consider a child, “Alex,” who rubs his hands vigorously when entering a noisy cafeteria. Observations show it happens immediately after the entrance, peaks for two minutes, and then subsides.
- Trigger: entering a high-sensory space (noise, chatter, smells)
- Function: likely sensory regulation + anxiety reduction
- Strategy: before entering, give Alex a fidget toy or textured card to rub instead; provide noise-cancelling headphones; practice entry routines. Reinforce use of the fidget rather than hand rubbing. Adjust over time.
With consistency and support, he may shift to the alternative behavior or reduce intensity.
Final Thoughts on “Autism and Rubbing Hands Together”
Understanding autism and rubbing hands together requires empathy, nuance, and a framework grounded in observation. Rather than viewing it as “bad behavior,” it’s more productive to see it as communication – a coping tool. In many cases, it is acceptable and harmless. But when it becomes disruptive or harmful, data-driven strategies, sensory accommodations, and alternative behaviors can make a meaningful difference.
Schedule a consultation with Storybook ABA to explore how ABA therapy in Maryland and Virginia can help your child develop alternatives to hand rubbing while honoring their unique needs. Our team at Storybook ABA provides behavior assessment, individualized intervention, and consistent support in the communities we serve, so your child can thrive with dignity, flexibility, and progress. Get in touch with us today!
