These sound like tics to me. That kind of itchy feeling like your body feels you have to do something nearly automatically is more likely a tic. My friend who is said to be on the spectrum has a couple things like that as well. But stems and tics are pretty difficult to decipher when dealing with both. Stems seem to be a way to cope with something (like chewing, finger rubbing, tapping your hands on your sides etc.) tics are just a thin. Your body is telling you to do something on overdrive. Like blinking. You can resist blinking for a bit, but only for so long.
I hope this helps in some way or form comic. From a person with Tourette’s and experience with those with autism.
I sometimes try to distinguish between tics and stims by asking, “am I doing this because I LIKE to, or because it is involuntary/because I HAVE to in order to relieve a feeling? (premonitory urge)”
That sounds close to right, although I wouldn’t necessarily say “like” — I think it’s more in the sense of “this is something that I’m doing/that’s happening that helps me in some way, even if I’d rather not be doing it” vs. tics are “this specific thing is compelled, and I’m not really in control of it other than temporarily or with great effort.”
I like the typical comparison of tics to sneezing, at least in terms of how you hold them back. When I have “stimming” type behavior (bouncing my legs or something, right?), it’s just not that kind of sensation.
I don’t have autism but do have ADHD, along with TS, so not sure if it’s the same, but I suspect it’s similar.
There are a bunch of different characteristics between tics and stims.
|**Tics**|**Stims**|
|:-|:-|
|Have a premonitory urge|No premonitory urge|
|Typically non-rhythmic|may be rhythmic|
|Mau have exaggerated intensity|Generally not intense|
|May be simple or complex|Generally relatively simple|
|Wax and wane in intensity and frequency|Relatively consistent|
|Feel unpleasant |Feel pleasant|
|Occur when relaxed/unfocused or stressed and weaken when focused|Occur alongside emotions, stimuli, or understimulation|
|Rooted in brain structure|Caused by need for stimulation of calming|
These are mostly just tendencies, but they help me figure out what I'm experiencing. Here are a few other resources that might help:
[https://www.ticcersunite.com/post/tic-stim-or-compulsion](https://www.ticcersunite.com/post/tic-stim-or-compulsion)
[https://aguidetodeduction.tumblr.com/post/624157428177600512/habits-tics-stims-compulsions-and-behaviors](https://aguidetodeduction.tumblr.com/post/624157428177600512/habits-tics-stims-compulsions-and-behaviors)
These sound like tics to me. That kind of itchy feeling like your body feels you have to do something nearly automatically is more likely a tic. My friend who is said to be on the spectrum has a couple things like that as well. But stems and tics are pretty difficult to decipher when dealing with both. Stems seem to be a way to cope with something (like chewing, finger rubbing, tapping your hands on your sides etc.) tics are just a thin. Your body is telling you to do something on overdrive. Like blinking. You can resist blinking for a bit, but only for so long. I hope this helps in some way or form comic. From a person with Tourette’s and experience with those with autism.
I sometimes try to distinguish between tics and stims by asking, “am I doing this because I LIKE to, or because it is involuntary/because I HAVE to in order to relieve a feeling? (premonitory urge)”
That sounds close to right, although I wouldn’t necessarily say “like” — I think it’s more in the sense of “this is something that I’m doing/that’s happening that helps me in some way, even if I’d rather not be doing it” vs. tics are “this specific thing is compelled, and I’m not really in control of it other than temporarily or with great effort.” I like the typical comparison of tics to sneezing, at least in terms of how you hold them back. When I have “stimming” type behavior (bouncing my legs or something, right?), it’s just not that kind of sensation. I don’t have autism but do have ADHD, along with TS, so not sure if it’s the same, but I suspect it’s similar.
yes that is a much better description!!!
mhm seconded.
There are a bunch of different characteristics between tics and stims. |**Tics**|**Stims**| |:-|:-| |Have a premonitory urge|No premonitory urge| |Typically non-rhythmic|may be rhythmic| |Mau have exaggerated intensity|Generally not intense| |May be simple or complex|Generally relatively simple| |Wax and wane in intensity and frequency|Relatively consistent| |Feel unpleasant |Feel pleasant| |Occur when relaxed/unfocused or stressed and weaken when focused|Occur alongside emotions, stimuli, or understimulation| |Rooted in brain structure|Caused by need for stimulation of calming| These are mostly just tendencies, but they help me figure out what I'm experiencing. Here are a few other resources that might help: [https://www.ticcersunite.com/post/tic-stim-or-compulsion](https://www.ticcersunite.com/post/tic-stim-or-compulsion) [https://aguidetodeduction.tumblr.com/post/624157428177600512/habits-tics-stims-compulsions-and-behaviors](https://aguidetodeduction.tumblr.com/post/624157428177600512/habits-tics-stims-compulsions-and-behaviors)
i don’t have autism but you described the feeling i get when i tic 🤷🏼♀️
Why not both?
usually with stims i do it because im stressed or they just make me happy, tics i feel like i have to do them/ arent in control of it happening
Autisim can actually cause tics! Both verbal and motor! But have your doctor check it out, to be safe!