| Is Stimming Okay? |
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Submitted by Our Journey Thru Autism According to the Autism Sourcebook by Karen Siff Exkorn, stimming or self stimulatory behavior is a repetitive behavior that releases opiate-like substances in the brain called beta-endorphins which can produce either a euphoric or anesthetic effect; it can cause a feeling of tranquility for those who are feeling over-stimulated.  Typical stimming behaviors include hand flapping; spinning; rocking back and forth or side-to-side; jumping; pacing; lining up objects; repeating portions of videos, books, or songs at inappropriate times; tapping ears. My son with Asperger’s stimming behaviors included all of the above except for rocking.Is stimming bad? Like everything, there is an appropriate time and place. Stimming serves a purpose. It helps to calm the nervous system and helps with concentration or focus. I believe we all stim to some degree. In meetings at work, I look around the conference room and see peers clicking pens, shaking a foot or leg, or tapping on the table. I am guilty. I tend to rub my thumb nail when I am reading or concentrating on a lecture. Like anything, if it becomes unsafe or causes harm to anyone then it is not okay. Or, if stimming is causing the person to be inflexible and interferes with everyday life, then it is not healthy.
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