What is Stimming?
Z loves to run! In my very simplified explanation, Self Stimulating behaviour or 'Stimming' is repetitive movements or sounds often associated with autistic behaviour. It's used as a regulation technique - to control sensory input, a form of self expression or just pure enjoyment. Stimming is one of the 'signs of autism' that people might first notice in their child. Even before I thought Z might be autistic it was something I was aware of. All the 'baby progress' and 'milestone' emails were warning me about whether my child was rocking back and forth or flapping their hands. And yeah, these are typical behaviours but these weren't the stims that Z particularly showed. He didn't rock much more than most toddlers and he didn't flap his hands that much. But there were plenty of other repetitive behaviours. Stims don't always look the same. For Z he would bang his head on the floor (so glad that this one stopped) especially during meltd...
