List of Non-Visible / Non-Distracting Stims:
People can be real jerks when it comes to an autistic person stimming, that's no doubt. I've compiled a list of some very low-key stims that I use every day, that I've never gotten comments on! These might not be the best for situations in which you want to verbally stim, but for random moments of the day they're nice.
(Below the cut)
Counting Things:
This one's a classic. Count wall tiles, floorboards, ceiling tiles, lines and dots on fabric, colors in a poster; anything that can be counted! I like to count individual threads in my sweaters, and words in a book if I have one in front of me. It's really time-consuming, and is great for when you're bored or just waiting around in a quiet space (like after/during a test, in a library, etc.)
Wiggling Fingers/Toes:
The one I use most, and the one I've never gotten comments about. I do it all the time without realizing. Wiggling/flapping your hands is a bit more conspicuous, but as long as you're wearing shoes literally no one can tell that you're moving them unless you move your whole foot. I end up doing this when listening to music a lot, or when I'm restless but am supposed to be sitting still. It's really good for times when you need to be focused, and can't do any stimming that required mental activity.
Fiddling with a Pencil or Pen:
As long as you don't drop it, people usually don't really mind this one. It's visible, but a comment fidget even for neurotypicals. Twist a pencil in your hand, pass it back and forth, study the grains of graphite it leaves on paper, anything! With pens you've got to be more careful, as clicking it is ANNOYING to most, but watching the ink dry (especially on lower-quality pens that take forever to dry) is always fun. Just be careful not to accidentally launch it across the room and hit someone, like I do sometimes.
Repeated Words and Phrases
I know, I know, echolalia and vocal stimming is pretty conspicuous, but I'm not talking about saying anything. Repeat words and phrases in your head-- set them to a beat, make rhymes, think of new words that don't exist. This one's great for boredom, as long as you're not supposed to be focusing on something else in the moment. I'm learning two languages at the moment, and I often take this opportunity to run through all of the vocabulary I know!
Braiding Hair:
This one's the GOAT. Again, very visible, but also very common. Just be careful if you're talking to someone, so they don't think you're flirting. (I don't really know why that's seen as flirtatious, but I guess it is somehow?)
Air Bubbles:
This one's a bit hard to explain, but I've discovered that if you keep a bit of air in your mouth (not enough to puff your cheeks or anything, just a small bit on your tongue), you can use your tongue to split it up, move it, et cetera. It's a bit weird, and you have to be sure that your mouth isn't visibly moving and that you're not making weird mouth noises, but I find myself doing this mindlessly all the time.
Gum/Mints:
Super duper normal, and effective! Mint can be great if you want to stim by something with sensory input, and flavors are nice for the senses as well. Just be sure that you're not smacking or making mouth noises (all of my fellow folks with misophonia understand that pain well) and you'll be a-ok!
Warming Up Your Hands:
This one's also a bit odd. Wrap your hand around each finger of your other hand for a while, until the finger warms up, and then place it on a cold table or other surface. Just be sure you aren't being weird with it and no one notices, lol. This is especially nice if it's cold where you are; I like warming up my hands and then putting them directly onto cold metal, like a can or chair leg.
Fingernails:
Run your fingertips over your fingernails! Be careful not to pick at your nails or skin, though, as that's not very fun when it begins to bleed and can be bad for your skin. It sort of tickles, haha, and you can do this to your palms as well.
Feel Your Pulse:
Either set your hand on your wrist or pretend you're resting your head on your chin, and feel your pulse with your fingers.
That's all for now! Let me know if there's any other tips/tricks you'd like to hear!
