Everyone Stims
Autism doesn't have a monopoly on repetitive behavior
Most people in the autism community are intimately familiar with the term stimming. Short for "self-stimulatory behavior," it refers to repetitive movements or actions: things like hand-flapping, rocking, or repeating words. The specific stimming behaviors may differ, but the purpose behind them is self-regulatory in nature. People stim to stay focused, to calm down, to release energy, or to make sense of overwhelming environments.
Many people assume that stimming is a clear sign of autism, but in reality, stimming isn't unique to autistic individuals. We all stim, some more noticeably than others. Think about how common it is to tap your foot, twirl your hair, chew on your sleeve, or hum while concentrating. Most people wouldn't even think to label these as stims. But from a clinical perspective, they serve the same function as they do in individuals with autism.
Even behaviors sometimes labeled "self-injurious" don't exist solely in clinical settings. Cuticle picking, for instance, is widespread. So is biting the inside of your cheek, clenching your jaw, or scratching at a scab. These can all lead to pain or harm, but they're often overlooked because they don't seem unusual. Again, the behavior isn't always the issue—it's the context, the frequency, and the functional impact.
Many people also assume that non-autistic stims are “nervous habits,” but contrary to popular belief, stimming isn't always a sign of anxiety. It's just as likely to show up when someone is bored, excited, or deep in concentration. A child humming while building a block tower. An adult bouncing their leg in a restaurant as they wait for their date to show up. A student quietly repeating their teacher’s words to stay engaged during a lecture.
It’s important that we move away from the assumption that stimming is inherently disruptive or dysfunctional. For many people, it's just so common that we've stopped noticing it. For others, it’s essential for sensory regulation, emotional expression, and overall well-being. Instead of asking how to eliminate stimming, we should be uncovering what it's doing for the person and evaluating whether it's working. If a behavior helps someone feel safe, focused, or calm, it may not need to change. In some cases, it might need to be redirected or shaped. In others, it might need to be accepted and accommodated.
In any case, the mere presence of stimming behaviors isn’t pathological. It doesn't mean someone is broken. It means they're trying to maintain homeostasis in the face of life’s normal stressors.
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Apologies if I’ve shared this one before. Just goes to show how much I love it!