In the spirit of Christmas, an autistic woman has commenced her favourite form of stimming – known as “the jingle bell rock”.

Natasha Weaving, 29, has been moving her body back and forth in a repetitive, self-soothing motion since her extended family arrived 12 hours ago – and shows no sign of intending to stop.

“It’s a sign of distress, apparently,” Weaving’s uncle Graeme Hart, 65, observed. “Which is admittedly confusing with the singing. Though she looks rather dead in the eyes, I have to say. Like a wooden horse in a Victorian nursery.”

Mother Emma Weaving, 61, commented: “For God’s sake, Emma! Not again!”

Weaving’s partner Cameron Brereton, 31, commented: “Maybe if you hadn’t invited all these people over, she wouldn’t need to do it.”

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