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Sometimes folks w/o sensory processing disorders or autism will ask why on earth stimming behaviors (flapping, rocking, tapping, vocalizing, etc) help when you're already overloaded by sensations.
It's tough for those w/ no frame of references to conceptualize. So....
It's tough for those w/ no frame of references to conceptualize. So....
The best way I can describe it is for them to think about times they've eaten something incrediblyyyyy spicy, whacked their arm hard on a door, had to take an ice bath, or did anything that caused sudden extreme pain/discomfort.
What did you do?
What did you do?
Did you start waving your arms by your face to cope w/ the spice? Even cover your ears in pain and not know why?
Run or jump or pace or bounce while you grab your arm that's throbbing? Make ridiculous, incoherent sounds or grunts as you grit your teeth through the freezing cold?
Run or jump or pace or bounce while you grab your arm that's throbbing? Make ridiculous, incoherent sounds or grunts as you grit your teeth through the freezing cold?
We all do all sorts of goofy body mvmts and sounds to distract from pain. It creates other stimuli to pull away from the pain elsewhere.
It's unconscious. It just happens. But it's acceptable - or even funny - in those instances bc there was a clear cause for pain.
It's unconscious. It just happens. But it's acceptable - or even funny - in those instances bc there was a clear cause for pain.
In sensory issues, it's not always evident to anyone else where the assault to the nervous system came from. But trust me, it hurts in a similar way.
So, waving, yelling, hopping, swaying, humming are entirely understandable. And? Just like you.
So, waving, yelling, hopping, swaying, humming are entirely understandable. And? Just like you.
The only real difference is the source of pain/overload. Tags, textures, sounds, colors, patterns, lights can be just as distressing as you eating a ghost pepper.
Creating output to mitigate too much input is pretty common. And normal. Its what creates too much input thats diff.
Creating output to mitigate too much input is pretty common. And normal. Its what creates too much input thats diff.
Post note: Srsly. Watch a video of someone doing a pepper challenge. They're all stimming, having a meltdown, or behaving just like a tantrum.
It's "funny" then, but those w/ SPDs are doing the same thing minus the pepper and plus some other, unseen, equally as upsetting pain.
It's "funny" then, but those w/ SPDs are doing the same thing minus the pepper and plus some other, unseen, equally as upsetting pain.
Little follow-up thread on some other kinds of stimming, why it's a good thing and shouldn't be surpressed💙:
