Introducing Stims: A Living Library for Sensory Exploration
I'm a neurodivergent biomedical engineer who's always been fascinated by how tech can be used to manage and explore sensory experiences. That obsession led me to create Stims—a growing library of web-based sensory toys designed for people like me who use audio, visual, and tactile feedback to navigate the world. Stims isn't some abstract side project; it's a deeply personal experiment that reflects my own needs and frustrations with what's out there.
And thanks to AI, I could make this happen without having to become a full-stack developer overnight. Let me take you through what Stims is all about, the reasoning behind it, and where it’s going.
The Vision for Stims
The whole idea behind Stims is to give neurodivergent folks the tools to manage their sensory world in a way that's more dynamic than what's typically on offer. Fidget toys and sensory rooms have their value, but I wanted something that could change, adapt, and respond in real time—something you could make your own.
With Stims, it’s not just about passive distraction; it’s about actively engaging and finding the right balance between calm and stimulation that works for you in the moment.
Beyond MilkDrop and Butterchurn
I took a lot of inspiration from MilkDrop and Butterchurn—the kind of old-school visualizers that react to music. They look amazing, but let's be real: they’re entertainment-first and not designed for people who need something to genuinely help with sensory regulation.
Stims takes it up a level by bringing in more than just sound-reactive visuals. We're talking about multisensory integration—where you can interact not only through audio but also by touching the screen, moving your device, and more.
For instance, toys like Seary react not only to the music you play but also to your physical input—whether you’re tapping, swiping, or tilting your phone. That kind of full-body engagement is something that many neurodivergent people need to really ground themselves.
The goal is control. Stims is designed so you can fine-tune the experience to match what your brain needs—whether it’s dialing up the intensity for some stimulating feedback or dialing it down when everything else feels overwhelming.
Making Stims Happen with Generative AI
Here’s the deal—I’m not a software developer by trade. What got me to this point was GPT-4o and o1-preview. The AI handled the coding grind, allowing me to focus on making these toys feel right. Whether it was generating JavaScript, tweaking GLSL shaders, or helping debug code, it was my assistant in the trenches. I wasn’t spending days learning a new coding language—I was spending time prototyping and adjusting, making Stims do what I wanted it to.
But the generative AI aspect isn't the main story here—it's just what made it possible for me to build out my idea without barriers. What I was after was something personal, responsive, and shareable for the neurodivergent community.
A Living, Breathing Sensory Toolkit
Stims isn’t a one-and-done project—it’s a living library that grows and changes based on what the community needs. I want people to be able to take what I’ve started and add their own twist.
Modular and Open: Every toy in Stims is a standalone HTML/JavaScript piece, so if you’re a developer—or even just tinkering—you can add, remix, or improve it. It’s intentionally designed to be easy to extend without needing to master a complex backend. If you’re curious, you can check out the GitHub repository.
Accessible to Non-Coders: If coding’s not your thing, you can still help out. Stims is set up so that anyone can submit visual presets. You don’t need to code—you can just tweak colors, movement styles, and other visual elements to make something that resonates more.
Built on Feedback: This isn’t just my project. Stims thrives on input from its community. The people who use it will shape where it goes—whether that’s adding new features, making it more accessible, or finding creative ways to interact. If someone out there—a therapist, a teacher, or another neurodivergent person—has ideas for how to make these toys better, I’m here for it.
Why Stims Actually Matters
A lot of sensory tools are either overly simplistic or they’re designed for a one-size-fits-all approach. For people with ASD, ADHD, or sensory processing differences, that just doesn’t work. Stims gives you the ability to adjust things to match your state—whether you need something gentle and calming or something that kicks your senses into gear.
For example, Symph provides audio-responsive visuals that are all about soothing. On the other hand, Evolutionary Weirdcore takes you into a more intense visual space, giving you control over how deep you want to go into that sensory stimulation. It’s like having your own sensory toolkit that you can adjust whenever you need it.
A Future Built Together
Stims is just getting started, and I see a future where it keeps evolving through collaboration and community creativity. Whether you’re a developer, an artist, a neurodivergent person, or someone who just gets what we’re trying to do, I want you to be involved.
With generative AI making it easier than ever to get ideas off the ground and the power of community, Stims could become something that’s genuinely transformative for sensory exploration and self-regulation. If any of this resonates, I’d love for you to dive in—try out the toys, tweak them, and help build something that works for all of us.