Psyche logo

Hidden Senses: How Stimming Impacts On Neurodiversity

What is stimming and why do we need it?

By Kyra ChambersPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 5 min read
11
Hidden Senses: How Stimming Impacts On Neurodiversity
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

It is well known that many Neurodivergent people often struggle with their environmental surroundings. For us, stepping into the everyday world is like being thrown into a swimming pool, we are hit with an onslaught of sensory information from all directions which can become distressing and confusing. We lack the ability to filter these experiences so often need to find some way to channel all the extra information our brain is being exposed to so we function and be able to live our lives in a calm and regulated way.

Let's talk stimming and senses!

Stims or stimulating behaviours such as (but not limited to) flapping, spinning, unconscious movements or sounds are all ways autistic people manage sensory stimulation. We may use these to move excess energy from one place to another, for example, ADHD folks often find it easier to sit in one place if they can kick a band attached to their chair or sit on a wobble cushion; or listen for longer whilst using a fidget toy like a spinner or tangle as this activity helps occupy part of the brain, allowing the other parts to be able to focus.

At night, some people find it easier to sleep using ceiling projection lights, ambient noise or an audiobook. These are methods of managing sensory distraction that can make it hard to sleep. Without rain or thunder sounds at night, I am acutely aware of every single noise and it makes me anxious and it can be difficult to fall back to sleep.

My daughter's solar system ceiling projector.

Sensory profiles differ from person to person.

Some people are avoidant, they will reject/refuse certain sounds and textures that cause their senses to become overloaded. This could be something as simple as the tag in an item of clothing, a food that does not have a consistent texture, a material that feels 'wrong', a sound that causes physical pain even if the caregiver is not affected by the noise the same way (a common example being hand dryers).

Some people are sensory seekers. Their brain requires extra stimulation for fulfilment. Often these people are highly energetic, spinning, jumping, making loud noises, listening/enjoying loud sounds. They may watch a lot of television or play lots of computer games or other visual stimulation like voracious reading. One of my favourite things to do is to burn wood in my chiminea. It's an experience that meets several sensory needs at once and I find it a great source of regulation.

Magic Flames in my chiminea.

It's also not unusual for a mixture of both avoidant and seeking behaviours to be displayed in the same person, even in contradiction. For example, I hate sudden loud noises, but I love loud music I have chosen myself. Singing and dancing is a huge stim of mine, but a loud song that I find annoying or that hurts my ears causes the opposite reaction - distress. Another example, someone revving their car in my residential area will drive me to the point of meltdown, yet I love being at racetracks, with the sound of the cars, the smell of petrol, the visual feast of colour and cars going round and round.

Headphones are always helpful, for both music and noise-cancelling.

Most people know the five main senses, Sight, Touch, Hearing, Taste, Smell. The lesser-known additional senses are:

Interoception

This sense tells us how things feel inside of our body. Interoception governs our sense of thirst, hunger, bladder and bowel needs. Those with poor interoception often need extra support with toileting needs, or reminders to eat/drink (or managing portion size if the hunger signal doesn't stop through offering alternative oral stimulation like chewllery/ice poles or lollies/ice cubes).

Those with heightened interoception may feel all sensations inside of their body, and this may be distressing. These people may also struggle with toilet needs and hunger, as the sensations are stronger than less sensory aware people experience.

Proprioception

This sense covers body awareness, the sense of self-movement and body position. Poor proprioception may cause balance issues, uncoordinated movement and issues with gross and minor motor control. People may seek proprioception by crashing into things (for example my son frequently somersaults onto our sofa), require deep pressure stimulation such as tight hugs, compression sheets/t-shirts.

Those with heightened proprioception may be physically hurt by pressure, so for these people, a lighter touch is needed. They may need to wear light, flowing fabrics for example.

By Benjamin Wedemeyer on Unsplash

Vestibular

This sense informs us of our balance and spatial orientation, how our body interprets sensations of body rotation, gravitation and movement. Those seeking vestibular input will often spin, this may be on the spot or running in circles until dizzy. They may love roundabouts or other spinning toys like swings, seek the rides that spin at the fairground such as waltzers (my own personal favourite, it's the best when the person comes and spins you more!). These people may also fall over a lot, misjudge steps/closeness to others.

Those with a heightened sense may be very aware of movements and thus more prone to motion sickness for example.

This was always my favourite ride after I mustered the courage to ride it for the first time on a school trip, I subsequently rode it 5 more times in succession!

By Ardiss Hutaff on Unsplash

Stimming is an integral part of Neurodivergent life

Stimming can be both joyous and a sensory release. Either way, it's an integral part of every autistic person and a major way we relate to a world that never turns off and that is never quiet and rarely calm. Preventing stimming can cause distress, those feelings caused by sensory input (or lack of it) have nowhere to go, and this internal build-up or lack of regulation/input will often erupt in a meltdown, with parents scratching their heads as to 'why this came out of nowhere', when often the answer is there, even if the cues are more non-verbal and subtle. One of the most valuable things I have learnt on my journey as an Autistic parent is that behaviour is communication.

A while ago my son and I had some great sensory input with some glowsticks! It's a cheap, easy and fun activity. Not only is it visually stimulating, but we've also practised our fine motor skills with manipulating the sticks into the always slightly too small connectors.

Check out our video here!

Stay as happy as a person with a glowstick!

coping
11

About the Creator

Kyra Chambers

Autistic (PDA) & Neurodivergent writer.

Vocal Plus Fiction Awards Finalist.

Find my full article list at The Chambers Chronicles

Tips/Subs appreciated but never expected.

***

Please check out my Linktree!

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  1. Expert insights and opinions

    Arguments were carefully researched and presented

  2. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  3. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  4. Masterful proofreading

    Zero grammar & spelling mistakes

  5. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

Add your insights

Comments (4)

Sign in to comment
  • Babs Iversonabout a year ago

    Impressed with the information & insight. Wonderful and informative!!!💕😊💖

  • KJ Aartilaabout a year ago

    Thank you so much for sharing this information - I found it so insightful!

  • J. S. Wadeabout a year ago

    Very well written and informative. You have expanded my horizons. Thank you 🥰

  • Rick Henry Christopher about a year ago

    This was such an important read for me as my mom is nuerodivergent or anyhow I am coming to realize she is nuerodivergent and articles like this help. I may contact you to get some ideas on stimulation for my mom.

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.