Understanding Stimming: Breaking the Stigma Surrounding Autism Behaviors
Found on Pixabay, photo taken by Ivabalk Have you ever caught yourself biting your nails or lips when you were nervous or bored? How about taping your foot or nails on a surface? These are some examples of self-stimulating behavior, also known as stimming , in the autism community. These behaviors are seen as usual by the majority of people who are close to someone with autism. So why is it that someone with autism or neurodiverse is seen as unnatural, weird, or dangerous? There are various stims that someone can do, some less destructive than others. The most well-known autistic stims are rocking, flapping, spinning, and walking on tiptoes. These stims are what most people associate with autistic stimming. The main reason why someone with autism stims is to regulate their sensory experiences and manage stress. Unfortunately, these movements have often been stigmatized and misunderstood by society. There have been many cases where a non-verbal or verbal autistic person has been pu...