repetitive behavior

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.

Source: Repetitive behaviors: Listening to the voice of people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder – ScienceDirect

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.

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic I want to compile a long list of stims! So, if you would, please respond with all the stims of which you can think! Avoid repeating each other, but it’s bound to happen.

Also— vote for your favourite stim from these three typical stims!

— haze awareness month (they/them) (@atypicalhazel) April 17, 2019

My contribution:

– Scat singing
– Whistling
– Scalp scratching
– Hair tugging

are lifelong companions that help me regulate.

— Ryan Boren (@rboren) April 17, 2019