Autistics and Sensory Mapping for Substitute Aids

NONE of the following do I recommend for autistics, unless they themselves are

- given the means and encouragement to reduce stressors in their lives squarely and radically,

- have sufficient accesses, agency, and authenticity in their lives to not feel trapped, stuck, thwarted, with unmet needs,

- express an interest in safer or less impactful substitutes to try.

These all depend on each individual - we are diverse (of many ways) + dissimilar (individualistic) + divergent (tending to further non-conformity).

a) Picking callouses or scabs (hands/feet)

Sensations: rough/coarse texture, scraping, micro-pressure, edge-to-edge friction, visual “taking away” satisfaction.

Alternatives: 

Textured silicone pads / nubby fidgets — small, hand-sized silicone pieces with raised bumps to rub and scrape. Gives coarse texture and friction.

Kinetic sand or fine-grain putty — pull-apart, crumbly tactile feedback that mimics the “taking off” feeling without damage.

Therapy/aggressive putty (firm dental/hand therapy putty) — provides resistance for pulling and scraping motions.

Pumice stone or foot file used on purpose in a care session — schedule a short, deliberate grooming session where you file callouses safely (controlled, hygienic replacement of impulsive picking).

Micro-suction pop toys / silicone suction-cup toys — small cups you peel off to recreate peeling/pulling sensation.

Hydrocolloid/plaster coverings — blocks the pick site and reduces visual access; pair with a fidget to replace the habit.

b) Picking sores

Sensations: pinch/pull, sharp small-scale manipulation, sense of control over a tiny object, visual change/repair.

Alternatives:

Stretchy putty you can pull small bits from (therapy putty or slime) — gives small-pinching, pull-off satisfaction safely.

Peelable stickers / protective stickers — peel-off action that gives the tactile + visual “removal” hit.

Fidget with pull-apart beads/Velcro strips — discrete pulling motion and quick reward.

Cover with sterile dressing (hydrocolloid) + replace urge with a textured finger fidget — protection + substitution.

Mindful “care” ritual: short, set check-and-care (clean & bandage) for a set time if wound needs attention — gives agency in a safe way.

c) Cheek biting

Sensations: internal pressure, firm resistance inside mouth, oral proprioception, taste/texture.

Alternatives:

Chewable jewelry (food-grade silicone “chewelry”) — specifically for oral proprioception and chew pressure.

Soft chew tubes / chew sticks — for repetitive firm chewing without dental harm.

Sugar-free gum or gum designed for jaw work — sustained chewing / resistance.

Jaw-strengthener chew (soft silicone) — gives the exact firm feedback.

Cold/frozen chew (safely wrapped) — cool firm chew can substitute the sensory element while discouraging biting the cheek.

d) Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Sensations: jaw pressure, vibration, tooth contact, release of tension.

Alternatives:

Chewables / chew fidgets — give an acceptable place to put jaw pressure.

Resistant jaw exerciser (soft silicone) — provides purposeful resistance and proprioceptive feedback.

Squeeze ball / hand grip during times of jaw clench — transfers tension to the hands.

Night guard from dentist (if nocturnal) — protects teeth; discuss with a dentist.

Timed jaw relaxation routines (short isometric release) — structured replacement for the automatic clench.

e) Hair pulling (trichotillomania)

Sensations: pluck/pull resistance, twist-and-release, visual confirmation, hand-to-mouth small-movement loop.

Alternatives:

Pull-style fidgets (pull-apart bead strings, braided cord with beads) — replicate the small repetitive pull without hair.

Fiddle with a ‘loom’ or knitting/crochet — similar hand movements, lots of micro-reward (visual progress).

Wear a tight-ish headband or tie hair back / small cap — reduces access and gives different pressure feedback.

Use tactile wrist-fidgets to occupy fingers (silicone rings, spinner rings).

Replace with a “safe pulling object” like a Velcro mat or looped fabric you can discreetly pull.

f) Scratching

Sensations: raking texture, itch-relief feeling, linear motion and pressure, sharp-ish friction.

Alternatives:

Back scratcher / textured massage brush used intentionally — allows scratching in a controlled, hygienic way.

Microfiber scratch patch or textured cloth — rub anywhere to get that linear friction.

Koosh ball / silicone-bristle ball — rub or rake with fingers for similar friction.

Scalp brush or hedgehog brush for head-scratching sensation (if scalp is target).

Cooling roll-on or mentholated rub (if appropriate) for itch relief — provides strong sensory change that can reduce scratching urge (use with caution and test sensitivity).

g) Hand-washing (repetitive)

Sensations: warm water, wet slippery friction, repetition/rhythm, scent and “clean” feeling.

Alternatives:

Scented lotion rubs (set ritual) — repeatable, gives the tactile and scent elements without continuous washing.

Finger-bath / small sensory bowl with water beads or warm water for a limited time — controlled water play.

Silky fabric or wet wipe ritual (timed) — replicate the wet/smooth motion.

Scented hand-sanitizer with a specific small routine (one pump, rub for X seconds) to replace prolonged washing.

A “cleaning checklist” with timed steps (helps reduce escalation to compulsive repetition).

h) Ear-covering with hands

Sensations: muffling of sound, warmth/pressure on the ear, enclosure/security.

Alternatives:

Soft earmuffs or over-ear noise-reducing headphones — give muffling and warmth hands provide, but hands-free.

Foam ear defenders (comfort version) — strong sound reduction and pressure.

A cozy hood or scarf pulled up — creates enclosure and warmth.

Weighted lap pad or shoulder wrap — gives general calming pressure if the hand-over-ear was about security.

i) Spinning / running in circles

Sensations: vestibular stimulation, dizziness/floaty feeling, high arousal and release of energy.

Alternatives:

Swivel chair or small safe spin seat (short bursts) — controlled spinning.

Balance board / wobble board — vestibular input without full dizziness.

Mini-trampoline / rebounder — intense movement + proprioceptive input.

Therapy swing / hammock — rhythmic rocking or spinning in a controlled way.

Fast-paced repetitive physical exercise (stairs, sprints) — substitutes high arousal safely.

j) Nail-biting & cuticle-tearing

Sensations: small-scale oral texture, fine motor picking, sharp tiny tear, oral feedback.

Alternatives:

Chewable jewelry or soft chew tubes (oral substitution).

Fidget putty or peelable sticker packs — pull/peel behaviour safely.

Textured finger rings or spinner rings — occupy fingers with small movements.

Keep nails trimmed & manicured (short ritual) — reduces raw material and gives a scheduled care outlet.

k) Knuckle-cracking

Sensations: audible pop, release/stretch, sharp quick motion followed by relief.

Alternatives:

Pop-it toys / bubble wrap — gives an audible pop and tactile pop sensation.

Clicking fidget (click pen, fidget cube with switches) — discrete click + release.

Magnetic fidget rings or snap bracelets — audible/physical snaps.

Hand stretches or squeezing therapy putty — substitutes the movement and gives legitimate relief.

l) Yelling

Sensations: vocal release, auditory power, heat in chest/face, immediate catharsis.

Alternatives:

Scream into a pillow — safe muffled outlet with physical pressure.

Vocalize into a voice memo / record and delete — loud, private, and trackable.

Car-solo sing/ scream (where safe & legal) — private, loud outlet.

Punch or hug a heavy pillow then make sound — motor + vocal release.

Structured vocal time (ten-second shout into a safe space) — ritualized, reduces ad-hoc yelling.

m) Hard-blinking

Sensations: sharp eyelid pressure, sudden closure, startle-like release, brief tightness.

Alternatives:

Cool eye mask / gel mask (over closed eyes) — replicates pressure and gives soothing cooling.

Silky or weighted eye pillow — gentle sustained pressure over eyes without forceful blinking.

Tiny tactile object near face (soft cloth, textured tag) to give a different, safer focal tactile input.

Blink-retraining: slow, deliberate blinks with short pauses (practice when calm) — replacement behaviour to reduce forceful blinks.

If eyes feel dry/irritated — lubricating drops on healthcare professional advice (if medical dryness is a trigger).

n) Nose-picking

Sensations: Targeted dig/pull, salty.

Alternatives: Use small peelable adhesive dots or squeeze stress ball for substitution.

o) Lip-chewing / licking

Sensations: Moist firm texture.

Alternatives: Use chewable necklace or lip balm ritual (scented, applied with intention).

p) Thumb-sucking / Finger-sucking

Sensations: Suck, Proprioception

Alternatives: Chewable silicone thumb guard or soft chewy.

q) Tongue clicking / lip smacking

Sensations: Auditory / Oral click.

Alternatives: Use clicking fidget, tongue-resistant chewy for oral mouthfeel.

r) Hand tapping / Table drumming

Sensations: Rhythmic vibration.

Alternatives: Tapping fidget (metronome app, small drum pad), tactile wristband.

If the habit has reached the point where it impedes an autistic from experiencing a good life, it is time to seek a registered health professional's opinion.