Neurodivergence and Trauma: What is Stimming?
In the first of our neurodivergence series, Sarah talks us through stimming. A common behaviour in people with ADHD and Autism, stimming can also be seen in children who have experienced trauma.
What is Stimming?
Stimming means doing the same movement or sound over and over — like rocking, hand-flapping, tapping, spinning, humming, repeating words, or chewing on objects or clothing. People often do it without thinking, especially when they’re excited, stressed, or trying to focus.
Do we see it in traumatised children?
Yes. While stimming is common in autistic or ADHD children, it can also appear in children who’ve experienced trauma. In these cases, it can be the body’s way of coping with big feelings, calming down, or feeling safe.
Do we need to stop it?
No — stimming is a natural and healthy process that helps the body and mind regulate. We don’t need to try and stop or control it. The only time we should step in is if the stim could cause harm (for example, hitting themselves or chewing unsafe objects). In that case, we can help the child find a safer way to get the same calming or regulating effect.
Why stimming helps people reset after stress
When we get stressed, overwhelmed, or overloaded, our bodies need ways to release that tension and return to balance.
Letting the body reset
- People often stim — rocking, tapping, flapping, chewing, humming, or repeating movements — as a way to let out built-up energy and feelings. This can help ease stress, manage sensory overload, and restore calm.
- As a comparison, animals sometimes shake, tremble, or move around after a scare. It’s their way of clearing out stress chemicals and settling back into safety.
How the body’s “alarm system” works
- We all have an automatic system that responds to stress (fight, flight, or freeze) and then works to bring us back down.
- For some neurodivergent people, stimming is one way to move from a heightened state back to feeling steady.
- Just like animals “shake it off,” humans can have instinctive ways of helping the body reset.
It’s natural and healthy
- Stimming is not “bad” behaviour — it’s often an important, instinctive strategy for coping and self-soothing.
- Our bodies have built-in methods to stop us from staying stressed for too long.
Bottom line:
Stimming is a natural, effective way for many people — especially autistic or ADHD individuals — to regulate stress and restore balance.
