Fidget toys are helpful for any autistic person. They are a range of other objects that help us stim and can calm us when we’re stressed. I use fidget toys throughout the day, which I find useful when I am stressed and help me think.
Why Fidget Toys Are Useful for Autistic People
Fidget toys, or any other behaviour that can turn into a stim, are helpful for autistic people because it helps us regulate our stimulation and when we are stressed. Since autistic people can stim at any point and with any emotion, things like fidget toys can help us either show what emotion we are feeling at that point or help us keep our stimulation levels roughly the same.
As autistic people can stim whether they are under or overstimulated, it can sometimes be challenging to understand why they are stimming. One example is that I stim when I am focused on writing or need something to do while thinking. My mind is active during this time, so giving me something to do when I need to think is useful.
Fidget Toys I Use
I use a range of items to help me throughout the day. However, I most often go between slinkies and fidget balls. I use fidget balls more since they are easy to handle, and I have multiple. I keep one in my computer bag in case I must take my computer with me, one downstairs, and one in my room. I also have spares in case I lose any.
I sometimes also use other objects, such as pens, when I am in the middle of writing something and trying to think of what to do next. Although that only happens when I write in notebooks and not when I am on the computer. I also use fidget balls when I pause in my writing to give me something to do as I think. When I am on my computer, I mostly use fidget balls or slinkies, although I do have pens on my desk. When I am on my computer, I do not think to use them.
I also use my swing as I like daydreaming, and so often use it for that. I try and go out on my swing multiple times a day, but that isn’t always possible, especially when it is wet or in winter. My daydreams are linked to my special interests, and you can find the blog posts I have about them here.
You can find a range of fidget toys on Amazon, but if you know what you are after, you will want to narrow it down to something like “fidget cube” or “fidget ball” or whatever it is you are looking for. If you are buying one for an autistic person you know, please keep in mind that they could have sensory issues and that can affect what type of sensory toy they would be happy using. For example, I don’t mind the texture of the fidget balls I use, but there are other toys I will not touch.
Why I use fidget toys
Autistic people can use fidget toys for a range of reasons, but I find I use them throughout the day to help me concentrate. If I am stuck on something, I will sometimes use a fidget toy while I think.
I also use fidget toys while I’m daydreaming and I cannot access my swing, whether that is due to the weather or because of distance. I also like listening to music when I am daydreaming, which is usually the same songs. I sometimes use the playlist I have on YouTube for my Emma’s Six fanfiction. You can find the playlist here. However, I also use music I have on my computer.
If you want to find out how else my autism affects me, you can find blog posts about it here.