H.F.A. Hand Flappers Anonymous

Post Reply New Topic

I am considering whether or not it would be worthwhile to start an organization called
H.F.A. Hand Flappers Anonymous. It would be sort of a sub-classification for folks who have or used to have obsessive/compulsive, repetative motion stimming routines. It would serve as a clearinghouse of shared experiences, much like the way WP serves the larger AS population.

I don't want to compete with anyone and perhaps it could be simply a stimming thread within the existing WP structure.

I do not stim like I did when I was a kid (I'm 48, now) and I know this may seem selfish, but this concept interests me in my continuing quest for self-discovering and greater understanding of who I am.

If I don't get any takers, that's cool, but I just wanted to throw this out there and see what you all think.

WOW, I wish I could determine what really IS a stim. I met a person today that seems smart, and rocks sideways. I also heard him use 3 arcane words. Is he AS?

We went to a mall, and I saw a few people that seemed to do the kick type of stim also.

Anyway, what would be the purpose of your site?

Steve

I used to flap my arms, as a boy.

I still flap my hands when I'm excited.

SteveK,

Part of the purpose would be to answer your question; "What really IS a stim."

As a person who is older than the Aspergers diagnosis itself, I find it hard to find definitive information about stims, other than the ambiguous references in the diagnostic criteria.

What is going on mentally when one is stimming physically, etc....
Under what circumstances does a person stim?

Is it spontaneous or ritualistic?

Is it a responsive tick or something approached with purpose?

Is the stim stimulating imagination and mental creativity?

I'm curiuos!

Stuff like that.

My sister flaps her hands up and down when she's happy/excited. I've noticed her doing it whilst she is playing as well.