is it okay to not have a stim anymore because of being scolded for it and/or pressure to be a “normal kid”? because that’s what happened to me and i feel like i don’t belong here because i’ve pretty much hid most if not all of my stims that can’t be mistaken for fidgeting.

fuckyeahstimming:

disability-positivity:

Absolutely! Stimming isn’t something that makes someone “more” or “less” autistic or any more or less welcome in the community.

Your identity is valid and so is the way you stim (or don’t). ❤

– Cap

The being scolded for it/pressure to be a “normal kid” sounds sucky and terrible but you’re still welcome and valid and all that. ❤

I wrote about this in my autobiographical piece, (In)visible Stimming in a Pre-Asperger World. You’re not alone. There are plenty more of us out there whose stimming behaviours have been affected by people around us, whether through pressure to conform by family or teachers or therapists, or by bullying.