What has y'all experience with fidget or stim toys been? I'm getting assessed for ADHD, and it's likely i have autism, too. Today, during one of the ADHD assessments I mentioned to the psychologist applying the test that I pick the skin around my fingernails constantly, and she recommended getting one.
Do they help, in your experience? Anything to look for in one?
comrade_pibb [comrade/them] - 1.5yr
My issue is i always forget about them đ«
11
arcane potato (she/they) - 1.5yr
What works for me is they are everywhere in my home and workplace lol. And in my jacket pocket.
6
QueerCommie [she/her, fae/faer] - 1.5yr
Iâm the same. Iâve used many and forget about them eventually. I used rubiks cubes constantly for a few years, but that was a more central interest. I fidget with random things for a day. Iâve used fidget spinners and putty and all sorts of stuff, but sooner or later Iâm bored. I mean, they do the trick temporarily. Recently I made my own silicone âpicky pads.â Theyâre a fine activity to become absorbed in, possibly regulating, but they are not something to do in the background and donât compare to cuticles. My current thing while reading is to spin a prayer wheel because Buddhismâs my special interest. Sorry this is a little pessimistic, I am very understimulated right now.
11
LaughingLion [any, any] - 1.5yr
I have a deck of cards sitting at my desk. It gets replaced regularly when it gets worn out. I suggest that. "Cardistry" tricks are also cool. Just learning and doing a basic faro shuffle can be very satisfying. A few channels from magicians have some good fidget flourishes. Just be aware that when you start anything like this it'll seem like your fingers aren't long enough or right for this skill but that's not true, you just need practice.
Another option in the same vein is pen spinning and pen tricks. These are good because having a pen around is pretty basic so it's easy to keep it on you in almost any situation. Also, if you are good with this people in a meeting at work will think it kind of cool whereas if you have a toy you might get negatively judged.
One last benefit to this stuff is there is a rabbit hole you can hyper-fixate on especially with cardistry, which is one of the phew fun parts of having ADHD. At least for me. I love a good hyper-fixation.
11
HexReplyBot [none/use name] - 1.5yr
I found YouTube links in your comment. Here are links to the same videos on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
There are also other fidgets that are specific to skin pickers where you peel paint or other things off a sheet that some people seem to like, but I haven't tried it.
I really like these stones that are the size of a marble that are magnetic and I can roll them around eachother in my hand. I also really like fidget ring jewelry. I'm also autistic so your mileage may vary as to whether or not they are helpful/satisfying to you. Different people find different toys satisfying so you gotta try a few different types sometimes. Like those fidget spinners that were popular years back, just didn't get it.
7
prole [any, any] - 1.5yr
I lose them, but I have this pop socket thing on my phone that looks like a record and spins
7
Firstnamebunchofnumbers [none/use name] - 1.5yr
My object permanence is fucked so i usually lose them. Chewlery was good for me not munching on those soda bottle ring things though. I chewed on it too much and reqlly hurt my jaw
6
SpiderFarmer [he/him] - 1.5yr
They help me. Before getting one I was absentmindedly chewing my nails, playing with knives, eating bookmarks, etc.
6
OhNoMoreLemmy @lemmy.ml - 1.5yr
Big fan of just playing with a knife but it only works in remote meetings.
It's a bit threatening if people can actually see your hands.
5
StillNoLeftLeft [none/use name, she/her] - 1.5yr
I pick my cuticles too and also bite them if I am reading or focusing, I've done this all my life. I have found that stim toys do work to curb this a bit, but I tend to always end up doing it anyway, because if I feel something uneven in my cuticles it annoys me until I either pick it or cut it out.
In work meetings I crochet/knit which is a socially acceptable stim. I used to take lots of notes as well or doodle so I often have a pen and paper with me so I can do that if things get really boring.
I vape and used to smoke, which is definitely a stim. Don't recommend this one, because it's very hard to stop, I have accepted I probably never will. The small vape pen I also fiddle in my hand.
I have Chinese baodng balls on my desk to stim with too. But often I end up stimming with pens or my keychain/id card holder that makes a delicious snap if you play with it.
I tried a fidget spinner, but it didn't work for me. Doodling probably works best if I for instance have to focus in a long phone call and have nothing to do for my hands.
5
arcane potato (she/they) - 1.5yr
I have a variety of implements because I lose them and find them in waves. I keep something like a stress ball in my jacket pocket . I've got this cube with different clickers, switches etc on each face. I've got a fake cell phone that's just buttons. I've got those plastic popper (like reusable bubble wrap) on my keychain.
I work in a professional environment in a leadership position and I've almost always got a stress ball type thing in my hand being squished. Especially in meetings where I'm doing most of the talking. It lets me do a rhythmic action to regulate whatever is going on in my loud ass brain lol. It's also silent.
Others have said this but you just have to try things. Personally, I don't do well with the spinning magnet ones or the ones that are like the bike chains. Thankfully many of these things can be inexpensive. I've bought things from autism support websites and also from toy stores. They also make nice little treats for yourself lol.
5
ourob [he/him, any] - 1.5yr
I also pick (and bite) the skin around my nails. Fidget toys have been hit or miss for me. Two big problems have been not having them on me regularly and being noisy enough to annoy others (particularly my wife).
Whatâs really worked for me are cheap silicone rings. Theyâre stretchy and quietly keep my fingers busy. And I can literally wear them to have them available at any time.
5
TheChemist [he/him] - 1.5yr
Honestly, it has been weird for me but, I never wanted a fidget toy. If anything, I was always content with fidgeting with a Pen, such as by constantly disassembling and reassembling over and over again.
3
Tomboymoder [she/her, pup/pup's] - 1.5yr
I bought one when they were a popular trend
3
roux [they/them, xe/xem] - 1.5yr
Late to the post but you can find fidgets for skin picking on Etsy and other drop shipper sites(Amazon).
I haven't used them since I don't have that stim but might be worth checking out. My fidgets I tend to lean towards are my 3D printed sliders, my worry stones for silent fidget, and lately my old school fidget cubes. I tend to like clicky tactile fidgets when I can get away with being noisy. Also loud music and pacing helps me regulate so I often will do that with a fidget at the same time on exceptionally bad days.
I also do beard rubbing and used to twirl and "brush tip" my hair when I had long hair. I'd grab some and bunch it up and press the ends with my thumb. Had no idea messing with my hair was a stim until years later but I've done it all my life.
TraschcanOfIdeology in neurodiverse
Fidget/Stim toys?
What has y'all experience with fidget or stim toys been? I'm getting assessed for ADHD, and it's likely i have autism, too. Today, during one of the ADHD assessments I mentioned to the psychologist applying the test that I pick the skin around my fingernails constantly, and she recommended getting one.
Do they help, in your experience? Anything to look for in one?
My issue is i always forget about them đ«
What works for me is they are everywhere in my home and workplace lol. And in my jacket pocket.
Iâm the same. Iâve used many and forget about them eventually. I used rubiks cubes constantly for a few years, but that was a more central interest. I fidget with random things for a day. Iâve used fidget spinners and putty and all sorts of stuff, but sooner or later Iâm bored. I mean, they do the trick temporarily. Recently I made my own silicone âpicky pads.â Theyâre a fine activity to become absorbed in, possibly regulating, but they are not something to do in the background and donât compare to cuticles. My current thing while reading is to spin a prayer wheel because Buddhismâs my special interest. Sorry this is a little pessimistic, I am very understimulated right now.
I have a deck of cards sitting at my desk. It gets replaced regularly when it gets worn out. I suggest that. "Cardistry" tricks are also cool. Just learning and doing a basic faro shuffle can be very satisfying. A few channels from magicians have some good fidget flourishes. Just be aware that when you start anything like this it'll seem like your fingers aren't long enough or right for this skill but that's not true, you just need practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDpCxoSyqSc
Another option in the same vein is pen spinning and pen tricks. These are good because having a pen around is pretty basic so it's easy to keep it on you in almost any situation. Also, if you are good with this people in a meeting at work will think it kind of cool whereas if you have a toy you might get negatively judged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCH5nKhVEkQ
One last benefit to this stuff is there is a rabbit hole you can hyper-fixate on especially with cardistry, which is one of the phew fun parts of having ADHD. At least for me. I love a good hyper-fixation.
I found YouTube links in your comment. Here are links to the same videos on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
Link 1:
Link 2:
I love my Rubiks cube, when I remember its a thing I can do to calm down. Also get better at it with time which is very satisfying.
I don't know if that's quite what you're looking for but it's the closest point of comparison for me.
I had one that was like a keyring looped through one link of a bike chain, and the link has these rubber loops around it that you could rub and pick at and ypu could flip the rings around eachother it was SOOOO satisfying I wish I didn't lose itđ©
This is it!
There are also other fidgets that are specific to skin pickers where you peel paint or other things off a sheet that some people seem to like, but I haven't tried it.
I really like these stones that are the size of a marble that are magnetic and I can roll them around eachother in my hand. I also really like fidget ring jewelry. I'm also autistic so your mileage may vary as to whether or not they are helpful/satisfying to you. Different people find different toys satisfying so you gotta try a few different types sometimes. Like those fidget spinners that were popular years back, just didn't get it.
I lose them, but I have this pop socket thing on my phone that looks like a record and spins
My object permanence is fucked so i usually lose them. Chewlery was good for me not munching on those soda bottle ring things though. I chewed on it too much and reqlly hurt my jaw
They help me. Before getting one I was absentmindedly chewing my nails, playing with knives, eating bookmarks, etc.
Big fan of just playing with a knife but it only works in remote meetings.
It's a bit threatening if people can actually see your hands.
I pick my cuticles too and also bite them if I am reading or focusing, I've done this all my life. I have found that stim toys do work to curb this a bit, but I tend to always end up doing it anyway, because if I feel something uneven in my cuticles it annoys me until I either pick it or cut it out.
In work meetings I crochet/knit which is a socially acceptable stim. I used to take lots of notes as well or doodle so I often have a pen and paper with me so I can do that if things get really boring.
I vape and used to smoke, which is definitely a stim. Don't recommend this one, because it's very hard to stop, I have accepted I probably never will. The small vape pen I also fiddle in my hand.
I have Chinese baodng balls on my desk to stim with too. But often I end up stimming with pens or my keychain/id card holder that makes a delicious snap if you play with it.
I tried a fidget spinner, but it didn't work for me. Doodling probably works best if I for instance have to focus in a long phone call and have nothing to do for my hands.
I have a variety of implements because I lose them and find them in waves. I keep something like a stress ball in my jacket pocket . I've got this cube with different clickers, switches etc on each face. I've got a fake cell phone that's just buttons. I've got those plastic popper (like reusable bubble wrap) on my keychain.
I work in a professional environment in a leadership position and I've almost always got a stress ball type thing in my hand being squished. Especially in meetings where I'm doing most of the talking. It lets me do a rhythmic action to regulate whatever is going on in my loud ass brain lol. It's also silent.
Others have said this but you just have to try things. Personally, I don't do well with the spinning magnet ones or the ones that are like the bike chains. Thankfully many of these things can be inexpensive. I've bought things from autism support websites and also from toy stores. They also make nice little treats for yourself lol.
I also pick (and bite) the skin around my nails. Fidget toys have been hit or miss for me. Two big problems have been not having them on me regularly and being noisy enough to annoy others (particularly my wife).
Whatâs really worked for me are cheap silicone rings. Theyâre stretchy and quietly keep my fingers busy. And I can literally wear them to have them available at any time.
Honestly, it has been weird for me but, I never wanted a fidget toy. If anything, I was always content with fidgeting with a Pen, such as by constantly disassembling and reassembling over and over again.
I bought one when they were a popular trend
Late to the post but you can find fidgets for skin picking on Etsy and other drop shipper sites(Amazon).
https://www.etsy.com/se-en/listing/999072738/skin-picking-fidget
https://www.etsy.com/se-en/listing/1731575553/picky-pad-anxiety-relief-bracelet-making
I haven't used them since I don't have that stim but might be worth checking out. My fidgets I tend to lean towards are my 3D printed sliders, my worry stones for silent fidget, and lately my old school fidget cubes. I tend to like clicky tactile fidgets when I can get away with being noisy. Also loud music and pacing helps me regulate so I often will do that with a fidget at the same time on exceptionally bad days.
I also do beard rubbing and used to twirl and "brush tip" my hair when I had long hair. I'd grab some and bunch it up and press the ends with my thumb. Had no idea messing with my hair was a stim until years later but I've done it all my life.