“I Wish They'd Just Let Us Be.” Experiences of Indian Autistic Individuals Around Stimming Behaviors at the Workplace

Abstract

Background:

Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements are a core feature of autism. In recent years, autistic individuals have asserted themselves by reclaiming these repetitive movements as “stimming.” There is growing evidence in the form of scientific research regarding the usefulness of stereotypie movements. Recent research has captured the perspectives of autistic adults on stimming. However, to date, no research has examined the perspective of Indian autistic individuals around the display of stimming behaviors at the workplace.

Methods:

We used semi-structured interviews and online focus groups to ask 20 Indian autistic individuals to share their experiences centered around stimming at Indian workplaces. Data obtained were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis.

Results:

The thematic analysis helped us identify three major themes: (1) stimming as a (beneficial) coping mechanism, (2) repercussions of stim suppression, and (3) (De)stigmatization of stimming.

Conclusion:

Most Indian workplaces lack workplace accommodations to reduce sensory overload on autistic employees. Hence, Indian managers open to employing autistic individuals must accept stimming as an autistic individual's attempt at managing overwhelming emotions brought on by sensory overload. Acceptance of stimming behaviors by nonautistic managers would not only benefit the autistic employee by aiding them in better managing their mental and emotional health but also benefit the organization by allowing the autistic employee to function at peak productivity levels. Thus, Indian managers and colleagues of autistic employees should work to accommodate, support, and understand the stimming behaviors of autistic employees as opposed to judging them in a negative light.

Community brief

Why is this an important issue?

Indian business organizations are still new to the idea of employing autistic individuals. However, accommodating autistic individuals requires a shift in the mindset of nonautistic managers and colleagues of autistic employees toward the unique traits of autistic employees. Visible traits may include stimming behaviors displayed by autistic individuals. Stimming is an abbreviation of self-stimulatory behaviors, which include hand-flapping, rocking, jumping, twirling, head banging, or other complex bodily movements. Although autistic and nonautistic individuals perform stimming behaviors, autistic individuals rely on stimming behaviors much more than nonautistic individuals. Autistic individuals may rely on stims as a source of enjoyment, to gain sensory input, to reduce sensory input, and to deal with stressful situations. Nonautistic managers and colleagues who lack awareness may misunderstand these stimming behaviors, leading to stigmatization and ostracizing of autistic individuals. Thus, this study is an attempt to highlight the significance of stimming behaviors for autistic individuals and to normalize these behaviors in an organizational setting.

What was the purpose of this study?

To study the experiences of Indian autistic individuals around stimming behaviors displayed by them in the workplace and beyond.

What did the researchers do?

Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 autistic adults employed in predominantly neurotypical workplaces in India to study their experiences around stimming behaviors displayed by them in an office setting. The semi-structured interviews were followed by a focus group discussion with five more autistic individuals to gain a holistic understanding of Indian autistic individuals' experiences related to stimming in public spaces.

What were the results of the study?

Three themes were identified from the study: (1) stimming as a (beneficial) coping mechanism described stimming as a coping mechanism that helped autistic employees deal with intense emotions, achieve mental clarity, and improve their productivity; (2) repercussions of stim suppression, which included terrible mental health, reduced productivity, and increased stress; and (3) (de)stigmatization of stimming described the stigma associated with stimming behaviors for autistic employees and ways to promote acceptance of stimming behaviors.

What do these findings add to what was already known?

Findings highlight the importance of stimming behaviors for autistic individuals employed in predominantly neurotypical Indian workplaces that lack suitable workplace accommodations for them. Findings also underscore the double empathy problem. The term double empathy was initially coined to describe the communication breakdown between autistic and nonautistic individuals due to the difference in their communication styles. However, it can be extended to nonautistic individuals' reactions to autistic stimming behaviors. Stimming behaviors are misunderstood by nonautistic individuals as they may fall outside the societal standards of appropriate conduct.

What are potential weaknesses in the study?

The study was limited to those autistic individuals who had a social media presence, were fluent in English, did not have an intellectual disability, and were verbal.

How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?

Through this study, we hope to spread awareness among nonautistic Indian managers about the significance of stimming behaviors in the lives of autistic employees.