Tic Mythology 16 - Stims vs Tics

We have naturally focused on talking about tics so far - the repetitive, generally meaningless movements that show up as a result of neurology. Today I wanted to do some compare and contrast between tics and stims (also called “stimming”). Stims can appear similar to tics. Both behaviors seem to have no obvious purpose and appear atypical such that people may notice and be confused. However, there are some differences that I think are helpful to highlight:
1. Tics tend to occur in bursts; Stims tend to be continuous for a longer period of time
2. Tics tend to occur regardless of the situation and stimulation from the environment; Stims tend to be very responsive to the environment
3. Tics are often uncomfortable (physically, socially, or emotionally); Stims often bring comfort to the individual
4. Returning to the previous point #2, Stims often appear to provide a way for a person to regulate sensory or emotional stimulation
Both are similar in that, assuming they are not inherently dangerous/harmful activities, then it probably is best to let the individual engage in the behavior and not make it more uncomfortable or stressful for them.
There is much more that could be said about these behaviors, but I want to keep this brief.