Tics vs. Stims: What’s the difference?

In the world of the neurodiverse, the words tics and  stim, are common parlance; not a day goes by when neither are heard. But what’s the difference between them?

A tic is generally believed to be the least voluntary. Typical tics include jerking of limbs, contorting the face, snorting, grunting, clearing the throat, or excessive blinking. Many refer to them as involuntary, but this isn’t exactly correct. For individuals with Tourette’s Syndrome, the compulsion to tic is involuntary, but the actual ticcing movement is semi-voluntary. It can be supressed for a time, but will be let out with vigor once finally released. This is why many kids with TS will come home and tic like mad; they’re letting out all the tics they have tried to supress all day while in school.

A stim is generally believed to be voluntary, but this is questionable too. Typical stims include flapping the hands, waving objects in front of the eyes, tapping a paticular part of the body, flicking the fingers, etc. The voluntary nature is questionable because many individuals are unaware of their stimming unless it is pointed out to them. In moments of excitement it is natural to flap; stopping is semi-voluntary but starting is usually not.

The real difference between ticcing and stimming is the reason for doing so. Ticcing is a result of neurological firings; there is no purpose or benefit to their expression other than the loss of the compulsion to tic. Stimming on the other hand is typically done for one of two purposes: to get additionally sensory information (particularly proprioceptive) or to release excitement or energy.

But despite these seemingly clear definitions, there is still a great deal of grey area. When I come across or hear of something disgusting, I run my thumbs across my fingers very rapidly several times (almost in an effort to get the material off my hands, despite having not touched it). Is this a tic? Not really, because there is no compulsion to do so. Is it a stim? Not exactly, because there is no sensory information to gain from doing so nor an emotion to express. But it’s not a normal gesture either, because it’s automatic, almost a reflex.

In the end, does it matter? Probably not. The same medications will reduce stimming and ticcing, (antipsychotics) but come with multiple side effects that require a full cost-benefit analysis before proceeding. Both will usually reduce as an individual enters adulthood, but I’m living proof this is not necessarily the case. Neither are a sign of cognitive ability; Bill Gates has a number of stims and Howie Mandel has Tourette’s Syndrome.

When possible, parents should avoid commenting on either behavior; stimming is comforting to the child, and ticcing will often be worsened by people drawing notice to it. Rather,  embrace it as one of the quirks that make your child who he is.