stimming
Sign in to savethumb|alt=A person holds their hands together with a string-like toy between their fingers|An autistic adult stimming with a stim toy in their hands Self-stimulatory behavior (also called stimming, stims, self-stimulation, stereotypy, and stereotypic movement disorder) is the repetition of physical movements, sounds, words, moving objects, or other behaviors. Stimming is a type of restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB). They can be both conscious and subconscious. Such behaviors are found to some degree in all people, but are especially intense and frequent in those with developmental disabi
Article
8 sectionsContents
- Autism
- ADHD
- Research
- Possible stimming with other conditions
- Hand flapping
- Toys
- See also
- References
thumb|alt=A person holds their hands together with a string-like toy between their fingers|An autistic adult stimming with a stim toy in their hands Self-stimulatory behavior (also called stimming, stims, self-stimulation, stereotypy, and stereotypic movement disorder) is the repetition of physical movements, sounds, words, moving objects, or other behaviors. Stimming is a type of restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB). They can be both conscious and subconscious. Such behaviors are found to some degree in all people, but are especially intense and frequent in those with developmental disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing disorder, or autism.
Stimming has been interpreted as a protective response to sensory overload, in which people calm themselves by blocking less predictable environmental stimuli, to which they have a heightened sensory processing sensitivity. Stimming can be a way to relieve anxiety and other negative or heightened emotions.