For autistic and other neurodivergent people, sensory input can be both a source of stress and a tool for regulating feelings. There are many types of stimming, from happy stimming to express excitement to destructive outlets for feelings of distress and overwhelm. We’ll go over the many types of stimming, along with examples, so you can get a better understanding of what stimming is, why it happens, and why it’s so important!
Stimming is shorthand for “self-stimulatory behavior.” It refers to repetitive movements, sounds, words, or behaviors that a person uses to regulate their emotions, manage their physical comfort, or express strong feelings.
Common stimming examples include hand flapping, rocking, humming, or pacing.
Most stimming is harmless, but there are some stims that can be dangerous. Head-banging, hitting, and biting are forms of stimming that usually come from feelings of extreme overwhelm, anger, and frustration. These are signs that someone is in distress and needs help, as they can hurt themselves or others, even when they don’t mean to.
The vast majority of people on the autism spectrum experience sensory input differently than neurotypical, non-disabled people. That means they see, hear, feel, taste, and smell things more intensely or differently than neurotypical people. Because of this, almost half of all autistic people engage in some form of stimming on a regular basis.
From the outside, some types of stimming may seem “weird” or disruptive, but it’s a vital coping mechanism for many neurodivergent people. While it’s often talked about with children, autistic stimming in adults is becoming more normalized, accepted, and better understood for its many benefits.
However, stimming behaviors are not specific to autism. In fact, everyone engages in stimming to varying degrees. Many people, both autistic and non-autistic, use stimming to help regulate their nervous systems. People with ADHD and sensory processing disorder are also likely to “stim” more often than neurotypical people.
Stimming is a very personal behavior. It would be impossible to list every individual stimming behavior everyone has ever done, but no matter the stim, they all fall into certain categories depending on which senses they engage.
Someone doing auditory stimming listens to the same sounds, songs, words, or series of noises over and over. Some common auditory stimming behaviors include:
Taste and smell are two of our most vital senses, and based on their location, it’s no surprise that they are connected. Strong flavors, smells, chewing, sniffing, and biting grab the brain’s attention and can provide a sense of relief and focus. Oral and olfactory stimming behaviors may include:
Tactile stimming covers a wide range of touch, texture, and pressure-related behaviors. Our sense of physical touch is very important, and different textures can inspire different feelings. Examples of tactile stimming include:
These are among the most common forms of stimming in autism. “Vestibular” relates to our sense of balance, while “proprioceptive” is about our orientation in the space around us. These senses help us feel grounded, stable, and secure in our environment. Proprioceptive and vestibular stimming usually involves:
This type of stimming relies on sight. People who use visual stimming often find sensory lighting and specific visual effects soothing. It includes physical eye movements, as well as watching lights, colors, and effects. Some behaviors include:
This is similar to auditory stimming, but the sensory expression is more about the sounds being made and how they feel rather than how they sound. Vocal and verbal stimming cover a wide range of noise-based behaviors, including:
There’s a wide world of knowledge, research, and advice when it comes to autism and stimming. At NeuroNav, we’re here to help you find the accurate information and supportive services you need to live your best life.
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