Why do autistic people use fidget toys?

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often use fidget toys for a variety of reasons related to sensory processing, emotional regulation, and focus. Fidgeting is a common behavior among individuals on the autism spectrum, and fidget toys are specifically designed to address these needs in a non-disruptive way.

Why Autistic People Use Fidget Toys:

1. Sensory Regulation and Stimulation:

   • Many people with autism experience sensory sensitivities, which can make them more sensitive to certain stimuli (like sounds, textures, or lights). Fidget toys offer a way to self-regulate by providing sensory stimulation that helps to calm or soothe the individual.
   • For example, a textured fidget toy may provide the tactile feedback that someone with sensory sensitivities needs to feel grounded or calm. Visual fidget toys, like spinning tops, may offer calming visual stimuli.

2. Managing Anxiety and Stress:

   • People with autism may struggle with anxiety, especially in unfamiliar or overwhelming situations. Fidgeting can act as a coping mechanism for anxiety, providing a sense of control in stressful environments, such as classrooms, public spaces, or social settings.
   • Fidget toys can help reduce feelings of distress by providing a familiar activity that is predictable and comforting.

3. Self-Soothing:

   • Fidgeting can serve as a self-soothing technique for individuals with autism. It provides a repetitive motion or action that can bring comfort during moments of distress or sensory overload.
   • For example, squeezing a stress ball or using a fidget spinner can offer a tactile release, which helps to manage feelings of overstimulation or discomfort.

4. Improving Focus and Attention:

   • Many individuals with autism experience challenges with focus or attention. Fidget toys can help channel excess energy and provide a low-stimulation outlet, which can make it easier for someone with autism to engage with tasks that require concentration.
   • Studies have shown that for some individuals with ASD, engaging in a fidgeting activity can help improve attention and reduce fidgeting with more disruptive behaviors.

5. Increasing Body Awareness:

   • Fidget toys help people with autism develop proprioception, or awareness of where their body is in space. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may have difficulty with coordination or understanding body movements.
   • Tactile fidget toys that require manipulation help reinforce fine motor skills and improve body awareness, making it easier for someone to understand how their body is moving.

6. Reducing Meltdowns or Aggressive Behaviors:

   • Meltdowns are common for people with autism when they are overwhelmed, overstimulated, or unable to communicate their feelings. Fidget toys can serve as an early intervention tool to help prevent or de-escalate meltdowns by offering a calming, familiar object to focus on.
   • By allowing the person to engage in repetitive motions or behaviors, fidget toys can provide a non-verbal outlet for stress and anxiety, which may prevent the escalation of emotions into more disruptive behaviors.

7. Promoting Emotional Expression and Communication:

   • Some individuals with autism, particularly those with limited speech or communication skills, may use fidget toys to express emotions or needs. A fidget toy can serve as a form of non-verbal communication to signal that they need help, are feeling overwhelmed, or need a break.
   • For non-verbal individuals, the choice of a fidget toy can also be a self-expression tool, giving them a way to exert some control over their environment.

Types of Fidget Toys Commonly Used by People with Autism:

1. Textured Fidget Toys:

   • Texture plays an important role in sensory processing. Toys with different textures like soft, bumpy, or squishy materials provide various sensory inputs, helping to regulate sensory needs.

2. Fidget Spinners:

   • The spinning motion of a fidget spinner can provide calming visual feedback and is often used to channel excess energy in a quiet, non-disruptive manner.

3. Chewable Fidget Toys:

   • Many people with autism have a strong urge to chew on objects, either for sensory stimulation or self-regulation. Chewable fidget toys like chewable necklaces or bracelets are made from safe, durable materials, offering an outlet for this sensory need.

4. Stress Balls:

   • Squeezing stress balls provides both tactile stimulation and pressure, helping to release tension and promoting a feeling of calm.

5. Fidget Cubes:

   • Fidget cubes often have multiple interactive features, like buttons, switches, and dials, giving individuals a variety of ways to engage their hands while focusing on a task.

6. Tactile Rings or Bands:

   • Tactile rings or bands that can be spun, twisted, or rolled between fingers provide a continuous tactile stimulation that is both soothing and calming.

7. Slinky or Coil Toys:

   • The motion of a Slinky or coiled toy can be very calming to watch and interact with, providing both visual and tactile stimulation.

8. Fidget Bracelets:

   • Wearable fidget toys, like fidget bracelets, are discreet and can be used anytime without drawing attention. They often come with features like twisting or spinning, providing a quiet, accessible way to engage with a fidgeting need.

How Fidget Toys Help Autistic People:

1. Providing Calming Sensory Input:

   • Fidget toys give individuals with autism a way to regulate their sensory input, offering predictable and soothing feedback when they feel overstimulated or anxious.

2. Reducing Stress:

   • The act of fidgeting can significantly reduce anxiety, help to maintain emotional stability, and act as a coping mechanism during moments of discomfort or sensory overload.

3. Promoting Focus:

   • When used in the right context, fidget toys can aid in maintaining focus during activities like schoolwork, work, or meetings by giving the person an outlet for excess energy without distracting from the task at hand.

4. Encouraging Self-Regulation:

   • Autistic individuals may use fidget toys to practice self-regulation by managing their emotions, staying calm, and reducing the need for more disruptive behaviors like stimming or verbal outbursts.

5. Improving Communication:

   • Fidget toys can act as a tool for communication for non-verbal individuals, allowing them to express their needs or emotions without the use of words.

Conclusion:

Fidget toys are not just for children—they are incredibly helpful tools for people of all ages, particularly for those on the autism spectrum. For individuals with autism, these toys provide important benefits like sensory regulation, stress relief, focus enhancement, and emotional self-soothing. They offer a discreet, effective way to manage sensory needs and reduce anxiety, enabling individuals to feel more grounded and in control in overwhelming situations. Whether it's through tactile stimulation, repetitive motions, or calming visuals, fidget toys support individuals in navigating the world around them with greater ease.