What exactly is stimming?

[catski]

Is stimming related to sensory processing difficulties - eg, a child might do it if undersensitive to seek out some sensory input, or alternatively, a child might do it if oversensitive in order to block out too much sensory stuff?

From what I understand, it's not just confined to people with autism either is it? I mean, biting nails, twiddling thumbs, tapping a foot could all be self stimulatory behaviour could they? And what about those people who spin their pens round their fingers in exams? ! (never could do that).

I've never been sure if DS has displayed any sensory processing difficulties (he has a mild autism dx but I think he's really in the grey zone). He's never been under or over sensitive to light, touch, smell, taste etc. I wonder if this is stimming though - sometimes he runs around in circles and shakes his head. However, he only ever does this at home, when he's bored (usually when me or his dad are too busy to play with him) and it only lasts for half a minute or so, although he might do it several times in a day. He has longish hair too (for a boy) and I suspect he likes the wafting sensation it causes - I suspect if we gave him a crew cut that would stop (although who's to say it wouldn't be replaced with something else). He is also very easy to distract from it and stops straight away if you call his name. He's 2.11 btw.

What is it that separates autistic stimming from 'normal' stimming (ie, all those foot tappers and pen spinners out there)?

Like everything else with autism, I think it's a question of degree.
I stim. I used to rock for hours. If I'm overexcited or shocked I still do. And flap my hands. But I'm not conscious of doing it and there's no thought in my mind about what other people might think whilst I'm doing it. It's hugely settling/enjoyable. Some people say that it helps them to find out where they are, or how to balance.

DS stims when he is tired and understimulated. He lies on the floor and puts his hands between his legs, bringing his left leg up and down very fast to rub against his hands and other leg. Our paed told us he does it because he wants the movement and likes the feeling. He can do it for hours and he gets very hot and bothered when he does it, but is so calm.

DS has mild autism, he is 4.

He stims in several ways, depending on his mood at the time. We have noticed he stims a fair bit in the evening when he he is tired too.

He has vocal stims that are quite frequent on a daily basis, humming or throat clearing noises, or high-pitch noises when he gets hyper.

He has moments when he is sensory seeking and bumps into things, jumps, twirl objects, spins or runs in circle with his head cocked to the side. He gets quite hyper and although he is aware because he looks at us, he doesn't respond easily to us if we speak to him, and becomes chalenging if we want him to do something at that time.

He also can spend quite a while, moving something (usually a toy vehicle) backwards and forwards, and intensely stares at the wheels in motion. He is usually very calm when he does this.

Sorry for taking so long to get back on this. Illness, volcanic ash and a knackered pc have all conspired to make everything go tits up recently.

Hmm, the running in a circle with head cocked to one side I recognise! I wouldn't say he does it to calm himself or if he's overexcited though - seems to be from pure boredom (= understimulation?) but he doesn't seem hyper or undistractable when he does it. Jury's still out on this one...