What is stimming?
Stimming is self-stimulatory behaviour and is often a way that Autistics regulate our emotions. It can be calming, it can be enjoyable, and sometimes it can signal to others that something is wrong.
Stimming can be extremely important for many Autistics and should not be prevented unless it is harmful or dangerous, in which case a safer alternative should be found.
“Stimming is most commonly understood as serving essential functions of self- regulation and integration.” — Dr. Nick Walker
Everybody stims
Yes, everybody stims — Some more obviously than others, and for many stimming is a very important part of our daily lives.
Some behaviours which can be forms of stimming are:
Pacing, walking back and forth
Biting your nails
Picking at your skin
Biting your lip
Cracking your knuckles
Tapping your pen
Tapping yourself on your body (for example, some people tap their finger to their lips or chin when they’re trying to remember something)
Rocking
Jumping up and down
Hand flapping or wiggling fingers
Humming, singing, or vocalizing
Wiggling your feet or rubbing them together*
This is where I came up with the phrase “stimminy cricket!” One of my stims is rubbing my feet together. Someone referred to this as “cricket feet”, which then evolved (or devolved, depending on your perspective) into Stimminy Cricket.
A + B does not equal C
Occasionally performing those behaviours mentioned above is not the same as stimming, and stimming does not automatically mean someone is Autistic. Stimming is a normal part of human behaviour.
The difference is most Autistics tend to stim much more often, and in more obvious ways, and generally have a greater need for stimming as a self-regulation tool.
Other neurodivergent people stim as well, for example a lot of people with ADHD and OCD use stims to self-regulate.
Stimming has purpose
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