What Are Stims? Understanding Stimming and Autism
Stimming (short for self-stimulatory behaviour) is something pretty much everyone does. Tapping a pen, cracking your knuckles, twirling your hair—if you've ever done any of these, congrats, you're a stimmer! But for autistic people, stimming tends to be more noticeable, more essential, and sometimes, more misunderstood.
Instead of being a quirky habit, stimming helps autistic individuals navigate the world. It’s a way to manage emotions, process sensory input, or simply express joy (or stress, or excitement, or… you get it). If you’ve ever wondered why autistic people stim and why it matters, stick around.
Why Do Autistic People Stim?
For autistic people, stimming isn’t just something to do—it serves a real purpose:
Self-Regulation: Big emotions? Stimming helps handle them, whether it’s excitement, anxiety, or sensory overload.
Sensory Processing: The world can be a lot. Stimming can make overwhelming environments more manageable.
Communication: Not everyone communicates the same way. Sometimes, stimming says what words can’t—happiness, stress, discomfort, or anything in between.
Focus & Concentration: Some people need silence to focus; others need movement. Repetitive motions can help autistic people stay engaged, especially in overstimulating settings.
Stims can look different from person to person—hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, repeating words or sounds (echolalia), or engaging with certain textures. If it helps regulate emotions and function in daily life, it’s doing its job.
But… Do Stims Hurt?
Most of the time? No. Stimming is usually harmless and can be really beneficial. But some stims—like head-banging or biting—can cause injury. In those cases, finding safer alternatives (like chewable jewelry or weighted blankets) can help.
The goal isn’t to eliminate stimming. Imagine someone telling you to stop tapping your foot or humming your favorite song because they don’t like it. That would be annoying, right? Instead, the focus should be on supporting safe stimming, not shutting it down.
How Are Stims Different from Tics?
People sometimes mix up stims and tics, but they’re actually pretty different:
✔ Stims are voluntary (even if they feel automatic) and serve a purpose, like self-soothing or focusing.
✘ Tics are involuntary and happen whether the person wants them to or not.
Tics are more common in conditions like Tourette Syndrome, while stimming is a core part of autism. Knowing the difference helps avoid misunderstandings and makes it easier to support autistic individuals without trying to “correct” something that isn’t a problem.
Stimming Isn’t the Enemy—Misunderstanding Is
Instead of seeing stimming as something to be “fixed,” we should recognize it for what it is: a natural, valid way for autistic people to exist in the world. The more we understand and accept stimming, the more we create a world where autistic individuals don’t have to mask or suppress themselves just to fit in. And honestly, who wouldn’t want that?
