Excessive stimming?

Yes, "stimming" is an often observed feature of Asperger's. However, if you are good with nonverbal communications then that usually is not consistent with it. What is you social skills level? Can you say something about this?

I think you're right to wonder about this. Of course, professional evaluation is the best way to explore it.

 

I have Aspergers and sensory processing disorder, but I actually don't stim anymore. I used to, but I grew out of it. It's possible it can relate to the SPD though.

 

I agree with faustian in that professional evaluation is first and foremost.

With my own experience with Aspergers/ASD, I stim sometimes but particularly under stress (such as in a new environment, when overstimulated, or being socially pressured). Mainly I open and close my hands, wring them together repeatedly, or fidget my fingers.

And you know, autism is a spectrum much like sexuality. There are varying degrees, and it is possible you may have mild ASD to where it doesn't significantly impair day-to-day functioning, thereby not necessarily requiring a diagnosis, but you're still "more autistic" than a neurotypical individual.

I would caution you with online tests though. Austism is a pretty distinct disorder/difference, and truly only a professional should make that diagnosis. If you are concerned about this, definitely talk to your therapist about it.

 

Recently, I started on this online counselling scheme which is funded by some kind of lottery scheme and connected with the NHS.

The people working there having varying levels of qualifications and experience, with some that have work as a therapist for 14 years and some that are just starting out.

I have sensory problems, and I actually brought this up with one of the therapists there and after talking with them for a while, they said that they wondered about possible autistic tendencies. The gave me a couple of leaflets on anxiety, dealing with panic and autism after the chat was over to read through.

Now, I understand that there's only so much someone can gather from talking with you online and that there's some things that can only be expressed face-to-face, which is probably why they offer face-to-face services as well.

It concerned me a little that particular therapist didn't know what dyscalculia was, despite the fact in her description it says that she'd worked as a therapist in schools for 14 years. You'd think she would have heard of it by now. :/

I somewhat stim- when I'm stressed, feeling uneasy or somewhere's pretty loud I like to run a piece of string through my fingers several times. I find it distracts me, but only to a certain extent.

Usually when I'm somewhere loud though I tend to escape somewhere quieter and out of view, and I close my eyes and cover my ears and pretend I'm somewhere else. I'll imagine I'm in a field and there's a helicopter flying in distance overhead of me, and then I'll think through a few of my positive memories, and when I'm ready I'll stop covering my ears and I'll open my eyes again- which feels like I've just come to surface after swimming underwater. I find that helps me remind myself that the situation I'm in isn't all that major, and usually it works and I feel calmer after doing this.

However, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I attempt to go back to situation, even though I'm not fully ready to return, and sometimes if the day is particularly trying, I have to do this a few times during the day.

Anyway, I understand your concerns. Like others have said, I'd give the same advice of asking a professional. I understand what it's like to have issues but not have a definite label to put to them, as I'm currently going through that. I find ways of coping though, through whatever it is I'm going through- if anything.



Good luck to you anyway.