Brain Dump

[autisticadvocacy]

A New Look at How Autism Affects Girls

They have more trouble with certain cognitive functions than boys on the spectrum do.

[fionacatmombraindu]

@thecyancat

[homojabi]

Stimming!

What is stimming?

In it’s most simple form, stimming is a repetitive body movement that self-stimulates one or more senses in a regulated manner.

What types of stims are there?

Visual Stims

Flapping hands, blinking and/or moving fingers in front of eyes, staring repetitively at a light, pressing on closed eyes to create visual effect [pressure phosphene], …

Auditory Stims

Snapping fingers, tapping on objects, listening to the same song on a loop, rolling Rs, “cat noises”, repeating words, putting hands over ears, singing, clicking tongue, humming…

Tactile Stims

Scratching, rubbing the skin with one’s hands or with an external object, pinching the skin, putting thumb inside fist, sucking thumb, rubbing hands/feet together, petting preferred textures, tying knots/twirling string, twirling/stroking hair…

Vestibular Stims

Moving body in rhythmic motion, rocking front and back or side-to-side), spinning, pacing, walking in circles, walking on tip-toes, jumping up and down…

Taste Stims

Licking body parts, licking an object…

Smell Stims

Smelling objects or hands, smelling other people…

Rhythmic Stims

Tapping on surfaces/objects/self, clicking fingers, making repetitive vocal sounds, bouncing legs, foot tapping, hand flapping, clicking pens, …

There are a lot of other stims as well that don’t necessarily fall under the category of “repetitive” such as pressure stimming, which are still just as valid. Basically if what you do serves the purpose of the stim, you can call it a stim.

Why do people stim?

People stim for all different kinds of reasons. They may stim when they are happy or excited, when they are stressed, as a part of their normal body language, as a way of communication, as a punishment, as a response to something internal or external, as a compulsion, to focus, to self soothe, etc. Stimming can be a coping mechanism, but it can also be so much more! No matter what reason someone has for stimming though, it’s important to remember that all stims are natural and normal.

Who stims?

Anyone that find stimming useful, whether consciously or subconsciously, can stim. That includes neurotypicals, but mainly stimming is seen as something that neurodivergent people do and it occurs most frequently in:

autism spectrum

Tourette’s

schizophrenia

OCD

people that experience mania/hypomania

people with ADHD/ADD

etc

Where can I find stim toys/jewelry?

Stimtastic

TherapyShoppe

AutismShop

SensoryUniversity

OfficePlayground

RuthDoodlle

[fionacatmombraindu]

@thecyancat

[transgendersuggestion]

A Transgender Person's Guide to Parents Masterpost

Someone recently reached out to me for helpful links that can be sent to parents to help educate them on transgender people and help them become more supportive of their children. Please reblog to help a trans person out. Here are some of my favorites:

Educating Parents: 

trans info for family and friends

respecting pronouns/ preferred name

is transgender a third gender

FTM ~ what is dysphoria

A Parents Guide for Their Transgender Child | FtM

Facts & Myths about Hormones For MTF Transgender

Transgender Q&As:

FtM Transgender Q&A!

FtM Transgender Q&A

FTM Transgender: Q&A with my mum

Mom & Transgender Son Q&A!

Q&A questions? MTF trans related

Q&A WITH MY DAD | MTF Transgender Transition 

TRANSGENDER Q&A (Surgery, Dating, & More) 

MTF Transgender Q&A

Transgender Kids’ Message to Parents:

To Parents Who May Have A Transgender Child 

Dear Parents of a Transgender Child

Advice to Parents of Transgender Individuals

Transgender Transition Timelines:

MALE TO FEMALE TRANSITION TIMELINE | MTF 

Male to Female - Transgender Transition Timeline

Transgender Transition Timeline: Male to Female

FTM transgender transition timeline

FTM Transgender Transition Timeline - 1 Year on T

FTM TRANSGENDER - Picture Every day for 5 years.

FtM Surgery and HRT:

FTM Phalloplasty Q&A

Phalloplasty FAQ

Q & A - Bottom Surgery

ALL ABOUT TOP SURGERY (FTM GUIDE)

FTM Top Surgery Checklist

[FTM] Top Surgery Q&A!!

FTM: 1 year on Testosterone

FTM Transition: 5 Years on Testosterone

MtF surgery and HRT:

Q&A Post Op SRS Experience

MTF SRS SCARS (Sex, Orgasm & Update)

My Breast Augmentation Experience!

Breast Augmentation MTF

BREAST IMPLANTS // MtF Transgender // Body Changes

What is HRT?

8 Months on Estrogen

Non Binary Genders:

Coming Out to Your Parents as Nonbinary

A Short Explanation the Gender Nonbinary

Understanding Nonbinary Gender Identities: Genderqueer, Agender, Genderfluid, Etc.

Explaining Non-Binary Systems: Gender Identity

NON-BINARY VOICES!

TRANSGENDER?? NON-BINARY?? HUH???

DO’s & DON’T’s of being non binary 

Parents Experiences:

From a Parent of a Transgender Child

FTM Transgender: Q&A with my mum

Mom & Transgender Son Q&A!

Q&A WITH MY DAD | MTF Transgender Transition

Transgirl and Mom Q&A! | Stef Sanjati