Rock and roll

Disclaimer: I’m not entirely sure if I can explain rocking in a way that makes sense to neurotypicals so if you have any questions, drop them in the comments below or email me at wiredforautism@gmail.com.

I always knew that I rocked. I’d be sat cross-legged on the bed and suddenly realise I was bobbing gently back and forth. I brushed it off; at the time it didn’t mean anything. Then I realised it was an autism thing. Now I can’t get enough of it.

The repetitive rhythm and easy momentum are indescribably soothing. It doesn’t take any effort or conscious thought, it’s just something that’s constantly there in the background. It’s almost like breathing. It happens naturally but when you become aware of it, it becomes more intense. You might start out only moving by a few centimetres but once you’ve realised what you’re doing, you rock harder and faster until you’re like a Weeble .

Weebles: they wibble and they wobble but they don’t fall down. Credit: Lance McCord

Rocking is also a great way to calm down if you’re having a meltdown. I’m sure there’s a scientific reason for it and I’ll be sure to let you know what that is when I find it. Until then, keep rocking!

Flappy hands are happy hands

For the longest time I never thought I was a hand flapper. It seemed to be one of the most common traits of autism but one that I didn’t have.

Turns out I was wrong about that.

I flap. A lot. I flap and jump and fairly often forget how to say say anything other than: “Oh my god!” This lasts about five to ten minutes before I become too tired to continue, collapse onto the nearest available surface and laugh maniacally while rolling around. I don’t know whether the latter part is strictly related to being autistic but I’m fairly sure it’s something that most people don’t do.

I can’t pinpoint the exact circumstances in which the need to flap strikes. I flapped when I finished reading Catch-22 and I flapped while watching the general election results. Any excitement and happiness leads to flapping.

For neurotypicals, I cannot explain the sheer joy that flapping brings. It may seem strange to you but for us, it’s an expression of a feeling to strong for words. So please, when you see somebody flapping, don’t stop them.