does anyone else do this???

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Sometimes, I'll stare into a light source, or a bright object, then move my eyes back and forth so it streaks... especially if it blinks fast (like a computer screen, or the numbers on an LED clock). Is this what you'd call a 'stim' behaviour?

I used to do this all the time when I was a kid. I would stare at the lights in the house and sometimes I would stare at the sun.

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Last edited by Ante on 09 Nov 2005, 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I do this, too, but not so fast that I get "streaks." I also like to move reflective objects and watch the highlight flow across the surface. I especially enjoy watching reflections on water, and often swish around my water bottle unconciously.

I for example at the restraunt will
stare at the glare of the floresent
lights hitting the bottle drinks, but
no flashes. I would have a blank
mind until I am distracted and 5 minutes
past.

Right now, my security guard friend
is transfering data on a external
5 gig drive. The front end is my
direction and flashing a small green
light, and as I am thinking about
writing, I stare at it rapidly blinking
and empty of thought, thus word
will eventually formulate in my
empty space, then I snap out of
this mode and write with inspiration
that came from being in this void.

Is this stimming?

When I was little and went on road trips, I would stare at street lights while lying down in the car. I always thought they looked cool while it was raining late at night. The way the light blurs when you see it through a rainy window, comforting. I also used to stare at the sun on occassion when I was little, never sure why. What is "stim" behaviour?

Staring at lights is a big time stim for me.

I lay in my bed and stare at my dorm light, or at the sunlight reflecting off car trunks or hoods.

My streaks are green.

I have a huge sensitivity to light so I don't stare directly into them, but I love shiny and sparkly things because they are fun to look at and I also like how you can lightly press your eyelids with them closed and make some neat patterns - also, if I stare at one spot very long I get distorted color patterns in my perepheral vision and that is REALLY neat . . .

My father got me a thing that is four mirrors that are set around a candle - and if you light the candle in the middle you get this repeating pattern in the mirrors - I LOVE that thing to the point that it might well be considered a fire hazards with the number of times I've fallen asleep looking at it!

Hey I do this too!
I like to look at tv screens, and move my eyes quickly, so that the images streak across the room, and the shape of the image distorts.
Have you tried holding a cd in your mouth, with the reflection of a screen in it, and flicking it so the screen vibrates and the colours become really intense?

Oh yeah.

When I was a kid I loved watching sparklers (fire cracker things kids wave around) making streams of light in the shape of my name.

When I was a kid I also used to stare into lights and then blink and close my eyes to see the different colours and how long they took to go away.

I do it and explained it to people. The vast majority simply don't get it. If you look at a microwave or clock radio display and make a motor sound with your mouth the numbers will appear to jump up and down. I pointed out that one to some friends and they thought it was pretty cool. Yeah..the light streaking thing is something I used to do alot but rarely do anymore.

"What is "stim" behaviour?" asked Sarcastic_Name.

This is from the website autism.org




"Stereotypic (Self-Stimulatory) Behavior

Written by Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Center for the Study of Autism, Salem, Oregon

Stereotypy or self-stimulatory behavior refers to repetitive body movements or repetitive movement of objects. This behavior is common in many individuals with developmental disabilities; however, it appears to be more common in autism. In fact, if a person with another developmental disability exhibits a form of self-stimulatory behavior, often the person is also labelled as having autistic characteristics. Stereotypy can involve any one or all senses. We have listed the five major senses and some examples of stereotypy.


Sense Stereotypic Behaviors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visual staring at lights, repetitive blinking, moving fingers
in front of the eyes, hand-flapping

Auditory tapping ears, snapping fingers, making vocal sounds


Tactile rubbing the skin with one's hands or with another
object, scratching

Vestibular rocking front to back, rocking side-to-side


Taste placing body parts or objects in one's mouth,
licking objects

Smell smelling objects, sniffing people

Researchers have suggested various reasons for why a person may engage in stereotypic behaviors. One set of theories suggests that these behaviors provide the person with sensory stimulation (i.e., the person's sense is hyposensitive). Due to some system in the brain or periphery, the body craves stimulation; and thus, the person engages in these behaviors to excite or arouse the nervous system. One specific theory states that these behaviors release beta-endorphins in the body (endogeneous opiate-like substances) and provides the person with some form of internal pleasure.

Another set of theories states that these behaviors are exhibited to calm a person (i.e., the person's sense is hypersensitive). That is, the environment is too stimulating and the person is in a state of sensory-overload. As a result, the individual engages in these behaviors to block-out the over-stimulating environment; and his/her attention becomes focused inwardly."


My son stims when there is too much activity so the second explanation makes more sense to me.

I tend to put suff in my mouth, and touch stuff a lot.

I often do this. It hurts on occassion and I do it a lot when I'm really stressed out. I'm some what calmed when doing this.


I did this a lot when I had Eczema. But that was mainly to relive the itching (it was only on my hands).


I thought everyone relaxed that way.


I don't do this, but sometimes I crave a strong flavor, like cinnamon, and I usually just chew gum rather than lick something. Before gum, I'd do that.



I sometimes crave simulation in the form of flavor, as I mentioned earlier. It is rarely for this reason, although it makes sense sometimes.



This is the category most of my behaviours fall under. I often "stim" to relieve stress or anxiety. Hand flapping, staring at light, repetitive blinking, rocking from side to side, etc.

Another thing that makes band much more enjoyable for me: in the band room there is a TV always on showing announcements. Well, tubas vibrate while they're being played, so whenever I'm playing I like to look at the TV screen because the tuba vibrations make my eyes vibrate too. It's a very fun visual trick.

Sorry if this post was too long, I'm just having a stressful day and need to talk.

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