Why this mom doesn't stop her kids with autism from 'stimming' l GMA

Jessi Brown is an autism advocate who uses her Instagram account, @siblingsonthespectrum, to share how her children express themselves through "stimming."

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#autism #stimming #advocate #gma

[tja]

Jessi Brown, is the example of what all parents should be toward their children, loving and supportive, we are all unique and should not be made to be "molded by what outsiders dictate".

[apara]

I don't have autism, but have pretty bad anxiety sometimes...which creates nervous ticks (noises and motions). Telling me to stop makes me more Im glad she allows her kids to just let it out the best way they can ❤

[michaelbilgen]

As someone who has autism, this is heartwarming to see.

[wickedwest]

These are the type of “news” stories the world needs to view MORE OFTEN!

So awesome you have introduced these 2 necessary terms that we parents are familiar with: Stimming and Masking

When we talk about advocacy, this is what it looks like.

[Prophet_be_her_name.]

My mom beat me into submission.. Life has been difficult to say the least.. But she didn't know better.. She thought I was acting out. I am grateful that I am a speaking Autistic and that I figured out how to navigate through a rough world. Now in my older years, I don't have the physical stimming as much but the vocal stimming is not as controllable as it has been in my life. Glad these kids have a mother who does her best to understand and allows them to express themselves. I wonder who I could have been if I wasn't so scared to express myself fluidly. ❤ 🌎

[sryari]

A little girl I was teaching in one of my swim classes did this a lot, it was so cute how excited she was and it always made me smile. Had no idea there was a name for it or that people would try to stop them from doing it. My eldest brother is autistic and has always done this. My mom never made a big deal of it

[wendylederer]

I worked in a facility with disabled adults. The manager would say to the autistic individuals stop it when they would rock back and fourth. That’s like telling a blind person to see. The level of ignorance and lack of compassion is why I’m no longer there!

[jleezy]

My son is a huge scripter and he uses most of them in the proper context. His scripting actually helped him become conversational ❤

[ReineDeLaSeine]

These parents make me happy. They stim along with their kids! My stims were suppressed so I developed a self harm one I can’t seem to get rid of. Keep stimming y’all!

[dialemmaz]

I wish my mum was like this wonderful caring mother…I got beaten, scapegoated, even sabotaged my chances of getting a diagnosis, so fifty five and a half when finally diagnosed with ASD. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS ❤YOUR CHILDREN ARE BEAUTIFUL 🤩

[raea]

Thank you so much, Jessi for not just being an amazing mom but for being an advocate for all children and adults who are autistic. I'm autistic and it hurts me so much that I have seen parents of autistic children say that they are intentionally forcing their children to stop stimming, forcing their autistic child to look them in the eye so that their child will be "socially acceptable". I get angry at the ignorance and remind them they have no right to that kind of ownership over their child. Autism is not a curse to be stifled just because it looks different.
God Bless you and your whole family ❤

[classicalgas]

There was VERY LITTLE, if any treatment or services for Autism while my son was growing up. So, please DO NOT judge the parents who were doing the absolute best they could...with little to no help or understanding of Autism. You only make those parents feel bad for doing the best they could, and cause those children judge their parents for how they were raised...which actually does A LOT OF HARM! Please respect what we went through, so you can have what you have now for your children with Autism.

We have to remember that things change over time...especially with how different disabilities are accepted by the population. I have 2 adult children with totally different types of autism. My son had a lot of stimming. But, society was completely unable to handle a lot of stimming during the time my son was growing up. The population went from 1 child in every 500-1000 children, to 1 in every 53 children in a very short amount if time. So, what the medical community, schools and the population has learned, they learned from our suffering from the complete lack of knowledge. You should all remember this when you make your short-minded remarks! You have no idea what it was like!

[QueenASMR]

This is wonderful! I personally never knew stimming was a display of happiness. Whenever I saw it in public I thought it meant the kid was in distress based on the parents and other people reactions. Thanks for educating us :)

[BeatlesPlotagonShow]

This mom has definitely done her homework! Definitely gave her a follow on Instagram! Those kids are going to grow up into happy adults since they have such a supportive mother 🥰

[DONTWANTCHANNE]

The only stims that need to be stopped are the ones that are extreme or dangerous. I knew an 8 year old that would squeeze other people's hands so hard it was only a matter of time until he broke someone's hand. He needed to be taught to squeeze safe objects. Another kept hitting himself against the head with his knuckles and caused his skin to die and a serious wound. Extreme shrieking would be disruptive, but normal voice level vocalizations are not in most cases. At times, a person can be taught to go to their bedroom or an appropriate place if necessary. I knew a kid that learned to talk using Thomas the Tank. He started using the lines and adapting them to the situation. Instead of saying 'Thomas is running fast' he would substitute the person's name ie Dad is running fast. He is now in college living independently.

[kathybasilico]

Your children are beautiful. Love them, they are happy healthy and safe. God bless them and keep them safe.

[Tser]

Thank you thank you thank you. I'm autistic and I'm a pacer, rocker, flapper, spinner, and scripter, among other stims. I'm middle-aged now and stimming was never considered acceptable when I was a kid. I masked and had to suppress my natural behaviors until I was alone... and it made me want to be alone all the time, and I developed agoraphobia. My stimming is not only communication but self-regulating sensory input because I have severe sensory issues. I hope more and more parents understand that stimming is good for neurodivergent people to be able to do.

[audreyben-david]

I never thought I would understand why my Everlee loves to go around and around in circles in the middle of my kitchen and if I should stop her or not. I finally have peace about it and other questions that I secretly kept bottled up inside. Thank you!❤

[quijamesata]

My 4 year old is a vocal stimmer and sometimes jumps when he’s excited or overstimulated. I’ve started jumping with him and he has the time of his life 😊

[nereidgreen]

I like the thought of self expression versus self repression.