Learn about the unique phenomenon of auditory stimming and how music and stimming are correlated.
If you or someone you know is on the autism spectrum, then you’re familiar with the term “stimming.” Stimming is a form of repetitive action done by people with conditions like autism that helps the person self-soothe and express feelings.
Sometimes listening to music can aid the calming properties of stimming, giving the person a rhythm to follow, lyrics to sing, or a beat to move to. When someone uses songs to stim, these songs can be referred to as stim songs. But why does stimming happen, and how does music affect it? In today’s post, expect to learn about these topics:
Stimming is short for “self-stimulating behaviors” and involves repetitive activities that stimulate an individual in a way that helps them maintain a calm or moderate state of mind. Stimming can also be used as a way to express oneself in a candid and authentic way. People with autism take refuge in stimming to cope, self-regulate, unmask, or even just have fun.
One thing to note about stimming is that everyone has stims of their own; neurodivergent people just tend to have more prominent and intense ones. Even if you’re neurotypical, you might find yourself subconsciously twitching your face, picking your nails, tapping your foot, or other subtle repetitive movements that you might not even notice you’re doing. These actions may be discreetly helping you release energy, regulate stress, or express feelings.
Stimming can take a huge variety of forms, like full body movements, hand movements, mouth noises, and much more. Common stims include:
Though stimming is very common in people on the autism spectrum, it is not exclusive to autism. Stimming is a broad tendency among neurodivergent people of all kinds. Stimming varies in intensity as well; it can be harmless and suppressible, but in more severe cases, stimming can become very disruptive to daily activities or even harmful to the person or those around them. Intense stimming can be a sign of anxiety or an oncoming tantrum.
Though stimming can be an issue at times, the use of outlets like stim songs can help neurodivergent people channel their stimming into a healthy and pleasant experience.
Stim songs are songs that neurodivergent people either stim to or use as a way to stim. Stim songs are related to music stimming, which can come in the form of rhythmic stimming or stim listening.
Rhythmic stimming involves stimming by singing, humming, dancing, or other rhythmic activities. This can involve singing and dancing to the rhythm of a song while listening to the song or just in day-to-day life. Sometimes you might find a stim song that gets stuck in your head and becomes the rhythm that you stim to. Uncontrollably singing or humming can be a stim as well.
Stim listening involves listening to the same song on repeat as a form of stimming. This can go hand in hand with rhythmic stimming when this song becomes a comfort song. You may regularly stim to the rhythm, hum it subconsciously, or play it over and over again as a way to comfort yourself or cope with stress.
Stim songs can actually be extremely helpful for neurodivergent people or just people who stim in general. Music has a very powerful effect on the human body and mind — listening to songs you genuinely enjoy can help your body release hormones that calm you and improve your mood. These kinds of effects can be even more intense for neurodivergent people, making music a great asset for them.
Accounts from neurodivergent people say that stimming and listening to music can even set them into a sort of high. It is said that it is similar to the feeling that people get at concerts while dancing and singing with like-minded people to songs they love. Because of the amazing experiences that stim songs can provide, they are a great tool for neurodivergent people to express themselves.
No matter if you’re neurodivergent or neurotypical, you may have songs or genres of music that induce the response of a stim song. Stim songs aren’t just any song that makes you want to sing and dance, they evoke a more visceral feeling in you. Here are some signs that you may be partaking in rhythmic stimming or stim listening.
Stim songs and music stimming are just a few of the many ways music can be used to help people with autism, adhd, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and much more. Music is such a powerful and underrated thing that can be used in medical treatment in addition to everyday life.
Stimming to music allows neurodivergent people to unmask and be who they really are, even when they spend so much of their life trying to mask their condition. This can also create a sense of community with others. Just like how concerts create friendly community environments, stimming to music together can strengthen bonds and create friendships. Both of these benefits can be taken advantage of in music therapy.
Music Therapy is a proven professional medical practice that involves using music and music activities to cultivate positivity, happiness, and catharsis in patients. Music therapy is effective in treating all different kinds of conditions and neurological disorders through individually-catered activities that help the brain release more feel-good endorphins.
Music therapy can involve singing, dancing, listening to music, playing music, and writing music. It harnesses the positive effects that music can have on neurodivergent people in a controlled environment, yielding real results. While effective on everyone, Music Therapy is especially effective for neurodivergent people.
But how does music therapy affect the neurodivergent brain differently?
Well, music therapy works by activating the part of the brain that controls sensory and auditory functions in order to help the brain release serotonin and dopamine. Because of this, it can help neurodivergent people express themselves even without verbal communication. Since so many neurodivergent individuals have issues with communication, processing, and social interaction, doing music therapy in a group can be extra helpful.
There are also instances where some people’s minds process sound differently. For example, someone with ADHD may tend to hyperfocus on one specific stimulus, so they may be unable to listen to music while doing other things. On the other hand, people with autism tend to be able to process multiple sounds at once much better than the average person. Instances like these are why music therapy is usually customized based on the patients. Each individual music therapy experience is different.
Overall, music is an amazing tool for self-expression and emotional regulation, especially for neurodivergent people.
Stimming is something that can feel off-putting or even scary, but it’s a common thing in not just people with autism, but neurodivergent people in general and even some neurotypical people. Chances are, you have stims of your own, even if you haven’t realized it.
Stimming and music are often closely linked. Music can cause stims like humming and singing, which are referred to as rhythmic stimming. Or you can stim through music, creating a freeing and pleasant experience that allows many neurodivergent people to unmask and self-soothe.
But music can help neurodivergent people in more ways than one — music therapy is the professional form of using music to get you in a good mood.
So don’t be ashamed of the way music makes you feel, and don’t be afraid of your stims. They’re just another thing that makes you who you are. Music is meant to make you feel good, so let it!
