Autism Stimming: Why Do Autistic People Stim (

Autism stimming is often misunderstood and people wonder why do autistic people stim? In this video talking about autism stimming, I show some stimming examples and share my thoughts on why autistic people stim?
**CHEWIGEM AFFILIATE LINKS**
☑️ = Any items purchased through the links with the click mean I received a commission or % of the product cost.
Chewigems Facebook page: chewigem/?re...
WEBSITE:
☑️ 🇬🇧UK Chewigem website: www.chewigem.co.uk/ref/4/
☑️ 🇨🇦CAN Chewigem website: www.chewigem.ca/ref/15/
☑️ 🇺🇸US Chewigem website: www.chewigem.com/ref/9/
MYSTERY GIFT BAG (Only in the UK at present. I'll link to the CANADA & USA Chewigem Shops so you take a look):
☑️ 🇬🇧UK Chewigem Gift Bag: www.chewigem.co.uk/product/my...
☑️ 🇨🇦CAN Chewigem Shop: www.chewigem.ca/shop/ref/15/?...
☑️ 🇺🇸US Chewigem Shop: www.chewigem.com/shop/ref/9/?...
🔔 Subscribe here for more videos: bit.ly/2p6hwcb
⭕️ Last video: • Do I Have Alexithymia?...
👉 Are you new to the channel? Check out these videos: bit.ly/2xjyG6Q
👉 More Autism Videos? bit.ly/2Xw0R1n
👉 Latest IndieAndy videos: bit.ly/2REegkt
Stimming or self-stimulatory behaviour by definition can be a repetitive autism behaviour for autistic people which involves repetitive movements or sounds. Autistic people of all ages stim, autistic kids stim, autistic adults stim to some degree.
Examples of stimming include biting fingernails, hair twirling, cracking knuckles, drumming your fingers, whistling. Autism stimming is typically more repetitive and noticeable in comparison with rocking, autistic flap hands, bouncing, jumping, walking on tiptoes, repetitive blinking, rearranging objects as some autistic stimming examples.
These types of autism stimming are a fraction of the different autistic stims that there are out there but stimming in its nature is a way for autistic people to self-sooth when feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated (hypersensitive). Sometimes it's to create sensory stimulus due to being understimulated (hyposensitive). Stimming could be due to sensory issues so autistic people might stim due to it being a stimming behavior.
These are really broad explanations to why autistic people have stimming behaviours. Stimming is not exclusive to autism as it appears in those with ADHD, Aspergers, anxiety etc as well as neurotypicals/non-autistics.
☕ If you like my content & feel you can/want to "tip" me, you can buy me a Ko-Fi here ☕: ko-fi.com/indieandy
📢 If you like this video help others enjoy it by adding captions in your native language: bit.ly/2m2i2GT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music used:
🔊Intro & Outro song: Golden (KZbin Music Library)
🔊Other music: I Found Me - Lakey Inspired & Wednesday - Mt. Drei
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
📧: [e-mail]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT ME
Videos on autism from the perspective of an autistic adult. Sharing my autism experiences to help other autistic people and autism families to improve understanding of autism.
Hello indie people, I'm Andy and I have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I make videos on autism from the perspective of an autistic adult. Sharing my autism experiences to help other autistic people and autism families to improve understanding of autism.
This channel is focused on raising autism awareness & acceptance of autism. To try and change attitudes towards autism, to educate people about autism for those who are new to the autism world.
**New Videos Weekly: Tues & Fri**
So if you are on the spectrum, know someone with autism or are working professionally in the autism field and want to learn more about autistic people then consider subscribing and turning on the notification bell to see all future videos.
Useful links:
💡 NAS: www.autism.org.uk
💡 Autism Directory: www.theautismdirectory.com/
💡 Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (US/Australia): autisticadvocacy.org/
💡 Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk
💡 Samaritans: www.samaritans.org/
#stimming #autistic #autism #neurodiversity

[@IndieAndy]

Did you know that there are different types of stimming? Here's my video on the 5 types of stimming: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmawY3ewgJyel9k Thank you so much for watching, if you have any thoughts on this video then feel free to leave a comment below! ***CHEWIGEM AFFILIATE LINKS*** ☑️ = Any items purchased through the links with the click mean I received a commission or % of the product cost. Chewigems Facebook page: facebook.com/chewigem/?ref=br_rs WEBSITE: ☑️ 🇬🇧UK Chewigem website: www.chewigem.co.uk/ref/4/ ☑️ 🇨🇦CAN Chewigem website: www.chewigem.ca/ref/15/ ☑️ 🇺🇸US Chewigem website: www.chewigem.com/ref/9/ MYSTERY GIFT BAG (Only in the UK at present. I'll link to the CANADA & USA Chewigem Shops so you take a look): ☑️ 🇬🇧UK Chewigem Gift Bag: www.chewigem.co.uk/product/mystery-bags-grab-a-bargain/ref/4/?campaign=indieandy ☑️ 🇨🇦CAN Chewigem Shop: www.chewigem.ca/shop/ref/15/?campaign=indieandy ☑️ 🇺🇸US Chewigem Shop: www.chewigem.com/shop/ref/9/?campaign=indieandy 🔔 Subscribe here for more videos: bit.ly/2p6hwcb ⭕️ Last video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYKkgJ-le5ynb6s 👉 Are you new to the channel? Check out these videos: bit.ly/2xjyG6Q 👉 More Autism Videos? bit.ly/2Xw0R1n 👉 Latest IndieAndy videos: bit.ly/2REegkt

[@michaelwoznick2880]

You are pokemon fan ? And I am midly autistic 20 years old.

[@RaymondOreFineArt]

I was convinced I didn't Stim but only because I had the wrong idea of what it was. I crack my knuckles about a 100 times a day and I can never stand still I'm always pacing up and down especially if I need to work something out as thinking and not moving doesn't work.

[@IndieAndy]

To be honest, I didn't think I stimmed either until I started talking to others and realising that I do alot of stims I didn't think were stims 👍

[@Aethelrosie]

THANK YOU YES. I was like "huh weird, I don't stim" * cracks every finger, my wrist, my wrist, my wrist, my wrist, weird constant wrist cracking loop*

[@arwen.kauzar9785]

every single second (even right now ) I am pushing back the skin on my finger nails. It satisfies me.. who else?

[@rosettamccoy6123]

I do that plus I pinch myself and have to move my feet all the time I'm 62 and have done this sence I can remember I always told people it was my nerves

[@skskksskkskkskkskskksksksk4023]

omg same! but i don’t have autism though. i think i have adhd and have a lot of anxiety induced stims and this and clicking my hands are my main ones!

[@thesincitymama]

I've always done this! I was today years old when I learned that this odd habit of mine is a type of stimming. I've got so many autism traits that it is incredible nobody ever diagnosed me, in all these years. Maybe cuz I'm kinda old?

[@whatsernamelj]

I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one who does this

[@stephenlackey5852]

I chew my cuticles if they turn up slightly… All Day Long

[@fizzy965]

I've heard it is an output to handle all the input we're receiving too. Information overload or sensory overload. Or like a pressure release. I hope that makes sense. I do it a lot when I'm anxious, stressed or bored. I love hand fidgets like tangles or tactile stuff like a spiky hedgehog ball. I'll just play with my fingers or give myself a hand massage if theres nothing to play with. When I was little I was obsessed with swings and rockers. Even now I like swings. I'd love to get one for the garden.

[@IndieAndy]

Yeah that is what I've heard and believe also. To be honest stimming is so many things to different people that it's hard to encapsulate all of it 👍 Ooh I love a good hand fidget, they really help me to concentrate 👍 Ooh really? Swings are cool also, I used to have one in my backyard too! Honestly worth it!

[@fizzy965]

@@IndieAndy i highly recommend crazy Aaron's thinking putty and also the 'hairy tangle' they're both great for concentration and boredom.

[@IndieAndy]

Ooh I've never been a fan of putties myself... The texture is awful for me 😂

[@fizzy965]

@@IndieAndy this one is more plastic/rubber. It's not slimy or anything. It's less sticky than blue tack ☺

[@forgenorman3025]

I had a root canal yesterday. I had previously seen the particular dentist (I don't recall the specific term for him) and discussed the fact that I'm autistic because it makes it difficult for me to keep on top of brushing. I thought I would be OK with my headphones in and music playing but I was starting to get anxious. I ended up using my phone (because my mouth was full of stuff!) to tell them I was feeling anxious and requested the lead apron. He understood almost immediately and they grabbed it and put it on me without hesitation. He also said to remind them at my next appointment so they can put it on me before they get started. It was a bit scary at first asking for it but I'm glad I did! I was too scared to start wiggling my foot or anything considering it would shake the whole chair.

[@thesincitymama]

Wow you handled that really well! What a great idea to ask for the lead apron. I have always been at a loss about what to do in that situation. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. I'll plan on doing the same thing in the future

[@euanelliott3613]

I stim all the time as I am autistic. I find it relaxing and comforting.

[@arwen.kauzar9785]

WOW! I stim every single day then! I crack my knuckles, drum on the table, twirl my hair, tie my hair in knots and undo them, tap my pencil or marker and watch it bounce back and bite my nails all the time!

[@sunnyshores7958]

on the sniffing one I have a growing collection of scented chapsticks and lip glosses I don't like it on my lips but I like the smells 😊

[@IndieAndy]

Aww that's fair enough. Definitely the smelling stim can be the best or worst depending on what's happening 🤣

[@ginapfeiffer5395]

I tend to sniff certain foods before I eat them, like pop tarts or uncooked ramen noodles.

[@thesincitymama]

Oh my gosh yes!!! OK, I forgive myself for buying and carrying around lip gloss that I never use LOL now I get it, why I've been doing that

[@andrewrudd402]

I think that some stimming can be helpful for them. I know I stim but sometimes don't know I'm doing it as well. My stimming can be pacing, rocking, hand movements, repeating things or saying things randomly without thinking (I have randomly said football scores which have turned out to be true for a match with my team before) and I just have a general need to be busy so must be doing 'something'.

[@IndieAndy]

Ooh yeah I forgot about the randomly saying stuff... That's something I do. I tend to say things I've seen off TV ads or the music from those ads... Random but really cool 👍 But yeah I think that stimming is for me a way to keep my mind active/engaged.

[@rainbowgirl55]

I like this stim where I cover and uncover my ears while listening to something cos I like the difference in pitch of sound and it calms me down.

[@LeaskleineWelt92]

I surpress most of my stims because they are not taken well, but I try to "learn to let my stims out" again because I get so anxious and agitated by surpressing them. Except biting my nails, I definetly hate that one and will try everything to let go of that

[@drpiv8549]

Hey there Andy, I've been enjoying your videos. I am not diagnosed, and I'm in my late thirties. However, I am interested in autism. I find stimming to be very relatable and I appreciate when you say everyone does it. I find myself doing a lot of tapping, rocking, stomping and spinning around. Particularly at work. Hopefully it's not too much of a nuisance Keep up the good work.

[@EricsWeatherChannel]

I mostly stim in crowd areas like bowling alley and did that a lot because I have problems waiting or being around a lot of people. I AM AUTISTIC

[@IndieAndy]

Aww gosh let me tell you that being around alot of people is terrifying sometimes so definitely understand that.

[@EricsWeatherChannel]

@@IndieAndy What kind of stims mostly you do? I stim a few times everyday How about you?

[@IndieAndy]

I'm the same to be honest. It mainly consists of twirling my hair alot, tapping my feet, air drumming. There are probably others which I do that I don't really notice also.

[@annesautism9003]

Love this video and how you explain that everybody stims in his or her own way :-) I cannot stand or sit still and always shift my weight. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Usually, I cover it up with movements that are considered more normal like straightening my jumper, running my fingers through my hair, but always shifting a bit while doing that. I guess you can see it if you know what you are looking for. Other times, I cannot be bothered to cover it up. This is when I get comments like "Can't you stand still? You're making me nervous..." But hey ;-)

[@IndieAndy]

Aww firstly I'm glad you enjoyed the video but also I definitely think if you know what you're looking for then you'll find what you're looking for. Gosh yeah I'm one of these people who can't sit still either. I don't know why but I just find it difficult because often the environment is just boring or not simulating really. But hey ho we can just move about as much as we can :)

[@mazzerb2894]

Really helping me understand thanks ♥️

[@muppetjedisparklefeet2982]

chewigem’s fidget is my favorite!!!!!!!! I have multiple ones so they’re in every coat pocket :)

[@IndieAndy]

Aww yeah they are great aren't they? Still got my first one I got given, love the thing to bits 👍

[@MrNinjaFish]

stimming for me is used to regulate or speed up brain processing when you're anxious or going into an unknown situation.

[@charlessmith263]

Keenly, IndieAndy, because I had autism, and I heard stimming from other people with autism, let me tell you what it means - Stimming is a way for one who has autism to deal with any change in normalcy or a routine that could cause that person to melt down before that person has the meltdown. I call stims something like checking imbalances in emotions and try to equate the balances with usually a long, monotonal hum, and long monotonal hums are just one famous variant of stimming. Stimming also is often used when the autistic hears a loud buzzing noise that causes that person to try to imitate that buzzing sound with a hum that tries to match it (for example, a basketball buzzer or a buzz of a bee).

[@StephanieBethany]

When you did the whistle example, my dog stopped chewing her toy and stared at me (like, completely paused, mouth still on toy) and when you stopped she just kept going haha

[@IndieAndy]

Haha ooh god that is funny to me. Did she just have a really confused look or was it like "Ooh interesting sound!" 😂🐕

[@StephanieBethany]

@@IndieAndy she was like, what is that?! I think she may have been trying to figure out if she needed to bark or not 😂

[@IndieAndy]

Haha aww bless her 😂

[@beelzebubbles6031]

sometimes I kind of just sit there flapping my hands/ twisting my wrists in a very extravagant way for no reason and I don't realize it until it gets pointed out, Its just a natural thing I guess us autistics do to feel a sense of security and stimming really doesn't need any of the negative stigma it gets :)

[@jijimoore9796]

I did not know that jumping up and down in circles is stimming too. I also smell things like my jacket or blanket if it doesn't smell right I won't wear it

[@SatansWerewolf]

4:57 wait... is THAT why I keep saying "I'm tired" and "I want to go home" all the time out of context? I've said I want to go home when in my bathroom at home and even once while drying off from my morning shower to get ready to go to work. I've never understood why I do so, and now it's nice to discover why I say these 2 things so often for no clear reason. (Recently learned I'm autistic).

[@SuperKillbill1234]

Hi Andy, i work as a support worker for mainly autistic people. I found your video on Stimming very interesting , i would like to ask you if i should try to discourage stimming in my girlfriends 9yo daughter?. her stimming thing is jumping up and down on the bed, she has not been diagnosed with autism yet. There are lots of videos telling us about various autistic traits but very few on what to do about it.. Thanks keep up the good work.

[@tessajung6926]

I've been stimming since I can remember, but I never knew there was a name for it. I never knew why I couldn't keep my hands and legs still, I always have to touch something. Unfortunatley that resuled in ripping my hair out.

[@IndieAndy]

Well I'm glad this video helped you find out the name. Though pulling hair out probably isn't the safest stim in the world. Hopefully you can find something different that's more safe.

[@ginapfeiffer5395]

With the hair pulling, for me I have Trichotillomania. I had it since I was 9. It’s awful. I do have plenty of stims that I do when I need to.

[@essp3688]

I scratch my scalp many times a day and I feel ashamed of it, but it makes me relaxed and I also do it when I have anxiety, to be relieved. It often need to rinse my nails after doing it. I try to stop doing that because it makes my hair more greasy and since I have a quite sensitive scalp, I shouldn't wash my hair more than once a week. And another reason I have wanted to stop doing it is because I've never understood exactly what it is and why I'm doing it. I've never told anyone about my habit, but people near me may have noticed I'm doing it. My mom is very much aware that I have autism and she has it herself, but we have never, what I can remember anyway, talked about stimming, never. OCD and perfectionism, yes, but that's not it. She have questioned why I'm doing it and that makes me more ashamed of it. She has felt I think a bit disgusted about that.

[@ElementalofAir]

I sometimes scribble when I'm on the verge of a breakdown, either back and forth or in circles.

[@whatwherewhenwhy9545]

i match my fingers in an even pattern, my toes e.g we have 5 fingers so i used my thumb to match the little finger to my middle one and vice versa , for both hands i flip it diagonally e.g when my right hand starts with the little finger, my left should start with index. i do this every time, ive not seen anyone do it

[@thesincitymama]

I've got a routine like this too. I’ve been doing the same fidgety "finger tricks" ever since I can remember... since kindergarten, at least. Maybe longer. I wonder why they never diagnosed me with anything? All my life my weird behaviors like this have just been an embarrassing problem that I've failed to control

[@uniquelly2779]

Hi Andy! I just subscribe to your Channel just this day. I was really tempt to find out how to help my kid lessens or overcome his stims which is spinning. I find it hard to teach him whenever he do it, but then will cry after I take it away from him. On the other hand, I had second thoughts about it, thanks for enlightening me through this video. I am just wondering, how we can teach the child better even with their stims?

[@robertdeffenbaugh9004]

I have a double jointed thumb so I have to crack it. Other than that I occasionally pull at a hair that is on my nose it’s strange how quickly that one little white hair grows.

[@piai2543]

I like waving with my toes, fingers and butt in a specific pattern, click with my tongue, whistle Mozart's kleine Nachtmusik, touching my fingers while walking, rocking while drawing, spinning around while listening Music, chewing in a rhythm, wiggling my legs with the hand, peeling the skin of my lips, scratching my head with my fingertips and sniffing them afterwards, sniffing my arms, knees and shoulder, squatting, flapping my arms,... I choose to do the more obvious stims alone in my room, so most people won't notice.

[@IndieAndy]

Aww that's cool that you whistle Mozart 😅 Yeah I'm the same. Tend not to stim alot while I'm out but when I'm home... It's a free for all 👍😂

[@piai2543]

@@IndieAndy but I am not sure if I'm in the spectrum... I'm 21 now, female and searching for a psychologist for a diagnosis or a "no". I have my brother, my father and my aunt are diagnosed, so I'm pretty sure I might be in the spectrum as well. (Sorry for my misspellings, I'm not a native speaker)

[@IndieAndy]

Aww right I see well I hope that search goes well for you. Also I didn't notice any mistakes so don't worry ☺️

[@piai2543]

@@IndieAndy thank you anyway for your videos and the information. Regardless if I might be autistic, the videos about autistic burnout, common traits, "missing" traits and this video were very helpful to me. I think I can understand and accept myself better know, knowing that there are others who cope with life in a similar way.

[@parkinglotnomad5144]

Time for me to get tested. Maybe my 26 years of awkward misery will finally make sense.... thank you

[@IndieAndy]

Aww well glad you found this helpful 😊

[@delidowcontigo5351]

I've suppressed my stimming a lot without realizing it and am now doing it all the time. Has anyone else experienced this?

[@-uz7bz]

I Pace in a circle like I walk reallyfast in a circle well I'm talking to somebody. on the phone. And I love your videos and I bite my fingernails and I rock back and forth I like doing things with my hands I kind of wiggle my leg up and down really fast like you were doing on the video I do mess with my pencil sometimes at school and I love your videos 😁

[@-uz7bz]

And I don't understand things very easily I stare into distance a lot more than I should and and like I said I was spaced-out a lot in school and I know I said this like a hundred times by love your videos

[@IndieAndy]

Aww yeah I feel the need to fidget with something when I'm on the phone as it's just really boring 😂 Haha I'm glad you enjoy the videos and hope you'll continue to 👍

[@chiflor3295]

I searched up why I was doing these things and I knew It was stimming but still i don’t know because I would do the hand thing since I was child then as I got older now I need to stretch my legs every minute because I get uncomfortable especially staying still.

[@hi_its_jerry]

my stim is repeatedly clicking my fingernails. i catch myself doing it very often and it causes my nails to look a little weird lol

[@StephanieBethany]

Ok but I kept hearing "garlic butler" instead of "garlic butter" ... regardless am very hungry now 😅

[@IndieAndy]

Haha 😂 Definitely my accent for sure. Though someone might want a garlic butler on a Thursday... It's 2020 after all 👍

[@Aethelrosie]

WHAT ABOUT VERBAL STIMS like vibrating my lips with sound periodically when I feel A Lot

[@elliot3322]

i remember hiding the squeezing my hands, blinking hard etc when i was younger because i thought i was mad. funny. do you have any suggestions on how to hide when i squeeze my hands tight? they kind of go up to my face and it’s obvious sometimes and i’ve never known what to do

[@shanesorensen7878]

I was mocked by parents for stimming when I was younger and now they are but still they will try to discourage it.

[@waffle2529]

My stims are really unhelpful... I pick, bite scratch my skin until it bleeds... I have dermotillomania. I’m hoping I can find a way to stop and replace it with a healthier behaviour :(

[@jermfanaccount]

0 dislikes? niiiiiice also yeah, i blink a lot, i sometimes wave my hand in front of lights because it looks cool and i also fricken flick my pen around _like a madman_

[@IndieAndy]

Not yet anyways 😂 Aww no that's cool, whatever you need or feel you to do 👍

[@unw4ntedsilence802]

My favorite stim I have is when I chew on my hoodie sleeve

[@IndieAndy]

I know it's something you do but if you ever felt like you needed to stop. I'd suggest checking out the company Chewigem. I'm a big fan of theirs and have links to their website in the description box 👍

[@Manifestwithsha]

I need advice. My friend likes to stim by repeating the same question. For example, we will be talking about her weekend and then she asks “will my friend wear purple and a skirt on Friday?” It’s usually the same question whenever we have conversations. She insists I answer the question, and then asks the question again... maybe 10 times in 40 minutes. What would your advice be?

[@IndieAndy]

Hmm it's bad to say without understanding if it's an anxious thing or just their way of processing what's happening. I would just try to reassure them, answer the question (s).

[@GuidedByGod13]

@@IndieAndy thanks for your answer! I've had the same experience with my son. I love your channel!

[@the_greatest_unicorn]

I mainly move my lower body half. So I'll move my legs and/or my feet. If I'm happy ill squeal. And my favourite word to say is duck

[@valindorsarethi9378]

im wondering, does sucking your thumb count as a stim? and if not, what could you call it?

[@IndieAndy]

Interesting question and I'd say so for sure especially if it's repetitive and/or a method to self-sooth. Hope that helps.

[@purplequeen8298]

I play around with my bracelet.

[@USC_Countryball55]

I have autism and ADHD and I am 9 I stimm a lot

[@Caitlynmallan]

I blink repetitively all the time I never thought of it as stimming

[@shulammitetornyie8088]

Need friend s who are autistic, am passionate about working with them

[@mazzerb2894]

Any vids on toys for my 2 year old would-be awesome? I tried buy him chewy toy but he rather chew his dummy or his bottle or anything else 🤷🤣 he doesn't want to play with his sensory toys I bought 🤦 he rather slam doors and climb allover everything and he's obsessed hey bear sensory lullaby and when it ends he gets so upset 😢 xx

[@IndieAndy]

I'd give it time personally and leave it near him so he knows it there. Because obviously his 2 so it'll take time for him to get to use them but definitely using them would be best.

[@aspiewithattitude3213]

We stim to self regulate.

[@IndieAndy]

Yeah that's cool thanks for sharing

[@claudiakramer4516]

Fingertapping

[@PeytonLyonsGray]

Is doodling a form of STIM?

[@arwen.kauzar9785]

can you stim from excitement?

[@IndieAndy]

Yes of course

[@JadeDRail]

I make bird noises.

[@IndieAndy]

Ooh nice! 🐤

[@JadeDRail]

@@IndieAndy I like I got it from my dad.

[@IndieAndy]

Aww that's cool to hear 👍 Actually I just remembered that I will make random noises and don't realise until someone mentions it 😂

[@Dragon34th]

It is a bad thing because it annoys other people I'm afraid. Especially the people who don't know you. That's just the sad truth.