Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, I was only recently diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, It was six years ago and only recently have I taken the diagnosis very seriously.
Some sort of enlightenment has dawned but one behaviour I have that may or may not be stimming is thumb sucking, it is usually only something I do asleep, which is where my ego has no control, but, on public transport, which I use but little, I find I want to suck my thumb maybe to reduce stress, and I do feel that people bite their nails or smoke in public so why should I desist?
I know that the wider public considers the habit rather odd in a person of my age but would the enforced discontinuation of it be masking?
When using computers, which I hate, it is also better to suck rather than shout I find.
I have of course repeatedly had the New Year Resolution of I really must stop sucking my thumb many times, except once in about 1998 in Eskdale where I pointedly sucked my thumb at a New Year's Day Party. Is it O.K. to do this, is it stimming or is it just flagrant attention seeking? The fact that I do it more often in private does suggest that it is more than an affectation but another inescapable fact is that it is corrosive to self esteem and that this is not entirely down to negative public reaction.
Some public reaction, funnily enough, was quite supportive, but never it there ever going to be a thumb sucking pride parade unless some toddlers get strangely politically aware.
Well I was just wondering if anyone else here had seen or heard of this as a stimming behaviour? The internet is very wide of course and so I have come across an autistic thumb sucker or two who was an adult, but that maybe nothing to do with autism.
I am 52 and still suck, or more accuratly lightly chew, my thumb. I tend to only do it at home when I am quite relaxed and watching tv. Well that is until my wife tells me off! It is something I do every few weeks maybe, not a concious thing either.
Yes, the habit does come on in extreme relaxation but it is also used to try and induce that feeling and maybe that is a case of putting the cart before the horse? Stress, boredom and anxiety are all big triggers for me but depression is the big one.
I suppose it is useful as a mood monitor, just getting the urge might tell me to adjust my lifestyle in some way?
What does your wife say? 'Oh just stop it!' or is she a little more gentle?
Thank you for your reply, I was expecting to get none at all.
My wife just normally give me a nudge and a look. I have also at times chewed (very gently) the inside of my cheeks, that is kind of a substiute for the thumb that can't be seen. Just one of those strange things.
Yes I thought she would be just gently reminding and if it is only once every few weeks it is not much of a cross to bear.