Some questions about stimming

[PrincessBubblegum]

Hi all,

1. Is stimming a conscious act, or something you just find yourself doing and oftentimes don't even realize it? (For example, I would have said I don't stim, but just realized that the subtle leg/foot bouncing I often do, or the very subtle rocking back and forth when I'm completely overwhelmed, may be stimming)

2. Can stimming ever become compulsive. Like, you can stop for a moment if asked, but the urge is so strong that it becomes too much and you have to do it again?

3. Are collecting and organizing things obsessively and looking at them, thou china them, and fiddling them, considered a stim or obsessive behaviour?

4. Can stimming ever be a mental thing, for example, counting breaths in/out, counting teeth clacking, counting steps etc.

Thanks

 

[Judge]

You might refer you to all the "What are your stims" threads which already exist in this part of the forum. I think you'll find most of your questions answered there with a lot of variety.

For me I most often do my stimming (pacing) before I even realize I'm doing it. Not really sure if I consider it a compulsion though. If I want to stop it I can at any time. Unlike some of my more complex compulsions...like locking doors several times in so many minutes.

 

[PrincessBubblegum]

Thanks. I searched quite a bit before posting but maybe I missed the answers to these questions.

 

[Judge]

Thanks. I searched quite a bit before posting but maybe I missed the answers to these questions.

If it's of any help, here's my more specific answers:

1. I've manifested stimming both consciously and unconsciously.
2. Interesting question. I suppose it's possible. But in the case of pacing I can and have stopped it, compared to other OCD traits I have.
3. I'd consider collecting an obsessive trait rather than a compulsion.
4. Not in my case, but I've heard others cite that.

 

[kmom2014]

I find that if I notice I am stimming and stop I get overwhelmed with the urge to continue. What I do is sit cross legged and rock back and forth. It takes a few minutes but I will notice it but I don't stop I just keep going. My husband sees it too of course. I also bounces my legs and feet, wiggle my feet, or like kinda flex them when I am sitting on them. I clench my thighs and jaw to the rhythm of music which is weird lol.

 

[kmom2014]

Oh AND I pace and rock side to side on my feet. Like teeter-totter kinda. Even in public.

 

[PrincessBubblegum]

Thanks guys.

Regarding the compulsive thing -- my son began what I believe is a stim the other day. It is definitely not dystonic or a tick, because I asked if he could stop for a second, and midway through it he stopped and smiled, then went back to it. (I only asked him if he could stop once, because he isn't yet 4 and isn't super verbal, and a family member has a problem related to dystonia, and I needed to know if it was a voluntary action or not). He is bringing his cheek to his shoulder and rubbing it once then going back up. But at some points it's becoming what appears to be compulsive -- like he'll do it several times over and over again as if it just feels too good or he hasn't quite gotten enough satisfaction from it yet and just can't stop. He said "I'm cuddling my shirt because it's so soft!" but he's doing it with or without a shirt. He started this several days ago after a visit to a very busy dinosaur museum, but not until we left and went to a dead quiet cafe for lunch.

 

[Ylva]

No autist ever has all the symptoms excepting in books/films, and there are probably autists who don't manifest that one.

I manifest it, and quite frankly I think all the "surplus energy" is just regular adrenaline released as a response to the way too intense sensory impressions. I am an adult and not overly traumatised, so I can uaually control and direct it. In your son's defense, though, I have to say that being a toddler is boring. Not knowing much about kids I can't give you much specific advice, but maybe you could refocus his energy somehow. My physiotherapist accidentally refocused mine from heel-tapping to one of her hand muscle exercises (touch-thumb-to-fingertips) when I was twelve. It changed spontaneously into something else again a few months later (don't recall what, haven't kept a record or anything, that one just stands out).

It was useful since my hands are portable and inefficient because it doesn't really use a lot of energy. I'm just mentioning it because maybe you could think of a stim you would find acceptable and teach him that one.