Understanding Spitting and How to Support It

Spitting can be a distressing behaviour for families, carers, and professionals to manage.

For some neurodivergent children and young people, spitting isn’t about rudeness or defiance - it’s a form of communication, self-regulation, or sensory seeking.

Understanding the “why” behind spitting is the first step in finding supportive strategies that work for everyone.

Why Spitting Happens 💭

There are several reasons someone might spit:

• Sensory needs – Spitting can meet an oral sensory need, similar to chewing or mouthing objects.

• Communication – If someone struggles to use words, spitting may be their way of saying “I’m upset,” “I need space,” or “I don’t like this.”

• Emotional regulation – Spitting can be an outlet when emotions feel too big to manage.

• Attention – Sometimes, spitting is used to gain a reaction if other communication methods aren’t working.

• Medical reasons – Excess saliva or difficulties with swallowing can also play a part.

  
  

How to Support Someone Who Spits 🤝

• Stay calm – Reacting with frustration can reinforce the behaviour. A neutral response helps reduce attention given to the spitting.

• Look for triggers – Keep track of when spitting happens. Is it during transitions? In noisy environments? When the person is anxious or bored?

• Offer alternatives – Provide safe oral sensory outlets, such as chew toys, straws, crunchy foods, or bubble-blowing.

• Model communication – Teach and encourage other ways to express feelings, such as using words, symbols, or emotion cards.

• Support regulation – Build in regular movement breaks, sensory activities, or calming tools to help reduce stress before it builds up.

• Collaborate – Work with teachers, carers, or health professionals to ensure consistency in how spitting is responded to across different settings.

  
  

Things to Remember 🌟

• Spitting is rarely “just bad behaviour” - it’s often a sign of an unmet need.

• With patience and the right support, many individuals reduce spitting when their needs are better understood and met.

• Every child or young person is different - what works for one might not work for another, so it’s important to keep trying different strategies.

  
  

👉 Supporting behaviours like spitting starts with empathy and curiosity. Instead of asking “How do I stop this?”, it can be more helpful to ask “What is this behaviour telling me?”.