stimming

American  

[stim-ing] / ˈstɪm ɪŋ /

noun

1. the repetition of physical movements or articulated noises exhibited by people, especially young children and those with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, often in reaction to a mental or emotional state.

   Stimming, like covering my ears while repeating a sound, can soothe intense feelings and bring back my sense of control.

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Etymology

Origin of stimming

First recorded in 1980–85; shortening of earlier self-stimming, from self ( def. ) + stim(ulation) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

And while she firmly believes people should not be ashamed of openly stimming, it can still make her feel self-conscious when people notice, only increasing her discomfort.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

Each hand had three smooth, gold half-orbs on the ring finger made of plastic and encased in gel — omitting a xylophone-like sound when touched in a quick up-down motion — to soothe her stimming.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2022

He’ll eat while stimming, except for when he takes a dance break.

From The Verge • Jul. 12, 2022

Some children with autism were trained to behave more like other children — told to make eye contact, mimic common facial expressions and suppress repetitive behaviors called stimming, such as hand-flapping, bouncing and toe-tapping.

From Washington Post • Sep. 19, 2019

Soloniuk notes: ”The school hides a 7-year-old with autism alone in a classroom all day, and when they bring him out once a day, he starts flapping and stimming, because he sees all these kids around.

From Salon • May 24, 2012