stimming

[ stim-ing ]

noun
  1. the repetition of physical movements or articulated noises exhibited by people, especially young children and those with autism spectrum disorders, 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.

Origin of stimming

1
First recorded in 1980–85; shortening of earlier self-stimming, from self + stim(ulation) + -ing1

Words Nearby stimming

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023