feel stupid asking this

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i feel stupid asking this because i should probably know because i see it all over the forums but what are "stims"? i have seriously never heard that term before XD.

I didn't know what a stim was either until about a month ago. Stim = self stimulation. It can be anything that an autistic/aspergers person does to self stimulate himself. For example, as a kid I used to jump, make hand movements, and sometimes rock while concentrating on things. These are some of the more common "stims" you hear about.

You are not stupid for asking this. Lot of people have asked this. You aren't the only one who has asked it on here.


A stim is lot of things. A stim can be doing the same thing over and over like listening to the same song over and over, listening to the same CD over and over playing the same game over and over.

Handflapping is also a stim and playing with your fingers.

Doodling is also a stim, foot tapping, finger drumming. Pacing back and forth is considered a stim and rocking your body.


Everyone stims but the reason why it's made a big deal about us is because we do it differently than normal people. I'm sure stims are a big deal too in other people who have other conditions like schizophrenia or ADD but I notice the words aren't mentioned when you read about it. Only with AS and autism and about the spectrum.

oops...guess I do stim after all... drumming when I'm bored. But, of course, I also have real drums...yeah...that's my story and I'm stickin' to it...

I'm a bass player but initially, I wanted to drum, so I saved money with my paper route (I was 12) but figured drums, in the end, would cost waaaay much, so I started bass.
So..... I still tap drums all over the place, and I click teeth, and stuff, and all for RYtHYM. As a bassist, it really helps to practice 'drumming'. So I never look at it as a stim, but an exercise in my art. Don't get hung up over it.
I also was diagnosed with Tourette, so I can stim my butt off if I want, but I see those as kinda spazzy. You are in control when you drum. Makes me feel good ! !!
By the way, after a gig I won't stim for a number of days cause, as a bassist and entertainer, I can 'legally' stim all over the stage, facial expressions and all. That too, Makes me feel good ! !!

Can pacing be considered a stim? When I get nervous about something or if I am in deep I thought I will pace non-stop; sometimes I've done it for like 40 minutes straight and at times I don't realize i'm doing it.

Difference btwn stims and ticks, anyone pls?

[quote=foxman]really? crazy. Maybe that's why I watch the same movies over and over and over and over again. I own almost 100 movies, and have seen them each an average of 30 times or so. I've watched Serenity at least 50. Same with books. maybe this is an indication that I have too much free time^.^[/quote]

Im the same, I read the same books, watch the same programs on repeat, songs, films, it drives my family mad

i think that stims are what people use to calm themself down. were ticks are more impulsive and alway happening even if they dont want to do it.

i tap my right middle finger when people annoy me
i tap my left foot when i am worried
and i use to bang my head on the wall when pissed at people. but don't do that any more