Stimming

I have tried to put a lot of thought into this. Parts of it I took from a facebook post that I made.

Sometimes I may stim. It may be weird or embarrassing but it isnf about you. "Oh she's stimming this is embarrassing to me" are you really my friend if it embarrasses you?

Stimming is important. Its self regulation and self stimulation. Although I may not be able to tell you WHY I'm stimming it's important.

Vocalizing: I may make weird noises, mimic new words, repeat words over and over, sing, or hum. If I need to vocalize and I don't it hurts. My throat will begin to hurt and my ears will begin to hurt. Sometimes i can't control my vocalizing, this means it happens whether I want it to or not.

Physical movements: Shaking my legs up and down non stop this one I have no control over, it just happens. 

Counting on my fingers when there's nothing to count, I tap my fingers against each other. I usually do this when I'm trying to ward of a panic attack or when I'm overstimulated. 

Rocking is something I do when I'm overstimulated or im thinking too much. I dont know why it helps but it does.

Making funny faces like wiggling my eyebrows, doing weird things with my lips, or wiggling my nose. I do this because my face feels weird if I don't make faces it will start to hurt.(I dont know how to explain that my face feels weird)  

Occasionally I flap my arms. It relieves the tension in my arms as well as helps me regulate my senses. I do it yo show joy or occasionally when I'm angry or anxious. 

Drumming my fingers or dancing my fingers. Usually when I love the music, or I want to dance but I suck at dancing.

I Twirl my hair and rub my ears vecause it's comforting.

Problematic stims for me: picking my lips, chewing my fingers and nails, sucking my thumb, and scratching my head until its sore. These things usually occur when I'm stressed, overstimulated, understimulated, or upset.  They have always been difficult to stop. Having a leather bracelet with scented oils to smell helps sometimes.

If I don't appear to be distressed leat me stim.

 If I DO appear to be in distress my face may show it. I may begin to look around nervously. Look like I'm upset or anxious, about to cry or hyperventilating. If this is the case guide me away from the environment I'm in. Take me outside or somewhere quiet and either hold me tight (if I know you well) or wrap me in a blanket or jacket. 

This may look different for other autistic people. They may have different stims. Ask them what they need. Get to know what they need before you hang out with them. If they don't know what they need it may be because no one has cared before.