The findings indicated four main reasons for repetitive behavior: enhancing the ability to function; reducing external stimuli and avoiding communication; coping with stress, distress, and excitement; and coping with social communication.
The findings suggest that repetitive behaviors play a functional role in people with HFASD and also serve as a way for these individuals to cope with their environment.
Functioning labels and medical model language aside, this study reinforces what autistic people have been saying about stimming.
For examples of popular stims, see this thread.
My contribution:
rnbn 