Beyond self-regulation: Autistic experiences and perceptions of stimming

Repetitive, self-stimulatory behaviors (“stimming”) are a hallmark characteristic of autism. Stimming is thought to aid in self-regulation, but autistic perspectives of stimming are underrepresented in the literature. Autistic adults (Study 1 N = 131; Study 2 N = 117) completed a survey about their autistic identity and their experiences and perceptions of stimming, as well as the functions stimming served. Participants reported stimming to be sometimes positive and sometimes negative, with stimming only being a negative experience when it was self-injurious or stigmatized. Despite frequently being a positive experience, participants purposefully suppressed stimming (“masking”), which was done almost exclusively for extrinsic reasons (e.g. to avoid judgment from others). The majority of participants felt stimming (1) was an important part of their friendship with other autistic people, (2) helped them connect with other autistic people, and (3) that when they saw other autistic people stimming, they could tell what they were feeling. Study 2 found that the degree of connection to the autistic community was the most important predictor of whether stimming served these social-communication functions. Lay abstract Stimming, or repetitive self-stimulatory behavior, is commonly seen in autistic people and is believed to help with self-regulation. However, the views of autistic people on stimming are not well represented in academic research. Two studies surveyed autistic adults (131 in Study 1 and 117 in Study 2) about their identity, experiences, and views on stimming, as well as its purposes. Participants reported that stimming could be both positive and negative, with negativity only arising when it caused self-injury or was stigmatized. Although stimming was often a positive experience, many participants intentionally suppressed it to avoid judgment from others. Most participants felt that stimming played a key role in their friendships and connections with other autistic individuals and that it helped them understand each other's emotions. Study 2 revealed that a strong connection to the autistic community was the most important factor in whether stimming served these social and communicative purposes. Given the potential importance of stimming as social communication within the Autistic community, interventions to enhance social and communication skills in Autistic individuals should consider ways to incorporate stimming. A better understanding of the important roles stimming plays in Autistic people's lives is beneficial for the well-being of Autistic individuals.