What is Stimming? | Autism Stimming Behaviors

[@theresnosuchthingasnormal4496]

I think that there are many more reasons for autistic people to stim. Yes, stimming does occur when an autistic person is under stimulated but it also happens when they are overstimulated by sensory information as a way to regulate themselves and to calm them down when they are in a hightened emotional stat eg excited, frustrated, anxious etc.

[@marybarbera]

It is true!

[@YellowSnow33]

Thank you so much for this comment…this video terrified me because I am 15 and autistic and started to think there was something very wrong with me because I’m not like other autistic people. Although I do engage in physical movements (finger drumming on the table for example) when I’m under-stimulated, my other stimming habits are an emergency response, (rocking; touching surfaces; shouting random words/phrases to interrupt the intrusive thoughts) to a sudden spike in anxiety. I also enjoy leisurely activities like any normal person, but I never, in any universe, would compare autistic stimming to leisure. stimming always feels URGENT. It’s something your nervous system is forcing on you. There’s nothing about that which is comparable to scrolling on social media or winning a game…this video is very distressing.

[@canadianwasteland6497]

I'm hand flapping, stimming with pens ( Specialy at school ) when i'm excited, angry or anxious. I'm 24 years old and i'm good to hiding when it's too much.

[@Squiggy8440]

I have ASD and ADHD, my stim seeking is tactiles. Like fabrics, blankets and plushies. In a smaller capacity, scents. (seeking dopamine and comfort) When excited or very happy, i squeak/ squee, hand flap and jumping. If i like the food im eating, i dance and wiggle in my chair. When watching something or conversing while sitting, i rock side to side. When upset i hit my head and throw my plushies. NO. IM NOT A CHILD. Im almost 30. theres nothing wrong with me. Ruby gloom, hanazuki and wee3 are good kid shows that that helped me growing up with regulating myself, how to socialize a bit and understand other concepts not really shown in recent media if you or someone else is struggling with their emotions and social skills. Just putting that out there. 😊

[@marybarbera]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@Squiggy8440]

@ np! Im also a VTuber and talk alot about my disabilities while a stream 😋✨ Vtuber is a ‘virtual’ tuber, a person that uses a 2D or 3D model with face and or hand tracking. Usually to keep their private life separate, but not always.

[@Julescampinos]

When I'm excited, I normally rub my hands together like I'm warming them up or I rub my fingers.

[@Hypocricy_rules_supreme]

Me too. I always thought that it was down to unconsciously imitating my mum. Although sometimes my hands are cold. I also rub my feet together.

[@Julescampinos]

@@Hypocricy_rules_supreme Yeah!

[@DanielRicciardo1234]

When I get excited I flap my hands

[@marybarbera]

This definitely is an example of stimming. Thanks for sharing!

[@stevensvideosonyoutube]

I appreciate you being so clearly informative.

[@marybarbera]

Thanks! Appreciate it ❤

[@stevensvideosonyoutube]

@@marybarbera I'm happy you appreciate it.

[@nancycarroll7005]

My grandson was diagnosed with autism level 2. My daughter-in-law is beside herself. She doesn't want to talk with anyone right now. I am a MFT working on gaining lisensure. I want to help her and my grandson. Your box description with objects inside the box and the repeating words of the objects taken out of the box made a lot of sense and seems like a good start to assist my grandson. He is very engaging, loving and he does look into your eyes. He is very expressive. He just turned three yrs old but babbles sounds with no words yet. Those from the county that assist children with learning disabilities do not seem to be helping him that much especially when wearing masks. A child cannot learn this way. I tried to get on your site for teaching on Sunday but was not able to do so due to something else that came up. Please help with any suggestions. Thank you...Nancy

[@marybarbera]

Hi, Nancy! I'm so happy to hear that you're looking for ways to help your grandson gain skills. My online courses can help you learn to reduce problem behaviors, increase language, and advocate for him. If you're interested, join me for a free online workshop at www.marybarbera.com/workshops.

[@DogCatLady2004]

I don't know how many people experience this.. but do other people stim when they're idle or inactive? I wouldn't be too stressed or excited.. yet I still find myself stimming with a blank expression.

[@marybarbera]

Yes, everyone engages in some form of stimming. Sometimes when idle some people stim to help them manage focus and provide sensory input when the environment lacks stimulation.

[@TheFlyfly]

if "scripting from movies" means saying lines from movies repeatedly, i used do that a lot as a child!

[@marybarbera]

Thanks for your insight.

[@PunmasterSTP]

That was really nice and informative! I hadn't come across the term "stimming" before, but it makes sense now.

[@marybarbera]

Great!

[@vivinicorn6660]

My new roomate has autism and stims a lot. She usually just walks in circles around our kitchen table for hours. I understand she does this to feel better but its making me feel really nervous and uneasy and like i cant settle down. What can I do to make a compromise with her? I dont want her to feel bad ofc but i also want to be able to relax after work.

[@servicetothecross8914]

I think maybe avoid being in the same room when its happening or talks to your housemate about a set schedule. Additionally, you can find out if they have other methods. I personally jump and skip around my house to deal with that energy otherwise I will have frequent meltdowns.

[@marybarbera]

Learning more about stimming can go a long way!

[@yellowresonantmalo6351]

​@@servicetothecross8914 aside from my melodic and beat stimming which at 30 ive learned to hide extremely well, except for very close few have to flex all my muscles to get the energy out. My GF jokes thats why i stay so fit even tho i dont work out. I feel like stimming is much more acceptable for women as a man its definitely less acceptable or endearing.

[@chipskylark6837]

Is constantly screaming and crying when not getting what a child wants part of autism? My gf has a son who’s almost two. Every time he is told no. He instantly goes into 100% screaming mode. No ramp up just 0 to 100. He wakes up in the morning and from his nap and instantly starts screaming and crying. I get kids get upset and scream but I have never been around a child that freaks out this bad. He also doesn’t communicate very well. His words are very mumbled and not well pronounced.

[@marybarbera]

This can help with meltdowns: marybarbera.com/autism-meltdown-strategies/ Also, join our free workshop to learn more strategies from other parents and professionals. MaryBarbera.com/workshops

[@compilationsinfo9800]

Hi is throwing cushions and pillows on floor by 1.5 old kid whenever he get opportunity is also stimming?

[@marybarbera]

It may be a type of stim but unless coupled with other communication struggles is likely not worrisome.

[@tonyaolencki8463]

What is the best medication for stimming in adults?

[@marybarbera]

It is best to seek counsel from a psychiatrist.

[@sjnegron74]

Can you provide information on how to help my teen daughter with stimming?

[@marybarbera]

Visit MaryBarbera.com/links-yt

[@bex4651]

I am 45yrs and do not have autism or mental issues …..from the age I was crawling I developed

[@marybarbera]

That's great to hear!

[@denisf.1744]

Hi Mary,i could relate to some things from as a child growing up and i now think might of related to what your explaining in this video thank you,love Denny

[@marybarbera]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@vicsilva7293]

My 4 year old makes this noise, rotates her hands or stretches her arms and rotates her hands

[@marybarbera]

To learn more attend a 💻 free workshop to help young children increase talking, decrease tantrums, and improve picky eating, sleeping, potty training and more: bit.ly/3GZjn7m

[@bobbysth6200]

As you mentioned, my son 9 year old is scripting threatening words kill u or shoot u from the jungle book movie n secret life of pets. I am worried that he will land up in trouble if he does that in school. Do you have any insights into it. We r trying to give him words to use instead of those words. And teaching strategies when he gets angry instead of scripting those words. But do you have any other suggestions?

[@marybarbera]

we always want to try and prevent the behavior so maybe look into why he is getting mad and how to prevent. Make sure to reduce the amount of times he watches certain shows etc.

[@bobbysth6200]

Yes his brother triggers him. He never said those to us. we are trying to prevent at home but I am worried about school when other kids trigger him. We also stopped movie for now. Thank you!

[@janebarron757]

Jane B could my bouncing k n e e s and finger tapping because of anxiety perhaps please let me know ASAP thanks very much Mary

[@marybarbera]

See how you're feeling when you're doing it. All of us stim to some degree. Unless it's affecting your daily functioning, I wouldn't worry about it :)

[@janebarron757]

Mary could my bouncing of the knees and tapping the fingers because from medical reasons conditions

[@janebarron757]

Could epilepsy be the cause of uncontrolled movements also parkinsonism

[@Redeemer21]

Thank you for your videos. Very helpful.

[@marybarbera]

Glad you like them!

[@denisf.1744]

Good video i think can be helpfull for many people as i"am starting to see more of this around out there, and i think people can learn from this video,i think you should do more videos on this topic as it can relate to other health issues thank you,love Denny😘🙏

[@marybarbera]

thank you for watching.

[@jorgeosorio00]

I sometimes push my hands into my face or feel the need to squeeze something or get the strong urge to exert high amounts of energy for a moment. I just learned last year that it's stimming.

[@smellamyblake8352]

I stim when happy too.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes 😊

[@priscillaspruytenburg]

@Mary Barbera. Does walking around from the left to the right over and over again for 10 min and talking to them selfs what happend that day and stopping with walking and than klapping hands and than going back in the walking over and over again, does that has something to do with Autism? My son does that always in the evening and i dont know why.When he was in daycare and he is back home he always does the walking over and over again and he talks about that day and about the childern in daycare but he talks to him self.And i wanna find out why he does that

[@marybarbera]

Technically, everyone stims in some way and it doesn't necessarily mean that your child has autism. My online courses can help you learn how to keep your son engaged to reduce stimming habits. If you're interested, join me for a free workshop at www.marybarbera.com/workshops.

[@janegrimaldi1457]

Hi thank you

[@marybarbera]

Free workshop to start helping your child: bit.ly/3GZjn7m

[@aaliyahcourtney9999]

Hey I don’t know if you remember my comment on your previous video should I be optimistic for my brother who just turned two this month thank you

[@enladulceespera]

so, playing video games is stiming????????????

[@marybarbera]

technically it is! not all stimming is bad.

[@penelopek9645]

@@marybarberait is actually my boyfriend can play all night long, and can pay thousands 5000-6000 per month on fifa players football

[@kiberlegeta]

Some of the Stimming is due to underlying medical conditions that need to be addressed.

[@toots428]

What are some examples of possible medical problems?

[@kiberlegeta]

@@toots428 GI issues such as constipation, indigestion or nutritional deficiency such as low iron etc.

[@toots428]

@kiberlegata Wow! I never knew they were related.

[@jmiss7701]

@@kiberlegeta thanks for this information. My daughter stims alot and she has constipation problems, never knew they were correlated. I try everything for the constipation, it doesn't work.

[@ceegee5335]

@@jmiss7701 i tried cod liver oil

[@therealclippitpaperclip]

Stimming is fun but also could be done when nervous or feeling confronted. At least I do it then.

[@marybarbera]

Attending a free workshop can help: bit.ly/3GZjn7m

[@aneesahthequeen]

😍😍❤️❤️💙💙