"People should be allowed to do what they like": Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming

Added on 30/06/2024

Type de contenu

Journal article of the type Scientific research ( ; english)

"People should be allowed to do what they like": Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming published in the journal "Autism" n°23, vol.7, 10 pages , doi: 10.1177/1362361319829628

*Two co-authors had publicly identified as autistic. [Learn more about this mention]

- 6% of authors cited in the bibliography of this resource have publicly identified as autistic (7 out of 120 authors).
- 15% of references cited in this resource contain at least one author who has publicly identified as autistic (9 out of 60 references).

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Summary/Presentation

'Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements' are characterised as core features in the diagnosis of autism, yet many autistic adults (and the neurodiversity movement) have reclaimed them as 'stimming'. Supported by a growing body of scientific research, autistic adults argue that these behaviours may serve as useful coping mechanisms, yet little research has examined stimming from the perspective of autistic adults. Through interviews and focus groups, we asked 32 autistic adults to share their perceptions and experiences of stimming, including the reasons they stim, any value doing so may hold for them and their perceptions of others' reactions to stimming. Using thematic analysis, we identified two themes: stimming as (1) a self-regulatory mechanism and (2) lacking in social acceptance, but can become accepted through understanding. Autistic adults highlighted the importance of stimming as an adaptive mechanism that helps them to soothe or communicate intense emotions or thoughts and thus objected to treatment that aims to eliminate the behaviour.

For your information:

(1) References in blue are resources listed on our site.

(2) Authors listed in this bibliography whose names are in color have published other resources referenced on the site. Clicking on the name allows you to see the list of resources they have published and shared on the site.

(3) Authors whose names are followed by an asterisk have publicly disclosed being autistic.


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