self-stimulatory

adjective

self-stim·​u·​la·​to·​ry ˌself-ˈstim-yə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: of, relating to, or involving the stimulation of oneself

Self-stimulatory behavior, often initiated to alleviate extreme anxiety, may serve as a coping mechanism to counteract an overwhelming sensory environment. This may be observed as various repetitive actions (stimming) and may include hand-flapping, rocking, body spinning, obsessive handling of an object, and echolalia …

—Jacqueline C. Dailey

This boy engaged in a high rate of self-stimulatory activity, and on occasion would scream loudly when a peer interrupted his repetitive behavior.

—Nancy Stephens and Elaina Sauber

Many get satisfaction from self-stimulatory, masturbatory techniques rather than via one's partner.

—Kersi Chavda

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above