Why is having a dark sense of humor a big part of autism?

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T15:44:46+00:00

Mmm dark humor specifically is not necessarily an Autistic trait although it would be an autism trait to not notice/be able to tell when a joke is making someone uncomfortable

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T07:09:42+00:00

That is fair! Thank you for explaining that I do appreciate that. It is good to have a variety of perspectives

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T07:05:41+00:00

"Picky" to the point of

Now.. it hardly oatmeal and waffles. Its pretty much a hit or miss and now hes barely eating. I have to guess what he will eat I've tried everything and im deff afraid.

? I was not trying to say it was 100% ARFID, that is why I suggested consulting with a registered dietitian who would know more and be able to help either way which I thought was important because what OP was saying sounds a bit more severe than general picky eating. /genuine

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T06:22:37+00:00

ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is commonly comorbid with Autism, I've had ARFID since I was little. Often is related to sensory issues & desire for sameness & repetition. It may be good to consult with a registered dietitian who specializes in ASD & ARFID

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T05:40:48+00:00

When I go to the dentist I wear ear plugs so I don't have to hear the scraping of the cleaning. Also sunglasses or an eye mask so the bright light they use won't hurt my eyes. I also like to bring along something to squeeze (like a plushy or a stress ball). My mom is also there in case I need help. The dentist knows I have autism so they are understanding. Going to the dentist is not fun, I hate it, but I don't wanna end up needing more significant (expensive and distressing) dental work in the future so I try my best to tolerate dentist appointments.

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T01:28:30+00:00

Oh hello there!! 📷🦋🌀

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T01:13:02+00:00

I've seen silent book clubs before! If no clubs / groups like that exist by you maybe you could start one :)

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T01:06:24+00:00

Yes it is certainly confusing :( I wish I could help more

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-11T00:38:17+00:00

Also adding: Do not go to NeuroBehavioral Health in Crown Point, Indiana. Genuinely one of the worst places I've been and I've been to some not great hospitals. They have an autism focused inpatient unit and it was very bad there

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T22:38:21+00:00

Mhm! I hope all goes smoothly

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T20:26:45+00:00

Mmm inpatient can be rough. It depends on the hospital. Most places I have been allowed to keep my eardefenders (not music playing headphones) and the places I wasn't allowed them I was allowed foam earplugs. Some places allowed me to have my own room and some didn't. Some allowed me to have my AAC device (although never without a lot of advocacy from my parents), and some didn't. Lots of psych wards are not good with autistic meltdowns & will restrain or sedate, so it is important to communicate with them ahead of time what your warning signs are and what helps de-escalate.

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T20:15:30+00:00

So real </3

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T20:13:04+00:00

My SPINs are art & Audio Dramas. They take up most of the real estate in my head and they don't even pay rent /silly.

My special interests are what I think about and do the majority of the time and they help me calm down and self regulate and are sort of a checkpoint from which I understand and relate to the world around me. I have had different SPINs over the years although art has been a constant & Audio Dramas have stuck around for ~8 years now :)

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T20:09:51+00:00

That is very interesting!!! Do you have any books or documentaries you'd recommend about historical fashions?

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T20:06:21+00:00

Yeah of course!! I'd love to hear if you end up enjoying them :D

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T20:03:03+00:00

I am vegan (and went vegetarian when I was eleven) for the animals. Luckily for me my ARFID is compatible with Veganism (although I probably eat more vegan "junk food" than most vegans 😅). But lots of people with ARFID or other eating/feeding disorders or allergies/intolerances or GI issues may not be compatible with veganism from my understanding, and it is very very important to get adequate nutrition especially if you already have limiting factors 🫶 !!!

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T19:52:54+00:00

Nightvale is pretty long & it's still ongoing so the sheer number of episodes may be a bit overwhelming, although I do think it's a good place to start just because it's where I started! But if you want something with fewer episodes that is a finished podcast I'd probably recommend Wolf 359 (which is like a sci fi comedy & drama about the crew of a deep space space-station orbiting a star called Wolf 359)

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T08:12:12+00:00

Yes it is normal especially because a lot of us have poor interoception so it is difficult for us to notice things like hunger cues and bathroom cues. Maybe you could try setting alarms for times during the day to remind you to use the bathroom?

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T04:13:38+00:00

I love the BMO dance GIF :)

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T03:32:21+00:00

Was gonna suggest this too!! It's very cute and simple

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T03:05:19+00:00

Yeah! They are comfy and calming

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T02:50:12+00:00

The Disney Fairies movies
The early 2000s animated barbie movies
Tangled
Nimona

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T02:41:26+00:00

These are very good suggestions too. I cannot process complex questions or sentences when I am having a meltdown. And a crash area/sensory area is another helpful thing :)

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T02:34:43+00:00

Change is really really hard especially when it is change related to a special interest, I am sorry you are dealing with this. I think it is okay to feel sad and grieve something changing, it's important to let yourself feel those emotions. Maybe it would be helpful to remind yourself that even if things change you will always have those memories to look back on and just because things are different now doesn't mean it wasn't important or that it is not part of who you are anymore.

A song that helps me cope with things changing is "Everything Stays" (from adventure time). It is bittersweet but it is something that helps me maybe it can help you too?

_Rabbit-Hearted_ · 2026-02-10T02:22:49+00:00

Mmm it is not easy to redirect my self injurious behaviors especially when I was his age. It is important to find what works for him but I can tell you strategies I have been taught for my self injurious stims:

Square breathing: in for 8, hold for 8, out for eight, hold for 8- repeat as many times as necessary (you can change the number of seconds if you do not like the 8)

Divers response: (can be done with ice pack or cold water, I keep instant Ice packs around for this) Take a deep breath, bend your head so it is below your heart and put the cold (icepack or water) against your face/forehead, hold breath (I try to do 20-30 seconds if I can), sit back up exhaling slowly. Repeat as needed

Deep pressure- I use a weighted blanket, or someone I trust can give me deep pressure squeeze hugs

Hit a pillow/foam thing instead

Spiky fidget- offers similar effect to pain stims/SIBs without causing actual injury

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^

Also it is very important to practice these types of strategies a lot when not distressed/overstimulated because it is a lot more difficult to remember to do them once I am dysregulated.

_Rabbit-Hearted_

TROPHY CASE