All three of us stim – ‘stimming’ is a word used to describe the self-stimulatory behaviours of those on the autistic spectrum. Lorcan uses sounds, squeaks, grunts, purrs, whistles, groans. Bláthnaid twirls her fingers, hand-flaps and makes sucking-in noises which she calls ‘fluorescent stress-taking movements’. It’s not weird. It’s just different. Some neurotypical people talk incessantly – so much small talk! I curl my hair, jump randomly and sometimes, embarrassingly, do a few wiggles. I control it when people are around.
