Why I Shared My Stim Toy – And Why That’s Okay It was supposed to be a simple visit. I stopped by O’Reilly’s on my day off just to say hi to my friend Miranda. But like most things in my life, something small turned into something big inside my head. While I was there, Kenneth walked in. He’s Miranda’s boyfriend—and he’s AuDHD. As soon as he came through the door, I could tell something was off. I read it immediately in the way he moved, the way his body carried a weight most people wouldn’t notice. He was dysregulated. I just knew. Kenneth and I are buddies, and we’ve both been there—overwhelmed, out of place, overstimulated. So, I offered him my Nee Doh. He uses one at home, but he works at VW and isn’t allowed to bring stim toys into the plant with him. That sucks, honestly. So when I offered it, he took it. He needed it. No big deal to me. Five minutes later, he was calmer. Crisis averted. Miranda didn’t blink. She gets it. We’ve shared stim toys before, always with respect...

Why I Color Code My Stim Toys as an Autistic Adult Living as an autistic adult means I’ve had to get creative about how I manage stress, sensory overload, and emotional regulation—especially at work. One of the ways I do that is by color coding my stim toys. Most days, you’ll see me with a blue or purple stim toy. Those colors feel calming, safe, and steady to me. It’s like telling my nervous system, “Hey, it’s okay—you’ve got this.” They help me stay grounded when work gets hectic, or when the sensory buzz starts to creep in but isn’t overwhelming yet. But on harder days—like if I’m already anxious before clocking in, or something stressful hits mid-shift—I’ll switch to a red or black stim toy. Those colors feel heavier, more serious, and they help me push through or release built-up pressure. It’s a signal to myself (and sometimes to people who notice) that things are tougher right now and I need a little extra support. Color coding isn’t just about looks—it’s a way to exter...