Autism and Stimming

Description

Autistics and Stimming

Stimming has long been associated with Autistics. Described as “repetitive movements” and “self stimulatory behaviour” – inappropriate, dysfunctional, disordered behaviour that must be extinguished or redirected. We can now appreciate just how wrong they were!

This course has already helped hundreds bypass that shocking lack of understanding of a basic everyday human activity. It’s important to understand the reasons why Autistics stim, and why interfering does harm. Evaleen and MAQQI step you through a redefinition of the meaning and functions of stimming, drawing on everyday examples of human stimming to reveal a complex, nuanced toolkit for communication, learning, regulation and expression… and Autistics as experts in their use.

Understanding stiming allows you insight to the internal world of the Autistics in your life. It is especially key to understanding the thoughts and needs of non-speakers and situational speakers, but is relevant to all Autistics, all Neurodivergent people… all humans.

Thus, this course is an exploration of the range of very important functions stimming fulfils, not just for Autistics but for all of us. You will be introduced to the rich variety of stims and the work they do for humans including helping us focus, recall information, communicate, deal with stress, stay grounded, express emotions of all kinds and more.

MAQQI’s groundbreaking work on stimming a decade ago transformed our understanding what was once regarded as the quintessential example of Autistic dysfunction. They have since written and spoken extensively on many aspects of stimming including at conferences across Europe, and greatly expanded our terminology of stimming, including mental stims, virtual stims, ‘Conlon’s metronome,’ reboot stims and more. Their Convergent-Divergent Feedback Model (CDF) has further extended this reappraisal of what being Autistic means, and elements of their work on stimming and CDF are woven through their work for AUsome Training.