🧩 Understanding Autism and Stimming Behaviors

💡What is Stimming?

Stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) refers to repetitive movements, sounds, or activities that help autistic people regulate their sensory experiences and emotions. These behaviors are completely natural and serve important functions.

Why Do These Behaviors Happen?

🧠 Sensory Regulation

Autistic people often have different sensory processing systems. Stimming helps them:

Calm down when overwhelmed (self-soothing)
Increase stimulation when under-stimulated
Focus better on tasks
Express emotions they can't put into words
Feel more comfortable in their environment

⚡ Stress and Anxiety Relief

When feeling anxious, frustrated, or excited, stimming provides a way to release that energy and regulate emotions. It's similar to how neurotypical people might tap their foot or fidget when nervous.

Common Stimming Behaviors

📄Ripping or Tearing Paper

Why: The texture and sound provide satisfying sensory input. The act of tearing can be calming and help release tension.

Understanding: This isn't destructive behavior - it's meeting a sensory need.

🔧Taking Things Apart

Why: Provides visual stimulation, satisfies curiosity, and offers a sense of control. The methodical process can be soothing.

Understanding: Often shows intelligence and problem-solving skills, not destructiveness.

💥Breaking or Snapping Things

Why: The sound, feeling, and immediate result provide strong sensory feedback that can be regulating.

Understanding: Usually about the sensory experience, not aggression or defiance.

🤲Other Common Stims

Hand flapping or finger movements
Rocking back and forth
Spinning objects or themselves
Making vocal sounds or humming
Touching or rubbing textures
Pacing or walking patterns

How to Help and Support

✅DO: Provide Alternatives

Offer paper specifically for ripping (magazines, newspapers)
Provide "breakable" items like bubble wrap or stress toys
Give old electronics or toys that can be safely taken apart
Create a sensory box with various textures and objects
Use fidget toys, stress balls, or textured items

🏠Create Safe Spaces

Designate areas where stimming is always okay
Keep sensory tools easily accessible
Reduce overwhelming sensory input when possible
Have quiet spaces available for regulation

💬Communicate Understanding

Ask "What do you need right now?" instead of "Stop that"
Learn to recognize signs of sensory overload
Validate their experiences: "I can see you need some sensory input"
Work together to find acceptable alternatives

⚠️When NOT to Stop Stimming

If it's not hurting anyone or causing real damage
If the person is stressed, overwhelmed, or dysregulated
Just because it looks "different" or makes others uncomfortable
If you don't have a suitable alternative to offer

🛡️When to Redirect

If there's risk of injury to self or others
If valuable/important items might be damaged
If it's disrupting necessary activities (offer breaks instead)
Always redirect TO something, not just away from something

Key Principles to Remember

            🎯 Function over Form: Focus on meeting the underlying need, not stopping the behavior
🤝 Respect: Stimming is communication and self-regulation, not "bad behavior"
🧩 Individual Differences: Every autistic person has unique sensory needs and preferences
⏰ Timing Matters: Don't try to redirect during high stress - support first, discuss alternatives later
👂 Listen: Ask the person what works for them and what they need

        

💪Building Long-term Support

Work with the autistic person to:

Identify their specific sensory needs and preferences
Create a "sensory toolkit" of acceptable alternatives
Develop strategies for different environments (home, school, public)
Practice communication about sensory needs
Build sensory breaks into daily routines

Specific Product Recommendations

📄For Ripping/Tearing Needs

Velcro strips - Satisfying rip sound, completely reusable
Perforated paper or tear-away calendars
Tissue paper in different textures and weights
Bubble wrap - Various bubble sizes for different sensory experiences
Stress-relief tear pads - Specifically designed for this purpose
Paper shredders - Controlled way to destroy paper with satisfying results

🔧For Taking Apart/Breaking Needs

Pop-it fidget toys and bubble poppers (various sizes and shapes)
Tangle fidgets that come apart and reconnect endlessly
Magnetic building blocks that snap apart with satisfying force
Old electronics - keyboards, radios, phones (remove batteries first for safety)
Snap circuits or building sets designed for assembly/disassembly
Ice cubes - Safe to break, melt away mess, very satisfying crunch
Breakaway safety items - designed to break apart safely

🎯General Sensory Tools

Fidget cubes with different textures and mechanisms on each side
Stress balls with varying resistances and textures
Textured fabric books or sensory fabric samples
Kinetic sand in a contained box or tray
Therapy putty or thinking putty (various resistances)
Mesh and marble fidgets - satisfying to squeeze and manipulate
Spiky sensory balls for tactile input

Helpful Resources & Where to Learn More

📚Recommended Reading

"The Reason I Jump" by Naoki Higashida - Written by an autistic person, offers authentic insights
"Uniquely Human" by Barry Prizant - Understanding autism from a strengths-based perspective
"Sensory Processing 101" by Dayna Abraham - Practical guide to sensory needs
"Autism and the Predictable World" by Barry Lewis - Daily strategies and supports

🌐Organizations & Websites

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) - Authentic autistic voices and advocacy
Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation - Research and resources
Stimtastic.co - Stim toys designed by autistic people for autistic people
National Autism Center - Evidence-based practices and interventions
Local autism support groups - Community connections and shared experiences

Implementation Guide

🚀Getting Started

Start small: Introduce one or two alternatives at a time
Person-centered: Let the individual choose what feels right for them
Go slow: Don't try to replace everything at once - gradual transitions work better
Test and adjust: What works may change over time or in different situations

🤝Involve the Person

Ask about preferences: What textures, sounds, or sensations do they prefer?
Shopping together: Let them help choose their sensory tools
Respect choices: Honor their preferences even if they seem unusual
Regular check-ins: Needs may change, so revisit what's working

⚙️Create Systems That Work

Build in breaks: Schedule sensory breaks into daily routines
Multiple locations: Keep tools easily accessible in various places
Practice during calm: Try alternatives when not stressed, not just during meltdowns
Portable kit: Create a travel sensory kit for outings
Backup options: Always have multiple alternatives available

💡Pro Tips for Success

Quality matters: Invest in durable, well-made sensory tools
Variety is key: Different situations may need different solutions
Maintain supplies: Keep replaceable items well-stocked
Clean regularly: Keep sensory tools hygienic and appealing
Respect the function: If something stops working, find out why before replacing it

🎯Setting-Specific Strategies

At Home: Create designated sensory spaces, keep tools in easy reach, establish sensory routines

At School: Work with teachers on discrete fidgets, sensory breaks, quiet spaces

In Public: Portable sensory kit, identify calm spaces, prepare for transitions

At Work: Discrete professional fidgets, movement breaks, sensory-friendly workspace setup

Remember: The goal isn't to eliminate stimming, but to ensure it's safe, appropriate for the setting, and meeting the person's needs effectively. Stimming is a natural and important part of autistic self-regulation. With the right tools, understanding, and support, everyone can find ways to stim safely and successfully in any environment.