Stimming: What It Is and Why People Do It

People who stim may give off the impression that they are moving or making noises on purpose in ways that don’t seem to serve any particular reason. People stim in order to interact with one another, to calm themselves, or even just because they find it amusing. Stimming has a purpose.

People who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to stimming more frequently than the general population. In point of fact, stimming is included as a diagnostic criteria for autism in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition" (DSM-5). Stimming may also be a symptom of other types of neurodivergence, such as schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What Exactly Is the Stimming?

Stimming is an abbreviation for the term "self-stimulation." Stimming is referred to as a "stereotypic" activity in the medical field. Almost everyone engages in activities that are designed to stimulate their own senses. You may do things like doodle, tap your pen, or bounce your foot, for instance. People tend to refer to those movements as fidgeting most of the time.

People who do not have autism spectrum disorder may be more aware of when the activities of individuals around them cause discomfort. For instance, if your classmates find that the sound of you repeatedly tapping your pen gets too loud, you can decide to cease generating the noise.

People who have autism spectrum disorder, on the other hand, may stim in ways that are more noticeable and less socially acceptable, such as rocking back and forth, flapping their hands, or repeating words or phrases. Stimming is a common symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and might involve behavior that is unusual, intense, or repeated.

The term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a range of behaviors and symptoms (that include prior classifications like Asperger’s syndrome) that pose challenges for individuals in the areas of communicating, learning, and acting appropriately. Stimming can often be helpful in overcoming such challenges. Stimming, for instance, has been shown to reduce both anxiety and energy in the course of study. Stimming can also be a helpful tool for those with ASD in the areas of information processing and acquiring new knowledge.

Examples of Stimming

Stimming refers to any type of repeated movement that is done with the purpose of reducing tension and increasing comfort. Various types of stims include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

• Motor stimming refers to actions that are performed in a repeated manner, such as flapping one’s hands, swaying one’s body, spinning, leaping, or moving one’s fingers. Some people engage in self-harming activities as part of their motor stimming, such as striking themselves, picking at their skin, or scratching.
• Echolalia: Some persons self-stimulate by repeating words or phrases that have no significance.
• Staring at stimuli such as lights is an example of a form of stimming known as visual stimming.
• "Non-functional" behaviors can include things like constantly altering objects in the environment.

Why do individuals Stim?

Stimming is frequently associated with feelings of anxiety, excitement, tension, or anger. To put it another way, people may stim more frequently when they feel overwhelmed by particular circumstances or triggers.

People may engage in stimming for a variety of reasons, including the following five:

Stimming may be a behavior that some people engage in because it facilitates the processing of sensory information, which in turn helps them acquire new knowledge and communicate more effectively with others.

Stimming is a method for managing one’s feelings and is also helpful in reducing stress. Stimming is an activity that can assist relieve tension in a similar way to jogging, reading, or painting, which are all examples of stress-relieving activities.

In fact, studies have shown that people frequently stim after experiencing anything that brings on feelings of stress. People who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), for instance, could feel nervous in surroundings that are noisy or entertaining. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can release their pent-up energy via the therapeutic activity of stimming.

Helps individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who may have problems paying attention to details. There is evidence to imply that stimming is widespread in settings where people are learning. Some people are better able to concentrate and organize their thoughts when they do actions that are repeated.

The Impact That Stimming

Persons who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can benefit in numerous ways from stimming owing to its calming effects. These advantages can help persons with ASD better deal with talking, learning, and behaving.

In contrast, because stimming frequently involves odd actions, persons who stim may feel isolated from their friends due to the nature of the practice. Stimming can also entail self-harming activities, which might raise the likelihood of unfavorable effects for one’s health.

Benefits

People who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) informed researchers conducting a study that was published in 2019 in Autism that when others urged them to cease stimming, they experienced feelings like confusion, anger, resentment, nervousness, belittlement, and embarrassment. They noted that neurotypical persons frequently have a poor understanding of stimming, which can lead to difficulties in social situations.

People who have autism spectrum disorders have indicated that they are unable to function successfully if stimming is their primary method of dealing with stressful situations. Stimming is a form of self-stimulatory behavior that can assist individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) overcome challenges in the areas of communication, learning, and behavior.

In particular, a study that was conducted in 2018 and published in BMJ Case Reports indicated that some of the advantages of stimming include the following:

• Providing an escape from stressful circumstances, such as very noisy settings
• Ability to communicate and engage with people without difficulty.
• Bringing relief from emotions such as worry, tension, fear, and rage

It is not apparent why stimming is satisfying to do. Researchers have discovered that stimming can activate neurotransmitters, which are substances in the brain that are responsible for regulating emotions. Stimming, for instance, can cause the brain to produce dopamine, glutamate, and aspartate, all of which can bring about feelings of relief or pleasure. Then, those pleasurable sensations serve to reaffirm the requirement to stim.8

Harms

Stimming, as a rule, may be beneficial in a number of different ways. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that the behavior, both for those who stim and for other individuals. Stimming, for instance, may be distracting to those around you, which is especially problematic in educational settings. Stimming also exposes a person to the possibility of ridicule from their peers.

In addition to this, some persons may acquire potentially harmful stims. For instance, striking, picking at the skin, or scratching are all examples of motor stims, and they are all behaviors that can lead to physical injury. Infections, fractures, and other injuries are more likely to occur when someone engages in self-harm.

Structure, positive attitudes and expectations, empathy, low arousal, and connections (SPELL) is a framework developed by the National Autistic Society, and there is some evidence to show that carers use this framework in order to reduce the risk of physical injury.

Using the framework of SPELL, some examples of healthy stimming are as follows:

• Structure: Make certain that the individual who stims is doing it in a secure setting.
• Positive approaches and expectations: It will be easier for the individual who stims to communicate if you use language that is encouraging.
• Empathy: showing compassion for the individual who is stimming and the feelings that they are experiencing.
• Low Arousal: By removing any overpowering stimuli, such as extremely loud noises, intense lighting, or strong aromas. The individual who stims might find it easier to relax in an atmosphere with a low level of stimulation.
• Links: Last but not least, it is important to offer assistance and assist the person who self-stimulates in contacting other support systems, such as a healthcare physician.

How to Take Control of Your Stammering

If you are going to stimulate yourself, be sure you aren’t hurting yourself in the process. If stimming causes physical injury to you in the form of bruises, scars, or other injuries, you should get assistance. Healthy stimming behaviors can be developed with the assistance of trusted family members and friends or a healthcare practitioner.

Additionally, if you stim in public, you might want to think about having a card with you that explains your behavior, expresses your requirements, and reassures people that you are secure. This card may even include remarks intended to enlighten readers who are not familiar with stimming. On the other hand, if you experience social pressure to refrain from stimming in public, you may make your house a more accepting environment in which to conduct stimming behaviors. The next step is to discuss with those closest to you the reasons why stimming is so important to your overall health.

Stimming might ultimately be viewed as a form of coping or communication skill. You may discover what sets off your sensations of being overwhelmed or other emotions by stimming, which can benefit you. Finding assistance from the community might assist you in navigating such triggers. For instance, you could feel less alone if you frequent pro-stimming communities on social networking platforms.

Try not to allow other people guilt you into changing activities that aren’t harmful. In contrast, you should not feel embarrassed of yourself if you choose to hide your stimming in certain settings or if you wish to alter or eliminate it altogether. You should be the one to decide what to do in this situation.

An Overview

People who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to engage in stimming, which consists of engaging in repeated motions that help relieve anxiety, regulate intense emotions, and assist with sensory processing. Stimming is different from fidgeting in that it frequently involves strange activities, such as hand-flapping or repeating words and phrases that have no significance.

People who have Autism Spectrum Disorder often have trouble communicating, learning, and behaving appropriately; stimming can help with these challenges. However, stimming can involve acts that are harmful to oneself, such as cutting or breaking bones, which can raise the risk of infections and other negative health effects. Therefore, if you stim, it is imperative that you establish a support network and a healthy atmosphere in order to stim safely.