🧠 What Are Stims? 21 Common Stimming Behaviours Explained Simply

If you’re a parent of an autistic or sensory-seeking child, you’ve probably seen stimming a million times… even if you didn’t know that’s what it was.



The flapping.
The spinning.
The humming.
The pacing.
The “I MUST TOUCH THIS ONE SPECIFIC THING NOW OR I WILL COMBUST.”

Yep — stims.

And guess what?
They’re completely normal. Helpful, even.
Let’s break it down in the simplest, most mum-to-mum way possible.

💛 What Is Stimming?

“Stimming” is short for self-stimulating behaviour.
Kids (and adults!) do it to:

  • regulate their emotions

  • manage overwhelm

  • feel calmer

  • get sensory input

  • stay focused

  • or just because it feels nice

EVERYONE stims — biting nails, tapping feet, twirling hair…
But autistic and sensory-seeking kids stim more intensely and more visibly.

💜 Why Do Autistic Children Stim? (The Real Reason)

If you Google it, you’ll get ten paragraphs of boring science.

Here’s the REAL answer:

👉 Their brain is trying to keep them comfortable, safe and regulated.

That’s it.

Stims help with:

  • too much noise

  • too much chaos

  • excitement

  • frustration

  • boredom

  • overwhelm

  • transitions

  • anxiety

  • happiness

  • sensory overload

Basically:
Stimming is regulation.

Not “bad behaviour”.
Not “naughty”.
Not “attention-seeking”.

Just their body doing what it needs to do.

🌟 21 Common Stims (That Parents See Every Day)

Here are the most common stims you’ll see in autistic + sensory kids — explained simply and without judgement.

1. Hand flapping

Pure excitement or sensory release.

2. Spinning in circles

Helps reset the vestibular system (the balance part of the brain).

3. Rocking back and forth

Self-soothing. A big one before sleep.

4. Jumping / bouncing

Regulation through heavy movement.
(Isaac’s favourite bedtime sport 😂)

5. Watching spinning objects

Fans, wheels, fidget spinners — VERY calming.

6. Humming or vocalising

Helps block out overwhelming noise.

7. Chewing

A sensory craving for deep oral input.
(Chew necklaces are gold for this.)

8. Repeating words or phrases (echolalia)

Helps process information and emotions.

9. Tapping or drumming

Rhythm = regulation.

10. Pacing

Burns off nervous energy.

11. Staring at lights or sparkles

Visual stimulation: calming + mesmerising.

12. Hair twirling or pulling

A way to process sensory overload.

13. Sniffing objects

Finding comfort through familiar scents.

14. Sorting or lining up items

Creates control + predictability.

15. Rubbing fabric / textures

Calming tactile input.

16. Clicking pens or buttons repeatedly

The dopamine hit is REAL.

17. Scrunching toes or hands

Regulation you don’t even notice happening.

18. Spinning objects in hands

Portable sensory joy.

19. Flicking fingers in front of eyes

A visual stim when overwhelmed or excited.

20. Repetitive jumping on furniture

Yep. The trampoline is your house now.

21. Repeating movements (running back and forth)

A way to regulate energy and focus.

🧡 When Should You Worry About Stimming?

Honestly?
Rarely.

You only need to step in if:

  • it’s causing injury

  • it’s hurting someone else

  • it’s stopping them doing essential daily tasks

  • it’s coming from severe distress

  • they’re stimming because they’re overwhelmed and need support

Otherwise…
Let them stim.
It’s not just okay — it’s healthy.

💜 How to Support Your Child’s Stimming

Here are gentle, sensory-friendly ways to help:

✔ Provide safe stims

Chewelry, fidgets, weighted toys, wobble cushions, beanbags.

Click here for our faves!

✔ Add more movement

Trampoline, hopping balls, sensory swings.

✔ Create a calm space

Low lights, squishies, pillows, your Calm Corner posters.

✔ Give them breaks

Movement breaks. Sensory snacks. Regulation time.

✔ Learn their “happy stims” vs “overwhelm stims”

Both are valid — they just mean different things.

🎁 Helpful Tools We Use at Home

Perfect spot for your products:



🌙 Final Thoughts

Stimming isn’t something to “fix”.
It’s something to understand.
It’s your child communicating what their body needs — and when we honour that, everything becomes easier:

Their regulation.
Your routines.
Your connection.

You’re doing amazing.
And your sensory kid’s brain?
Brilliant, bouncy, and beautifully wired — just like it should be. 💜

Comments

Post a Comment