The Importance of Stimming for Autistic Adults

Stimming, a range of self-stimulatory behaviors, plays a vital role in the lives of many autistic adults. It helps with self-regulation and reduces anxiety in overwhelming or stressful situations. Autistic adults stim for various reasons, including sensory processing, communication, and expression. Stimming provides a means of non-verbal communication and serves as a form of self-expression and individuality. It also helps with emotional regulation, concentration, and cognitive processing. Moreover, stimming can provide comfort during transitions or changes in routine, regulate arousal levels, and reduce self-injurious behaviors. Autistic adults engage in a variety of stims, including finger tapping, skin picking, hair playing, rocking or swaying, visual or auditory stimming, and sense-based stimming.