Stimming (short for self‑stimulatory behaviour) is something many neurodivergent people do every day, often without thinking about it. It can look like rocking, tapping, pacing, humming, spinning objects, repeating words, or using fidgets. Most people stim in some way, but for autistic and ADHD individuals, these movements and sounds often play an important role in staying regulated and comfortable.
What stimming actually does
Stimming serves different purposes depending on the person and the moment. For some, it’s a way to release tension when emotions run high. For others, it can be a grounding strategy to stay focused or calm. A stim might add sensory input when the world feels flat or reduce overwhelm when everything feels too loud or too bright.
Common reasons people stim include:
- Regulation: relieving anxiety or settling the nervous system
- Expression: showing excitement, joy, frustration, or stress
- Focus: helping the mind filter distractions
- Sensory balance: adjusting sensory input to feel more comfortable
Why stimming matters
For many neurodivergent people is a way to manage internal states. Often, stimming can get misinterpreted as ‘bad’ or ‘unusual’ behaviour. This can make it more likely for neurodivergent people to mask their behaviour in public, which can be more stressful and emotionally draining in the long term.
When someone is discouraged from stimming, this can lead to increased anxiety, reduced ability to focus, and a higher chance of shutdowns or meltdowns.
Supporting an adult who stims
Adults often carry years of pressure to hide their stims, so this should be kept in mind when supporting and empowering someone to stim.
- Normalise stimming: treat it as a valid coping strategy, not something unusual.
- Avoid spotlighting it: unless the person brings it up, it’s usually best not to comment!
- Offer sensory tools: fidgets, chewable jewellery, weighted items, or noise‑reducing headphones are often helpful to have available in workspaces and shared areas.
- Adapt environments: be mindful of softer lighting, quieter spaces, or movement breaks.
- Ask what they prefer!
Supporting a young person who stims
When supporting a young person, it’s important to help them stim in a comfortable way, allowing them to express their sensory needs in a safe space.
- Offer safer alternatives: if a stim could cause harm, redirect rather than suppress.
- Create sensory‑friendly spaces: develop quiet corners, soft textures, or movement options in schools or at home.
- Educate others: peers and adults often respond better when they understand what stimming is.
- Use affirming language: through your actions and language you can support a young person to stim without shame.
Helpful resources
If you’d like to explore more, these organisations have a wealth of resources for anyone interested:
- Drawing as Stimming Project is a project combining art and stimming, developed with neurodivergent people.
- More information about stimming, and other autism resources, at the National Autistic Society website.
- Videos to learn more about stimming at stimming.co.uk
