Any NVLD people here?

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I may have NVLD, not sure.

I was under the impression it was in the DSM (I haven't read a recent copy, though, admittedly.)

As a younger child, the only speech I was capable of was reciting those things I was able to gather during brief periods in school like all the bones of the body which I learned after seeing it one time. As the situation became worse, I didn't speak much at all except to repeat phrases from time to time. By the time I was in child protective custody, I didn't speak at all. As an early adult it was still a challenge. Psychological trauma became so overwhelming in my early 20's it forced me through the wall or barrier only gradually, which was excruciating but seemingly necessary for my continued mental and emotional survival. It's still difficult verbalizing, which makes success out in the real world much more difficult. My fingers have a lot less trouble around communication than my mouth does.

It seems strange but when I'm trying to communicate, I sweat like I'm running a marathon, even when I'm writing. I guess it only serves to say it's still that hard for me to actually come by.

Unfortunately, it is not yet in the DSM. Hopefully it will be in the next revision.

Thank you for your clarification on that. I am sorry to have been mistaken.

Would I sound too stupid if I asked what everyone meant by stimming?

I apologize sincerely.

Mostly what people mean by stimming is some repetitive motor movement, or possibly a repetitive vocalization. The most common stims are probably rocking or hand flapping. Other stims include visual stims, like looking at things out of the corner of your eyes or looking through something. Some people also like rubbing certain materials. Basically, stimming is a repetitive sensory experience that calms down the nervous system.

I hope I explained this clearly. It's not a stupid question at all- especially if you are new to the autism community you may never have heard the term before, or may have never seen it in a context in which the meaning was clear.

Here are some stims I've witnessed in autistic kids I've worked with:

vocalizations (VERY common)
chewing on non-food items
biting self
holding a hand in front of the eyes in a certain way
manipulating air currents (this kid *loved* bubbles needless to say)
rocking
fingering paper
flipping cards
spinning objects
patting some part of the body
head-banging
twirling string

There are many others, but these are only the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Thank you, that was very insiteful.