Stimming

“What is the sound of one hand flapping?” Stimming is any repetitive behavior, physical or verbal, performed by a neurodivergent person as a means of self-stimulation or emotional regulation. Stereotypical stims associated with autism include hand flapping, spinning, or repeating words and phrases. Even people who identify as neurotypical catch themselves occasionally tapping their feet, drumming their fingers, or biting their nails to cope with stress or other emotions. It’s evolutionarily ingrained. There are as many ways to stim as there are people— and as long as the behavior isn’t harmful in any way, I’m all for it.