Have you ever tapped your pencil, bitten your nails, twisted your hair, or walked back and forth? If that is the case, then there is stimming. This is a repetitive act that is often part of most people’s behavior patterns. This self-stimulating behavior, also called “stereotypical” behavior, is especially common in people with autism. In a person with autism, stimming usually refers to behaviors such as rocking, twisting, fluttering, or repeating words and phrases. Tools to replace this behavior are so-called stimtoys, also called fidget toys.

Like everyone else, people with autism encourage themselves to deal with fear, anxiety, anger, and other negative emotions. Like many people, people with autism can be induced to help themselves cope with overwhelming sensory input (too much noise, light, heat, etc.) by using self-stimulating acts. Fluttering, rocking or spinning in circles could be replaced by using Stimtoys at exciting or stressful moments.

Our top 5 popular StimToys

No doh (anti stress ball)

This stress ball is a great fidget toy; suitable for people with ADHD, OCD, autism and anxiety. The squeezing and fidgeting helps promote focus, attention and relaxation. No, Doh is fairly strong and always returns to its original form. Do you feel stressed and tense? kneads with Nee Doh.As stimtoys, no doh makes stress disappear. Of course, this stress ball also helps with understimulation or to concentrate on a task or meeting! Or in class, it doesn’t make a sound, so it doesn’t bother other people either. This fine kneading ball is therefore perfect if you want to relax, for children with ADHD, autism or just for the office or on the go There are many different no doh’s such as in this webshop: no doh original, No doh glow in the dark (gives light in the dark!) and no doh color change (changes color, when you squeeze it).

Twiddle Textured Squish n’ stretch

Twiddle Squish N’ Stretch Textured is a stretchy, textured squishable silicone cord. You can fidget with it, twist, spin, stretch and make fun shapes. They extend up to 1.5 meters! . Twiddle Textured Squish n’ Stretch is the new fidget sensation from Twiddle and not only suitable as stimtoys, but also popular as a fidget toy. The Twiddle Squish n’ Stretch can improve fine motor skills, relieve stress and stimulate creativity. Each pack contains 3 pieces of Twiddle Squish n’ Stretch each with a different texture.

Wingamajigs Spinner Fidget

ARK Wingamajigs ™ is the coolest fidget toy. Each “flying” fidget has a different wing on it to keep the hands busy and fidget to concentrate or release tension. The handy thing about this stimtoy is that you can use it discreetly in the classroom. Choose from different wingamajigs such as: a dragon, plane, butterfly, dragonfly or bat (or collect them all).

The dragon and butterfly have an increased texture for extra sensory stimulation. The dragonfly has not one but 2 wings that can rotate separately. Hold them in your hand and twist the wings for endless fidgeting pleasure. OR slide them over a pencil for “fidgeting” during homework. These brightly colored interactive fidgets are fun for all ages (recommended for children and adults from 5 years).

Snapperz Fidget as pop it Stimtoy

The Snapperz is just simple. You press the fidget close between your palms and release it gently until it starts popping. Simple, but incredibly fun and addictive. Nice stim toy for young and old. The children can improve fine motor skills with the snapper, hand-eye coordination also improves day by day! Play and learn in 1. An ideal fidget toy with which you can replace self-stimulating behavior.

Stimmen with Tangle palm classic

The Palm Tangle is the big brother of the Tangle Junior. It is 2 times as big. The Tangle can be rotated, linked and rolled up and knotted. Even if it is larger, it can still be easily taken with you and is therefore a perfect stimtoy for on the go.

Tangles helps understimulated children who are easily distracted to concentrate on, for example, their homework. Also, it can help fidget, twist and take apart the palm tangle, calm overstimulated children through the endless movements! Also, the tangle makes no sound. Ideal for boring meetings, against nail biting, practicing fine and gross motor skills and increasing concentration. And all in 1 fidget toy, the Tangle Palm!

Chewigem Eternity Bite Chain

This bite chain is highly recommended as StimToy! It feels very soft and partly due to the design, it is not only nice for the nail biters, but certainly also for the fidgetters or hair pickers. It is available in nice discreet shades, making this a handy stim toy that you always carry with you and therefore have nearby in moments of increasing tension and stress.

Simple Dimpl as Stim Toy

The latter is a very well-known, very popular as fidget toy, but certainly also very nice for stimtoy. It is a keychain with 2 silicone circles that you can press, after which a satisfying ‘plop’ sound sounds. Compare it to the addiction of pressing bubbles of plastic. The disadvantage is that you can hear the ‘popping’ of pressing the circles. So this stim toy can only be used on the go and not, for example, in the classroom situation or at work.

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