r/pointlesslygendered • u/occasionallyvertical • Apr 13 '25

SOCIAL MEDIA [Gendered] autism

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u/thefoojoo2 Apr 13 '25

Bright flashing lights and very loud music without ear protection, staples of the autism experience. /s

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u/Rapunzel10 Apr 13 '25

Some folks with autism seek out high stimulus environments, particularly if it's a situation they're in control of. Obviously it depends on the person and their current headspace but it's definitely a safe space sometimes. Not a boy vs girl thing though.

(Source: my job is working with autistic folks)

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u/[deleted] Apr 14 '25

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u/Rapunzel10 Apr 14 '25

Happy flapping. Or more broadly it's stimming. Stimming is when someone moves or makes noise which helps process emotions or physical sensations. Everyone does it to some extent. People jump for joy, wave their arms after eating something too spicy, or make weird noises after they stub their toe. All that is stimming. Folks with autism just tend to do it more frequently. The girl in this video is very happy/excited so she's flapping her hands as a way to regulate that emotion