What is "Stimming?"

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My son's Early Interventionist says he doesn't have a "Stim". He doesn't flap his hands, or spin in circles, or have any other repetitive physical action. Do stims have to be physical.

Joey Buzzes.. A very low, almost like a single bumble bee buzz sound. Its pretty much constant, unless he's sleeping. Would this be a stim?

yes thats a stim. a stim is something done for self stimulation, not to excite or arouse but usually to self calm or because it causes pleasure. some kids do have oral stims. my K uses vocalizations also, little noises specifically when hes eating or trying to go to sleep. i call them happy noises =) he didnt start doing this until about 3 months ago. stims do come and go, dont be surprised if your son picks up new ones along the way.

so no, stims dont have to be physical. besides verbal stims, there can also be visual stims. some kids love to watch things spin (fans, washers, those handheld globes with lights inside, etc), thats a stim altho it doesnt involve the child causing the movement.