Stimming Lessening As Getting Older?

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I've read in a couple of different places where they've said that stimming occurs less as we get older.

For me though, it's the complete opposite though. Am I just odd? Or is that normal for anyone else?

I think it has more to do with anxiety levels and not age.

It's lessened for me in that I don't do it in public anymore, and if I do I can hide it so no one will notice. When I was a little kid I used to stim on the playground and people thought I was crazy.

I've noticed no difference over the years and agree that it's related to stress/anxiety levels.

Stimming against the tide topic

I do not know how you would know for certain. As for me, I sometimes do not realize I am stimming until the action (eg, hand flapping) is almost finished its cycle. But I would not know for sure how many flaps had occurred before the behaviour is practically extinguished.

But you asked if anyone noticed if there was an increase or reduction. I remember that is seemed like I did it more when I was younger, but I still know I stim. It is hard to compare. All subjective. The energy level is reduced. It would be interesting to track a group of stimmers over a forty year period to see if this is the case.

Good question.

S'use, you bring up a very good point. I generally don't notice until I'm in the midst of stimming so I rely upon cues to confirm the onset and the reaction to it by others. When I said I haven't noticed a difference, I should have probably said, "My wife hasn't noticed a difference."

I find myself almost constantly rocking when I'm by myself.

I think because I was a major thumbsucker as a child, my stimming wasn't noticed as such an odd thing perhaps.

I have had this experience as well.

I did it quite a bit until I was around 10, then it started to lessen. Since around this time last year though I have been doing it more then ever.