Episode 102: Why Autistic Kids Need Their Stims

In this insightful and heartwarming episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we return from the school holiday break refreshed—and ready to dive back into a crucial topic in our autism series: why stimming matters for autistic kids. Stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior, often includes repetitive movements, sounds, or phrases like hand flapping, rocking, or echolalia. It’s frequently misunderstood or discouraged by well-meaning adults—but what if we’ve been thinking about it all wrong? This episode reframes stimming not as a problem to fix, but as a vital form of emotional regulation and joyful expression. Drawing on inspiration from the recent Yellow Ladybugs conference (featuring Sandhya Menon from Onwards and Upwards Psychology), we explore: 🔹 Why stims help autistic children regulate their nervous systems 🔹 How suppressing stimming can lead to shutdown, masking, or emotional overwhelm 🔹 The difference between stress stims and joy stims 🔹 Supportive strategies to help your child regulate at home and school 🔹 How to shift your mindset from “How do I stop this?” to “How can I support this?” With warmth, clarity, and practical advice, this episode will empower you to tune into your child’s unique needs, embrace their ways of coping, and support their emotional wellbeing. 💡 A must-listen for parents, educators, and professionals seeking to better understand and support autistic kids—with compassion and respect. 🎙️ Listen now and learn why stimming is more than OK—it’s essential. 🌐 Resources mentioned in the episode: 🧭 Free guide for advocating for your child at school: learn.leannetran.com.au/free 📘 Helpful resources from Sandhya Menon and Onwards and Upwards Psychology: onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/worksheets 💛 More about Yellow Ladybugs: yellowladybugs.com.au   Follow me on: Instagram: @leannetranpsychologyFacebook: @Leanne TranLinked In: @leannetranpsychology   Email me: [email protected] Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au