Why Autistic People NEED Stimming

Why do autistic people need stimming in their lives? Well in this video today, I talk about autistic stimming and how autism stims or rather this vital autism coping mechanism for autistic people is really important. But also the talk about why you should not stop stimming! If you want to understand autistic stimming better, check out the playlist below:
👉 Autism Stimming Playlist: bit.ly/3pJQmkW
What is autistic stimming?
Stimming is a shortened term of self-stimulatory behavior and stimming is repetitive actions that a person does to self regulate, to block out stimulus or to relieve anxiety or to express emotion in a physical way. This can include movement of the body or body parts or the way you handle objects. If this is done in a repeating pattern, then this is stimming.
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ABOUT ME
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 their 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.
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.
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[@StephanieBethany]

💛 it breaks my heart that you have spent so much time trying to suppress stims when it is necessary to your healthy existence. Great video

[@IndieAndy]

Thanks Stephanie 😊

[@donnanewby3386]

Keep stimming. I am waiting for a diagnosis, for autism and ADHD, as a female aged 40, undiagnosed. I am trying to learn to stim. I have found it hard to learn what stim to do to regulate myself in different situations.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed

[@jamesbraun9842]

​@@donnanewby3386Not everyone with autism stims. Probably better if you don't find it out.

[@donnablack6280]

Just got diagnosed today age 52. I learned about the stim stuff over the years with comments like "why do you nod your head when you talk?" "can you stop jiggling your foot? " or the classic "can you please stop fkn doing that?!" with my nail-picking. Long journey ahead, but at least I know why I'm weird and outcast now.

[@IndieAndy]

But the thing is Donna you say it makes you an outcast but that's based on society and people's expectations.

[@sweetbeep]

.. your habits sound like nervous system overdrive... Not necessarily due to autism

[@bryanmerton5153]

Yes stimming is important! I am autistic and ADHD and so I stim when over stimulated and when I am under stimulated! I used to hide it or suppress it but now in my old age and just do what I need to do. Stimming greatly reduces my anxiety so I stim. Great video!

[@whitneymason406]

My son has autism and does a lot of vocal stimming, hand flapping, toe walking, headstands and crashing into things to get sensory input. I recently found out I'm on the spectrum too. My stimming has always been more subtle so I never considered that I might be autistic until I had my son and started researching. Stimming can be so different for so many people. Thanks for this video!

[@rabeechowdhury]

toe walking builds the calves, stay knowledge.

[@Naturegirl1976]

I had the same types of stimming, except running into things. Being bullied my whole life I've learned that I'd be safer alone than with others. But it's a lonely life.

[@sweetbeep]

Why would you say he's trying to get sensory input? Sounds like he's trying to get rid of excess energy. I thought that was what stimming was for... To release energy and be more calm and comfortable.

[@whitneymason406]

@@sweetbeep He has sensory processing disorder and his tactile sense is hyposensitive.

[@sweetbeep]

@@whitneymason406 ..oh ok ..I didn't know about that type. I would think he would outgrow that, given optimal conditions? An adult I know has auditory processing disorder.

[@siennaprice1351]

I do many stims. I rock, I hand flap, I even vocal stim sometimes. Or if I have something on my mind, even if it’s random, I just blurt it out. Sometimes I even swear as a stim. I’ll just say this right now. If someone mocks you or tries to stop you from stimming, it can cause a lot of mental health problems later on in life. That’s partially the reason why I have complex PTSD. Because I was forced in cruel and extremely abusive ways to stop stimming, or to even suppress my feelings and emotions. Now that I’m in a much better environment, and a more loving and understanding environment, I stim whenever the hell I want. My husband is also autistic, and he stims a lot too. I mask my CPTSD more than I mask my autism.

[@IndieAndy]

Hi Sienna, thank you so much for sharing your story. 💯 agree that stimming is good 👍

[@endorolfgreenwolf5265]

My dad told me to stop shaking my leg in public it shows people how anxious you are. I never tried to stop because to me it wasn’t showing that, to me it was a way to just get rid of extra energy through my leg.

[@Catlily5]

I shake my foot a lot and people often ask me if I am nervous. I just tell them I am always nervous - don't take it personally. I am always nervous and stimming makes me less nervous.

[@sweetbeep]

..did they tell you that you have autism from that?

[@dreamthedream8929]

Perhaps instead of trying to shake your foot try to take breathes or other meditate things. This will induce more calm whereas shaking foot may create a tense vibe for others in there​@@Catlily5

[@DavidJVMusic]

Dude! I felt it was odd and should not be done when I was in school(primary/grammar/secondary/ high school/collage). But I never knew that it was a stim, nor did I know I was autistic. I remember that the appropriate thing to do was stop doing the "stim" then apologies for doing it. People just need to be better educated. Thanks for sharing, Andy!

[@tayzonday]

Yes! This!

[@unclebozo9845]

Can't say we were expecting to see you here, Mr. Chocolate Rain!

[@jamesbraun9842]

​nclebozo9845 He must be here to wonder why he moves his head away from the mic to breathe in.

[@PurpleEnbyTerminator]

I don't know if I am autistic or not, (I've been looking into it though) but I do know I stim extremely often.

[@UTRipleyxoxo]

I twiddle wool in between my fingers. I have some on my lanyard in work too. Really helps, and very calming. I have acute Depressive Generalised Anxiety Disorder but my GP suspects that I'm actually autistic. I'm 36, female, wife and mum and always felt different so to hear that I'm potentially autistic is actually comforting as it's a possible answer to my differences.

[@aspiewithattitude3213]

We all need to self regulate and yes, the prevention of stinking is emotionally exhausting. From your point of view and your experience, I could understand the consequences.

[@camellia8625]

Most types of stimming are non harmful and should as you say be respected. That said some types of stimming can be extremely disruptive - eg loud grunts in a severely autistic child running about outside but disrupting neighbours who may not unreasonably wish to enjoy their gardens in peace. Ditto managing a classroom with an autistic child whose stims impact the learning of others. Not sure what the best solution is in such situations as the autistic child’s needs also matter.

[@philsophkenny]

I literally did a talk on stimming an hour and a half ago.

[@doodlemight]

Im an autistic person, I am wondering if walking around instead of staying still, I find it relaxing, is this stimming

[@rev.jesseabelchristianlife6693]

I stim by rocking from side to side or I use squishy stress balls. Great video and I agree 100% !!! We in the Autistic community love you brother. 🙂 I just had therapy today.

[@jenlo3763]

Your videos have been so interesting. My 17 year old son is starting the process of assessment for ASD. There are so many things you say that make so much sense and are reassuring as a parent. You speak so well about autism.

[@thekajalflaneur]

I dance everyday to express emotions I can't otherwise. Also twiddle my hair, or I wear a heavy brass bracelet to play with and I like the bell like noise it makes. I also toe walk and shake hands often. Stimming is such a relief, like non-sexual masterbation or something. Take care 🌻

[@josephsells4187]

I suppressed some of my stimming at a very early age. I do different things with my hands. So i would put my hands in my pockets. I don't like the negative attention stimming recieves from others. I wish the world was more accepting. Sometimes i also rock side to side when standing, shifting from one foot to the other.

[@AleP56Z]

Thank you for this video. I am not autistic, but I’m trying to educate and learn more so I can be a better support and understand my autistic friends or people in my life!

[@marymyers4751]

watching the rain....is soothing...

[@dbt2787]

Sorry i missed the premier, i was quite busy! Stimming is life!

[@IndieAndy]

Haha it's ok I was coming back home from work when the premier went live 😂😂😂

[@tatemitchell1479]

I stim by singing the same songs over and over again. I am practicing to become a theatre performer so it’s helpful, but it gets really annoying for my family and neighbours 😬

[@StormySeas4596]

I was diagnosed at 3, I'm 27 now. My stims are bouncing on the bed while sitting, clapping, making faces, darting my eyes, toe-walking (I did it constantly until about 15, then I grew out of it), hand flapping, biting my lip, tapping my fingers on objects like it's a piano, and raising and lowering my eyebrows.

[@chrissyMjohnson]

Great video. I noticed I focus better when I am stimming. At least sometime. I actually paid attention to a zoom meeting at work. I have autism and ADD/ADHD so I would think my employer would appreciated that🤓!

[@philsophkenny]

Enjoyed this man! 👌

[@IndieAndy]

Thanks Philip 🙂

[@philsophkenny]

No problem Andy ,keep up the good work!👍😁💯

[@mitheryan1491]

I suppressed stimming to the point where the only stims that I did do where a majority self harming and in secret, its incredibly dangerous to steer autistic people away from healthy stims that may make nts "uncomfortable" but I dont think they know how many of us end up falling into harmful stims as a result. I didnt know I had asd until I was 25 and suppressed and masked to the point of mental breakdown 🙃 I'm now learning to unmask again and live in harmony with my mind ❤ thank you for your videos

[@maijuk802]

Well said.

[@risingwolf786]

I make my own fidget rings I'm not certain if I should make them for my autism friends or not in or make them for people for stimming for a etsy page or something I'd have to see with some friends if they think people might buy them when i can make more in future

[@michaelv151]

I would never ask them to stop unless they were hurting themselves or others

[@megaady36]

Stimming for me means less meltdowns - my stims are finger nail rubbing, finger counting, rocking and a few other non harmful ones - if it offends people then tough for them. The more of us that stim openly the more quickly it will be accepted as just how we are and how we cope.

[@julie8234]

I do the nail thing and didn't realise it was a stim

[@datdankdj8264]

I make no effort to hide it, but tbh I hate when ppl point out that I’m doing it, and it makes it much worse

[@toben3655]

He got us in the first half, not gonna lie.

[@misschieflolz1301]

I'm eventually going to push my GP for a referral. I've always been brushed off as being stressed at work (with anxiety and depression. Taking antidepressants at the moment). Every single one of my cousins and my Dad on his side of the family are confirmed on the spectrum and.... well I'm very similar to them. I didn't get stimming when I first heard about it since mine are pretty minor, but I do find it manefests in different ways. I do tend to talk to myself, saying random words or quietly singing to myself. This happens semi subconciously. I also do the bouncing knee thing when I'm stressed and anxious... usually involving big events and it's the only outlet for the adrenaline that I'd have say ,going for an interview. (Ignoring the fact that this causes a meltdown regardless)

[@games_bond7221]

1700th viewww, I have atypical autism and I find you very inspiring! I subscribed as soon as I finished your first video

[@davidlanier7006]

Good video!

[@IndieAndy]

Thank you!

[@JadeDRail]

Watching this with my new plushies which has a rattle, bumpy fabric and crinkly arms. :)

[@maddies.526]

My teacher told me that I shouldn't flap my hands because I'm apparently too old for it. So dumb.

[@nathanmiller7324]

I guess I have the exact opposite logic..."I'm 53 years old, and at my age, I'll flap my hands if I Goddamn feel like it!"

[@ottolandin]

when I feel defensive, I have to bite/chew on something. yesterday, I was upset about people threatening others and so I went outside and I couln't help it... I chewed on my cellphone case. 🙄

[@The194768]

I can't stand it when people I'm forced to stop stimming. Makes me feel so uncomfortable and all my focus is on not stimming and how uncomfortable it is that I pay no attention to anything else

[@aut1976]

Thank you for this important video. As a autistic person myself I learned as a child to supress my stims. It made things worse. I am in favorite to let autistic people stim. How else can we cope with the world.

[@negarshahhosseini7633]

I'm an hsp ( Highly sensitive) and I stim a lot specially shaking my leg So do all hsp people too

[@natashaernst7454]

I needed this, at my work place my boss know I have autism but when he doesn’t want me to stim (almost all the time) he will hit a hammer on the desk loud right next to me and says “so we’re convulsing today?” My parents say “he’s from a different generation he doesn’t understand” it’s so frustrating, especially when he says “women can’t get autism, your just weird and attention seeking” I hate that I stim, and I hate I’m this way but I still know this is how it’s going to be

[@kracklinkamphyre7142]

I just got some spinner rings for stimming in public. I put mine on my middle finger and spin it with the thumb on the same hand. Since the movement is mostly covered by my hand people cant really see and it's not a huge movement anyway and lots of people fidget with their jewelry. My favourite is a cuban chain set around the ring that spins - easy to get a grip on the chain to spin it. Mine is black so doubles as an ace (asexual) ring (black ring on the middle finger of the right hand).

[@cactus2763]

I personally stim less when I'm upset, if I'm upset I pet my assistance dog. If I'm excited (usually when watching Eddsworld which is my special interest) I flap my hands and jump up and down.

[@barbarasunday3514]

I got " converted " when my daughter got diagnosed as an adult , I started looking into it and she started dropping her masks.. now we get it. I encourage safe stimming

[@Islandswamp]

When I’m at work I sing to myself. I’m by myself and everyone has ear plugs so I’m not heard by anyone.

[@MartKart8]

If people all acted the same way, what they call the normal, I wouldn't be able to distinguish who is who at all and just give up and leave the area.

[@ottolandin]

I can't sleep at night if I don't drink coffee and roll around. I stim to self -sooth.

[@Maddy-dh7xv]

I often vocal stim when listening to music and people just stare at me when I do it

[@abbystephens9766]

I stim and unfortunately some of my family members don’t understand why I do it.

[@rohankale1000]

I twirl my hair and shake my leg.

[@Islandswamp]

Electric guitar is great if you’re into stimming with your hands

[@amalharb9268]

Hi ,,,can I ask you if you had speech delay when you are kid ??

[@IndieAndy]

Erm... From memory I believe that I did as I had some language therapy.

[@emoducky]

Rest In Peace andy

[@a_little_demon]

what happened ?

[@MysteryGrey]

Smoking is stimming...I'm just figuring out.

[@Maailma99]

"... tapping ..." ... looking at my forefingers tapping alternating on my mouse pad 0.0

[@wackisjack]

cw: talks of being bullied for being neurodivergent/queer and struggling to accept my neurodivergence, don’t read if it’ll make u too sad. this is also a pretty lengthy comment so sorry in advance. *edited for typos* i’ve been trying to figure out for a while(years) what’s “wrong” with me and why i feel so different from my neurotypical peers. i do have adhd(self diagnosed but it runs in my family) and i think im starting to come to terms with the possibility that i might be on the autism spectrum(i do also have some cousins who are on the spectrum and am kinda suspicious that my older brother with “severe adhd” might also be on the spectrum too). i heavily relate to everything you’ve said in this video. from a very young age, before i could really even make decisions for myself, i was conditioned to “act normal” and stop “doing weird things”. it’s very sad to think that all that bullying i endured through school was not only because of my queerness, but also because of my neurodivergence. for the longest time i just thought that other people my age thought i was weird because i happen to be trans, but really it all stemmed from being outcasted by my peers and treated as if i wasn’t another human being(this treatment happened to me long before i came out as trans at 13). the way the other kids treated me still has such a tight grip on how i live my life as a 19y/o “adult”. for the longest time i’ve been playing the role of a neurotypical person and trying to hide any symptoms of my neurodivergence so that i wouldn’t have to deal with the isolation of being outcasted again. but in doing so i faked my way through so much of my life that it feels like i don’t even know who i am. i’d love to try and see a neurologist and get professionally diagnosed, but i live in the US and my insurance doesn’t cover that. even just to see them to try and get an adhd diagnosis would cost me at least $1600, money i don’t have as i’m unemployed. i wish i was comfortable asking my parents for help, but my worst fear is that they won’t listen and will just say i’m “being dramatic” or “attention seeking” like the would when i was a kid. it’s been very difficult for me to come to terms with the possibility that i might be autistic, seeing how other people on the spectrum were treated in school was horrifying, even in the town i grew up in which is pretty progressive. the general population really has no empathy for people who don’t fit into their idea of what “normal” is. i’m probably most scared of how my friends would react if i do end up getting an “official” diagnosis, would they leave me too the same as those other kids all those years ago? i’ve had multiple breakdowns today alone just thinking about how everyone in my life would react and how i’d inevitably be outcasted again.

[@samktiago]

i was born to stim

[@julie8234]

Are you Mbro based? Your accent sounds local to me

[@IndieAndy]

I'm from Newcastle but have been living in Durham for a few years now. So more than likely I've picked up the accent from down here 😂👍

[@julie8234]

@@IndieAndy I'm Durham too ✅

[@misss299]

Imagine if we could all use this excuse for bad behavior

[@EBR1]

??? It's not an excuse.

[@misss299]

When the person stims, they are giving the brain pleasure.. And this behavior will quickly become an addiction if not stopped. It's not good for the mind.

[@ElevatorWasher5000]

.