What does stimming mean?

Stimming is short for self-stimulatory behavior (sometimes also called autistic stereotypy) and refers to the repetition of certain movements or sensory actions — such as making sounds, seeking out certain smells, or engaging in physical behaviors like chewing or rocking. The primary purpose is for regulating or coping.

This regulation can happen in any combination across the eight major sensory systems, including the five senses of smell, touch, taste, vision, and hearing, as well as the three more internal systems: vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive. While anyone can stim (and just about everyone has exhibited stimming behavior at one time or another), stimming is closely associated with children and adults diagnosed with autism, though stimming plays a part in other disabilities as well, such as ADHD and Down syndrome.

To learn more, see our full article What Is Stimming?.