As I briefly touched on in my first posts, sensory tools can make a big difference for those of us with chronic anxiety and other neurodivergent conditions. For many on the autism spectrum, such as myself, stimming is almost as essential as eating. Sure, we can delay, minimize, and modify our stims, but it’s best for everyone when we find a safe outlet that meets our stimming needs. This is where sensory and fidget toys can be so beneficial, and you don’t even have to be neurodivergent to see these benefits.
Little Ouchies
Like many autistic adults, I have unconsciously relied on something called pain stimming for most of my life. Pain stimming refers to any number of self-stimulatory behaviors that produce low-grade pain or mild discomfort as a way of self-regulating overwhelming emotions. This can include skin picking, nail biting, hair pulling, digging fingernails into one’s own skin, or even hitting oneself. Pain stimming is not inherently harmful, but it can become so when the stimming escalates. Often, the best solution is not to try to stop the behaviors entirely, but rather to redirect them (The Sensory Store, 2025).
When I start to feel overwhelmed or completely out of control of a situation, I need to ground myself. Without my fidget toys, I dig my nails into my arm or bite my lip or tongue until I feel a painful sensation that I can control. When I was younger, I would hit myself on the shoulder, leg, or head. This can get dangerous for anyone when they are unable to self-regulate. This is exactly why I have my Little Ouchies pain stim spinner. The spikes on its surface let me safely experience a small, controlled pain sensation, while the spinner allows me to fidget in place when I need to move (Little Ouchies, 2025). If you’re interested in buying one for yourself or a loved one, please find the link in my references below.
References
Little Ouchies (2025). What is Pain Stimming? A Guide to Neurodivergent Sensory Tools & Self-Regulation. Little Ouchies. https://littleouchies.com/blogs/news/what-is-pain-stimming-a-guide-to-neurodivergent-sensory-tools-self-regulation
The Sensory Store (2025). Pain Stimming and Harm Reduction Supports. The Sensory Store. https://www.sensorystore.co.nz/blogs/news/pain-stimming-and-harm-reduction-supports
Unicorn Roots 
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