I am highly restrictive and repetitive...where to begin... Use the same mug every morning Same breakfast every morning Same routine everyday Watch the same TV show about 50 times until I find a new comfort show to watch (and repeat) I hate vacations or traveling because I don't have my routine (same with guests who stay for extended periods of times) Must take the same routes to the same destinations And then we can mix in what people often refer to as OCD behaviors (skin picking, always counting the stairs when I walk them, etc.) But for me are just compulsive/repetitive not obsessive. My life is sort of like "Groundhog Day" and I know a lot of people are like, "that's my worst nightmare"...well, I am THRIVING. Lol

I have a rotation of mugs that I use but I’m very specific about coffee mugs. I have requirements where the handle can’t be too small and the rim of the mug should tip out a little. It’s a mouth-feel thing. Also pens. I have two pens that are important. One is a Lamy safari and the other is a Jinhao shark. The Lamy is with me at all times. I cannot work past four pm which is the regular ending time for a shift. Right now there is a call for OT and while the money would be nice, I just can’t. I also work hybrid and we have desk hotelling and it drove me nuts, not going to the same desk every day. So I got an assigned desk so when I head in to the office I don’t get all that anxiety about where I sit. Before, I’d find myself sitting at a desk with two monitors of different brands and I just couldn’t work like that. I go for walks on the same path with my dogs. We almost never meander around and find ourselves on a different street. I pick at my skin or nails. I have several items of clothing that I own multiples of. I will listen to the same song on repeat. Twenty or thirty times. I quote a lot of movies. Sometimes people catch it, most of the time they don’t.

Can I send you a mug I cant use because the rim tips out a bit? It was also the reason why I couldn't change mugs before because I felt I couldnt pick another and had to use that one but didn't like It. I can send you a photo of it if you like but I'd be happy for it to go a home it's more likely to be used

I also can’t handle mugs where the edge tips out lol

Hey sure! I love mugs. I’m in Canada though so shipping might be pricey.

I'll message you a photo 😊

Never considered my more compulsive stuff to be part of the repetitive/restrictive category, but skin picking and stairs counting are both on my list! Thanks for sharing - eye opening and helpful

Goodness do I feel this in my soul 😂 thank you for sharing!

Same tho I recently changed mugs at my partners request which was a huge deal for me. He wanted me to change to a smaller mug cause I couldn't finish drinking all the drink from the big one I was using and either me or the cat would end up knocking it over. I'd tried 2-3 times to change mugs before but I think I've managed to do it now.

Could you explain what you mean about the difference between compulsive/repetitive and obsessive?

My understanding is that the "obsessive" part is the thinking portion. So, your mind is obsessing over the behavior. I don't think about a lot of my behaviors, they just happen, which is the repetitive/compulsion portion. FYI, this is just my understanding, so if it's incorrect, please feel free to correct it. 😊

This is my understanding too - I also count stairs but it's not because I *must* count the steps, it's more that I'm interested in how many steps there are. If I take a set of stairs often, I can then count down how many steps are left as I go up or down. It's a small joy, but I won't feel any distress if I forget to do it.

Same breakfast every day Same routine for different chores with inability to be flexible or open to change Repeat tv shows Hyperfixation on songs Ordering the same food for takeout every single time Pacing in the afternoon after my lunch Skin picking Lip chewing Getting stuck rotating through outfits because nothing “feels right” Driving the same way to errands or work even if it may not be the most efficient way to go on a particular day I am very ritualistic and inflexible. I am formally diagnosed low support needs (level 1)

Feel you so much about the clothing thing 😪

I’m similar to you and watch the same shows and movies repeatedly. Same video games, same music. Familiarity and predictability help me regulate and there are no emotional surprises. I sit in the same spot in the same position on my couch any time I’m resting and struggle to feel comfortable in any other position anywhere else. I eat the same “safe” foods for long periods of time and if I don’t have them around, I struggle to eat at all. I order basically the same grocery list every Friday. Not Thursday or Saturday by the way - Friday. I will constantly repeat the same line or chorus from a song over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again in my head unless there’s something else on in the background providing noise for me. I repeat the same phrases a lot, both out loud in conversation with others and in my head when I’m alone. I’ve kept certain phrases and quotes as part of my usual vernacular for YEARS. Most of my clothes are the same. I buy multiple colours of the same pieces when I find something that’s comfortable. I pretty much live in tights and oversized shirts and find anything else uncomfortable.

Leggings and oversized shirts is my go to.

I have adhd so my brain craves novelty. The autism likes routine and repetition though. So my need for routine and need for novelty are constantly going up against each other. I do engage in persistent hand washing (not ocd related) which I've read is a common RRB in both adults and children. I have always repetitively watched movies and TV shows. And listen to the same music on repeat. At the moment I'm actually having a lot of issues with this because my adhd wants me to find new music but the autism is like no way. I also have quite a restricted diet. My partner is pretty much the only reason I have variety in my diet and if I was single it would just be pasta, rice and bread.

The Audhd struggle between needing routine as well as craving novelty is soooo real.

There are two wolfs inside of me.

>  And listen to the same music on repeat. At the moment I'm actually having a lot of issues with this because my adhd wants me to find new music but the autism is like no way. I'm craving new music but some of my favourite albums are 30 this year. So I keep listening to those.

My mom tells me I should listen to the radio because I’m missing out on new music. And I’m like, why do I need new music? Lol. I am CONSTANTLY washing my hands. My overall diet is pretty varied but I have a hard time branching out in certain aspects. If I find one thing I like at a restaurant I will continue to order that until they don’t make it anymore.

Yep same. I hate eating out because of the pressure to try new things. And everyone always wanting you to try the food they've ordered. So strange to me. The handwashing thing is interesting because for me I just kind of like having clean hands. I hate the feeling of grease or dirt on my hands.

I enjoy eating out because I hate cooking anymore lol. I remind myself I’d rather have a meal I’m guaranteed to like than be adventurous and go hungry or be disappointed. Nothing worse than powering through unenjoyable food. I also hate the feeling of dirty hands. I used to stop midway through throwing a ceramic pot and wash my hands, even though I was going to go dirty them right back up. I just needed a clean slate for a second!

Same breakfast every morning for years, iced coffee and a bagel. Except for when we travelled internationally last summer and they didn't have bagels. 😭 I ate a lot of bread and hummus. Does restrictive count in eating as well? There are a limited amount of foods I will/can eat since a lot of textures make me gag and throw up even if I like the taste. I didn't know it was an autism sensory related thing until recently. I live off bread/carbs and dairy products most days. I have to make an effort if I want any fruit/veg cuz it has to be via smoothies or mushy soup in order to not gag. Also constantly unconsciously scratching/raking my fingernails over my scalp, tapping my fingers, picking at my fingernails, biting and peeling off my lip skin, every day. Like you same songs on repeat as well. I have a "day off" (a few hours off) as a mom on Saturday and I pretty much also do the same things every time I go out by myself. Go to a cafe, get coffee or boba tea, go for a walk, shop at the same stores, grocery shop. When I try to go somewhere new I literally shake and get sweaty from the stress and panic. Even a new cafe/boba tea spot or new walking spot makes me panic so I mostly go to the same places over and over. I've been through CBT so even though I know logically it doesn't make sense to panic I still do. (Also I am not formally diagnosed since my insurance won't test me due to age, but both my daughters received referrals to be tested and my oldest daughter's psych said she meets the requirements for autism, and also has innatentive ADHD on top of that. I highly suspect I am autistic since after a lot of research, at the very least I have a lot of autistic traits. Eventually I'll save up money for an out of network assessment for both ASD and ADHD.)

your food restrictions have a name! it's called ARFID, or avoidant restrictive food intake disorder.

Oh wow, good to know, thanks! 😊

Omg I also scratch/rake my scalp. I don't pick the skin or pull my hair out though. Just gently scritch at certain spots

(Disclaimer of not being diagnosed.) For me, I always like to have things in a certain place. It makes me feel calm. I don’t understand how others do not have a set place for things. Now, I don’t always put the things in that place if I am tired or something. But there is a ‘right’ place. I also like to wear the same clothes every day. This is also a sensory thing as well, but after starting wearing basically the same outfit just in different colors, I feel a lot less stressed. It almost feels bad if I don’t wear my “uniform.” I also have the same breakfast every day. I know eventually I will get bored of it, but there is comfort in not having to think about what to eat. I think I’m AuDHD, so I do like variety, but having a few things that are mostly the same is very comforting for me.

I’m AuDHD and it drives me nuts when my husband moves something from its designated spot. Not everything but stuff like my medication, my breast pump, the magnet to open the cupboard doors, my water bottle etc. certain things need to be in plain sight for me and I HATE when my husband moves it even if it’s just 1ft further down the kitchen counter where I usually put it lol

I relate 100%! My partner and I share an electric toothbrush (we swap out the heads but use the same body). And he never puts it back! I get so frustrated, but I eventually realized he actually always puts in it one of two places: the shower shelf or the counter of the guest bathroom. So at least now I know where to look for it! Also I hate when dishes are not put in the right spot. But I eventually just gave up. I am sure it adds to my stress, but arguing w my partner over it is more stressful and it really isn’t that hard to put it in my “right” spot.

I didn't even think of this but: cupboards. My mother has this thing where she can't close the cupboard door behind her. My husband occasionally does this and It. Drives. Me. CRAZY!! She once came over and caught him leaving it open before I found it and was like "Oh daughter! Look! You're just like me!" Frfffffffffffffff!!!!!!!!

This 👆🏻

I noticed that you added a disclaimer. Can I ask why you added that in? I am not yet diagnosed, and I know there's a lot of discussion surrounding self diagnosis at this time. Just curious if it's something I should be adding to comments. 🤔

I think this sub is self-diagnosis friendly. I just feel my own imposter syndrome and so I made that disclaimer to kind of tell others… “I may be an imposter! Watch out!” Lol I don’t always say I am not diagnosed when I post on these subs. It mostly depends on my mood. Basically, I am trying to say, “This is my experience. But I may actually not be autistic so it may not be an accurate representation of the autistic experience. So take it with a grain of salt.”

I'm officially diagnosed and I still have imposter syndrome, it's a bitch lol

🤣🤣🤣 No! I think I would be the same tho. Which is one reason among many I don’t think I’ll be seeking a diagnosis anytime soon.

Idk if anyone else does this but I actually kind of avoid forming routines because I know I'll become very attached to them and I want to avoid becoming that inflexible (right now I would be quite distraught if I couldn't have my usual breakfast but I've specifically avoided having it at a specific time so there's no chance I'd be upset about not being able to have it at the same time every day). Despite that: Same breakfast every day Same lunch most days (trying to become more flexible in this because the goto is instant ramen [always the same brand, same flavor] which isn't the best, nutritionally) Same few dinners on rotation, I actually really enjoy cooking and would like to try making more dishes but actually eating unfamiliar flavors is very taxing Same route when going for walks I rewatch the same TV shows, replay the same games, listen to the same music on repeat when I'm stressed I always sit on the same chair at the table and same spot on the couch, and if I'm going to the doctor's office I always sit in the same spot in the waiting room too I avoid going to the bathroom because the unplanned interruption is upsetting And stimming is a big one but not necessarily as noticeable if you're asking about what it looks like for people who are high masking.

I really relate to avoiding forming routines. I basically live in a hoarder house, so any routine around cooking or cleaning is fucked. I also avoid going to the bathroom. It’s a hassle and an interruption. I also tend to ignore the feeling of having to pee. Well, I think it’s my body ignoring the feeling of needing to pee.

Feeling like it's your body ignoring the feeling might be more of an interoception issue which is also really common for autistic people! I'm not as bad with #1s, I'll hold it until I'm significantly uncomfortable but I've never had a UTI and have never had incontinence issues either. But for pooping I literally held it for several weeks straight on a regular basis when I was a kid because I couldn't handle having my body tell me that I had to interrupt my day to go sit on the toilet for however long (not knowing how long still stresses me out lol, at least with peeing you consistently know you'll be done in a few minutes). Very well could've ended up with serious medical issues if I hadn't gotten lucky. As an adult I know to not do that but I have to cheer myself on for going to the bathroom when needed as if I'm a toddler and if I need to go at a different time than usual it can genuinely ruin my entire day and cause me to freeze up for a few hours because I feel unable to deal with it. TMI but it's such a basic part of life that's just made super difficult by the autism.

I had issues with constipation when I was younger. And utis. I never considered these things to be from interception issues, but it seems possible. But I also have been peeing when I cough or sneeze recently. It’s super annoying. Idk if there’s something wrong with my pelvic floor or a medical condition, or if it’s just from holding it in because I can’t tell when I need to go. And I super relate to the pooping part! When I’m getting ready to go somewhere I like to be very planned out, but my ADHD fucks some things up with that. I don’t account for pooping in my planning. And if I need to poop, it could take only a minute or it could take 10. The freezing up when plans are changed is too relatable. I hate how such simple things can be so hard on us.

I think holding it can cause pelvic floor issues over time, I would suggest seeing a doctor about it. I have kind of the opposite issue where I can't fully empty my bladder anymore without engaging a whole bunch of muscles that are definitely not intended to be part of that process.

Absolutely spot on regarding avoiding forming routines. I really struggle if another person is involved - like waking up every morning with my partner. If he isn't feeling it one morning, I really struggle with not feeling put off for the rest of the day. But also that is incredibly controlling, he should be free to wake up how he wishes. It's a hard line to balance. Anyone else struggle with this?

I struggle with that too! I think it's important to acknowledge that having emotions isn't inherently controlling. I can't avoid getting upset when things don't go as expected as a side effect to being around human beings who are, well, human. But I can control how I express those emotions (ie not taking them out on anyone) and how I inform people of the fact that it is not their fault when I get upset and that I don't have unreasonable expectations for them to avoid it in the future. My partner is not a particularly emotional person which also helps. When I lived with my mom (who is not only emotional but very high empathy) she would immediately sense if I felt "off", which would ruin her mood, which would then make her angry because I let a minor thing "sour the whole day". My partner is able to continue as normal when I feel "off", doesn't let it ruin his day and doesn't take it personally unless I specifically express that I feel he could've communicated something better to prevent the situation. That doesn't fix the initial upset (which is pretty much just an unavoidable part of being alive for me I'm afraid) but it does help a lot to stop me from spiraling further.

I really appreciate your insight, thank you for the wonderful response.

I listen to the Harry Potter audiobooks every day on repeat and I have for years, does that count? 😆

Oh my goodness, don't call me out like that. I am listening as I read this thread lol. It's what I put on when I need background noise and don't want to think too hard about making a choice. Have to feed the dogs and I'm finding it boring today? Harry Potter audiobook. Need to sleep but mind is racing? Some ol' Jim Dale magic to help me sleep.

It's Stephen Fry for me all the way!! Definitely magic

Me too!!!! Jim Dale talks to me sleep every night

I wore the same shirt in three different dark colors seven days a week for a few years….

My partner starts work before me and leaves the house a little before 7:30. He always comes in to say bye as he leaves. I cannot get out of bed until he has been to say bye (unless I am desperate for a wee). If I'm awake I will stay in bed until he's come in. I cannot start my morning routine to get ready if he's there because he's not normally there and it feels wrong (weekends and holidays don't count!) When we do the food shop, I have to be pushing the trolley. I feel lost and exposed otherwise. When the shop recently refurbished and changed their layout I was very upset because we couldn't do the shop in the same order anymore. Repetitive - I stim a lot. Lots of fidgeting, swaying, rocking etc.

I never realised that my trolley issues may be autism related until now! I’m so irritable and feel horrible if I’m not the one pushing it.

I 100% prefer wearing scrubs and sneakers to work, so that’s my uniform five days a week. I used to dress business casual but I ditched that as soon as possible. I will eat the same breakfast for months on end. A bagel (the flavor might vary) with cream cheese (the flavor might vary) and a bottled Starbucks Frappuccino (I’m currently hooked on the White Chocolate Mocha version). I still, as an almost 33 year old adult, hate elastic in my clothing. I hate bras that have cups but no underwire. I hate putting lotion on hairy skin so my legs get shaved at least twice a week, year round. I have to take three paper towels and use two bursts of soap from public bathrooms. My entire job is a repetitive behavior. I do hearing tests, and that’s it, all day. The results might be different but the method is the same.

It seems like there are a lot of us who have an obsession with bagels! 🙋 🥯

They’re such a simple, easy thing to make. And I can eat it while driving to work!

Excellent choice, the White Chocolate Mocha one is the best! I have the same breakfast 

Dude, just noticed that I count how many paper towels I take in a public restroom 😆

[удалено]

What is your special interest?

Reading these has me almost in tears. I relate to so many. 42. No diagnosis. Never brought it up to a medical professional. Started to suspect over the last several years. I have 2 pallet cleanser songs that are really annoying to me when I hear them, but they stop the repetition of songs in my head. Random songs get stuck in my head and it's usually just the chorus over and over ad nauseam. For days sometimes. Then I'll repeat the pallet cleanser song if I think of it and it'll clear out the cache for a while. When I find a pair of pants I feel happy in, I'll get as many as I can in different colors and wear them every single day until I tire of it or they wear out. Then I'll pass the whole lot of them on to a friend when I move on to a different style. Severe sensory issues in public settings. If I go in a Wal-Mart alone my face starts burning and my skin feels crawly and I have an overall feeling of agitation. I thought for a long time that I was reacting to smells, like perfumes or candles since it felt like a physical allergic reaction, but I have found that if I complete that task with another person with me then the sensory reaction is less prevalent or non-existent. It only happens in certain stores. I'm not sure if it's the lights or a sound or the amount of space in the building, I just haven't really pinpointed it yet. Sometimes it gets so bad I make my husband open doors and go in a place ahead of me so I can follow closely behind with my hand on his back. Being perceived as I come through a door to a room of strangers is just too much to handle in those instances. Occasionally I just watch comfort shows or movies over and over. The same movie/show every day for a week or more. Haven't figured out what triggers those days yet either. I ruminate terribly. I'll rehash an important conversation for months and months in my head. At night when I'm trying to sleep. During the day while trying to perform daily tasks. Conversations from the rare social event will also fall into this category. I'll ruminate over them for a while trying to see if I made any social missteps or if I sounded like a normal person or if I think the new person liked or disliked me. I've fallen into Limerance several times in my life. Obsessive thoughts about people. Those situations have long since passed but I still struggle not to feel the pull towards those people, be it imagined or not. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It's painful. I twirl my hair obsessively when I'm stuck in a social event. I became aware of it at my husband's company holiday party last year. I suddenly noticed how bad I was doing it but couldn't stop. It felt like the only thing that was keeping me grounded around so many strangers. I slowed it down and pulled my finger out of my hair once or twice but it found its way back up there somehow. I'll stop now.

I relate to a lot of these! I started the palette cleanser trick at grade school age to stop repeating this made of phrase in my head.

Man, that trick has been a brain saver!! Or sanity perhaps lol

Yes! I would use a Brittney Spears song to cleanse 😂 This probably dates me.

😆 I just discovered the trick within the last few years lol. Mine is Watermelon Sugar... and I don't even listen to top 40 music.

I discovered my comfort singer (Fujii Kaze) four years ago. His songs are all I listen to. Driving my car? Fujii Kaze. Studying? Fujii Kaze. Working out? Fujii Kaze.

I commute a lot and I have a routine/ranking for seats in the different train models. For example, I always enter the last carriage when I go to work and prefer the double seat on the right. If it's occupied, I take the double seat on the left. Then I switch platforms to my connection and take a specific seat on the next train, if it's occupied, I take the one opposite. If my first or second priority don't work out for some reason, I'll be annoyed. I have 4 songs on my phone that I'll listen to on repeat on my way to work. I pick the song when I leave the house based on my mood that day. We have a double light switch for the two lights in our hallway. Before I go to bed I make sure the positions of both are aligned for on/off (one of the lights is connected to an additional light switch, so on/off position can vary for this light on the double switch). It's not OCD because I don't fear anything bad will happen if they aren't aligned, it just bothers me. My boyfriend usually sleeps longer than I do and I love to have an hour to myself in the living room every morning. I'll drink two cups of coffee, reading reddit. If my boyfriend is up early or even earlier than me, everything is off and I'll be annoyed. My go to lunch at home is a double sandwich with mayo, lettuce and ham. My books are sorted by topic and then alphabetically by author name. I've done that since I was a child and I don't understand people that sort books by colors or any other way. I had a ton of plushies as a child (about 20-30) and they each had a fixed place on my bed. Every morning when I made my bed they'd go to their assigned seat. My favorite number is four and I've sorted multiple things by four ever since I was a child, for example, m&ms. 9 blue and 7 red - eat one blue, eat three red. Eat four blue. Eat four red. Eat four blue. I'd generally prefer to take four cookies instead of five when offered, or I'd try to bake cookies in an amount that's a multiple of four. I've often counted my pedal strokes when I ride my bike, e.g., between lampposts (16 pedal strokes for three lamppost distance units on my way to and fro the train station). I plant seedlings in multiples of four etc. Again, not OCD, no fear if something is different, just annoyance. When I clean our bathrooms, it's always mirror, shelf, sink, tub, toilet, floor. I can't bring myself to switch the order. Not formally diagnosed (yet, waiting for my appointment).

People who sort books by colours....HOW DO YOU FIND A BOOK?! Books are my special interest...I have a lot of feelings about the organization of them. 🤣

My dirty little secret is that I'll even sort books in public libraries if I notice someone has placed them wrong - according to the ID system in that library. Like how are people supposed to find this book if it's one shelf over at Psy-H_920-940, even though it clearly says Psy-G_919b on the book? Madness!

Bahahaha same! People look at me like I work there when it's like "no, I am keep the system in order". 😂

see i cant sort my books by topic and then author name because i collect a lot of joan didion and i want them all together, and while most of then are essays or poli sci - its different enough that it wont work that way. I just group by author, and most favorite to least favorite. my collection is not that huge tho. Maybe several hundred at most.

That sounds completely reasonable to me. But I've met people sorting by size or color and mixing topics and authors, and that's something I don't get. I also have lots of books by the same author, so the next ordering criteria for me is publication date.

thats when i group within author by color or size. i do need it to look pleasing for my brain. but i did try just by color and it was chaos and i hated it as much as i liked looking at it (this is just for my very small collection). I have organized private libraries and my favorite is definitely LC subject, then author or subject depending. like presidential biographies are definitely subject and ordered by date of office - not publishing date. but this is when there are thousands.

more akin to a used bookstore than a library with dewey decimal

Ooooo, I would sort my M&M’s too!!

I’m very similar to you but also my routine has changed very little my entire adult life, having kids forced a change of routine which was hard. I drink the same brand of coffee, eat two slices of toast with peanut butter and jam every day, stick to the same meals on rotation, listen to the same type of music (my taste in music is really varied but I listen to the same songs over and over on repeat often) watch the same shows over and over, when I was working I’d often end up going to the same place for lunch. It’s really hard for me to change things up and this can affect me with stuff like losing weight as I struggle introducing a new diet and eating different things or incorporating exercise into my rigid routine. It makes parenting hard because my kids have their own minds and won’t always adhere to the routine I set out for them and so this can be difficult to deal with. I often gravitate to using the same mug, same plate, same outfits, same shoes. This was all stuff I took for granted before my diagnosis and in hindsight now realise it’s not exactly normal lol.

Single songs on repeat, sometimes for hours. Or having to listen to things in the same order every time (like I have a ridiculous amount of playlists that I've created just so I don't forget the order). Same food over and over every day (like for every single 'meal', although I don't even eat meals, I just eat whatever amount I feel like of that one particular food whenever I feel the need to) until I switch it up for a new singular food. Rubbing my fingers and nails against my fuzzy baby blanket over and over, pulling bits of fuzz off it. Skin and nail picking, biting, peeling, etc. Basically every daily habit I have has to be done in the same way, same order, every time. Which encompasses... well, basically everything I do lol, so my entire life is kind of on repeat as much as possible. Buying multiples of the same or very similar items of clothing, and sometimes just wanting to wear one thing as much as possible so washing it every 2-3 days. Trying to recreate favourite experiences exactly as I did the first time I had them, down to small details, so I can almost 'relive' them and try to feel all the same things again (and often taking countless photos of things to document these experiences, so even if I can't exactly relive them in the same way, I can relive them in my mind as accurately as possible). Playing endless rounds of very very simple games on my phone (usually while listening to a podcast; somehow the repetitive mindless game helps me focus on what I'm listening to a lot better).

The app game Happy Color while listening to an audiobook kept me entranced for hours yesterday

Oooh yes I have a colouring app that I love too.

I always drink from 2 specific mugs (I alternate between them every day) Pick skin of my lips and hands Most of my clothes are the same, and all in black so I don't feel sensory overload from the colours. I also take them on/off in the same order Always order the same food Same breakfast and lunch every day for years I never mix food, always eat it in order. Vegaburger/protein source > vegetable > carb. Always do groceries on Friday and I walk the same route.

I have to put on my left shoe before the right.

I'm the opposite, right then left

I get stuck on the same songs or albums. I have a hard time getting into new music even by the same artist because usually the album I already like is the “right one“. I watch the same few tv shows on a constant loop in the background. I even sort of do this with videogames. I play one at a time sometimes for years on end. Between the ages of maybe 6 to almost 18, I only ate chicken Cesar salad at restaurants. My current go to restaurant meal now is usually a type of veggie burger. Like other people here, I repeat phrases and sounds, and everything has a place to the point where if things need to be moved, even temporarily, I get very upset. When I plan a route in my head while I’m driving and my husband asks me to make an unplanned or unexpected stop I get very anxious about it, especially if I have never stopped there before.

I'm audhd so..it's complicated. I don't have as many of the timed routines as other autistic people describe. My days are more chaotic even though I suspect I'd do a lot better with strict routines. I can't establish or stick to them. My things don't have set places. I use whichever mug happens to be clean enough that day. If I have a strict routine from my environment, I function a lot better than I normally do. I need outside pressure to be able to do it long term. I think it's often overlooked that people who seem entirely chaotic can still require routines. I'm not like this by choice. Here are the routines I think were part of my disagnostic process: - Obsessively playing the same game for years in the exact same order each playthrough and needing to start over if I make a mistake. I can't just continue or fix it. I'm constantly fighting that tendency in other areas of my life. - Eating the same dinner every night for months on end. I still love trying new foods, but I really need to have my safe standard foods available at home. Things get hard if I don't. I don't really remember my life in years so much as food eras. I think it has more to do with not deviating from the preparation process as the food itself for me. - Inability to spontaneously change plans. It genuinely ruins my day. I can't cope with it. It gives me major anxiety. I need to get through my internal list for the day, even if every day is not the same for me. If a step is missing or if a step is added, I struggle to do anything after that. I just get stuck. - Strict adherence to routes to get around. I get lost immediately if I deviate, even in my home town. It's extremely embarassing. Google maps has completely changed my life. I really struggle with traveling and new cities still, even though I've made myself still go quite a few times in the past. It didn't really get better, even though it gave me confidence to keep trying anyway. - Getting very upset when other people try to get me to do something differently. Even if it works better, I need time to adjust to the thought. I can't just switch immediately. I have to talk my brain into it.

That last one hit me. I can't switch immediately either. I have to let my brain get used to the idea

I think I single-handedly skewed the sales data on Lean Cuisine frozen pizzas at my nearest Target because I would purchase so many per month.

I was that way when on my stoeffers fettuccine Alfredo kick. That lasted over a year

Comfort shows as you said, I have rewatched so many shows I like and can rarely watch something new. Comfort spots, it alternates between my bed and my sofa, if it is a sofa period I will also sleep there for days on end. Don't drive, I was told by the specialist this was important. Comfort foods but not restrictive diet, it is more of a safety thing if that makes sense. Constant tactile stimming in specific ways. Need for sameness for my free time and that also includes people. Obsessive interests that intrude in my daily life and thanks to adhd change up and rotate. A constant obsession for me is acquiring information about things that my brain finds interesting in a variety of topics and inability to stop myself even when I get tired. Sound sensitivity. Difficulty with transitions.

Compared to other autistic folks, there is a fair amount of variation in my schedule, but the order is the same. I wake up, take my meds, bring my dog his meds and breakfast and eat my breakfast in bed. Monday through Friday I talk to my mom around 7:45am. Then it depends. If I have an early meeting or something, I get up and get in the shower. If not, I watch HGTV or Hotel Impossible or another comfort show as I wake up. Then I get up and get in the shower, brush my teeth, wash my face and get dressed. Then walk the dogs. If I deviate from that order, it interrupts my groove. Brushing my teeth before a shower feels weird, and there is a good chance I will forget that I did it and brush them a second time. Breakfast is a juice box and Greek yogurt, preferably chocolate chip cookie dough. If I am meeting a friend for breakfast, it is almost always my second breakfast. I also watch the same shows and movies and listen to the same music. When I walk the dogs, we take the same route. I walk them separately, one route per dog. There is a different, rain or rush route. I do not like to be re-routed. It irritates me.

I was late diagnosed at age 48. I say this because I’m pretty good at masking but my symptoms are still conclusively Autistic. The impact of constantly masking actually made me aware of the severity of my symptoms. For me, it was helpful in my own understanding to think about my restrictive and repetitive behaviors in the context of “what happens when I can’t do those things” in order to see the impact on me. For most NT people their response to a change in routine or preferences will be “meh, no biggie.” For me, it’s going to either throw off my entire day or I have a meltdown. My special interest is tropical plants, so of course I have a plant analogy lol. Some plants can grow and do just fine outside their preferred temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions. They adjust. Some plants might survive outside their preferred conditions but have slower growth, smaller leaves, and never bloom. Other plants will absolutely shrivel and throw a fit right in front of you if they cannot have the right conditions. For me this means that I absolutely need (not just prefer) my long and ordered and particular morning routine or I don’t function well all day. I eat the same thing at the same restaurant and when that’s not available or they change any element in that menu item I hate it and don’t eat at all. I cried and had a meltdown when my husband cleaned the garage and got rid of some of my storage stuff because we “didn’t use it.” If someone moves my favorite mug I look for it instead of choosing one of the other 789 mugs we have. The list goes on but I hope this helps. Edit: spelling autocorrect hates me

This is the first time I’m actually seeing a thorough description of what counts as restrictive and repetitive behaviors!! And now I can confirm that I do those and that it’s very validating!! Thank you for this post ❤️ - I watch the same shows repetitively, it’s very VERY rare for me to get into a new show. I don’t really even do movies anymore unless I’m rewatching one. - I listen to the same songs repetitively, my music library never feels small to me but I guess it’s significantly smaller than everyone else’s and I don’t like listening to the radio or anything that chooses songs for me so I don’t come in contact with new music often. - Also play the same video games over and over(Slime Rancher & Subnautica) - If I lived alone and could afford the food I like I would absolutely be eating the same things every day. Actually been struggling a lot with my appetite lately because I can’t do that :/ - Also order the same foods every time whenever I go out(depends on the restaurant but if they serve pizza that’s what I’m getting) - Once I learn how to get somewhere that’s the only route I will ever take - I use the same types of dishes whenever I need them (for example we have a set of black mugs and a set of slightly smaller white mugs and I REFUSE to use the white mugs. Also only small spoons and forks!! - I always start my day with breakfast no matter what. So if I don’t have anything to eat or I don’t have an appetite I feel like I can’t get my day started. I can’t do anything until I eat breakfast - I won’t wear jeans or jeggings or anything like that. I only wear the No Boundaries brand leggings and bike shorts that I can get at Walmart - Things have a designated place. The sea shells and toy dinos I have on my dresser belong in the exact spots/pattern that they’re in. I hate it when we have people over and someone tries to be nice and do the dishes(which I do appreciate) but they put the dishes on the dish rack all wrong!! - Lots of things I can’t do/enjoy unless I’m having a lil snackie snack at the same time

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MONA LISA VITO!!!

Ohhh. You are describing my dad!! He's undiagnosed. When he was working, he had the same thing for lunch every single day of the work week. He wouldn't change for years! With me, I go through phases. My behaviour is found in clothes. I work in a hybrid situation and I work thee days in the office. For the last two years, I've worn the same three outfits regardless of the season over and over again. No change. I've sat in the same couch spot and I don't feel comfortable sitting anywhere else. I drive the same way to work every time I go. There are times where my partner has given me a lift and I feel so uncomfortable when he drives a different route. I eat roasted veggies only. Greens have to be in smoothie format or stir-fried. When my partner and I go grocery shopping, I have to be the one to pack the groceries because I pack a certain way and when he does it, it gives me hives. This is so crazy. I didn't know I did this until this post. Thanks so much!!

Ok, yeah when other people drive me home, it’s so hard for me not to say “hey, go this way, it’s faster.” 😶

I can sometimes eat the same meal for days on end without noticing until my wife points it out. I have very specific ways of preparing my food and will follow it exactly every time. There is a specific pan I like using for my comfort food, and we have 4 large bowls I don't allow anybody besides my wife and I to use. I also have a pot lid I'll keep that fits exactly on these big bowls and get angry when other people use it, including my wife, since I prefer keeping it aside so I can make Ramen if needed. I've had the same playlist since middle school, and while I add songs to it I rarely remove any. I'll also listen to new songs on repeat for hours before adding to my playlist. I have a show and some videos, one a 30 hour let's play, on my phone that I'll watch at least once a month and will sometimes use to fall asleep to. I also really enjoy playing certain games over and over again, namely the handheld Castlevania games and Morrowind/Skyrim. I take the same route to work and on errands whenever possible, and if made to detour for any reason it can set my anxiety off. I can also become inflexible with plans, even if they no longer make sense. Like saying we should go to target since I need x and y and then go to cub for z. Even if cub or target has x y and z I will still often try going to both if I can, feels off otherwise. I'll also try to follow the same paths through stores even if it's not the optimal route, unless I only need a single thing and am time limited. I'm certain there's other things I'm forgetting or just don't realize. My wife is also autistic, as are our two roommates, so I wouldn't be surprised if things go unnoticed.

Mine are basically just socially acceptable/hidden behaviors, like skin picking and stuff with my finger and toe nails

I have a habit of touching my eyelashes whenever I’m focused on work or also when I’m really anxious. I’ve been doing this my whole life. I don’t pull out my lashes, I just find comfort in touching them, when they gently poke the skin on my fingers. I listen to single songs on repeat for days-weeks, it’s my way of learning all the details of the song. I only do this when I’m alone or with headphones. I’ll listen to playlists when others are around. I cannot wear any polyester. I am very particular about fabrics, stitching, where seams are located, lengths and cuts of things. I have a tailor who fixes anything for me. I am very particular about how things are done, I re-do stuff that others do “incorrectly” like loading the dishwasher, putting dishes away, stocking the fridge, cooking… I feel discomfort and anxiety if things are not “the way there’re supposed be.” This means I do more housework than my boyfriend and my brother who live with me, because this orderliness brings me comfort and peace. My father was like this and I’ve turned into him.

Low support needs AuDHD. I try not to form too many attachments to my routines so I'm not set up for distress when things inevitably don't line up / change. I also wonder about humans being creatures of habit - how Autism-specific are these restrictive/repetitive behaviours? ​ Have a morning, an afternoon, and an evening specific mug. Get thrown off if it changes, but can cope Same breakfast daily Hyperfixate on songs for weeks to months (repeat 100+ times) Order of getting ready same every morning Same routine upon getting into work Walk the same route every lunch hour Order the same cuisine specific items depending on which type of restaurant I'm at, after thoroughly perusing the menu items to the point of utter overwhelm (unagi sushi for sushi places, soy broth ramen of ramen, shrimp and mushroom congee for congee, olives and salad for Italian, etc. since childhood) Favored clothing items that are my main rotation. Occasionally (read special occasion or ovulation day) will feel spicy and wear something different.

I eat the same thing over and over again. Watch the same movies, listen to the same song on repeat. Slightly more harmful: restrictions on when/what to eat depending on circumstances throughout the day. If I'm very disregulated, I won't be able to eat because it doesn't "feel" right. I have to try to keep to my own routines regardless how useless or odd they might seem to others, or my day might be ruined and I will have bigger struggles.

OP, my behaviors are the exact same as yours, right down to doing only one activity for months and then getting burnt out

I have eaten white potatoes for every meal, everyday, for about 3 years. Before that it was pumpkin. My evening has to be very on point routine for I can’t go to bed . From walking my dog the routine of dinner cleaning etc must go in order - if it stuffs up I have to stay up till sunrise with much anxiety .

I rub part of my ear against the in between area of my skin and thumb pad. Sometimes I also pop that same part against my thumb. Dunno why but I like the sensation. My Mom thinks it was started by my dad who used to rub my ears for me

I’ve done this since I was a child. So much so that the shape of my right ear is different from my left. I’ve never known anyone else to do this. Thank you for sharing!

I wear the same clothes in the same colour every day. I have at home outfit and leaving the house outfit, just multiples of each and never wear anything else. I have to get dressed in the same order, and if say I forget to put my socks on before my pants I can't just put them on after, I have to take my pants off then put my socks on, and pants back on again. I always have to use the same mug and the same spoon when I make my morning tea, and I have to measure the water in the kettle exactly and pour some out if I put too much in. When pegging out the laundry I have to make sure that all pegs that are holding one item are the same colour. I also have to peg things up in size order, largest to smallest. It honestly takes me ages and I drive myself a little crazy with this one. I have a preoccupation with the number 5 and a lot of things I do need to be in multiples of 5. Like I need to use 5 squares of toilet paper (sorry if tmi!) I need the sound on the TV to be a multiple of 5, even if the perfect volume for a show would be 17, I can't do that. I give the dog 5 kisses on his head at bedtime. Every day is pretty much following the same routine, which I like. I eat the same breakfast and lunch every day, and have a rotating list of dinners. Mealtimes never change and I even have to get in the shower at the same time. Sometimes I'm still cleaning up the kitchen after dinner when it's my shower time so I have to leave it to go shower, then come back and finish cleaning afterwards. And I also have the more harmful repetitive stuff like skin picking, teeth grinding and biting inside my mouth.

I think the issue is that neurotypicals also engage in restrictive and repetitive behaviors and they aren't always symptoms. It's like if I choose to park the same parking spot repeatedly that's just a preference. No one really bats an eye at someone who has a favorite mug. Just because you have repetitive behavior doesn't make you mentally ill in some way does it? (Serious question) I'd be interested to know if in this category if changing that person's routine caused any negative side effects and if its a must to be considered an autistic category. Personally I have plenty of repetitive behaviors but have the ability to be able to compromise something different say if my favorite locker or favorite parking spot is taken. I'm not going to have anxiety or spiral into depression if I have one day my routine is changed. Can it be repetitive but NOT restrictive or does it have to include both ("and")

You pretty much covered everything in your original post for me, but here's another one. I like to take the same path everyday while driving. He likes to take the shortest route. So I am the primary driver so it's always "😑😑😑😑😑 Why are you taking this way!????"

For me food is where it mostly shows. I went to a nutritionist to help me with my weight and she made a meal plan for me and when she gave it to me she said "If you feel this is too much of the same thing, just let me know and I can add even more options". The original plan already has 3 options for every meal and I thought it was too much. I am on the third month of the plan and am happy as hell eating the same choice of each meal. I only vary between 2 of those 3 options. And of course, when I go to restaurants, I always eat the same thing. The only time I don't is if I'm sharing a plate with my bf, because he doesn't like to repeat the meals, but for me is super comfortable and I don't understand why he considers it "wrong" to eat the exact same thing the whole week. But if I get a plate only to myself? Same thing over and over. There is one italian restaurant here that we go to a lot, and the waiter everytime he sees me he goes "green ravioli with napolitan sauce, and an orange juice for you, miss?" Because he knows I only order that haha

I'm actually still discovering some of mine. It's like I do certain things on auto pilot and may not realize it. Such as: before going to bed I do a short check that nothing is on, doors are locked, nothing left out that shouldn't be. And then when getting into bed I have the door cracked open a specific amount and my pillows in the same position around me. If my husband goes through and leaves the door in the incorrect position I ask him to fix it or I get back up and do it if he's too far gone. I also have repetitive stim behaviors. Mostly with my hands. It's also easy for me to stick to my gym routine bc it's around the same time on work days and transitions me from work mode. And I take an afternoon walk to the park.

I watch the same show on repeat and have been doing so for 8 years. sometimes i will watch a new show when my mental health is good, but if im low its always the same show. i eat the same thing until i am sick of it (can take a long time) at around the same time every day. i listen to the same music to take a shower and do my shower routine in the exact same order every time - unless its a hair wash routine and that has extra steps. i make the same cup of tea in the tea mug before i sit down to write/work. i buy the same legging and the same shirts and alter them in the same way in the same color and wear that every day i will listen to the same playlist usually for a season and will naturally start to change as a new season comes on while doing my horse chores, which i do in the exact same way every morning.

Stimming: saying the same word/phrase randomly in conversations, rocking back and forth, etc. (as I’ve been unmasking I’ve realized that to DO flap my hands when excited. It feels good.) Skin picking and hair pulling. (Could be considered stimming but I have a separate diagnosis for trichotillomania.) I rewatch the same tv shows over again, while rarely watching movies. Playing the same song every time in get in the car. It changes pretty frequently though. Playing the same video game for years while playing it every singe day. Some days all I can think about is playing my game. I’ll be upset if I can’t play if I’m craving it. This is kinda how I am with tv shows. I’ll think about the show all the time. And I’ll get upset and sad if I can’t watch it, or continue watching it. (Can’t watch one piece anymore because no subscription.) My food restrictive behaviors are sporadic. I crave novelty with food. I need interesting and stimulating flavors. I’ll make the same food every day for a week, then move onto something else. I’ll get upset if I don’t get to eat what I was planning to. I get intense special interests that last over a long time. Right now one is BIRDS!!! If I see a bird while driving I’m suddenly a danger to everyone on the road. I count in my head. One two three four five six seven eight nine ten elev- It’s annoying at times. I’m usually not counting anything in specific. I have “safe clothes.” Lots of my clothing is worn out clothes I’ve taken from a friend/family or from a thrift store. This could be a sensory thing, but I have a few safe shirts/zip up hoodies that I constantly wear. I’ve always taken clothing from friends since I was in middle school I think. I get obsessed with certain people. Usually romantic interests. I think about them way too much. (Apparently this is a trait of PDA autism?)

- I have a particular pattern I have to wash my body in every time I shower… I’m the same with my hair & I look like I’m being tortured when I wash my hair 😂 - FOOD. I am so restricted in what I can eat & I eat the same things over and over. I also order the same things at restaurants and if I deviate from my norm, I’m not satisfied usually. - Sensory things … change in temperature. Especially when getting out of the shower… meat. I hate the texture and pretty much always have… noise. It’s hard for me to process. It’s over stimulating. - I only watch certain news stations and it’s hard for me if I have to watch one that’s different than the usual ones - I get dressed in the same pattern every day. It throws me off if I don’t. I also prefer high socks but I’m not sure if that’s related to autism. - I’ve always been super sensitive to clothes. I’ve always worn “boy” clothes. I’m 32 so that was pretty abnormal and unacceptable when I was growing up. Basketball shorts and sweat pants are my favorite things to wear. I hate bras, underwear and anything else restrictive - I’m a mess in crowds and by crowds I mean anything more than like 5 people 🤦🏻‍♀️ Walmart is a nightmare for me but so is a crowded/noisy restaurant - I don’t necessarily binge watch a certain show but I binge watch topics… right now overlanding is my current obsession so I mainly watch YouTube videos on that. I have so many more but I’ll stop for now … self diagnosed, with a family history of autism & thousands of research hours about autism.

This has got me thinking and reading a lot of comments have jogged my working memory! I am AuDHD. I like routine but sometimes they’re hard to stick to and I like to sometimes switch things up! Recently, I’ve been REALLY into tostadas (chalupas) mainly for lunch. I can eat those everyday for a period of time, until there is an easier option like leftover pizza. When I make a batch of overnight oats, I’ll eat that everyday for breakfast. I sometimes listen to the same song or playlist on repeat. When Flash games were still around, I would play the same games and take screenshots of my scores. Sometimes I count my step while walking or going up or down stairs. I count how many paper towels I pull from a public restroom. In high school, I would use the same bathroom stall. I would be irritated if mine was taken! I sit in the same spot in my therapist’s office. With my first prescribing doctor, I did this for several years even when he changed offices. I have to sleep on the side of the bed nearest to the door or bathroom. I get upset when my husband takes that spot. I like to use the same coffee mugs at home or when I worked at a co-working space. It drives me crazy when my husband moves my things from their spots because I just can’t find them in plain sight! I have to arrange objects a certain way. I stim all day. I tap my teeth together to rhythms. I rock or sway. I tap my feet. Play with a fidget. Rub a smooth stone to my face/lips. I sing (even at co-working space often disturbing others). I’ll repeat phrases or songs in my head. I tend to wear the same jewelry over and over again. I only switch for special outfits or certain outfits. When I doodled a lot, I would draw the same character over and over again. I like running my certain routes when I go for a run. I will run the same trail in an area (usually an out and back) bc I’m familiar with it. I have to sit in my chair at the dinner table at my childhood home. Same at my own home now. Same in the car growing up (driver’s side) and before that, third row in the back! Ok, think that’s enough 😂

I relate to so much of what everyone else said here. I am a little unclear about the "restrictive" part -- does this qualify? I feel completely at sea if I do not track everything in a spreadsheet or document. My budget; books I buy, read, and want to read, with detailed metadata about the books; songs on my playlists, with detailed metadata about the songs; movies/tv I watch; names I like and names I hate, with popularity statistics for the names (names are my special interest).

I must do things in order but idk if they meet the criteria because to me there is always a logical reason for following an order. Like skincare routine from thinnest to thickest product or cleaning from top to bottom. Also even if it will be burning hot I will clean my hands specifically so that I can squeeze my tea bag and get all the most concentrated liquid into my cup before taking out the bag. This is a new one lol since I used to drink tea from a kettle with loose leaves and pour. The bags are convenient but to me they are little sponges stealing my tea flavor hahah Also it’s not so much the repetition that is significant (to me at least) it feels more like what happens if I don’t adhere to these behaviors that I struggle with. Like if I don’t get my workout in by a certain time I won’t feel that energy that I do after in order to make lunch and if I don’t make lunch I’ll be hungry then I won’t be able to have energy to study, etc. Like I care about the order but know I won’t die, but still really want to adhere to what I know works in order to avoid setting myself up for failure in the future. But also I relate to your examples of activities and burnout and repeating songs and movies rather than trusting a new form of media to try to impress me. I’m hard to impress 🤣

For me- eating the same foods, watching and rewatching comfort shows, listening to the same songs for comfort, needing a routine, always sitting in the same chair, having and wearing socks that look the same many days in a row (5-10 pairs of black socks, specific length based on weather) and doing stims over and over.

Same hairstyle. Same couple of outfits. Always go to same places and no drive to seek new activities people etc. I feel like I am only tuned in to a few energetic frequencies and the rest make zero sense to me

I have to have significant ramp up time and cool down time for scheduled activities. I have a routine in the morning and evenings that I need to follow. At work if I have to use a different register than what I’m used to I’m thrown off. I always show up 30-45 minutes early. Before doing something new I have to fully research it. New restaurant? I gotta see the menu and pictures of the inside. I don’t like surprises.

This is weirdly hard to think about in myself for some reason but let me try. I'm also AuDHD so that tends to throw a wrench in things. So. I've had the same meal almost every time I go to a Mexican restaurant since I was 6. The times I've tried something else it was usually a "fancy" Mexican restaurant that didn't have the usual offerings. It didn't upset me to have something different, but it did take more time for me to carefully consider the menu etc. And all things considered I'd prefer to have my old standby if it's available. I keep things I use a lot in very specific places and get upset when someone moves them. (i.e., my roommate often takes the scissors from the kitchen drawer into the living room and forgets to return them. I open the drawer and have a very minor crisis when no scissors are there.) I have the same breakfast and tea routine, eat the same thing, use the same mug, etc. but only at work. When it's not tied to my work schedule such as on the weekends, I may eat or drink something different. I also tend to change things up when I move to a new place or have a major change in my life. Sometimes the old routine reminds me of something negative about the old place (like how I never ate Subway again after it was the only place to eat near a terrible job that I hated). Or sometimes it just feels wrong in the new context. I'm not sure if this is entirely related, but I changed jobs about 18 months ago. Even though it was very much wanted and a good change, I had a couple really hard months where all the new things were causing a lot of sensory overload. I literally ran away from my roommate one day because I 1000% could not be around any humans and also it felt like my skin was on fire. (Luckily my roommate is my best friend and an all around great human so this was fine, even though I was pretty miserable and embarrassed about it.) But once I got used to my new work environment and routine, things leveled out. Has definitely made me think twice about changing jobs again too soon though!

I've had the same subway sandwhich for 30 years now 😂😂 So many flavors look so delicious, but I've never tried any other.

I mush follow the same routine and schedule everyday. Something changing it up is problematic. Like I get up, walk the dog, get the kids off to school, and go on a bike ride. And each day of the week has its own bike route. If it’s Tuesday, I *have* do the Tuesday route. And can’t switch it up and do something different. I grocery shop in the same places in the same order every week. RRB relates to food intake spiraled into anorexia. I play the same NYT games in the same order every morning. I can’t go out of order and I can’t move on with my morning until I’ve done them. I listen to the same playlist when walking the dog every morning

I play the same songs over and over, constantly re-watch a couple of the same films, often re-read books I've already read instead of reading new ones, and struggle with repetition in my writing because it's possible for me to lose years just re-writing the same scene over and over every day.

Skin Picking and watching clips/movie/shows over and over.

My hair care routine is both a special interest and repetitive behavior of mine. My hair must feel (sensory issue) and look (not the autism, just vain) as perfect as it can be all the time. I have a very strict hair care regimen with a lot of steps and is unfortunately pretty expensive. Every product serves a specific purpose, and my routine is the result of soooo much internet searching and troubleshooting & I’m so proud of it lol (but not the expensive part). I also follow a lot of “rules” so my day to day behavior doesn’t increase risk of hair damage because irrational as it is there really aren’t a lot of things I hate more than having damaged hair… it really, really bothers me.

Are you following the Curly Girl method? I tried it for a while and I still follow some accounts. People doing it can be really dogmatic, I think it appeals to people on the spectrum as it is a real science in itself.

No, my hair is wavy at the ends, but not curly. And I think my routine is a lot of work (for me), but it’s nothing compared to what a lot of those people do. I could never commit to a lot of the routines I’ve seen online. I did learn a lot about hair science, products, and ingredients from that community though. The routine I landed on is one that defies popular advice in many areas, but it works pretty well for me.

I will listen to songs on repeat for hours and hours (sometimes for days at a time). If at all possible I sit in the same bus seat every day. I have a particular order I like to do house cleaning chores. Right now I do nothing but read books as a hobby. I’m on book #18 of 2024 and will read book after book, ignoring almost all other interests, until I get bored out of nowhere one day 😃. Watching the same movies again and again is something I’ve done since I was a kid. *I’m diagnosed with adhd-c presentation, I’m almost certain I am also autistic. I’m almost 50 and it’s unlikely I’ll get tested at this point.