Stimming is characterised as repetitive motions that it may use to help to cope with emotions. It is short for self-stimulating behaviours, while many people have a stim the behaviour has become associated with autism. People with autism, stimming is much more pronounced. This is because people with autism experience senses differently. Their experience of the world is often more intense because their senses are heightened. There are many reasons for Stimming. When routine stimming behaviour becomes more intense or exaggerated, it often indicates that something in the environment is bringing about feelings of anxiety.
There are some common reason for stimming behaviour
Overstimulation: Stimming helps block out too much sensory input from overstimulation.
Understimulation: If a place doesn’t have enough sensory input things to hear or look at, or if you are bored, stimming provides additional sensory input.
Management Emotion: On a sudden flow of emotion of sadness or happiness, it may trigger the stim. They may flap your hands when you’re happy or begin to bite your nails when you’re upset.
Advantage of Stimming
Self Regulation: stimming is a way for us to feel grounded at the moment and regulate our feelings. When someone with autism feels a sudden rush of feelings, that energy needs to go somewhere. Stimming provides an outlet for that energy. It allows the person to continue functioning within whatever space they are in.
Mental Health: When the self-regulate and process its emotions, it improves mental health. If anyone has a stim then it might think it is embarrassing, it may be a challenge. It is important to try different channels of the stim into a different movement.
Disadvantage of Stimming
Social Acceptance: This is one of the greatest challenges that comes with stimming is social acceptance. People with autism are often encouraged to hide stimming behaviour, so they can fit in. Instead, people without autism should try to see the purpose that stimming serves for an individual and make space for it in social settings. Instead of reacting negatively to stimming behaviour, people can choose to redirect their attention to something else or acknowledge it with acceptance.
Ultimately, recognising the advantages of stimming, such as self-regulation and emotional management, and addressing the disadvantages, such as social acceptance issues, is crucial in promoting inclusivity and support for individuals with autism. Embracing stimming as a valid and valuable coping mechanism can lead to a more compassionate and inclusive society for people with autism and neurodiverse individuals as a whole.
