• Replies 12 replies
  • Subscribers 84 subscribers
  • Views 525 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Question about stimming

dbillyd

Hi, 

My 17 year old son has an autism diagnosis and I recently noticed an increase in his stimming when we go to watch football matches together. He will intermittently rock back and forth in his seat and shake his hands. 

Whilst I have no problem with the stimming itself, I realise that with him being 17 he is drawing attention to himself. I've heard that a lot of autistic adults can manage their stimming when out in public, but he told his mum that a lot of the time he's not aware that he's doing it. 

I was wondering if there are any tools or interventions he can use to reduce the stimming in public? Would something like a stress ball that he could squeeze help? 

Anyone have any experience in the area? 

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Parents

  • I get where your coming from but I wouldn't feel comfortable giving advice to reduce stimming. It is something that is regulating for autistic people and it is the public not the autistic individual that needs educating on that. I know life isn't always as simple as that and I'm certainly not having a go at you for wanting to support him. It is a shame that people in public can't just mind their business and let people be people. In a situation like a football match (I'm assuming he likes football) I'd imagine the stimming is through excitement. I'm just not sure a fidget toy or stress ball would replace a stim. Some people do hold in their stims but it can be exhausting and unpleasant. 

  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    To be fair, no one around us has said anything - in fact, we're in a pretty friendly area of the ground and most of the people sitting around us would be quite accommodating to my son. We've been going for three years and it's just something I've noticed happening more frequently - also, with him being almost an adult I think it becomes more noticeable. That's why I was wondering if there was something like a stress ball that he would feel comfortable with and could 'replace' the stimming. 

Reply
  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    To be fair, no one around us has said anything - in fact, we're in a pretty friendly area of the ground and most of the people sitting around us would be quite accommodating to my son. We've been going for three years and it's just something I've noticed happening more frequently - also, with him being almost an adult I think it becomes more noticeable. That's why I was wondering if there was something like a stress ball that he would feel comfortable with and could 'replace' the stimming. 

Children
  • in reply to dbillyd

    It's good that no one has said anything and it's great your supportive of your son. My advice would be if your son is happy with it - leave the stimming alone. Adults stim too and I think it just needs to become more accepted. But he is your son and your lives. I doubt a stress ball would replace stimming but only your son could truly answer that question.