Stimming results of a online survey of 100 Autistic people
Robyn Steward
Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL IoE
Robyn Steward is Autistic and had worked im Autism for over 10 years, most of her work is training profesionals to help them understandAutistic people better. Robyn is intrested in the differnt experiances each Autistic person has, anf how this can best be communicated .
Abstract
a. Introduction “Stimming” is the word commonly used within the Autism community to describe Repetitive Routine Behaviour e.g flapping, rocking etc . Many professionals believe that this behaviour should be stopped and... [ view full abstract ]
a. Introduction
“Stimming” is the word commonly used within the Autism community to describe Repetitive Routine Behaviour e.g flapping, rocking etc . Many professionals believe that this behaviour should be stopped and that it is maladaptive, but people on the Autism spectrum, including myself, often say that it is a coping mechanism. This research sought to better understand Autistic people's perspective.
b. Methodology
One hundred respondents (in age categories 0-65+) answered an online survey, and gave their permission for the findings to be presented. Of these 76% had a formal diagnosis of autism, the rest were self diagnosed, in the process of diagnosis or not autistic (filling the survey in on behalf of someone who is autistic) .
c. Results
One hundred and two types of stims were identified. Reasons for stimming included: to communicate happiness (18%), to reduce anxiety (72%), to calm down (69%) and to deal with overstimulated senses (57%).
Half the people enjoyed stimming (50%) but many had been asked not to (73%)
d. Conclusions/Perspectives
These results have been drawn from a online survey and, as such, there are limitations on how this data can be interpreted, however the findings demonstrate that we need to further investigate the perspectives of people on the autism spectrum.
People able to explain their perspectives can help us provide support for those unable to. The preliminary results suggest that stimming has many function. IN the past this has perhaps not been given enough consideration.
Ethics and permissions statement and / or disclosure of potential conflict of interest (if relevant)
I am not aware of any ethical issues,and have consulted researchers who are more experienced then myself. There are no potential conflicts of interests [ view full abstract ]
I am not aware of any ethical issues,and have consulted researchers who are more experienced then myself. There are no potential conflicts of interests
Authors
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Robyn Steward
(Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), UCL IoE)
Topic Area
Topics: Research
Session
V8B » Oral Posters: Management of challenging behaviour; eating/feeding disorders II (13:00 - Saturday, 17th September, Moorfoot Room)
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