https://justkeepstimming.com/2017/08/28/stim-toys-and-fidgets-workshop-a-recap/
For a very shortened version in infographic format: https://justkeepstimming.com/2019/05/21/types-of-stimming-infographic/
This is a good primer to the types of stimming that exist, covering most of the senses. There's a little bit at the beginning on why people stim, which I consider mandatory reading.
Honestly, I wish that section was longer. Stimming is one of those things that's been demonized for being abnormal. Eliminating it is a primary focus in many ABA programs. This focus ignores the function of the behavior.
It's more than that, though... Autistic stimming is usually just more obvious variants of behaviors that most people do.
Y'know how some people nervously bounce their legs, or twiddle their thumbs in boredom? Maybe they fidget a little, crack their knuckles, or even play with their hair. Some people hum when they're alone.
That's stimming. All of that is stimming. You've been seeing people stim your whole life and never batted an eye about it. The only reason autistic stimming is deemed unacceptable is because it doesn't always look like that.
We also tend to stim more often, because we're under far more stress than most people. There's internal stress, from our brain and body not obeying our commands or needing extra support to function well. And there's external stress, from the unfair demands of the people around us ("Act more normal!") and those of society ("you only have worth as a human being if you're making money!").
It all adds up. If the stim isn't dangerous to the person or the people around them, LEAVE IT ALONE. Letting a person stim means fewer meltdowns and a happier autistic person.
For a very shortened version in infographic format: https://justkeepstimming.com/2019/05/21/types-of-stimming-infographic/
This is a good primer to the types of stimming that exist, covering most of the senses. There's a little bit at the beginning on why people stim, which I consider mandatory reading.
Honestly, I wish that section was longer. Stimming is one of those things that's been demonized for being abnormal. Eliminating it is a primary focus in many ABA programs. This focus ignores the function of the behavior.
It's more than that, though... Autistic stimming is usually just more obvious variants of behaviors that most people do.
Y'know how some people nervously bounce their legs, or twiddle their thumbs in boredom? Maybe they fidget a little, crack their knuckles, or even play with their hair. Some people hum when they're alone.
That's stimming. All of that is stimming. You've been seeing people stim your whole life and never batted an eye about it. The only reason autistic stimming is deemed unacceptable is because it doesn't always look like that.
We also tend to stim more often, because we're under far more stress than most people. There's internal stress, from our brain and body not obeying our commands or needing extra support to function well. And there's external stress, from the unfair demands of the people around us ("Act more normal!") and those of society ("you only have worth as a human being if you're making money!").
It all adds up. If the stim isn't dangerous to the person or the people around them, LEAVE IT ALONE. Letting a person stim means fewer meltdowns and a happier autistic person.
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