Stimming in Autism: Why It Is Necessary & Natural

By Tiffany Joseph, Bened Life Neurodiversity and Disability Consultant

In the past few years, we have seen stimming toys and tools become mainstream. Think fidget spinners or silicone bubble popping toys that replicate the bubble wrap placed in packages. Once they were extremely niche products made for people with autism, ADHD, or sensory difficulties. Now you can find them in the toy section of any store, online or in-person. 

This trend highlights society’s increasing recognition that our senses are important to our daily lives and thus, so are tools for keeping them regulated. However, there are already some prebuilt-in tools that almost every person can use without having to obtain outside accessories for stimming – hands, voices, legs, arms, and just regular ole body parts. We use these to stim and regulate our bodies to keep our sensory environment balanced and intact, both inside and out.

What is Stimming?

Stimming is short for self-stimulatory behaviors. 

These behaviors – called stims – are the repetitive movements, sounds, or actions that Autistic individuals make to regulate and process our inner and outer sensory and emotional environment. 

Stimulatory suggests “stimulating,” but one could also replace that word with “regulating.” Otherwise the term is actually kind of misleading, because stimming only serves to stimulate sometimes, not every time. 

So, what is the purpose of stimming? Well, it has many purposes which vary between people. And even those people have varying purposes and different stims for different reasons too. In fact, stimming serves critical purposes for Autistic children and people of all ages. 

Sadly, there are many misconceptions and misunderstandings about stimming that can lead to harmful suppression. We’ll further explore what stimming is, its functions, and how it’s so misunderstood by therapists, educators, caregivers, and most often, the general public.

Why Do Autistic People Stim? 

Stimming isn’t random or meaningless. Most of the time, engaging in stimming fulfills a specific need, helping us Autistic individuals navigate our sensory and emotional landscapes. 

Here are some of the key purposes stimming serves:

Creating Energy 

Some stims are energizing. They can help an Autistic person “wake up” the body or mind when it's feeling sluggish or disconnected from its energy source. For example, bouncing, jumping, or tapping might help someone feel more alert and ready to interact. This type of stimming can be especially important in environments that feel dull or lackadaisical. 

Releasing Energy 

Just like some stims create energy, others help release it. When someone is feeling anxious, overstimulated, or excited, stimming can act as a pressure valve, providing a way to discharge that built-up energy. Think of it like pacing when you’re nervous before a big event – it’s a natural way to blow off excess adrenaline. 

Calming 

Stimming can also have a soothing effect. For example, rocking back and forth, humming, or rubbing a soft fabric can help someone calm down when they’re feeling overwhelmed. These repetitive behaviors create a sense of predictability and rhythm that can be comforting in moments of distress. 

A Retreat from Overload or Underload 

Stimming can serve as a retreat or escape when someone is feeling sensory overload or underload, a.k.a. intense boredom. In the case of overload, stimming might provide a way to focus inward and block out overwhelming external stimuli, like loud noises, bright lights, or distracting movements in the environment. 

Conversely, in situations of sensory underload – when the environment feels too quiet or unengaging – stimming can add the sensory input needed to feel balanced.

Imagine, for example, being stuck in a classroom where you are being taught way below your academic level but you have no way of telling anyone because you can’t talk or write. You might retreat to the sights and sounds of your stims, rather than be subjected to matching the red box to the color red for the 6th year in a row.

Concentration or Focus 

One of the most misunderstood functions of stimming is its role in helping Autistic individuals focus or concentrate. For many Autistic people, stimming is not a distraction but rather a way to regulate their sensory input and maintain attention. 

To fully understand this, it’s important to consider how sensory processing differences in autism can affect focus: 

• Sensory organizer: Stimming helps create a type of “filter” as a predictable, controlled input that can drown out unpredictable or overwhelming environments or feelings. Think of it as kind of a sensory organizer or categorizing tool.
• Alarm noise: Another way that stimming helps focus is by creating that “noise” needed to wake up a sluggish brain or body. Think of it as a loud alarm for a body or brain that is constantly wanting to shut down.
• Brain-body flow: Pacing or other repetitive motions enable the body to connect with the brain, from which many Autistic people can be disconnected otherwise. There is a term called “cognitive flow” that means full engagement in an activity, physically and mentally. Stimming allows a person to create cognitive flow and find focus much easier.
• Emotional regulator: Think of what we all do when we are emotional: when we are anxious, we might bounce our knees, bite our nails, click pens, etc. Those are all forms of stimming as well as ways of regulating our emotions. Autistic stimming may seem different, but has the same purpose.

Misunderstandings About Stimming

While many therapists, educators, and caregivers have good intentions, stimming is often misunderstood in ways that lead to misguided interventions. Here are some common misconceptions:

“Stimming Should Be Stopped”

One of the most harmful misunderstandings is the belief that stimming should be eliminated. This perspective often stems from a desire to help Autistic individuals fit into neurotypical environments, but suppressing stimming can cause extreme distress and take away a vital coping mechanism. 

Remember earlier when I mentioned how stimming can be helpful to releasing energy? If someone has a build-up of pressure but no natural way of releasing it, they are at risk of exploding at any moment.

“Stimming Has No Purpose”

Another misconception is that stimming is meaningless or random. In reality, stimming serves critical functions, as we’ve discussed above. Each stim is often highly specific to the individual and their needs at the time, even though many Autistic people share stims like hand flapping or pacing.

“Stimming Prevents Learning”

Some educators and parents falsely believe that stimming is a barrier to focus or academic progress. While it’s true that stimming can rarely signal distraction, this mostly isn’t the case. For many Autistic individuals, stimming actually enhances focus by providing the sensory input they need to stay regulated.

“They Need to Burn Energy”

Caregivers may assume that stimming is simply excess energy that needs to be burned off through physical activity. However, stimming is about much more than energy levels; it’s a way to regulate emotions, sensations, and even thoughts.

“They Need to Calm Down”

Similarly, it can be easy to view stimming as a sign of agitation or hyperactivity that needs to be “fixed” or calmed. While stimming can indeed occur during moments of excitement, don’t forget that it can also function as a tool for self-regulation and doesn’t always mean the person is upset or out of control.

“Stimming Is Distracting to the Person”

This is sometimes true, but it’s important not to assume that a person's stimming is always a distraction. For many Autistic individuals, stimming is a way to stay focused by managing emotions or sensory input. Instead of trying to stop stimming, caregivers and educators should observe the individual’s needs and adjust the environment if necessary.

Misunderstandings in the General Public 

The general public often has little understanding of stimming, which can lead to harmful assumptions and judgments. Harmful is actually a very watered-down word here. Misunderstanding stimming in public can be downright dangerous. 

Consider the case of Nonspeaking Autistic 32 year old Kenneth French, who was shopping in Costco with his family in California. His movements caused an altercation, and French pushed off-duty police officer Salvador Sanchez. 

Sanchez fell to the ground, got up, and shot French to death inside the store. He also shot both of French’s parents, but they lived. When other autism families heard of the death, their worst fears were confirmed, and they spoke up.

“Kenneth French could have been my son,” wrote one parent. Another volunteered, “My son engages in unusual behaviors, sometimes touching or bumping into others. I worry all the time that these interactions could turn violent.” And a third added, “Shoving someone should not be met with immediate shooting...”

“Stimming Is Dangerous” 

Some people may perceive stimming behaviors –such as rocking, flapping, or spinning – as dangerous because they look unfamiliar or intense. However, most stimming is entirely safe and poses no harm to the individual or other people at all. Or if they don’t view the stimming itself as dangerous, they could view the individual doing it as dangerous simply for moving differently in the world than most people do.

“They Must Be on Drugs or Drunk” 

Because stimming can involve unusual movements or vocalizations, it’s sometimes misinterpreted as a sign of substance use. This misunderstanding is rooted in ignorance and highlights the importance of autism awareness in the broader community. 

“They Just Need to Burn Energy” 

As with caregivers and educators, the public may assume that stimming is simply an outlet for pent-up energy. This oversimplification ignores the complexity and purpose of stimming as a regulation tool. 

“They Just Need to Calm Down” 

When stimming occurs in public, it can sometimes be misinterpreted as a meltdown or a sign of distress. While stimming can accompany heightened emotions, it’s often a way to prevent meltdowns by providing self-regulation. 

How to Support and Understand Stimming 

For those new to autism or even seasoned veterans, the best way to approach stimming is with empathy, curiosity, and respect. Here are some tips: 

• Observe without judgment: Instead of assuming stimming is a problem, take the time to observe what purpose it serves for the individual. Are they calming down, focusing, or expressing excitement? 
• Educate yourself: Learn more about stimming and its role in the Autistic experience. This knowledge will help you provide better support and counter misconceptions. 
• Advocate for acceptance: When you encounter others who misunderstand stimming, gently use the opportunity to educate them. Advocacy can help create a more inclusive and understanding society. 
• Avoid suppression: Unless stimming is harmful, like with head banging or other stims that cause self-injury, or if the person uses someone else to stim, resist the urge to stop or redirect it. Instead, focus on creating an environment where the individual feels safe to stim when and how they need. 
• Simply ask the individual: When possible, ask the Autistic person about their stimming. They may be able to explain why they stim and how it helps them, giving you valuable insights into their needs. Knowing why is an amazing way to curb judgment and help in other ways.

About the author:

Tiffany "TJ" Joseph is an Autistic adult working in accessible education with teen and young adult Autistic nonspeakers. She herself is Hard of Hearing and utilizes many ways to communicate including ASL, mouth words, and high-tech AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). Their passion in the disability space is communication and education rights for people of all disabilities. Find TJ on social media at Nigh Functioning Autism.

Recommended reading:

Celebrating Special Interests in Autism

Why Is Autism a “Spectrum?” - The Autism Color Wheel

Top Five Books to Educate Yourself on Autism

Nonspeaking Autism - My Point of View