Sighing and Rocking

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I always wanted to know, is sighing EXCESSIVELY and rocking from side to side something generally affiliated with the autism spectrum?

I do both, a lot, at school especially. My mum gets so mad at me when I rock from side to side, she says "that's what crazy people do." I don't quite believe her.
I also sigh a lot and it sometimes makes my teachers get after me because they think I'm bored or am impatient and being rude (and then they get made at me, and I get frustrated and upset, blah blah blah, tears, you get it), I'm really not, I just do it without thinking. Does this happen to anyone else and do people get after you for it?

I do know that rocking is common among people on the spectrum. Although I haven't heard of sighing as one possible trait, it does sound like one of your issues. And no, you are not crazy, the rocking is just a kind of stimming. I've rocked forward and back, or side to side, but more when younger. I have always been prone to knee bouncing while sitting, and sometimes slowly move a foot up and down repeatedly. I also sometimes twirl utensils or pens. This happens without my realizing it initially, but I will sometimes notice I am doing it. It does no harm, so I don't bother trying to stop it. Besides, every bit of physical movement burns calories, and I need to burn all I can.

Because the sighing is bothering others, I recommend trying to stop it, if you can. As for the rocking, I suggest finding another, less obvious physical stim, as that one bugs your mum. Perhaps the knee bouncing, or better still, foot tapping. Those done with hands tend to be more obvious, and might attract unwanted attention. The exception would be fiddling with a pen or pencil, especially if you keep a doodle pad handy. Doodling is generally considered acceptable, while many other forms of stimming are not. Fiddling with a pen or pencil is usually not taken too badly, either. My utensil twirling has been noticed, but doesn't bother anyone, they just get amused by it. My older sister shreds napkins and tissues without realizing it. She's an NT, but with some Aspie traits.

Hope this helps.

I am in fact currently rocking side-to-side and have been doing so for the past few hours now.

Back when I was little, doctors told me and my parents it was some subconscious way to help my brain work better. I had no clue what they were getting on about.

rocking both stimulates me as well as relaxing me, if that makes any sense.

questor: I already do the knee-bouncing, thing but more often it's the rocking (but not at the same time ) And when I get upset/uncomfortable I do the tearing paper/tissues. I suppose knee-bouncing & confetti-making is less odd than sighing & rocking, so I'll try to find something else to do.

Koi: I wish someone would tell my parents that

auntblabby: It makes complete sense, I find rocking side to side almost satisfying at times. Satisfying what, I do not know.

and now for looking at the rocking/bouncing etc. stuff in a positive light, it is said that these activities burn calories, and that those who do them tend to be slimmer than those who just sit calmly not moving a muscle.