I stim. I’m sure you, the reader of this post, probably stim as well, or know someone who stims. Because of this, we know how important and necessary stimming is to the health of autistics and other groups who become overstimulated in similar ways. And I’m sure we at least have an idea of how stimming is viewed by the general public: it is seen as cringey, unacceptable, distracting, alarming, and even dangerous, among other things.
Because of this, people who stim in public are often met with a largely negative response to their coping mechanism. This can range from strange looks or casual comments, to abuse and ostracism. Outside of communities like ours, most people do not know what stimming is, and because they are human, are upset and confused by it.
I’ve been asked about my stimming multiple times at school and I always give about the same response: ‘what I’m doing is called stimming, short for self stimulatory behavior, and it’s common in autistic people like me. it is a way for me to release extra energy and manage my sensory intake.’ This usually gets a neutral to positive response, and I know that people are not asking to be rude or judgmental: they are merely curious. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
However, I had one particularly jarring response to my stimming about a month ago. I had just found out that my partner’s class schedule had changed and that I would have 2 classes with them every day for the rest of the quarter at least. Naturally, I was overjoyed, and began physically and verbally happy-stimming. Then, I was approached by one of my closest friends, and what he said was almost enough to knock me down from my happiness:
“What are you doing? Are you high or something?”
I had heard about discrimination to autistics for stimming in public. I had even heard about autistics being arrested for stimming in public for the exact thing that my friend was accusing me of: police officers mistake stimming or similar coping mechanisms for the person being high, and arrest them. This had never happened to me before, and because of that, it struck deep.
Later, I talked to my friend about how hurtful his words had been, and explained what I was doing. He felt terrible and apologized immediately. But that doesn’t change the way that he and others perceive autistic behavior: cringey, unacceptable, distracting, alarming, and even dangerous.
This is why we need autism awareness outside of just our community! Things like this happen to countless people every day, and they feel the same pain that I do. That’s ridiculous! So, I educate. I tell people about my diagnosis and how it effects me. I am unashamed and unafraid because I know that no matter what people say, my autism is amazing and wonderful. And this is the message I give to you: I hope that if you aren’t already, that one day you can be in a place where you are safe enough to be confident in yourself along with your diagnosis, and use your experience to help educate people, and in turn, help minimize the pain of future generations of autistics.
Got back to sorting sea glass today, finished off the wonderful jar of treasures. Check out my TikTok for more seaglass sorting, art, and other shenanigans 💛 - Pocket the Artist ————————— If you like what I do and want to help me live my dream to continue creating art, hit me up at: https://ko-fi.com/pockettheartist https://buymeacoffee.com/pockettheartist PayPal - [email protected] I appreciate any kindness thrown my way as I push through the creative process and bring you more weird, beautiful, funny and creative stuff! ————————— #seaglassart #seaglasssorting #stimmingpositivity #neurodivergentartist #queerartist #nonbinary #trans #2slgbtqiaplus #shinythings #likeacrow (at Prince Edward Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTqci03go7d/?utm_medium=tumblr
The soundFX on this game... in my autistic little ears @ that daycare.... Stimmy heaven 🤤 I played the same character (LipSyncher) EVERY DAY just for the sound effects 🌈🌀🌈🎗🧩🎗 (think daycare was called "Play Station" but this is an SNES game—i remember thinking it was funny they didn't have a PlayStation at a daycare called that) . . . #autism #autistic #stimming #stimmingpositivity #actuallyautistic #SNES #powerrangers . . . . @amdoodles19 @phantomgender https://www.instagram.com/p/CPGuP0ur0ld/?utm_medium=tumblr
