Stimming

At any age, autistics may have a collection of sensor or fidget toys that we "play with" reasonably regularly, that stimulate our senses in some way - we call this “stimming“.

Echolalia

Echolalia is repeating words, sentences, or sounds spoken by another person and sometimes even copying behaviours. This is common for children learning to speak, but it often lasts longer in those with autism. Echolalia usually happens in the moment - a repetition that occurs immediately after another person has spoken. But some may also experience delayed echolalia when they repeat words or sentences long after they've heard them, often out of context. It is not a conscious decision, and I usually can't help doing it. I might engage in echolalia:

  • As another form of stimming

  • When I am processing a conversation or social situation that I've been in

  • When I'm trying to communicate something but cannot form the words

  • When I'm feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated

  • When I'm observing social patterns to fit in better

  • When I am trying to engage in conversation

Movement

Autistics sometimes like hiding or sitting in small or dark places for comfort, regulation, or stimming. They might also enjoy being up high, spinning or being upside down. This could be due to feeling overwhelmed, or just because they enjoy it.

Looking at yourself in incredulous wonder

One commonly relatable experience is the tendency to stare at your reflection and an occasional lack of recognition of your reflection. Not recognizing your own reflection could be connected to dissociation. Still, many conversations around this suggest that dissociation isn't involved in others' experiences. I don't know why I stare at my reflection or why I might not recognize myself. My manager once told me I was "such a Libra" for staring into her car window at my own reflection while she was talking to me. I didn't even realize I was doing it! I think I just like looking at myself because I never get tired of my beautiful, dynamic face and all of the details like the little hairs no one else pays attention to. If not me, then who???

Toys

Autistics may not interact with toys in the way that is expected. One reason is that traditional play with toys requires some level of imagination, which many autistics have difficulty with.

Personally, when given a choice at a toy store, I used to gravitate toward educational toys, such as science kits, as opposed to toys that required imaginative play. I used to "play" with my toys by setting them up, putting them in some order, or simply placing them in a line for display. I would spend hours doing this and then put them away.

Most people don't consider this to be playing, but does it matter? I don't think so. As an adult, playing with toys may still be tricky. Trying to role-play conversations and tell stories through inanimate objects, even when playing with kids, may be difficult or even entirely outside of our ability or comfort zone.

Overeating

This one is just fun. I like having something in my mouth always (don’t be gross). Peanuts or sunflower seeds work better than cigarettes for keeping me alive and stimulated, but I almost miss the days when I didn’t know about this reason and could just enjoy food in whatever quantity I wanted. Sorry if it ruined your day to learn this, but I encourage you to snack regardless. These are hard times!

Tried & True Stims

(from your fellow autistic girlies in suffering)

Dogs

Have you ever pet my dog? She is so soft.

Slime

When I tell you my niece made me some glittery purple slime for my birthday and it had a tangible effect on my mental health … believe you me.

Bubble wrap that comes in the mail

Bruh. Do I even need to explain?

Movement in any form you enjoy it can feel really good and soothing. I personally enjoy brisk walks or jumping jacks for big bursts of energy, but yoga and stretching are good on a slower day.

Jumping jacks or stomping your feet or flapping your hands

A Sensory Diet

Having a sensory diet means using tools to prepare for, manage, or recover from activities that are either over- or understimulating. Sensory tools, stimulation, or lack of stimulation can help regulate and avoid feeling overwhelmed. For example, using headphones or noise-cancelling earplugs to manage excessive sound. For a hypersensitive person, it might mean allowing time for something soothing before or after an overstimulating activity: music, quiet, foods, smells, small spaces, being in the dark, climbing, stimming, proprioceptive input, vestibular input, or anything else that is helpful. Here is a list of different sensory regulation tools. These can be options for a sensory diet, depending on what works for you:

1. pressure-related: weighted blanket, body sock, massage ball, weighted stuffed animals, sensory sheet, Sensory swing, weighted lap paD 2. sound-related: noise-cancelLing headphones/earplugs, rain or ocean drum, music, instruments

3. fidget-related: stress ball, bubble pop fidget, play dough, magnetic fidget rings, fidget cube, infinity cube, building blocks

4. movement-related: scooter board, wobble cushion, wobble stool, spinning chair, climbing frame

5. other: bubbles, bubble tube lamp, lava lamp, indoor tent, chewelry (soft, silicone jewelry you can chew discreetly), scented candles, pets

Knitting

I personally get anxious if I’m not doing something with my hands at all times - this can fester as phone addiction or cigarette addiction if I’m not consciously aware of it. I’ve curbed both of these in a big way by choosing to knit. Sometimes, you just gotta move your hands. Painting, strumming an instrument, or scrapbooking are also good ways of doing this.

A soft pillow & your favourite album

Girl, put your records on! Tell me your favourite song! Just go ahead, LET YOUR HAIR DOWN!!!! With love.