What is stimming and how does it relate to ASD?

For me at least, it seems like a distraction technique and a release of tension. I used to pick at my skin a lot, but now I use things like tapping and a spinner ring. I grew up thinking I have to stay really still as much as possible, so I’ve been in the process of learning how to loosen up and stim in a way that works for me.

So stimming is actually something that EVERYONE on the planet does, to an extent. It is just your body’s natural function designed to regulate itself, autistic people just tend to do it WAY more. A common allistic stim people have is tapping and bouncing their legs or fingers when stressed out or anticipating something. Another one is when girls twirl their hair! But some of the more common autistic ones are the same, hand flapping, jumping, tapping, twirling, you name it! Hell autistic afabs are more likely to do covert stims like the twirling, picking at their skin, and even dancing or talking with their hands too much! What makes something more of an autistic stim and makes it different is really just what triggers them, and how often we do it. Autistic people tend to stim to regulate all emotions, feelings, and even just to relax. Allistics tend to only stim for extreme emotions or being bored. The more I learn about stims the more I see what ones I have and how often I do them. I was undiagnosed my whole life and only now did I realize my always jumping around, dancing, and picking at my skin and hair was actually just a stim. I catch myself stimming and am like “oh!! :) I have this stim I guess!!” And add it onto the list

Stimming is small repetitive movements, like wiggling fingers or rocking from side to side, to self-soothe or express emotions. Like if you are upset and clench your fists and shake them around, or flap your hands when your excited. It can also be done with a stim toy, like my favorite is a small container of putty to stretch while I watch TV. Stimming can be done is several ways for several reasons, but mainly it's emotional regulation or to help focus. I hope this helps!