Stimming & Aspergers- Anthony's Description

My eight year old son is being interviewed on how he feels when he is stimming (what he sees & hears, etc.)

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• stimming
• aspergers
• stereotypies
• autism
• autistic
• tics
• stim
• stereotypy
• Anthony

[fmsscience]

I have a 4.5 year old Dx Tourettes, but everything he does seems to be stimming (does it when he is excited, does it when he is bored to create excitement). My only concern is that he makes sounds when he is stimming, sounds like play fighting. Do you know if verbal sounds ever are introduced during stimming?

[l0vingm0m]

@fmsscience Yes, verbal sounds may be used during stimming. Anthony's stimming has changed from when he first began exhibiting this behavior. His stimming at times can be so intense it almost looks like a seizure. His face will contort and he will make sounds while doing this. He will also zone out while he stims which is a real concern when he is in school.

[jaemarie830]

Do you have a blog or email address? I think my nephew has Aspergers. He is 8 and he's not diagnosed. But he's being disciplined and labeled a trouble maker at school and I want to figure out a way to address my concerns to his mom without offending her. He stimms, he takes things VERY literally. he is very intelligent and verbal, but is socially awkward at the same time. Kinda clumsy/motor awkward. Fixates on topics. But is otherwise generally "normal" I just have questions/need adivce...

[l0vingm0m]

@jaemarie830 At this point I've been checking in on the responses to Anthony's video and just responding accordingly but a blog may be a good idea... I'm a special education teacher in the state of Michigan and I'm currently pursuing a second masers degree in Autism. What you are describing about your nephew sounds a lot like Aspergers (socially awkward, being very literal, stimming). How is his fine motor control (hand writing)? Does noises ever hurt his ears? What about certain clothes?

[l0vingm0m]

@l0vingm0m Continue... Although i knew there was something different about Anthony, some of my family had a hard time with it before he was diagnosed. I know people who have said they were furious when their doctors told them their child had Aspergers. I have students in my class who I know are on the spectrum and I've gently tried to guide their parents to see the light, but for some it is too painful I suppose. Please keep us posted.

[leananshae]

My husband has Aspergers and he's found ways to stim as he's gotten older that don't "look" like stimming. I think Aspies have a good chance of fitting their stimming into their public lives if they want to. Personally, as the NT in the house, I find his stimming pleasurable to see, because I know it means he's happy! I've even "caught" him doing a Snoopy Dance when something really happy has happened... and he's almost 50! ; )

[l0vingm0m]

@leananshae That's Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this with me!

[dyingofpoetry]

Hey, I'm 46 years old and I still stim! The difference between now and when I was a boy though, is that, as an adult, I do have conscious control over it. I do it when I am very happy or anxious and I start and stop when I wish.

[ukipwarrior]

i rock when listening to music

[MadameTranquillitie]

He's so adorable. It was cute when he was playing with the grass. lol. :)

[whitelight1980]

awe hes so cute :) thank you for sharing this as it gave me some insight into my 3 yr old daughters world (she has Autism) :)

[krka9900]

Absolutely amazing. 

[christyfaith]

thanks for this video! my 3 year old does not have aspergers but he has a movement disorder which is very similar to stimming, same basic elements. it was great to hear a child talking about how he is feeling when it happens! thank you SO much

[Wekissinbreakdowns]

I worked with a woman who couldn't make eye contact with me and always looked in the corners of the room. She was so nice and loved to talk!

[karayna]

Wow, this reminds me of how I was when I was a kid. I also behaved/talked like an adult. :) I never used my hands for stimming, though. I used to bite my lip, and nowadays I tend to pull my hair and stomp my foot fast.

[DONNARAE47]

@l0vingm0m I am all about the blog. It has been very helpful to me to hear from people with Aspergers who are older than my son (age 9). very enlightening! let me know if you do it, please

[DONNARAE47]

Anthony, you did an AWESOME job!! You have helped me to understand my sons stimming in a way that he can't. Thank you so very much! You are going to help alot of people.

[DONNARAE47]

thank you so much for this video. i am emailing to my family in hopes that they will better understand my sons stimming for what it really is like for him-not the bad behavior that they think can be" fixed" if i disciplined him. and please tell Anthony thank you for me and that he did an AWESOME job!