Understanding Spitting

Spitting is a behaviour that we can find particularly difficult to respond to. It can feel unpleasant, personal and shocking, and may also prompt concerns around hygiene, safety and respect for others.

However, as with many other behaviours, spitting rarely happens without a reason. When we pause and look beyond the behaviour itself, we may discover that it is linked to an unmet need, an emotional state, or a difficulty the person is experiencing.

When we approach situations with curiosity rather than judgement, we can increase the likelihood of responding in ways that protect dignity, strengthen relationships and support long-term change. We can also explore ways to articulate how it made us feel as practitioners and the impact spitting has on us, to help reduce the chances of recurrence.

Why someone might spit

Spitting can happen for a wide range of reasons which will depend on the individual themselves and their context:

Communicating distress
Sometimes, spitting is a way of expressing strong emotions. When someone feels overwhelmed, anxious, frightened or angry, and cannot easily communicate those feelings in other ways, spitting may become a quick and visible form of expression.

For example, an individual who cannot explain that they feel anxious about a change in routine may spit when asked to move to a different activity. Someone receiving personal care might spit if they feel uncomfortable, rushed or that their privacy is not being respected.

Sensory experiences
For some individuals, including those with sensory processing differences, spitting may be linked to sensory feedback. The sensation of saliva, the movement of the mouth, or the sound that spitting creates can provide stimulation or relief.