Autism/Asperger's terms

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I'm relatively new to the psychology of Asperger's.
One of the things I've been hearing about is "flapping." What does that mean in the sense of "flapping my arms?"
Another thing I've heard about is an "obsession." What exactly does this mean in the world of an Aspie, such as myself? I mean, I occasionally fixate on things such as my Gamecube Games or the Games I play at night, and I really, really like Chinese History. But does that make these things "obsessions?"


Just curious...I'm trying to understand more about myself, so anything you can add to this will be helpful

If you are still studying Chinese History ten years from now...you'll have yourself a nice healthy obsession.

Obsession means like an interest you will spend money on, spend time on, etc... and it seems almost like food in that you almost NEED to do it.

Flapping is something I am sure not many people with AS do. It IS an odd sort of stim. I am, however, at a loss to explain or describe it.

And there's another term, too: What does "stim" mean?

I 'stim' is short for a self-stimulating movement. Its basically any repetitive action that you do in order to calm yourself down, and help you think better. Common ones are rocking back and forth, flapping your arms, bouncing your leg up and down, wringing your hands, biting your hands/nails, picking at your skin, chewing your shirt, pacing back and forth, clicking a pen repeatedly, etc.

Do you think chewing gum constantly counts? I do this at work when I'm working alone in my office. Gross habit, but it helps keep me focused. (I thought I didn't do stimming. Maybe I do?)

Hmmm....maybe! Cute question, WonderWoman. One inhabitant said his 'stim' is sunflower seeds (yes, really)! Why not? I think chewing gum can then count as stimming, sort-of. He wrote, about his sunflower seed stim, "It's Snackactivity." Hah hah!

I do stim. Stimercise. I mostly like to stim in the lab and I sort-of twist/rock. I can since the radio is usually on anyway so I'm considered rather dancey.

Nothing wrong with chewing gum if this keeps you focused. I rarely chew gum, but I'm partial to juicy fruit.

OP: 'Flapping' is just a form of stimming. Some Autists 'flap' their hands, especially when nervous. I generally do not, and really never have. Sometimes if I'm excited I'll clap quietly, which might the equivalent. Flapping is just a common way to stim. But stimming can manifest in a myriad of ways (ie: chewing gum , sunflower seeds........)

What is and isnt considered a 'stim' is somewhat vague. I personally pace back and forth and bite my hands/nails/lower lip alot. But then again, I have seen other people pace back and forth when they are nervous too. I just seem to pace back and forth and bite my lip much more often then a normal person. Ill do it whenever I am thinking about something, so usually for 2 or more hours each day. Whereas a normal person might only do it once per month when they are very nervous/anxious.

Normal people also rock back and forth in order to relax, thats why they invented rocking chairs. Its not as though autistic people do things that normal people dont, they just seem to do repetitive movements more often.

I do tend to head bang. I now make sure that I'm playing Rammstein, Rage Against the Machine, or other heavy metal band so that the head banging is normal.

I bite my nails, click the pens, pick at skin (only sometimes). My latest obsession: walking/running. It's like stimming and keeps me physically fit.

I walk/run two to four miles in the evening and my fingernails started growing! Doing the walking has taken the edge off my nailbiting. I never knew that was possible.

Well, I have AS, so does my pacing count as a stim? I also tend to talk to myself when I work as well.

I used to talk to myself all the time but I stopped. I think that was another way I stimmed although at the time I didn't know why I did it or what it meant, exactly. I think it's easier to go for long walks/run than it is to pace because it's a change of scenery.