Can stimming be harmful? What are examples of Autistic stimming? Does everyone stim?

TW - Self-injury, Meltdowns

Lauren Melissa Ellzey (@Autienelle) is a popular Instagram influencer (85k followers), author and self-advocate focussing on autistic-centred coping strategies. With a neutral-positive attitude towards Autism, Autienelle hosts the yearly RED Instead Instagram livestream during World Autism Awareness Day which provides a space to those overwhelmed and saddened by media or campaigns propagated by certain Autism organisations.

Autienelle's Website - https://laurenmelissaellzey.com/ // My Links - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK

They kick off the episode diving into Autienelles RED Instead livestream event and quickly dive into the world of gaming. Autienelle talks about their new venture into the world of Twitch streaming, focusing on the game Stardew Valley and chatting about everything Autism.

Stimming is a repetitive, self-soothing action that receives a lot of stigma and shame from parents, professionals, autistic adults, and the wider online communities. Its primary use is for regulating emotion, be it positive or negative, and isn't to be confused with sensory joy. Autienelle takes us through the 8 senses and offers different examples of autistic stimming, as well as combinations through multi-sensory stimming.

Thomas Henley and Lauren Melissa bond over their mutual love for vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (body awareness) stimming, something that is very common, but not well known about. The two theorise about how autistic hypersensitivities and hyposensitivities may influence which stims people do to regulate, and which ones may provide sensory joy.

Under the surface, sensory systems are even more complex than just visual or just vestibular; each sense has different aspects to them, and different types of nerves for separate functions. The complexity of these systems and the individuality of each autistic person lend to a very different sensory profile but also preferred stimming methods.

Diving into the deep end, Thomas talks about his experience with harmful stimming and self-injury during his adolescence. Autienelle highlights the importance of being aware of or logging different stims that are common to each situation and emotional state. Understanding your stims can be an eye-opener for how autistic people express emotions externally, allowing others to focus on these signs rather than indirect communication like facial expressions, tonality and body language.

They end the podcast talking about the common reservations people have around stimming, whether it's fear of attention, anxiety, learned suppression, or shame… but stimming can be big or small, and there are many options for stimming which can be used in public or private spaces.

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5

Interview me, 1:1 Autism coaching, public speaking for events, workplace training  - https://www.thomashenley.co.uk [https://www.thomashenley.co.uk/]