Published on 12, July, 2020
Can you explain what stimming is in a simple way?
I don't know if I stim
I know I make a noise with my breathing through my nose, but I don't know why I do it.
When I'm in bed I like to rub my foot on the sheets. I know this makes me relax and calms me. Is that a stim?
I used to suck my thumb and touch a cold pillow with the back of my hand when I was a child. I know this relaxed me when I was younger
What else could me a stim?
You are so welcome!
AwkwardKid said:I knew about stimming, but not about smells being a stim. In the summer, at night, I like to open the back door and smell the summer air. Every now and then it smells just right. Perfect even.
That’s a lovely olfactory stim! The smell of fresh air is great! Books smell good too!
Cool!
AwkwardKid said:In the summer, at night, I like to open the back door and smell the summer air.
Lovely! That's such a good smell. ️ I can't wait for summer now!
Stimming is gory for stimulation. It’s is self stimulation, usually the self stimulation is to provide some relief for whatever stress the individual is experiencing. Self stimulating by moving hands or legs up and down may release dopamine in certain areas of the brain. This may be the reason for the phenomenon of stimming. There is evidence that autism may be down to imbalances in dopamine receptors and/or activity.
I was just looking at that page... Thanks for sharing the link. Very resourceful!
Stimming is an awesome part of autism! It can bring you a lot of happiness and fun.
Stimming for me is flapping my hands, rocking back and forth, walking on tiptoe, humming and visual stimming is looking at light though this one involves the sun and is a bit of an unhealthy stim for me. It's caused me solar retinopathy in both eyes unfortunately but the others bring me a lot of happiness and comfort.
I knew about stimming, but not about smells being a stim. In the summer, at night, I like to open the back door and smell the summer air. Every now and then it smells just right. Perfect even.
I have some leather items that I have had for years, which still have that leather smell, which I love to smell. Books are a favourite too. Old or New, it doesn't matter.
For methough, nothing beats the smell of summer.
At the moment my go to tracks are Epica "Rivers" or Nightwish "The Crow, The Owl and The Dove"
Little Owl said:I've been listening to the same music for about 20 years, apparently I should be bored of it but I'm not. There are a few tracks that I listen to on repeat, it makes me really excited and a bit hyper
Yes listening to the same music is definitely a stim! It’s very pleasing and soothing to have predictable input that you know all the words to.
What are your favourite tracks?
Little Owl said:There are other tracks that I listen to when I'm working because they allow me to focus - sometimes an intense kind of focus but at least I get lots done! Never thought about it as a stim but it certainly makes sense.
Yes certain music can definitely help me get into a flow state.
I've been listening to the same music for about 20 years, apparently I should be bored of it but I'm not. There are a few tracks that I listen to on repeat, it makes me really excited and a bit hyper There are other tracks that I listen to when I'm working because they allow me to focus - sometimes an intense kind of focus but at least I get lots done! Never thought about it as a stim but it certainly makes sense.
Little Owl said:I also love to run my hand over things when I'm out - grasses are my favourite especially the fluffy ones but a bush or wall will do too, I just like to touch things!
Yes I get that! Some textures such as grass are really stimmy!
My favourite stims are listening to the same song on repeat (currently ‘Bed on Fire’ by Teddy Swims) and making noises.
Running the flat part of my fingernails over my lips is my usual one, I use it when I'm anxious or bored or sometimes just because I can. I like to wrap my hair around my fingers or a piece of ribbon if my hair is tied back. I also love to run my hand over things when I'm out - grasses are my favourite especially the fluffy ones but a bush or wall will do too, I just like to touch things! Do you have any favourite stims?
You are so welcome! Absolutely, there are some great resources on the Ausome Training website.
You are so welcome! I have this poster up on my bedroom wall!
Little Owl said: Now I realise that I do quite a few. Lots of them are things my parents told me off for as a child and said I was weird and needed to stop doing it or I wouldn't fit in. Now I'm trying to accept that they are OK because they help my anxiety and it just feels nice.
I am so sorry that you were shamed for stimming. Please know that stimming is beautiful and in our autistic community we encourage you to embrace your stims! Free the stim! What are your favourite stims?
Great poster, thanks. I'd never heard of stimming before my diagnosis. Now I realise that I do quite a few. Lots of them are things my parents told me off for as a child and said I was weird and needed to stop doing it or I wouldn't fit in. Now I'm trying to accept that they are OK because they help my anxiety and it just feels nice.
Thanks :) great link, that page is very informative.
This graphic explains stimming beautfifully:
https://ausometraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Stimming-Poster.pdf
I hope this helps!
Great explanation!
Based on my knowledge from what I've read and heard from others with autism, stimming is a way of self regulation / self soothing that everyone does, regardless of being neurodivergent or not. ND people, however, (especially autistic people) stim much more than NT people.
Stimming can include playing with your hair, rocking, tapping your foot, chewing on inedible things, blinking repetitively, hand flapping, hand shaking, spinning, repeating phrases or words or noises aloud, humming, licking your lips a lot, etc the list goes on.
I hope this helps :)