Stimming

Hi, I just found this post as I was curious about stimming- I suspect I may be autistic and waiting for an assessment. I used to stim in a noticable way as a child and adolescent (this weird rocking while sitting on a chair in a particular way). I initially did it at kindergarten and school as well as at home, but I learnt not to do it in public and I eventually also made myself stop at home (as it was making me sore). I think I did this when feeling anxious or stressed and possibly when trying to concentrate. I had no idea that this kind of behaviour is "stimming". I just thought of it as this weird, anti-social thing that I used to do... 

I have also had phases of using sounds to stim (saying brrrrrrr in this really bright way to relieve nervous/ anticipatory stress- my mum actually joined in with this one and I had forgotten about it but it always felt so good and got rid of some of the stress). 

However, I am unsure if I am still stimming now and I was wondering if all autistic people stim- hence my interest in this post which addresses that question. Now that I am more aware of what stimming is, I am starting to think that I do still stim but just in more subtle ways - is tearing/ripping/rolling a bit of paper in a repetitive way a form of stimming? Also is it possible to stim with food? I have some quite weird habbits (like running my finger over smooth glossy chocolate butter and then tasting bits in a repeated manner- sorry I know this is super weird...). Is it usual to stim in more subtle ways as adults? 

Also, it is weird but now that I know about stimming I have caught myself trying out different forms of it (like shaking my hands etc) and I think it helps relieve stress and makes me feel better- has anyone else experienced an increase in stimming after finding out that you might be autistic? (Also I have been off work for a month now - due to complete burnout, so I also now have the privacy to stim without being judged). 

Sorry for all the questions- I am just feeling super curious and want to understand more about this- also I am a little excited because I feel like I have (re)discovered a potential tool to relieve some of my constant stress and anxiety and to let go of some of my feelings.  

Hi, I just found this post as I was curious about stimming- I suspect I may be autistic and waiting for an assessment. I used to stim in a noticable way as a child and adolescent (this weird rocking while sitting on a chair in a particular way). I initially did it at kindergarten and school as well as at home, but I learnt not to do it in public and I eventually also made myself stop at home (as it was making me sore). I think I did this when feeling anxious or stressed and possibly when trying to concentrate. I had no idea that this kind of behaviour is "stimming". I just thought of it as this weird, anti-social thing that I used to do... 

I have also had phases of using sounds to stim (saying brrrrrrr in this really bright way to relieve nervous/ anticipatory stress- my mum actually joined in with this one and I had forgotten about it but it always felt so good and got rid of some of the stress). 

However, I am unsure if I am still stimming now and I was wondering if all autistic people stim- hence my interest in this post which addresses that question. Now that I am more aware of what stimming is, I am starting to think that I do still stim but just in more subtle ways - is tearing/ripping/rolling a bit of paper in a repetitive way a form of stimming? Also is it possible to stim with food? I have some quite weird habbits (like running my finger over smooth glossy chocolate butter and then tasting bits in a repeated manner- sorry I know this is super weird...). Is it usual to stim in more subtle ways as adults? 

Also, it is weird but now that I know about stimming I have caught myself trying out different forms of it (like shaking my hands etc) and I think it helps relieve stress and makes me feel better- has anyone else experienced an increase in stimming after finding out that you might be autistic? (Also I have been off work for a month now - due to complete burnout, so I also now have the privacy to stim without being judged). 

Sorry for all the questions- I am just feeling super curious and want to understand more about this- also I am a little excited because I feel like I have (re)discovered a potential tool to relieve some of my constant stress and anxiety and to let go of some of my feelings.