Autism Pacing vs. NT pacing

[@renniekinnie]

i got diagnosed with autism at 14. at 20 i still pace to this day and for me pacing helps me process things. if ive had a rough day i will pace for hours on end, usually with another stim or while listening to music, and it genuinely does help me. sometimes i will talk to myself while i pace too, which is when ive come to the most important conclusions/realizations in my life. i find pacing fun, comforting, and it 100% helps the cogs in my brain get moving side note: my older sister (23) previously paced like me but doesnt anymore. shes also exhibited other signs of autism, but i dont think she has enough symptoms to be diagnosed. perhaps shes masking, idk. we havent talked much about it, but she says she definitely sees autistic traits in herself. our younger brother (5) just recently got diagnosed with autism as well

[@itspowers9107]

Me too! I think, process, or daydream while pacing and I have for years (I'm now an adult). I usually think about worries, what I have to do soon (planning), processing info I learned in school or thoughts I had (like for example related to something super intriguing I learned), or daydream/fantasize? I guess 😆

[@adhd_with_pennies4867]

SAME I HAVE A Question IS THINKING NOT AS CLEAR AND U TALK TO URSELF TO THINK BECAUSE I DO THAT AS WELL I FOUND OUT ITS ANPHANTASIA ITS THE BLIND MIND IVE BEEN HAVING THAT FOR YEARS U CAN THINK BUT NOT AS DETAILED

[@mysterionz]

Ugh my mom would always yell at me for pacing around 24/7 when I was a kid. I still do it, even at work. I have autism + adhd for context. It’s definitely a stim, can confirm

[@echofoxtrot2.051]

Ditto on all of the above.

[@ChuuMoon777]

Sameee also orbiting around stuff

[@JPWack]

Can confirm too, if I have to be seated just some leg movements can be a good replacement

[@jacobchristiano2288]

I pace a lot

[@MsAmique]

I have a neighbor who’s kids just runs constantly. It’s loud, disturbing and annoying. I definitely wish that his mother would provide some other type of stimulation.

[@sadnite.over.epsilon5446]

When I was a kid I often daydreaming about fantasy things and pacing would unconsciously accompanied it. I don't know, even now sometimes I'm pacing around when thinking about some hard problems, it really help me generating new perspective regarding of the problem I'm thinking about..

[@vio3366]

I can relate!! I did that a lot when I was a child. I would use my imagination while I paced and I still do it! I didn't know it was a stim

[@afollowersfight5266]

I constantly pace and even sometimes full blown sprint while mumbling under my breath, usually for at least an hour at a time. A few years ago, I did it so much I cracked a peace of wood in our doorway. When I do this, I’m usually either scripting a future possible scenario, scripting things I could have said in a past scenario, reciting a past scenario, or sometimes scripting what someone else might say in a scenario. It’s not that I’m anxious about not having something to say in future situations. I just makes me more comfortable, maybe due to the urge to be familiar with things. I’d say 9 times out of 10 it’s some type of scripting. I also sometimes mumble while rocking. If I don’t let all the energy out, I can’t focus on anything. It’s almost like if a neurotypical person were to have too much caffeine, and they just can’t sit still until it’s out of their system. I can definitely relate to the keeping people up in the middle of the night thing as well, and it has interrupted my own sleep.

[@moonrosebaby]

Oh my God this is so relatable!! This is a great way to describe what commonly goes on our heads.

[@MsAmique]

Yeah, but alllllllll day? The constant running is driving me absolutely crazy. These are new neighbors and it disturbs the peace.

[@ImagineAsylo]

When I pace I’m not even thinking about it, I’m thinking about whatever’s on my mind and don’t even realize I’m pacing

[@jenniferernst4141]

I invent different stories and characters in my head and use them to daydream. Of course the daydreaming is something I really like (why else do it) so I usually get really excited/hyperfixated by it. Pacing is how I get all that energy out as I do it. Sometimes I'll even act out scenes, like if a character starts running then I'll speed up my pacing to be running as well. It's the same as any other stimming; the intensity of the movement matches the intensity of the thought/emotion. It feels good to have the release, and I'll be fine but a bit uncomfortable if I can't. I also listen to music a lot and pace to it for the same reasons. I was shocked by how similar my pacing is to Alistair's despite being a 21yo woman-- we have all the exact same finger movements, arm flapping, sudden speed changes, and squeals! I think I might know why Ian likes to walk on his toes. Autistic people tend to have shorter, tighter calf muscles (and sometimes muscles in the back and hips are also affected), which means the muscles need to flex just to stand or walk flat-footed. Thats why it feels good to go on tippy toes, the muscles are finally resting. It's the equivalent of someone like you with normal legs pointing your foot up or trying to walk on your heels for a while, then going flat again. There's a lot of stretching and tension, and then relief as you go back to the neutral baseline. Your baseline is flat footed, ours is on our toes.

[@Auset003]

Hi where did you get the info about these specific muscles being affected. I would really like to get more info on this.

[@coenkloppert]

I do exactly the same! I don't know how, but when I pace or do very specific movements like cycling and brushing my teeth, I daydream almost automatically. It is very hard to describe, but it gives me such a comforting feeling. Sometimes I can walk around my room for hours at a time, daydreaming and making stuff up. This might sound conflicting, but normally I have near total aphantasia. Thats why I like pacing so much, it helps me focus and finally be able to think properly and conjure up images in my mind. Also as a child I used to walk on my toes, however i've taught myself not to do it as it really irritated my mother. I would love to learn more about your experiences.

[@lucy_lyy]

​@@coenkloppert It's called Maladaptive Daydreaming. Research about it

[@lroberts9139]

You have listed two key characteristics of my life - pacing with daydreaming and tight (painful) calves resulting in constant high heel wearing to feel at rest. ... Could you share any articles on the calf muscles? I gad nonidwa this was a characteristic of autism. I'm really curious as I've never been diagnosed, and now this had me wondering!

[@Meowymeowmeow]

I pace especially when I'm talking or texting. Walking helps you think. Physical activity makes your brain more active and alert. Being on the phone stresses me out, so I whenever I pick up the phone I automatically start pacing. I don't know why it's so automatic, it's like my brain needs to walk somewhere, so I do it. It may be an ADHD thing, too. The two conditions are so interconnected with each other it's hard to tell the two apart.

[@littlecamo8]

I always thought people pace while on the phone because their brain is like “where is the person I’m talking to?” and we subconsciously go to find them ???

[@theboywithaflowertattoo]

@@littlecamo8that actually makes a lot of sense!!

[@skvisualart]

I also have ADHD and I pace. That is a common ADHD stim because some of us constantly need to move our bodies, we are usually under stimulated. Also, it's the modified/adult version of the classic "child can't sit still in his seat in class". When we get older, it's no longer "socially acceptable" to wiggle, and spin, and climb like children with ADHD sometimes do, so we take on other things like pacing, rocking while seating, or excessive talking.

[@lucvillanueva5418]

My grandson does the hand flapping/twirling. He was diagnosed with Autism when he turned 3 yo. (He would twirl his little feet and hands since he was a few months old.It looked like he was signing.) He is now 4.5, he’s non-verbal and not walking yet. He wants to tip-toe all the time…It took 1.5 years for him to finally want to touch the floor with his feet and he was approximately 12mo when he finally sat up on his own. He didn’t like the feeling of his back touching the sofa or anything…he would slide down. Then we got him a baby bouncer and he loves to bounce his back. It helps him stim, but he’s gotten too big for the bouncer. We’re trying to get him a bigger one for his age. Also, He’s hearing impaired so he’s always making loud noises. The one thing that does bother people is when he grinds his teeth. He’s getting better at it by using terry cloth fabric to chew on. It’s the only fabric he likes. We spoon feed him because he doesn’t like to touch cups or snippy cups, so we get plenty of stares when we’re in public. Especially when he is drinking out of his bottle. He has come a long way and hope to see him walk one day. Thanks for sharing your video.

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

💕 Sounds like you’re doing well. Best of luck 💕

[@Ann963]

Sensory issues are so frustrating to all involved. I am autistic, and before I knew I was autistic I couldn’t understand how people could stand all the noise of modern society! Now I understand I have a lot of sensitivities that most people do not. Knowing how I am different helps me advocate for my needs, instead of just being angry and confused that people are (from my perspective) so oblivious and painful! I also appreciate my sensitivities when I am not in an environment that challenges me. For example, I hear every individual instrument and sound effect in soundtracks, i can hear and imitate subtle language and dialect phonological differences, and i *always* spot orders of magnitude more wildlife!

[@ariajane8695]

Around my house, I sometimes am walking around my house talking to myself and sometimes, I don't realize that I'm doing it, but I would sing or make some sort of noise. Sometimes I don't realize I'm doing it. Whenever I'm using the bathroom I talk to myself all the time, even though I already said it 100+ times I think it's a sort of way to calm down what's going through you're mind, especially if it's an obstacle you're going through

[@mysterionz]

I agree with this

[@ariajane8695]

@@mysterionz hi Kenny

[@mysterionz]

@@ariajane8695 hi!

[@jackiestarrett7192]

My 19 year old paces and he is non verbal but I love him so much he lights up my life

[@lindsaydiscovers9842]

My sister paces for different reasobs: when she is working out how to address a problem, especially how to respond in social interactions that she will have in the future, processing anxiety or anger, or sometimes just mapping out her day or the order of task she needs to accomplish to achieve something. She always seems to be in a planning or processing mode.

[@majorkatesuragi1582]

I was diagnosed at 18, I’m 20 now. I would pace quite often, and I still do. Sometimes nothing is going through my head but it usually happens when I’m happy or excited about something. I usually walk on my tiptoes as well because I like how that feels. I also do it when I talk on the phone. I was less discrete when I was younger, but it was one of my most common forms of stimming

[@darkchipz3016]

I pace since I was a kid,I usually do that when I'm boring,happy or feeling exciting,I will do that non stop Also,sometimes I like to talk with myself too,but I afraid to talk with other people because I have social anxiety Great video

[@lisapreston2715]

Our first grandson was finally diagnosed. Although as the grandma I kinda knew something wasn’t right. When he was about a year I knew he had autism. But he does pace now… he’s 6 and has been doing it since he was about 4. For him his hands are always moving. Thank you for these videos it has help me to look out for things and to just understand how to help him be his best him.

[@Sanctuarydreamer]

Hey~ I’m 22 years old and autistic. I pace constantly, especially when taking a break from a task. Work tasks, self-care, sometimes even tasks that I enjoy! I really enjoy writing, I write a lot of short stories. And when I have an idea, it’s not as easy as just writing it down. I have to pace. I pace, and it helps flesh out these ideas and makes it easier to form words from it. I never ever pace without music though. For me, without music, pacing doesn’t have the same effect. But WITH music, it’s very stimulating, and draws me further into that back and forth motion.

[@jdinterviews1249]

I will tell you that as a person with autism myself, I pace frequently on a regular basis with my headphones on. I feel that I do it because it calms my nerves and it allows me to recollect myself in a better manner. While this is my reason and I don't know if this is the same reason for your sons, it is something to think about.

[@jadenblackhawk1]

My 3-year-old will pace back and forth from one end of the living room to the other. We have an open concept home but, as soon as she gets to the "kitchen" area she will stop, turn and walk to where the hallway begins. She does this at night before bed almost as a ritual. We say time for bed in "30mins" and she will begin pacing. Sometimes, she will flap or clap too, but mostly just pacing on toes. Her weighted blanket, stories, and quiet classical music with gentle lights help her calm down for sleep.

[@jellyfish_adventures9877]

When I pace, my thoughts are usually one of 2 things... 1) I don't like how I feel physically and want it to change (could be anxiety or something I don't know what/why I'm feeling) OR 2) feeling an energy surge or pent-up energy (this can feel neutral or even very good when I start moving) What other things do I do while pacing? If I'm upset or not liking how I feel, I often rub my hands on my head or shake-out my hands and breathe out heavily If I'm feeling okay but alot of energy, I often twist back and forth or do bigger body motions sometimes even jump or laugh also For context, I'm 33 and autistic.

[@sjay9398]

When I pace or stim I am thinking about things and working them out. It helps to cope with anxiety on my body and to get the constant obsessive thoughts out of my head.

[@bradleyjayproductions]

Pacing is one of my biggest stims and this really hits home. I pace around and snap my fingers a lot as I pace, sometimes it keeps a rhythm that syncs with the walking steps. I also pace around with a ball and throw it up and down repetitively or roll it around my fingers repetitively. Some times I tap a beat with my teeth instead of snapping, or hit my hands on myself on beat (no particular song, just some random rhythm) if I am in a masking mode and trying not to show the stims. I'm still struggling with unmasking after a whole life of hiding my autism led on to believe I only had ADHD. For me the pacing is calming, I am usually feeling exceedingly anxious, uncomfortable and totally restless when I'm pacing intentionally for needed relief. Sometimes I think I pace unconsciously and not really doing it intentionally and you would find me rubbing my chest with my shirt up or some weird unusual type of behavior. I find myself like that and am like "ummmm, this again..." after doing that and not realizing it until later when I catch myself. I never really toe walked, but I do a drop of hand flapping for short bursts sometimes if I"m really anxious, like if someone stares or looks at me too much. It seems like snapping my fingers and tapping beats I do the most as a stim when I'm pacing and also when I'm not pacing.

[@dariakapral-zs7mv]

Pacing is something special for me. I usually do it when I’ve watched something I really like. Like I get excited and pacing helps me to calm down or support this feeling. Also I am pacing when I have some thoughts or internal dialogue. It helps me to process my thoughts. Also I do it while I am waiting something. When I am pacing I keep my hands locked on my chest. And if it is “internal dialogue” pacing I may make some facial expressions

[@dariakapral-zs7mv]

I remember, when I was 10 or something, I thought that pacing is not “normal”. And I tried to mask it by “I go to drink some water” or “I go to bathroom” phrases 🙃 Now I try to let myself do it with no reasons

[@krazykalezcontent]

I roll around on the floor. the texture of the carpet rubbing on my skin is satisfying and helps with my sensory issues

[@BeatlesPlotagonShow]

I sometimes pace too and I think it’s because I’m trying to self regulate as a stim, I haven’t put much thought into it, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Before my dad’s company shut down, we had an autistic client and he would pace around, and I’m guessing it was for stimming as well

[@afollowersfight5266]

One time, my parents got really concerned and brought up my pacing to my psychologist, who mentioned the term psychomotor agitation. The term is usually associated with manic episodes, but it can be used in the context of stimming behaviors. I unfortunately have not been able to find much information on the term in context of Autism. Just about everything I’ve read has been in the context of Bipolar Disorder.

[@lemurkirsche7891]

For me I am pacing always when I need to have a phonecall; and I think I know why, I remember things easier when i combine the hearing/thought with a thing I see, so if the person tells me for example the location where we will meet, I for example change my position and stare out of the window at a specific bird, or cornor of a roof, and then later I will easier remember i stared at the roof, and can remember what we talked about easier, I still need to write it down most of the times, and then also easier remember the piece of paper and the written word. And it helps that it keeps changing for each new conversation and subject.

[@ravenID429]

I move weird when I pace and walk in circles lol I don’t know how to explain it much better than they did either, but it’s like an outlet for nervous energy and feels like it regulates me and helps me think clearer

[@nathanfortier7478]

I pace sometimes and I tend to use it to get energy out when I’m hyperactive but overstimmulated so I can’t just run around or do something else, I need to stim in a way that gets some energy out and pacing helps with that. I’ll also generaly be on my tippy toes when I pace cause I like the feeling of my muscle being tense and it allows me to move around while getting less stimulation then normal walking (basically, instead of my brain focusing on everything that my whole foot touches, it can focus on a smaller part of the foot which helps with overstimulation, similar to wearing headphones in any public place/somewhat loud place to have a smaller amount of sound come into my brain)

[@cocmaster9136]

For me pacing helps me process information. When it’s not possible to pace, I will switch to fidgeting, so I think it has the same purpose as pacing. If I’m not able to either pace, or fidget and someone is for example talking to me, I’ll have a hard time understanding them.

[@cruums]

This channel is great! Really helps me understand autism and sort of help people who have it! Thanks a lot for this information!

[@malinachainey1564]

These are such amazing videos you and your family make. Basically you are taking such a complex condition like Autism, and breaking down the many different aspects of it so everyone can understand, relate to, and or learn how to either help/better understand themselves, a student, or a loved one who is on the spectrum. I also got to say I really appreciate you poking fun at the "zoned out" way us parents can get after a long day and want nothing more to do then the put something on t.v. and just stare, for me it's Bob's burger lol. I have 2 children ages almost 6(lol she will be 6 in 9 days) and 14, I also work with special needs children during the day, and I'm earning my dual BS in typical elementary educatipn grades k-8 and special education grades K-12 so I often go into the "zoned out phase" or what I call the "calm-me down zone". While I am not in the spectrum I do have Bipolar 1 (more manic than depressed...actually VERY manic in my case) so pacing or walking in circles is something I have used since I can remember to help calm me down. In the classroom or on the playground at work I look like a ping pong ball bouncing around. Which silver linings it helps me to be available for a variety of students that are constantly saying "Ms. Malina I need your help", "Ms. Malina I need a body break", "Ms. Malina so and so is looking at me", and so on lol.

[@skylerash8120]

Thank you for leaving the comments open on this for viewer input! I'm 30. An undiagnosed autistic adult. My pacing: -I pace when I'm talking on the phone because the tempo of the strides improves my focus so that I can stay present and process what I'm hearing appropriately. -I pace because I have an obsessive element to my autism and my head LOVES opportunities to obsess on something appropriate. I can count the tiles and patterns on the floor, steps I've taken, or measure the distance between my feet as I walk. -Pacing keeps my mind busy enough to not withdraw inside. With pacing, I'm able to socially connect better. I am able to calm down faster from a meltdown. I'm able to smooth the "ants in the pants" body jitters (feels like stepping in poison ivy that has begun to spread EVERYWHERE) that anxiety causes. -And the pacing increases my blood flow and my body feels lighter and healthier. The only way I know to describe it is: "like you can physically feel your blood cells breathing through their own expanding pores." -The pacing encourages me to release turbulent energy I've held onto (whether I even realize it or not), like someone nearby having an emergency that I somehow feel personally affected by. -The pacing is grounding because my feet are on the ground and I feel that balance, that physical evenness that I crave. -And all of this puts control back in my own hands when I feel like I don't have enough. -Pacing can also be plain old fun :) Its incredibly freeing. The energy release is a blessing. Galloping across the room. Skipping. Spinning. Dancing. All modified forms of my pacing. YOU get to set the rhythm. And that's such an important thing to me when it feels like autism is the one that always gets to make the beat I dance to.

[@YoureMyCherryOnTop143]

When I talked to myself I paced all around my room

[@SAMVVITCH13]

My younger brother is high functioning autistic and paced from when he first learned to walk. he’s now 20 and still paces often. He calls it “thinking” he usually thinks after he’s done work or before bedtime or dinner and we can tell how stressful or excited he is based on his length of time pacing and his humming. I asked him when he was around 11 what he was thinking during that time and he told me he was either creating stories in his head based off his favourite movies and video games that make him feel good or about things that he did that day that he needed to go over in his head. One time at the zoo he compared himself to the pacing polar bear and pacing tigers said he felt like them. Sometimes his thoughts felt caged in his mind and moving like that helped release his stress levels.

[@dancehulahoopjump]

So glad you made this video as this is, and has always been, my most frequent stim! I’m a 23-year old autistic female, I was diagnosed with PDDNOS at age 11 and reclassified under ASD level 1 at age 19. For me, I pace all the time (sometimes I got bullied for it as I had an “awkward gait” while doing so). I usually walk quickly back and forth or run back and forth, depending on how much sensory input I need that day, and I used to keep my head down and talk out loud as a kid but have been able to mask that more, now you will see my lips moving but I don’t speak out loud. I also use to sometimes feel the lockers in my middle school while doing this, probably for tactile input. As an adult, I ALWAYS pace with my headphones on and I engage in a form of maladaptive daydreaming in which I create social scenarios, replay positive experiences, or imagine myself lecturing about my interests (I get hyper fixated very easily). I might also do it as a hyperactive trait, I have both ADHD and ASD, along with anxiety and dyspraxia. I do it more as a way to gain sensory input then to avoid an unpleasant sensory experience as I am a huge sensory seeker. I do hand flap(or shake since I don’t move my arms when doing it), finger flap in front of my eyes, finger flick, chew on toys, and make slight vocalizations but very seldom. The pacing and talking to myself are definitely my most common stims

[@hidysophie2181]

I'm so happy I found this channel. Currently my son is going through Autism Assessment. Thanks to your videos showing what autism may look like, I now have a more clear idea. Thank you 🙏

[@missy8867]

I run around in my basement because it helps calm me, but I have to do it with music. It calms me down. My son with ASD paces and he can't articulate why he does it. I think it calms him down. He also talks to himself sometimes when he's pacing. He will either act like he's conversing with someone, talking about his routines/schedule, or he'll laugh and scream. I asked him who he's talking to and he knows he's not talking to anyone, he just wants to talk. He used to echo and script a lot. I think he's scripting during his pacing.

[@Dina-ew1pk]

My son has autism and he paces back and forth and claps and also stomps his feet. He is happy as he does this so it helps him with his anxiety.

[@throughcolouredglasses9300]

I stim mostly by wiggling my hands/forearms. Thats's the standard stim to keep me feeling "even", it feels kind of similar to when your hair keeps falling into your face and you have to regularly push it away to stay comfortable: it's an action you don't really think about, unless something prevents you from doing it - or until everything suddenly gets too annoying and you lose your patience and scrub through all your hair forcefully, trying to make it stay out of your face for good. When really sudden, bad things happen (like finding a gross bug and having to keep it together until i've put a cup over it) I need a bigger, more energetic stim to manage the bad feelings this event gave me. I'll usually jump up and down while flapping my hands strongly. I've been trying to find alternative movements to hand flapping bc it hurts my wrists but after such a sudden burst of anxiety/adrenaline it helps so much more to just let myself flap. Same when I'm really really anxious, like when i have deadlines i'm behind on, or had a bad trip to the grocery store that made my skin crawl with discomfort. Once I'm home I'll usually jump until the anxiety is gone or at least down to a manageable level, so I can focus on doing other stuff again. When i'm trying to sleep or am using my hands for other stuff and can't stim with them, I can pivet/channel the restless feeling the stim relieves into alternative movements. Like wiggling my toes, or slightly rotating my torso left and right to give me a light shaking sensation similar to hand flaps. But overall I prefer hand stims bc they feel like i'm getting the benefits of stimming in the shortest amount of time & for the least amount of work. I _can_ not stim, but i don't see the point when it feels good and functions to "reset" my brain, thoughts and feelings to a more comfortable background level that enables me to do stuff, rather than having to deal with the mental "tension" that happens over the course of the day. Like scratching a random itch. Unless there is a really good reason to not scratch, you'd just kind of do it and move on without consciously thinking about it. But the more you focus on not being allowed to scratch, the more it prevents you from focusing on anything else.

[@robinou21]

My brothers and sisters were mad at me because they could hear me late in the night, pacing and jumping in my bedroom. Now I understand. 😅

[@jennasink8743]

Late diagnosed adult here. 😉 I walk around in circles a lot more than I pace, but it’s still a repetitive motion, so I’m guessing it’s related. Sometimes I just get this feeling of restlessness that I can’t get out any other way, and so I’ll wander around the kitchen or living room. Sometimes l’ll still be talking to another person in the room, or sometimes I’ll sing or hum, but usually not any hand flapping or other stims. I’d say it happens most often before bed, like what your kiddos do. And then suddenly I’ll know that it’s enough, and I’ll just stop. So yeah, for me it just seems to be restlessness or excess energy I need to get rid of, and then when it’s gone, I’m done.

[@a_polar_bear06]

I do walk around in circles too when my mum is speaking to someone outside and I’m supposed to stay in that place. Usually I have a tendency of walking or running away but I can control myself better now. I was diagnosed as a 15 year old and yes that’s a form of stim too. People brush it off as my hyperactive nature but yet do not see a problem in it because I’m still in the place I grew up in and almost everyone knows me. They know it’s customary for me to not be able to stand or sit in one place so they understand. Idk how others will react once I step out for my college .

[@Briezyvalenciga]

I tend to pace back and forth because it helps me calm down when I’m having a rough time or I’ll pace when excited about something and I want to tell the story asap before I forget.

[@abainimarama]

Thank You All For Sharing ☺️🙏🌟❤️

[@Anewsandgossip]

My son jumps on the spot and spins twirls constantly and he also does a lot of hand flapping . He is 4 and non verbal I pray he talks 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@bcsbeautychannel2441]

Prayers for you

[@Anewsandgossip]

@@bcsbeautychannel2441 thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@phantomvampyressshadowkiss4690]

Hey my baby daughter is 3 and she gets speech therapy she still doesn't fully talk. We fi ally got her in for a autism diagnosis I. Sept. I'm pretty sure she's on the spectrum. Her speech therapists think so also. They just can't officially diagnose her . My 3 yr old runs in circles . She walks around messing. She lines up ducks constantly and counts them . She does this side way hand wave thing while doing her walking and will yell something random. Makes alot of random noises too not words

[@lisapreston2715]

His doctor should have had him tested. But some doctors wait until they start school. That’s what happens to my grandson. The teacher knew right away and set the ball rolling. Just as kindergarten was finishing up his diagnosis came thru. At least we have a answer and can move forward to help him become the best version of himself.good luck and our prayers are with you.

[@Anewsandgossip]

@@lisapreston2715 good luck with you too. Hope he gets all the support needed. My son got his diognoses of autism at age 2 years and 6 months. His autism is very severe. I can't explain anything to him , he just looks through at me and is in his own world, I've already got all the support in place and his EHCP all sorted too xx

[@susanredman935]

So I also have autism and I do pace because I can’t sit still or I’m anxious about something or when I’m excited or when I’m upset

[@ariajane8695]

Agreed

[@liliachang2512]

I’m not diagnosed with autism. But I’ve done A LOT of research for myself. And I show strong signs of autism or adhd. I’m still doing more research and have not self diagnosed myself with anything (as a disclaimer) But. normally when I pace, I do it while I’m thinking very heavily. Or sometimes when I’m upset, the repetitive movements are calming. Along with the air. I dunno how to explain that much. But when you move the air is cooler and that helps? It lets me take in a lot more of my surroundings or focus better on the thoughts I’m having. Sometimes I pace while sort of semi spinning? I’ll do turns and spin and stuff. And rock back and forth on my feet. It feels a lot better like that. Especially when I’m upset. It’ll sort of feel like while my body is moving my mind can stay still??? Like a switch of positions. Normally the mind will be a super massive whirl wind and my body will bounce a leg or fidget with something, But if you reverse it and the whole body moves in bigger repetitive movements then the mind can sort of take a break? Freak out fully then calm down in its own way???. Yeah. It’s a process. I dunno, Just a personal experience though. I can’t speak for everyone.

[@sophie-xg5cx]

I was once pacing so much at school they thought it was a threat and tried to restrain me

[@FurryMammaNini5]

I'm an Autistic adult, I'm 30. I have had a pacing stim for years, I often bounce a ball or throw and catch something and plan out elaborate stories. I tend to do this when I'm overwhelmed or overstimmulated, when I was still in school I would often do this from when I got home until it got dark, this could be up to 4 hours of pacing back and forwards "talking to myself" which is just planning stories out loud. Now I don't don't do it as much but find that if I visit with family for extended periods of time or stay with people for a period of time I need to do it. I sometimes do it in a swimming pool but don't speak outloud.

[@missmaggsmaloney]

This is the most informative and welcoming channel ever! Great source made with little effort, just truth. Thanks!❤️

[@julie95600]

I often pace too and i like it I do it when i'm doing a task that doesn't require to think (when i'm brushing my teeth for exemple) -> it's maybe because i'm understimulated I also do it when i'm on the phone, when i'm anxious about something (it helps me regulate) I pace when i'm brainstorming or when i'm doing my homework or just to think (and talk to myself) -> it allows me to channel my thoughts) So these are the reasons why i pace ^^

[@somethingfromnothing8428]

I pace alot when im stressed, anxious or excited. My son does it as well but he seems to run back and forth more than pacing. He stamps alot while he’s doing it so i think he likes the noise it makes when he stamps

[@SilentReports]

I'm 52 autistic and pace and stim for hours, usually as a means I think to stimulate pure focus....keeping single track of thought continuity.

[@kasper108]

pacing especially in circles helps me regulate!!! if im out around people and im just standing the sensory input can become much more overwhelming but moving my body helps reduce the severity of the sensory input and it helps me process my thoughts

[@alexsingh9313]

For me pacing was just a way to move in a comfortable way but I also go over the Greek gods and all the names in my head while I do it or I replay memories I like and I feel happy while I do it. I also like seeing the world move while I walk

[@charlesroberson1387]

I most noticeably stim when I'm anxious and/or overwhelmed by stimuli (too many overbearing lights and sounds.) Sometimes it's to focus when I'm trying to work on an essay or something, but pacing usually is just when I'm restless, or if I get really into a conversation I have a hard time standing still. I'm an adult who was diagnosed recently, being my autism is much more subtle and though I often feel odd, I'm good at hiding it. Anyway, mentioning because I'm sure I'm elsewhere on the spectrum in comparison to your children, so I'm not sure what's going through my head when I pace is the same as theirs. Like you said, full spectrum.

[@user-eg8ht4im6x]

Hi, thank you for this, I’ve always paced sometimes it’s because I’m anxious or over tired and some how pacing around the room releases something from deep with in me, it’s very hard to find words to explain it. Often on the phone, I’ll pace, sometimes slowly other times fast. I’ve noticed that the more stressed I am the more and faster I’ll pace or the more stimulating and exciting the phone call it the faster I pace. There is a connect with body and emotion. Again it’s very hard to put into words. Maybe that’s part of it, the feeling inside are beyond me to put into words so they come out as physical actions, hence stims?. Other time I just enjoy the physical feeling of moving pack and forth. I’m a late diagnosed adult, so looking back over my none diagnosed years, when I didn’t understand why I did things, twisting, flapping, pacing, moving. I used to hide them and only do them in private. I didn’t know that they were simply my way of regulating, or enjoying movement. Now I’m diagnosed I understand. I also think that it’s such a shame that as an Autistic individual I can’t stim without people thinking me odd, or trying to make me stop. I’m allowing myself the freedom to do this. It’s part of me it’s not bad. Most people stim, except in ‘normal’ people we call it fidgeting. Ok I do it more and in bigger ways than just the average persons twiddle with the pen or tapping of the foot. Why do we make such a thing about stims. Please don’t stop the children’s stims. Although fro watching some of your videos you have a great grasp of your children and enjoy them being them. You are doing a great job. Enjoy these videos.

[@AutisticBrain]

I Pace back and fourth BTW autistic. I pace especially when watching a video on KZbin. And why I do? Is because it’s a stim like you said in the video as far as what’s going on in my mind I think the Best way I can explain it would be I am just happy so I say it’s happy stimming.

[@cherylburns2666]

I dont always notice I'm pacing, or when I am out somewhere in public I will rock back and forth on my feet. It is something I do expecially when I am anxious, upset or just bored. The rhythm and movement is so calming to me. When I am really upset and melting down I might pace in the kitchen faster than usual, count my steps in from 1- 8 and make some loud vocal noises. Other stims I may do while pacing is playing with a fidget, scraping my finger tips on my teeth, shaking my head, or stepping harder for the noise

[@anabeaubien8416]

I have tic disorder and was restrained and wasnt able to do a lot as a kid and got it out seeing my brother take it out in anger and aggression (adhd) when I was 13 it flipped like a switch and had tics never seen before got told by professionals I was fakeing it and repressed my tic now I'm 18and was put somewhere I didn't feel I could release it now I'm ticing and pacing a lot. been watching y'all sense I was young learning everything I could sbsk is a good one to watch too. I want to be a intervention specialist now

[@MINECHEZ1]

I tent to gallup back and forth more then I do Pace. I find it soothing in a way but it’s more to release energy. I’m almost always happy when doing it. Most of the time if I’m home alone I’ll put on my favourite music and run/gallup back and forth pushing off of walls and sometimes jumping and hand flapping too. I’m someone the does a LOT of stim suppression so when I am alone and can stim uninterrupted I tent to go all out. I’m not sure of my pacing/galloping stim would be as strong if I just stimmed a little bit throughout the day. Hope this helps.

[@vickiebergman3016]

As a grandma I'm learning about autism my 2 year old grandson was just diagnosed

[@Mandy-rx7rq]

My youngest daughter is 4 this September 2022. She hasn't been diagnosed with autism yet but her preschool has noticed some autism spectrum. My youngest daughter does all that. Pacing, running, waving her arms about, on tiptoes, she hates certain types of clothing. She has to smell and touch clothes that she's going to wear, but if they don't feel up to her standard's, she will have a meltdown until I get it right for her. Certain foods as well with her can trigger a meltdown. She's very vocal though so I didn't think she would have autism. She will be tested in the next year or two.

[@nathanjw940]

If there's head banging like other Stims when I am doing self harm it's thinking about something bad that happened. Happy is something they are daydreaming in a positive way.

[@zakbrand7354]

I find I bounce my leg up and down when I'm excited. I find putting a blanket over my head helps me self regulate and calms me down

[@FiveNightsAtAutismAliens]

I have autism as well. I do still as well. I do rock back and forth, jump, pace and run around when I'm bored. I do videos of drawings of cartoon characters with a autism infinity sign to raise awareness. I don't do puzzle pieces cause I get negative comments about the puzzle piece that autism speaks made. That's why autistic people like the Infinity sign with the word autism instead. Anyways, I'm a big fan of you guys! Thanks for letting your videos make me feel good! Your kids will never be the only ones going through autism.

[@leileyking1544]

i pace in a lot of different scenarios. i find mostly, like ian, on my tippy toes. that’s actually why parents put me in dance classes. typically i pace while rubbing or clasping my hands or biting my nails. other times i’m hand flapping. it can be involuntary. i was at work during a closing shift and we were all getting ready to leave. i noticed i was anxious cus i wanted to get out because it was 2 minutes past when i was supposed to clock out. i grabbed a fidget toy and begun pacing up and down the store. my coworker said to me “i love how you’re just pacing back and forth like that,” and i said “oh? i didn’t notice. i must feel comfortable around you.” i think it was my way of easing my anxiety. i also pace when i’m excited or trying to figure out what to do next in my schedule if i haven’t scheduled anything to do during that time slot. i pace when i’m talking to people, especially when i don’t feel comfortable enough to look them in the eyes. hope this helps :) (diagnosed with asd and adhd for context)

[@LYONE_girll]

You are a very beautiful family ❤❤👍🏻

[@kiki-drawer2669]

I pace when I really hyperfocus on my own stories or other media I'm into at the moment. Just had a pacing session that lasted about 30 minutes. I had tunnel vision and I badicly heard a crowd of myself nonstop talking. Imagine your internal monolog x100 and just picture that in your head. I don't really have a say. I can hardly pick out what my head is saying. But I become so happy that I get stick in a sort of loop of walking back and forth. It feels really good on my body because I get hot flashes/ pins and needle feelings when I don't and also helps me calm down so I can express myself about what I love about my interests instead of having a tornado of wmotions with no form to express it other then looking like im a angry murderer storing around for their next kill. I get a very intense stare and I often tense up my arms or shake my hands. But the paceing is the biggest aspect. When I have a moment to close my door and listen to music and do it it's very freeing. Sometimes I even cry because after many years of masking I finally know how to accept releasing my happy energy and it feels great! I don't do it in front of friends cause again, it's a little intimidating and I feel vulnerable but it is a very freeing feeling from the soul. My body feels light afterwards. Thank you for posting this. I'm 23 not officially diagnosed with autism but am with ADD. I daydream all the time in intricate worlds but often don't have the words to express that. Stimming helps me so much and I'm crying watching this seeing a family who is so understanding to their child. Thank you.

[@trevorelly7484]

Hi, I have high functioning autism, and one of the things I do is that I like to jump around the house, mostly the living room. If someone were to say why I do that I would reply saying that it's a way of letting all my energy out as I am quite energetic and that it counts as exercise. I've done that since I was young. I'm 20 years old now and I still do and tbh I don't really care that I do and what some people may say is "immature" because at the end of the day I'm just being me mature or not. I'm not harming anyone. 🙌 I have a great deal of senses, so I know when something might not be right or that I might not be acting right for someone my age. I always get told by the senses I face. I like these videos you post as it makes me feel like I myself can relate. ❤️

[@nobody-fg4qz]

usually when I pace I also have floppy hands and it usually because I'm overstimulated and it's just something I like to focus on to try and help block everything else out and get the anger I feel when overstimulsted out

[@Antique1dude]

I was diagnosed with pddnos/mild autism at 8 years old pace everyday when I'm overwhelmed or when I'm getting ready for bed or when I can't sleep. I'm sensitive to touch smell some sounds.

[@LeoDamascusVG]

I do pacing, usually while also either rubbing my hands or snapping my fingers. I do it mostly subconsciously. Basically, when I'm doing it, my brain is just feeling overwhelmed and frazzled, and doing that helps, I guess, reallocate some of that frazzle into muscle movements instead, causing me to feel more calm and able to process what's happening around me. At least that's what it feels like. If your kids are anything like me, they're not struggling to describe it because they're inarticulate, but because it's really hard to even process what's really going on. Best you can really give is a description of your emotional experience with something you're doing reflexively

[@michaeldearden876]

I am 40 and self-diagnosed, but maybe my viewpoint can help? I make a particular footstep pattern while circling my kitchen counter or front room rug. I step on specific colors of floor boards and avoiding other colors. I frequently pace when on the phone, when trying to solve a work-related puzzle, or process/digest a social encounter after the fact. For me, there can be a buzzing or fuzzy feeling in the back of my mind. Like background processes on a computer, slowing down performance by taking up RAM. By pacing and pattern-tapping the floor, the energy of those background processes discharges into the floor. The ram is freed for my desired primary application. It could also be compared to windshield wipers on a dirty day. The action of wiping back and forth clears the vision to your desired focus rather than the environmental noise forced upon you by circumstance. And as long as you drive on the muddy road, you must continue wiping back and forth to maintain clear vision. Then once the muddy path is over, you don’t need to wipe back and forth as much.

[@TheLastEgg08]

I’m diagnosed with adhd only and suspect autism and pace with my tongue rolling around my lips. It just feels right, do it when I’m stressed, normal, happy, thinking, no real reason and on my tippy toes.

[@theedenadventures]

My daughter paces, especially when she’s telling a long drawn out story about something one of her toys has done or something similar. Usually on her tiptoes and bouncing at the end of each lap. She’s always done it but I never realised it was a stim for a long time.

[@vasilicastoica8396]

Salutari din Romania 🙋 🙋 🇷🇴 🌿., copiii pentru noi sunt o comoara in vietile noastre ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@littlecamo8]

For me, I pace for many different reasons. Sometimes I’m understimulated. I have this issue of knowing where my body is (you know what you see when you’re dizzy? Imagine that all the time, because one moment my body says “I’m by the chair” and the next it says “Wait, I’m a foot from the chair” and so forth- I’m always running into things because I misjudge where they are from me-Or that feeling of suddenly falling in your sleep, when you wake up. Or the weightlessness of floating in the water) constant stimulation (via moving around or a weighted blanket/ vest) helps me

[@marissapike2432]

I can not believe how much your boys have grown. Ian’s voice is so deep now

[@ambercarrillo28]

My 2yr old runs back and fourth .Slams into the wall to stop himself before gooing back the other direction.He sometimes adds hand flapping or on tippy toes.

[@CosmoTuberIsMe]

My son who is now 8y 7m old, started by flapping his hands when he was about an 8m old baby right from his baby chair.. once he learned to walk it was purposeless wandering(pacing) back and forth by staring into his hands being flapped... then he moved onto picking leaves that would flap(it was so great to watch him choose the leaf among the many of them fallen)... and later from about the age of around 4 he has stuck to twigs/thin sticks that would flap with a slight bend... he has a large collection of them in a safe place... again he spends a few seconds making the selection, before choosing one, and running upstairs to the roof to pace about flapping it... he also used to twirl a lot last year flapping it.. that has stopped for about a year now... once i asked him what was on his mind when he flapped, and it was very interesting to learn from him that, he would stare at the stick, flap and wander about, recalling those videos or games he watched..

[@ChuuMoon777]

I usually daydream when I’m pacing or spinning and I don’t even realize it, I also chew on some things while I pace or stim

[@josettejoy6003]

Sometimes over-stimulation is felt physically and pacing and flapping your arms or hands helps to release it. I do it most when I'm excited about my special interests or when I'm tired and stressed out.

[@s1monstar23]

I’m an adult (41) and I suspect that the activity silences the verbal mind. When things are feeling extreme it requires more extreme physical balances. Accommodating the physical needs to mitigate the triggers MAY reduce the intensity of the stim. I don’t stim intensely but my sensory sensitivities aren’t extreme, just more intense than NT’s. Your home looks VERY BRIGHT and REFLECTIVE and I would find it hard to live there. Remember that under stimulation and over stimulation are two heads of the same beast. Maybe they need more colour, maybe less light, maybe less sharp sound, maybe more loud music they like?! It’s not easy being a kid and not knowing how to articulate your needs.

[@samanthamedrano6580]

My oldest son and youngest do this my youngest just says idk when we ask questions or say im bored to every question lol but my oldest a ton he's non verbal and on the sever side. He can never stay still . 2 boys on spectrum and one son typical for now.

[@tinanorda9050]

I pace non stop when I am on the phone, meaning almost all day, as my job involves constant contacting people ( real estate agent). It is good that when I have only phone calls to make I don't go at the office and work for home, so I disturb only the lady who cooks and cleans ( poor her, she is begging for me to stop). We have a 3,5 daughter on the spectrum who paces a lot and I realized that the same does my husband every time he speaks on the phone while being home. I and my husband have not been diagnosed over the years with anything except anxiety. I am wondering now if there is a connection with autism. It is quite funny and disastrous when we are all home pacing at the same time - and it is a small apartment...

[@Pickdivision]

I'm 29 years old and I still pace when I listen to music that helps keep me motivated. I have autism and I still pace since I was a toddler. Do your boys pace mostly at home instead out in public?

[@milliefigueroa5754]

God bles you and your beautiful family 🙏🏼

[@Zero-cw4qj]

I don’t think I can explain it any better than them lol. It just feels better. Sometimes it helps me go through my emotions.

[@Java-D]

My son paces by running and crashing. He runs down the hall and crashes into the wall then runs back to the couch and smashes his entire body into it. Multiple times a day.

[@susankotlove8788]

So helpful , I can relate to very similar behaviors with my 10 yr old son. Thank you for the videos and information:)

[@games_bond7221]

While I pace I usually just think in spirals. Like I will start pacing while thinking about what I had for lunch and then I will start having this insane train of thought like "lunch, dinner, bedtime, nightmares, psychology, autism, KZbin, Google, Internet, faking, old, teenagers, parents, generation, family, trees, apples, horses, farm, dog, happiness, depression..." and it can last from a couple minutes to full hours. I usually twist my tongue a lot in the meanwhile and do some weird thing that looks like cracking my knuckles but really isn't as well as some facial stim. Pacing is the only stim I am allowed to have in my house, so I rely on it a lot. My parents are very much of the opinion "you should have been spanked more and then you wouldn't have autism" so I can't really observe myself more than this, as I literally get grounded for stimming and being autistic in general...

[@neilrocks84roblox19]

Pacing and talking to myself is one of my stims.

[@lunawolfheart336]

I'm autusic. I've always paced when talking to a friend on the phone. Idk I can't sit still and talk at the same time aperently. Even if it's back and forth in my tiny room. At work I often pace and stim. Sometimes it just means I'm bored or have too much energy to get out so I end up pacing until my coworker notices I'm board and gives me a task to do lol. Other times I'm just stressed or trying to stay in my body. I have some sort of disassociative disorder and episodes are often triggered by sensory overload so pacing and stimming helps to regulate me so I don't get overstimulated and shut down. My little brother likes to jump around and do a thing I like to call exploding. He flails his arms around when he dose this. I tried to ask what he's thinking or feeling when he does that and he just eather responds with nothing or that he needs to get access energy out.

[@Lumegrin]

Pacing autistic 18yo hear. It is very hard to sit still, and hard to articulate why. Maybe I can best describe it an anchor? Thoughts tend to get floaty when sitting still, but moving around can help to keep anchored. Walking is by far the most effective version, however. It doesn't require a lot of focus but is very involved and therefore acts as a fairly strong anchor as opposed to, say, bouncing a leg.

[@pannalaura4378]

I pace when I feel positively excited and I feel happy then. I often pace while listening to music I like, when I daydream or when I need a pause from reading or watching something I enjoy. It helps me cope with intense feelings

[@sophie-xg5cx]

Normally when I pace I also punch the back of my head or have my teddy

[@Sonicfan-cc1te]

I’m autistic and I pace a lot especially when I’m talking to myself or my imaginary friends and siblings (My Imaginary siblings because the only real sibling I have is my older brother who’s severely autistic and nonverbal) and have a lot going on in my mind. It makes me feel content. My brother also paces a lot and almost always vocalizes while he paces.

[@TREK1305]

Sir you are a blessing!!!!

[@Azucenary]

I’m on the autism spectrum and I pace around and skip a lot at home. I’ll glad my hand over the tops of dining room chairs. I’ll giggle and make facial expressions. For me it enhances my thoughts and feelings and allows me to express them more. I think a lot in images, so when I pace the images in my head get more vibrant, music stuck in my head will play louder, daydreams stronger. It really allows me to focus and hone in on my thoughts. It either boosts my mood or allows me to get any anger out. I was diagnosed a year ago. My parents think I have “a little bit of autism” which isn’t the case. It’s labeled a spectrum for a reason. In my case it was a mixture of my place on the spectrum and how easy it was for others to mold me to exude neurotypical traits. (Major rant incoming. It’s 100% okay to stop reading this if it may be upsetting)) That’s what I was according to everyone around me. I was supposed to be the quiet girl who never played with anything too much and always attentive. When I was truly happy I was loud and talked a bunch. I was labeled as annoying and all the adults around me coached me to be more quiet. So I did. I sat in my chair still. I never talked in class no matter how much it hurt me not to. I remember being next to another kid on the spectrum. He was diagnosed earlier than me. I was sitting next to him stimming the exact way he was. He called me out for “being gross.” My teacher yelled at me and called me disgusting in front of the whole class. I’m not angry at him. I’m really not. The class wasn’t kind to him either. I had many signs of autism but adults just labeled them problems that I had to patch up. And in my circumstance, I was able to do so. It really hurts that I’m not able to get certain resources/accommodations because I suffered through masking (and still do) for so long. I know what I need and I’m not draining them. I’ve been so forgiving to myself ever since I’ve been diagnosed. I’ve felt more free. I wish the absolute best to this wonderful family. Thank you guys for spreading knowledge about autism.

[@zenthumb]

My brother would sit on his chair and lay his head on his knees and rocks back and forth. My mother would always tell my brother to stop it but I think this is his way to calm himself down.

[@dgeneric7518]

HOLY SHIZZ I thought that young boy was MY son at first! Same hair, he's 8 and very tall, and he stims the exact same way!!!! Frantic, pumping his arms, the little excited noises... It actually makes me happy, because he does it when he's either over-stimulated and needs a break (which is a healthy way to deal with stress) OR he does it when he's really happy. 🙂 I pace when I talk. I think I'm on the spectrum. My parents always made fun (lightly) of both my brother and I, because when we talk on the phone, we pace back and forth. I always had anxiety on the phone, and for some reason it keeps me from my nerves. It's a spectrum. I'm probably on it. It's genetic. But I'll tell you- those kids of yours are amazing, and so are you. Don't give up- it is difficult, but you seem like an amazing father!!!

[@sweetgirl-jp4hn]

35 likes👍👍 ❤❤😊😊🥰🥰 I can't wait to see new video, what happens next? I love learn Austin.