Which self-soothing behavior might individuals with intellectual disabilities exhibit?

Individuals with intellectual disabilities often exhibit self-soothing behaviors as a part of their coping mechanisms for dealing with overwhelming emotions or sensory input. Rocking or clicking their fingers serves as a physical method to provide comfort and regulate their emotional state. This type of behavior can be repetitive and rhythmic, which many individuals find calming.

These behaviors may help them manage anxiety, reduce stress, or provide a sense of predictability in their environment. The motion of rocking, for example, can generate a soothing sensory experience that can decrease levels of distress.

In contrast, while reading quietly, predicting outcomes, and dancing to music can also be enjoyable activities, they do not specifically relate to the instinctive self-soothing behavior that is typically observed in individuals with intellectual disabilities. These activities may not serve the same calming purpose that rocking or other repetitive movements often do, making them less representative of common self-soothing behaviors in this population.