Stimming and Autism

You may have seen a person rocking back and forth, flapping their hands, or perhaps repeating a sound or phrase. These repetitive behaviours are often a visible characteristic of autism, and to an observer who doesn't understand them, they can sometimes seem unusual. However, these actions, known as "stimming", are far from random. They are a fundamental part of how many autistic people experience and regulate their world.

This article aims to demystify stimming, or self-stimulatory behaviour. We will explore the many important functions it serves, the different forms it can take, and why societal acceptance is so crucial. The goal is to move beyond misunderstanding and see stimming not as a "behaviour to be corrected", but as a natural and often necessary part of the autistic experience.

What is Stimming?

Stimming is the term used for self-stimulatory behaviour, and it involves repetitive movements or sounds. In reality, almost everyone stims to some degree. Have you ever tapped your foot when you were impatient, clicked a pen while thinking, or twirled your hair when you felt nervous? These are all forms of stimming. They are things we often do automatically to manage our internal state.

For autistic people, stimming is often more pronounced and serves more essential functions. Because autistic people can process the world and their sensory environment very differently, stimming becomes a vital tool for navigating daily life.

The Purpose of Stimming: More Than Just Repetition

So why do autistic people stim? These behaviours are deeply purposeful and can serve several crucial functions at once. Understanding these purposes is key to appreciating why stimming is so important.

• Self-Regulation

  At its core, stimming is a powerful way for a person to regulate their internal world. This includes managing emotions, both positive and negative. A person might flap their hands in moments of intense joy and excitement, or rock back and forth to soothe themselves when feeling anxious or upset.

• Managing Sensory Input

  The autistic sensory world can be a place of extremes. Stimming can help to manage an overwhelming sensory environment. In a noisy, bright, or crowded place, a repetitive action can provide a predictable, focused sensation that helps to block out the overwhelming chaos. Conversely, if an environment is under-stimulating, stimming can provide needed sensory input to help a person feel more alert and grounded.

• Coping with Stress and Anxiety

  When faced with stress, anxiety, or uncertainty, stimming provides a rhythmic, predictable, and comforting action that can be incredibly soothing. It is a reliable coping mechanism that a person can use to calm their nervous system when things feel out of control.

• Expressing Emotions

  For people who may find it difficult to express their feelings through words or facial expressions, stimming can be an honest and direct outlet for emotion. Visible stimming can be a clear sign that a person is feeling a strong emotion, whether it is excitement, fear, or happiness.

The Many Forms of Stimming

Stimming is incredibly diverse and can involve any of the senses. The specific stims a person uses are unique to them. Common forms include:

• Motor or Physical Stims

  These are some of the most recognisable stims and involve body movements. Examples include hand-flapping, rocking, spinning in circles, jumping, pacing, or flicking fingers.

• Vocal Stims

  These involve sound. A person might hum, make repetitive clicking sounds, or repeat certain words or phrases. Repeating words or lines heard from others (known as echolalia) is a common vocal stim.

• Object-Focused Stims

  This involves the repetitive use of objects, such as lining up toys in a precise order, spinning the wheels on a toy car, repeatedly flicking a light switch, or fiddling with a piece of string.

• Other Sensory Stims

  These can engage other senses, such as repeatedly touching a specific texture, smelling an object, or looking at lights or moving objects.

Why Acceptance is Key

Despite being a natural and essential part of the autistic experience, stimming is often misunderstood by society. People may stare or see it as strange or inappropriate behaviour. This can lead to autistic people feeling ashamed and trying to suppress their stims, particularly in public.

However, trying to stop a person from stimming is often counterproductive and can be harmful. It denies them a vital tool they use to cope with the world. Suppressing stims can lead to a significant build-up of stress and anxiety, potentially resulting in a meltdown or shutdown later on. A shift in perspective is needed: stimming should not be viewed as a negative behaviour to be eliminated, but as a form of communication and a valid way of being in the world.

When to Be Concerned?

But is stimming always harmless? While the vast majority of stims are beneficial, there are occasions when a stim may be a cause for concern. The only time a stim should be addressed is if it is causing harm to the person or to others. This is known as self-injurious behaviour, and can include actions like head-banging, biting, or excessive scratching.

In these situations, the goal is not simply to stop the behaviour, but to understand its cause. Self-injurious stims are a sign of extreme distress, pain, or an unmet need. The supportive approach is to investigate the underlying reason and work with the person to find a safer, alternative way to get the sensory input or emotional release they need. This might involve introducing a safer stim (like using a punch bag instead of hitting oneself) or, more importantly, addressing the source of their distress.

A Shift in Perspective

Stimming is an authentic and functional part of being autistic for many people. It is a personal, intelligent, and effective way of managing a world that can often feel overwhelming. By moving past judgment and towards understanding and acceptance, we can help to create a society where autistic people feel safe and comfortable enough to use the tools they need.

Accepting stimming is a simple yet powerful way to show respect for neurological diversity and to support autistic people in being their authentic selves.