Okay, so if you’ve never heard of stimming, it’s short for self stimulatory behavior and it’s super common in autistic kids.
It can look like spinning, flapping, tapping, repeating words, or even vocal sounds, but it’s not something bad or weird. It’s how they regulate their body, emotions, and senses when things feel too much.
In Zarisa’s case, one of her many stims are spinning and especially spinning all fours when she’s happy, excited or overstimulated. That’s her stim and it’s part of how her brain finds balance.
People might stare or think it’s “strange” “funny” or “quirky” but it’s actually helping her. It’s not something we try to stop it’s something we actually encourage and if we can stim with her you will find us stimming along 😌👌🏼.
Because stimming isn’t a behavior to fix. It’s a way of existing. It’s communication. It’s regulation. It’s her. 💙
#autism #stimming #toddler #mom #sahm #stayathomemom #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismmom #autismadvocate #education
Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, is a natural and meaningful way autistic individuals manage sensory input, emotions, and stress. It can take many forms—from spinning, hand-flapping, and tapping to repeating words or vocal sounds—and serves as an essential coping mechanism. Many families create supportive environments where stimming is welcomed rather than discouraged. In households like Zarisa’s, encouraging stimming is viewed as an important way to promote emotional regulation and comfort. Recognizing stimming as communication, not a behavior to be fixed, is key to fostering autism acceptance and advocacy. Understanding and acceptance of stimming behaviors by society can help reduce stigmatization and feelings of isolation for autistic children and their families. By learning about the variety of stims and their calming effects, caregivers and communities can better support those who use stimming as a tool to navigate overwhelming sensory experiences. For parents, educators, and caregivers, embracing stimming means encouraging autistic individuals to express themselves safely and authentically, enabling them to find balance and well-being. This perspective helps shift the narrative from trying to suppress stims to valuing them as integral parts of neurodiverse identities. Resources and autism communities offer valuable support and education about stimming, promoting awareness and acceptance. When we encourage stimming, we help create a more inclusive environment where autistic individuals can thrive emotionally and socially, free from judgment and misunderstanding.