Stimming 101

What is stimming?

Well, for Autistic people, stimming is a way to regulate our emotions.  Some example of stimming include body-rocking, hand-flapping, jumping, and leg-bouncing, just to name a few.

Why do people stim?

Autistic people stim for a variety of reasons.  Some, like I said, do it to calm or to regulate themselves.  Others do it simply because they're happy or excited.  Others do it because they're stressed out and need to chill.

Who else stims?

Many people with AD(H)D or Sensory Processing Disorder also stim.

If someone around me is stimming, how do I react?

Just let them do their thing.  Do not tell them to stop rocking, flapping, jumping, etc. because you think it's inappropriate or embarrassing.  Those could be potential triggers right there for an Autistic person because many of us have had our stims repressed - we've been through harmful therapies such as applied behavioral analysis, where we've been taught not to stim.

Do Autistic people use objects to stim?

Absolutely!  We use things like stim toys or fidgets to play with.  Others may chew gum (I highly recommend Hubba Bubba Max - it blows great bubbles!)  Stimtastic has a plethora of stim toys, fidgets and chewable jewelry for all you stimming needs - and it's run by an Autistic person, and 10% of their proceeds go back to the Autistic community!

Welp, that's about it.  Thanks for reading.  Toodles!