Stim Acceptance.

Just wanted to make a positive post, I was cooking dinner tonight,  the radio was on with some good 80’s tunes. My wife was in the living room with my son being quite noisy. I was listening to my music in the kitchen and stimming quite a lot, I love to open and close my hands quickly and shake my arms at the same time.  Sometimes I stim if I’m happy, angry or anxious. My wife walked into the kitchen unexpectedly and caught me, I immediately stopped and put my hands in my pockets, I felt like a naughty school boy, she asked if it was okay to hug me, and obviously it was, it’s nice to be asked first . She then said to me, never hide what you do, I love you and don’t fully understand what or why you do things, but don’t hide them in front of me. It’s 12 months this week since I realised, I’ve Not been mad, bad or mostly  sad for 50 + years. I’m autistic and still finding my way!

Parents
  • Sounds familiar I’m often to be found flapping my hands around and bouncing up and down when left alone. It is a bit embarrassing but, like you, my wife accepts and appreciates my weird ways. It’s only recently that I’ve come to realise that these are autistic traits. I’m 62 now, and I’m not going to stop..It’s nice to be accepted and loved for who you truly are.

Reply
  • Sounds familiar I’m often to be found flapping my hands around and bouncing up and down when left alone. It is a bit embarrassing but, like you, my wife accepts and appreciates my weird ways. It’s only recently that I’ve come to realise that these are autistic traits. I’m 62 now, and I’m not going to stop..It’s nice to be accepted and loved for who you truly are.

Children
  • Hi, I’m 55, too be honest I always new I was different but didn’t know why. To finally know that there is a reason has changed my life for the better. Yes I still have days that are hard and puzzling but the good days are becoming more frequent, I can finally be me. I don’t know if you have ever seen Billy Elliot? At his interview he is asked what it feels like when he dances, the answer is the same as the need to stim. It’s like there’s electricity inside.