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Stimming in class

piggy1401

Today has been a hard day. Another student complained about my stimming in class because it was too distracting and was stopping them from focusing. I’ve been asked to stop by my teacher.

I’m not sure how to feel. I went to the lesson today but left after a couple of minutes because I felt uncomfortable knowing that people didn’t really want me there.

I don’t really want to go to the lesson anymore, is that understandable or am I being silly?

Alisha xx

  • This is a difficult situation and your reaction is completely understandable.

    Equally though I can understand how some stims can be distracting - it is even possible that the student who had a problem with it might be autistic themselves, hypersensitive and unable to filter it out. If it is an audible stim, like clicking your pen, is it possible to find a quieter stim? If it is something they can see out of the corner of their eye, can you put up some kind of screen and fidget behind that? There ought to be some way to accommodate both your need to stim and their need to not be distracted.

    One thing I should point out - just because one student found your stim distracting does not mean the whole class, or even that student, doesn't want you there!

  • Hi, you really shouldn’t be made to feel uncomfortable for being autistic, stimming is quite normal for us. Your school  needs to be more supportive, it is World Autism Acceptance Week. Does school know you are autistic? Do you have a friend who will support you, there should be pastoral care to talk to and help. We shouldn’t have to hide but one trick is to sit at the back of the class, less people can see your stimming, it’s wrong and people do need to be more supportive. Try to attend the lesson, if needed go off to the toilets or a cloakroom and stim, again you shouldn’t have to do this but be assured, school doesn’t last forever. I’m older and thought schools had really moved on with being more inclusive. Sending you a virtual high five, Easter break is around the corner! 

  • Tbh that’s completely understandable, and your feelings are totally valid. You shouldn’t have to deal with stuff like that when you are just trying to live and learn.

    I personally get uncomfortable and anxious when other students just point out my stimming or tics, so I end up suppressing them as much as possible and then I hide in the school toilets to stim and tic as much as I need to (which I definitely would not recommend, as suppressing the urges is unbelievably draining). I can only imagine how upsetting it would be to be told to stop, and I probably wouldn’t want to go back either if I’m honest.