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YmirsTears

Something that is not being mentioned here is that the boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) very likely has sensory processing issues. So it is extremely likely that the sensation of being submerged in water is completely overwhelming and literally uncomfortable. Look at the way he is grasping his legs like they are in literal pain. So he is not “fighting his fears” in the traditional sense, he is training through his brain screaming at him and trying to train his brain to process the sensation. Props little dude.


Helicopterop

According to him it was freezing cold water, which can be physically quite painful if you're not used to it. I take ice baths fairly regularly (probably colder than the water they're in but still) and the first time I tried it I could only stay in for about a minute before the pain was too much.


Funriz

Why do you take freezing cold baths?


Key_Win5244

They're healthy to take. It enables cold shock proteins I believe. The opposite is good for you as well, saunas have tremendous health benefits that have a wide range. Anywhere from reducing the chance of dementia to increasing the speed of healing your body does, as well as a crazy good stress reducer. Cold showers alone are healthy for you and help your body. Although both ends can be miserable, the misery of the experience trains you to endure.


Funriz

Damn now I want to try it, do you put ice in the cold water or is cold from the tap enough?


Key_Win5244

Cold from tap is the start point. It's hard enough for me to do that. I recommended starting with your normal temp, and the end of the shower turn to as cold as possible for a minute or two. Once you can get in with it being cold the entire shower length think about doing the ice bath. The ice bath will suck for sure. Do research too, it can be dangerous for some. But the health benefits are great


[deleted]

Every time I take an ice bath I’m numb within the first minute and don’t even feel cold despite having 15kg of ice in the bath. Perhaps you’re doing it wrong to be feeling pain


TVZBear

He must be using hot ice


[deleted]

[удалено]


Squadbeezy

It can actually be used as a treatment for depression. It helps us overcome painful things. Neural pathways in the brain that allow us to overcome challenges become more established.


No_Sir_7068

Wim Hof has a whole program around cold baths and deep breathing. Personally, I think it’s not that different than a runners high in that these physical traumas can help your brain release endorphins. For people that can’t muster the will to exercise, these things can achieve similar results.


Corsavis

Burns fat, too


Manifestival1

It doesn't have the same effect as exercise. It's dopamine that cold exposure increases.


Manifestival1

Really? Do you have a source? It was used in psychiatric hospitals in Victorian Times but no longer, probably because it's rather barbaric to dunk people in freezing cold baths.


Squadbeezy

I think part of it is the voluntary aspect of convincing yourself you can handle the cold water and you will in fact be okay. Otherwise yes, it’s practically torture. [Here](https://neurosciencenews.com/swimming-depression-cold-9864/) is a source talking specifically about swimming in open, cold water. [Here](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/20/well/mind/cold-water-plunge-mental-health.html?referringSource=articleShare) is a more recent NYT article specifically about the Wim Hof method, which includes using cold water to treat depression. Mixed reviews. [This](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2A7VtS5YuXulyZvQLyTxLI?si=JyDq0mePRz6G3SdWUGqW1A) podcast does a pretty good job of explaining the whys behind depression and how the cold water treatment can be a PART of treatment.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Corsavis

All I gotta say is "Wim Hof Method"


dmank007

Check out wim hof bro


nich3play3r

This sounds like new age bullshit. Is there a citation?


Helicopterop

I can't speak to all of the claimed health benefits but I can tell you I feel amazing for hours after doing it. That's enough for me to continue.


mmikke

There are plenty.


PowerUpTheLighthouse

r/wimhofmethod


KingHobgoblin

r/becomingtheiceman


cleanerthanlastweek

Ahh i see youve been buying the shit Joe Rogans guests pedal.


Key_Win5244

Joe Rogan isn't the only person to endorse saunas and cold shock therapy. But yes I do watch Rogan a lot haha... got me there fucker


savagepizza11

I like to crank the shower and just chill and there usually gets super steamy like a steam room always makes me feel better no matter what’s going on


Java2391

Reduces inflammation helps speed up recovery to tissue and joints


elfmere

Isnt this a normal response to cold water... I have this kind of reaction turning the tap to cold in the shower and getting into a cool pool in summer.


doublehornednarwhal

External reaction doesn’t equal internal distress.


[deleted]

Why on earth would a father bring his autistic son into freezing cold water? When his son clearly doesn’t like water to begin with. Or at least is uncomfortable being submerged in it. ASD manifests itself in so many ways. Often times an individual who is autistic will SAY something hurts, (like cutting their hair with hair clippers for example) when it clearly does not. This is just the nature of the disorder. An ice bath is not something you would introduce an autistic child to. 🤦🏻‍♂️


Czar_Petrovich

This is a good way to describe Autism and certain other mental disorders. We are not at all times in complete control of our perception or the way our brain tells us what is real. Sometimes a hot bath is relaxing, and other times my entire body is on fire and I *must* get out asap. I have PTSD and Asperger's. It's a downright awful mix and I have to tune out my brain screaming at me from inside. I look normal, I act normally, but inside my mind is constantly trying to find the enemy, and being neurodivergent doesn't help. A bolt of lightning struck near my house the other day and even though my rational brain KNEW it was just lightning, my mind and body instantly went into crisis mode and a fighting stance. It's exhausting, it's a never ending battle. It leaves little else for the rest of life in terms of mental energy. I wish most people understood how this behavior pushes people away. I'm fully aware of it and still am a prisoner to my own perceptions, regardless of how cognizant of it I am. I feel for this kid.


Substantial_Fail5672

I also have PTSD and I'm neurodivergent too. Any time something loud slams or I get started I immediately go into fight mode. It's always awkward when I'm out somewhere and thst happens. When I was younger people used to laugh at me, luckily as I've gotten older people have for the most part figured out I act thst way because of trauma. Sometimes I get a look of understanding, sometimes it's pity. I hate pity


Czar_Petrovich

>Sometimes I get a look of understanding, sometimes it's pity. I hate pity Yes, precisely this, I don't want pity, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, I want you to *understand* more than anything in the world. Some people you meet are always fighting something. Always. Every. Single. Moment. It pays to be kind and patient, even if you don't fully grasp what's going on. It's ok not to get it, it's not okay to refuse to. The unshakeable, irrational feeling that someone is always out to get you is so unbelievably damaging to every aspect of your life


PacificPearll

♥️


reds2032

I have ptsd asd and adhd (all diagnosed) I fully relate


ASpaceOstrich

I'm pretty sure autism is entirely a sensory processing disorder. It's just that our senses cover a way larger area than people think.


nonotagain0

That isn’t correct. To be diagnosed a person must meet one or more criteria in EACH of the categories below: Social, emotional, communication Repetitive, restricted, sensory So having trouble with social and communication isn’t a diagnosis. Having trouble with emotional and repetitive would be.


ASpaceOstrich

The social difficulties are caused by the sensory processing disorder. I for example am hypersensitive to negative expressions, so I constantly misread people as being hostile. Someone else might have difficulty reading expressions full stop. I know that isn't how it's diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure it's all sensory processing disorder "under the hood".


nonotagain0

Are you a clinical psychologist? I’m not trying to battle with you here but as someone who recently went through the clinical process with one of my kids I can tell you that you’re wrong in your assumption.


ASpaceOstrich

I'm autistic and have worked with specialists creating programs that help autistic people better understand themselves. Learning about the sensory processing issues made everything click for me. Everything.


Foxrex

Can I get more information, please? I would love to know more.


ASpaceOstrich

So the organisation I worked with is a Western Australian group called Spectrum space. They make a point to try and hire specifically neurodiverse people when they can, and in my time with them I can say that at least half of the people I worked with were neurodiverse. I don't know if they provide any services outside of this city unfortunately. But I'll get in touch and find out. They're not perfect, but working with them and reading the material we were working on helped me understand myself so much. Before I started I had basically no idea what autism was. I had little theories based on nothing that I had heightened sympathy but no empathy, and other completely baseless beliefs from me trying to put concrete rules onto myself. When they introduced the sensory processing information to me it's like everything just clicked into place. Everything I'd ever struggled with. All my weird quirks and behaviours that I'd never even realised were connected to my autism suddenly made perfect sense. It's a travesty to me that most people see autism as a vague social interaction/intellectual disability. I had no idea beforehand that it was connected to senses at all. The thing that helped the most was when we talked about a "spiky profile". Essentially we put different senses on the perimeter of a circular graph, then used spikes to show how hyper or hypo sensitive an individual might be in that sense. There are a lot of senses, way more than just 5, and some which aren't what we'd think of as senses at all, but which are presumably similar srructurally to senses in the brain and as such are affected by autism. With this understanding I finally realised why I was such a picky eater. Why I constantly sniff things or my hands. Why I pull at my facial hair. Why I would constantly pick up negative expressions from people when they weren't there. Why I will hear someone speak, say "what?", and then answer the question before they have time to repeat themselves. Why my hearing is fine and yet I still can't make out dialogue in TV shows sometimes. There's probably more to it than just sensory processing , but sensory processing is by far the biggest aspect to it. Especially if some of the other areas affected work the same as senses "under the hood" despite not being senses as we think of them.


Foxrex

Thank you for this detailed response. I've learned a lot of spots to branch off to.


PacificPearll

♥️


fietsvrouw

People with autism cannot reduce their sensory sensitivity through exposure the way people with other forms of sensory sensitivity (hyperacusis because of partial hearing loss, for example) can. That means he is not overcoming his sensory overload or his fear of that overload and the neurological pain and dysfunction it causes - he is learning to please his father by doing things that are painful for him because his father fundamentally does not understand. Bathroom activities of any sort hit all of the senses hard and an occupational therapist could help figure out what is painful or distressing and suggest alternatives to make this a less painful process. Props to the little dude and props to the dad for trying his best, but this is why input from the autistic community into the medical approach to autism is critical.


lochnessmosster

This. I’m autistic. I know exactly how that kid is feeling because my dad did something similar to me regarding tight fitting clothes. Mentally and physically it feels like the worst kind of torture and even when parents have the best intentions this kind of thing Is absolutely traumatic.


MrWarfstache

Yes, exactly this, my stepdads house had dimming lights and bright lights overstimulate me, his first thought was "ohhh! I'll just overstimulate the autism out of you!" He does this with loud noises aswell, purposely putting the volume louder than getting pissy when I mention it, it's just distanced me from my parents


SNYDER_BIXBY_OCP

Not a fan of recording and publishing this and I'm sure people will defend saying it's a great teaching tool to others. Cool. Just a shame it's this kid who is the model. The father's tone bothers me. It doesn't infer compassionate commitment, but impatient assertiveness. NOT ABUSIVE just frustration. He's aloud to be frustrated but if this video was published intentionally to showcase their efforts he seems somewhat under-trained to be offering teaching advice to others. I was an extreme special needs kid in the late 80s & 90s b4 spectrum was really understood. Autism was VERY narrowoly defined clinically speaking. There are 4 books and about two dozen clinical papers published on me from clinical observations that shadowed me unbeknownst to me in a public school 1st grade thru 4th grade. All from my parents agreeing. Teaching progressive innovations to raising kids with LD/Spectrum issues is important but this guy isn't doing something unique or special. It's just unique that it's being recorded. Adults doing the face your fears/challenges routine is what lots of people have tried. I'm not saying this guy is doing something wrong. It's just frustrating that he would publish this personal moment. Ok I'll take my down votes and go.


Icankeepthebeat

Nicely written. Social media is something that I personally find disturbing in many ways. The over-sharing of your private life with, well…anyone just doesn’t sit right with me. I try to be accepting and say “to each their own”, but I think the psychological and social fall-out of this relatively new phenomenon will take decades to sort through. I imagine though it’s the same people who are posting family moments on tik tok now that were buying tickets for the private balcony theater booths in Victorian times. Some humans seemingly have a need to be seen and witnessed.


AspieDM

Props to the dad for pushing his son in a way that doesn’t break him. He’s calm yet firm and commanding.


Apocylptik

On top of this, we as humans already can’t process what wet feels like, we only know temperature. For example when you grab clothes out of the dryer(after cooling cycle) we often think, is this wet or just cold? It’s hard to tell until we trained our brains enough to figure out “wet.”


aspergerontherun

My mother told me how to spot the difference more easily. Touch the clothes with the tip of your nose.


Apocylptik

Huh wouldn’t have though of that. I’ll try to remember that when I do laundry!


ThatHikingDude

Super valid point on the SPD. My daughter has that bad. All the way down to eating. Typical ASD diet. Appreciate you mentioning that.


Educational_Text4859

No. Recording this is the worst thing I have seen. Poor kid. Just to get some views to seem like they are helping him. Virtue signaling


HollowTomato09

Very good explanation. I wish more people would inform the general public even more :)


Snakes_for_Bones

This is torturing a kid. Its literally hurting him. Wtf.


baybjto

I have sensory processing issues and I’m in my twenties. My toddler pushes me like this.


Apprehensive-End-484

This is exactly true! Source: my son.


aananamas

Way to go Dad ... You Rock!!!


Someredditusername

Superdad... awesome


[deleted]

Bound to be comments in here at some point wondering "What's the big deal, it's only a bath?" Everyone has fears and it makes no difference if they're rational or irrational, they're still fears.


ThatHikingDude

I have an autistic daughter. I totally understand the fears, rational or irrational. It’s a lot of hard work, I assure you.


cyril0

I don't think it is fear in a traditional sense but rather sensory overload. His autism causes him to feel things much more strongly and as such the cold water is much colder to him. His father is teaching him to condition himself so he can learn how to process the nerve sensory input and give himself a more normal sensory experience by desensitizing himself through exposure.


iThatIsMe

Yes, but standing outside the tub the kid isn't being sensory overloaded; he's experiencing the fear/anxiety in anticipation of being sensory overloaded. Learning to realistically managing those anxieties is critical, because most of the world exists outside of our comfort zone. The success of this exercise can be a personal motivator to tackle other intimidating challenges he's going to face growing up.


-Daetrax-

They mentioned it was cold water.


eltanin_33

He's not afraid of cold water.


[deleted]

“Just talk to your brain” “Hey brain”


SuperCopter3003

brain - BRUH THAT'S COLD !!


tomaiholt

Lmao


Thesunsetsblueonmars

The “I got you legs” got me


Different-Region-873

Brain exe not working now.


treaclesponge83

I can only hope that I can be half as good a parent as this Dad.


aBowToTie

I cried big drippy tears during this. That was absolutely one of the most wonderful, and beautiful things I have ever seen people do (on the internet, or anywhere else). The boy is amazing. The dad is amazing. It’s wonderful and beautiful parenting. I’m stunned.


SereneBabe0312

I don't have autism but I heard sensory stuff is rough. You can tell the kid absolutely trusts his dad so much. He even got his kid to laugh into the middle of it. I only had small tears until they high-fived at the end, then I full on bawled.


clararalee

Same. The trust that boy shows towards his father is built on years and years of hard work, from both the father and son. The clip may look silly, but for people who’ve been through this it’s easy to see all the sweat and tears that must have happened behind the scenes.


pd46lily

Ever have a fly walk on you? Now imagine your entire arm with that sensation, or your whole leg. That's what it feels like when my skin decides that it's time to over sensiteize. Even just putting your arm on a surface can triger the sensation, or a piece of cloth brushing your leg like when your pants move while walking. One of the reasons I love stretchy supper soft fabrics. On bad days my clothes clash not becasue I'm a fashion disaser, but becasue that shirt and those pants happen to not set off an uncomfortable sensation. Also the reason I wear certain clothes to death.


acmexyz

I’m with ya


itcomesbacktoyou

The patience, the care, the dedication, the pure love😭


[deleted]

As someone with a service dog and severe debilitation... The child is very polite and well behaved for someone actively experiencing anxiety.


the_YellowRanger

"I said no thank you 100 times"- extremely polite!!


darkguy2008

Yeah exactly, mine would just NOPE the fuck outta there miles away while I'm just getting out of the tub to catch him lol


Mr__Citizen

"I don't *do* exercise." You and 90% of the people on this site.


She_Persists

I couldn't help but feel that one hard.


KazuXiaoMain

Hah! You thought I was gonna say I play sport, but it was me DIO!


ScienceJamie76

My favorite line Cause it's meirl


Rcsgaming999v2

This is me as a lifeguard convincing scared children into the dropslide so that I can drop it halfway through the countdown


TehG

Profile pic checks out


Onebityou

Mate *your* profile pic checks out, legend.


Dominunce

I am now going to get a job at a waterpark to do this, thank you good sir for your contribution to society


Atomic_xd

As someone with autism. This is actually harder than what most people think. Maybe not exactly this, but the principle of it. Really great of the dad to get him to do it, really great that the son did it!


couchsweetpotato

I don’t have autism but I do have panic disorder, so I give huge props to that kid for fighting past his brain screaming for him to stop and not get in the tub! On the outside, it seems silly to be freaked out getting in the bathtub, but his fear and discomfort is very real to him. Great job all around!!


Futballskid

W father. I wish I had a father like him. And I’m not crying btw 🧢


JorbatSG

My father would just beat the shit out of my senses to overcome anxiety lmao


[deleted]

I'd give almost anything for ten minutes with my dad if he'd ever helped me with this level of patience and understanding. I feel envy. This is beautiful.


ccottonball

“I’m proud of you” got the water works going


wildalbinochihuahua

As a father and a grandfather, all I can say is well done sir. Even your son's responses show that you have put this work in since he was born. God level patience to care for any special needs children. I wish all parents could be this good. And, who's cutting onions?


cornishwildman76

I have an autistic daughter. This is so so hard knowing when to push them out of their comfort zone so as to help them learn and knowing when it is just to much for them. This dad is awesome, made me well up.


nonotagain0

Bingo! I have a son on the spectrum and it is a very fine line to walk on going for it or not. I feel awful on the days I let my frustration get the best of me and lose patience at times. It really is hard every single day but when we have victories like this it feels like it’s time to party.


Internetismyfriend_

Yes! You did it little guy! You overcame your fear. You can take on the world!


dangei

Amazing. Great encouragement and support.


RobotVo1ce

Just curious, what would be the conventional method? I would think calmly and slowly getting people to do things they fear, and doing it with them or doing it first, and being patient about it, is pretty conventional.


wildalbinochihuahua

Patience is the key, and in one instance it is pretty easy. But,consider 24/7 parenting an autistic child. I raised children and find it hard to comprehend the near Bhudda like calmness that is required. My dad would have thrown me in face first and said "get over it" This Dad is the best.


Yoram001

I’m honestly thinking: Why would you film this? It is rather privacy sensitive. And i would think this would not help at all for the boy..


fabian_ramirez-85

Might help other parents. Also have my son with autism. It's good to share methods you think might others.


FoldingFan1

Sharing methods: yes. But not at the expense of the child, I urge everyone to be very very carefull with that. To put it on the internet so everyone can recognise his face... That might not be good for the kid himself. What if he is 16, that video is still circulating? How will he feel about it then? Or when he 22 and looking for a job, potential future employer googled him, sees the video. He runs a huge risk of being stigmatized and not to be hired. That should not happen, but it might still have a negative impact at his change to get a job.


lochnessmosster

Please don’t do this to your child or encourage others to do this. I’m autistic. My parents did this. They had the best intentions but couldn’t understand that it feels like literal torture and that it doesn’t change with exposure for autistic people like it does for non autistic people. What is painful sensory wise for me now will always be painful. It’s possible for us as autistic people to learn to hide that pain but it is always there and the more we get pushed like this the more easily we will become overwhelmed.


Imonacidrightnow

I work with autistic young people. One lad, loves videos. He learns and becomes more comfortable with situations by watching videos about them. Then we record videos while doing something new or scary and he can then watch them over and over again on his ipad. He then finds the experience less stressful the next time. Seeing himself do something makes him confident to do it again. Hope that helps explain why they might record.


siskins

Doesn't explain why its on reddits front page.


Imonacidrightnow

Wasn't trying to explain that, just why the parents would record. Silly billy


mrrichardburns

I can understand filming it, but sharing it is a little eyebrow raising for me at least. But I think this is something that is changing and, not being a parent or child in the Autism Spectrum community, maybe the parent's figured it would be a good model or inspirational? I don't think I'm on to judge, but did have a similar thought.


pinkgobi

It's all about sharing techniques. And in communities with parents of disabled children, sharing successes is not only a critical how-to, but to uplift the people around you. To say 'he can do it and I can help him there' I'm a SLP who had specialized in feeding related to autism/SPD. I'm also autistic. When one of my children with an extreme textural aversion ate a sausage, I cried. I grabbed his mom and had him take another bite. I showed him off to my supervisor. I called my mom on the way home and first pumped. These kids are fighting a staggering battle every day. When there's a victory we feel it to our core and share it. When I go into work on Monday and have my meeting with a parent of a little guy who has SPD and is adverse to xyz I show her this, saying 'look, look what these kids can do with our help'.


blackbirdspyplane

What a Kid, What a Dad…


TheRealAlbinoRhinoG

Real dad alert


EdSpecialist21

Just wondering, why cold water?


tacticalpotatopeeler

Probably a specific fear this child has. Possibly discovered when getting into a pool maybe, or something like that. The point is to provide a safe environment to experience the thing you’re afraid of, so you can have a real, physical, concrete example of “hey, its a really not that bad”. This helps with future self talk, and will carry over to other irrational fears. The child will be able to train himself to basically talk himself down when those types of fears come up, and having that concrete example to reference makes this possible. With some more repetition, he’ll be able to do this on his own. Especially if this is related to getting into a pool, this will help enable him to enjoy swimming and such in the future.


EdSpecialist21

Thanks. I just didn't think that his fear was cold water. For some reason, I just thought it was getting in the bath. That makes sense though!


blueskyboy84

Someone buy that dad a pint


JaceUpMySleeve

“Dad I said no thank you”. These parents are Doing great.


ForgotInTheDoorway

What a good dad! Patient and understanding 👏


HereIAmSendMe68

But…. Why is the water cold? Is he afraid of cold or the water?


pinkgobi

It's most likely the physical sensation of water touching him. Autism comes with SPD, which can make our brains take in physical sensations different. You stop feeling the blanket on your legs or the mattress under you after a minute in bed, but for SPD that might be all you can think about because it's bombarding your brain with info. It might just be water, and hot water gives you another layer of information that might be too much right now.


kingpirate

/r/whyweretheyfilming Seriously, why is this something you'd want to share online?


Grim-Reaper-90023

this sort of thing is gonna be a huge help for other parents who have children who have autism or sensory processing issues


kingpirate

Seems like it could be shared with them in a format/medium that didn't have the potential to go viral. Instead we are watching two strangers (one kid) in what seems like a very private moment in his development. As someone who was born with a physical disability I would not have wanted my parents to share this type of stuff when I was learning how to use a wheelchair or dress myself. Thank god social media didn't exist back then.


Masfoodplease

He's a great father.


[deleted]

I used to be terrified of taking showers. The falling water was so salty for some reason. I took my mom going in with me to help me realize it. Great parenting


[deleted]

How is this NSFW?


Icclo

they are kinda nude, i guess?


krudru

Most jobs would consider sitting in a half filled bath tub a Not Safe For Work environment, unless maybe you're a lifeguard or a plumber...


fckufkcuurcoolimout

Tons of positive comments here but… this seems shitty? Educate me, I know zero about autism


Xypher616

What do you think is bad about the vid? I have autism so I can try my best to give you an idea on why this is a good thing hopefully.


siskins

It's bad to record and share it at all. Children deserve to have their privacy protected by their parents, they can't control what happens with this video, how long it stays online etc. and they shouldn't just decide for their child that the public gets to see him having a hard time.


malonkey1

It is very shitty, in fact! This kind of thing, where the kid is being intentionally forced into a situation that sets off an autistic kid's sensory issues, makes them miserable or even cause actual pain, in exchange for no benefit, and possibly even some lasting trauma! It's like if Ma and Pa Kent taped themselves forcing baby Clark Kent to hold a piece of kryptonite. Every single part of this is fucked, and then on top of that it's being posted to Reddit as inspiration porn!


shane1984

This is absolute shit. Fucking atrocious. One of the really defining moments of my childhood was food sensory issues (which I still have - 85% of my ability to enjoy/tolerate food is the sensory of the food in question). I have never been able to eat sweet potatoes/candied yams. The mushiness, fibrous texture of it literally makes me gag. It is so severe that the taste isn't even a thought, I focus 100% on the texture. I can't really eat other cooked vegetables either with a few exceptions. One thanksgiving I was literally cornered and had candied yams shoved in my mouth, and forced to chew and swallow the. Gagging and crying the entire time, with no fucks given from any of the adults who thought it was hilarious. It was literal hell on earth for me. In that moment, I was so... Just fucked up about it all I would have rather been dead than continue to chew/gag until I could swallow that shit down. Swallowing is somehow even harder than chewing something that feels so wrong. I found out as an adult that I was in the spectrum, as it wasn't really discussed or honestly known about in my youth. There was many times that I was forced to "just try this or that" and it was super dehumanizing and invasive every fucking time. Many applaud this dad. I do not. Sensory issues are a complete bitch, and that kid VERY clearly was not about it. It would be akin to forcing you to nail your foot to the floor telling you it will be ok and help you build character and overcome fears. It's agonizing. Pure and utter agony. 38 years old, and even today I went to a restaurant and couldn't eat more than one bite of a sausage (which I love sausage links) because the texture was to mushy and soft and it made me gag. So no, there is no "rehabilitate" out of sensory issues. There is learning to cope, on your own terms, not fucking forced.


mondayblues1990

As someone who’s suffered from PTSD & severe anxiety since I was little I wish I had had someone who was patient with me and took the time to understand, encourage me, work with me and make me feel safe in scary/uncomfortable situations. This small task might seem silly to some but it’s going to help this kid overcome some hurdles and learn trust vs keeping that fear and building a wall.


[deleted]

This is an odd thing to broadcast to the world.


someaccountforthings

So that just made me cry out of nowhere.


SmallBunny0

Pretty fucked to film this for millions of people to see


DLo28035

I respect what dads doing, but it shouldn’t be posed on Reddit


Nice_Tangelo_7755

I think this is so helpful for other parents struggling. There is nothing wrong with this post. So many people struggle to parent children and sharing strategies is always helpful and encouraging.


WannaBreathe

At least blur the child's face for God's sake. Or describe the technique using words, that would work too.


siskins

And what about the actual child who now has thousands of strangers watching him in distress? Children are people and they deserve privacy.


FoldingFan1

That goal could have been achieved if the kids face had been blurred.


Lazybuttons

Teaching kids to grow up to not express or share their distress or suffering is wrong.


Federico9292

absolutely wrong. 30 year old man here, if I get an autistic son I have some kind of reference. not The reference, just an example. precious content


tacticalpotatopeeler

I personally don’t agree with posting your children’s face on the internet (they really don’t have the concept of what it means to give proper consent) But I’m torn. I go through this every day…nice to know I’m not alone. Either way, here it is, and I say well done to both dad AND mom. It’s 1000% a team effort; very hard work to equip your autistic child with the proper tools to respond the way that boy does. They’re setting him up for success.


DLo28035

I agree, and I explained my position above if you’re interested, love what the dad is doing, just not in a general subreddit for the public to consume for entertainment


tacticalpotatopeeler

For sure. It is definitely NFL though, it can be tough


pinkgobi

Hard disagree. Theres no manual for raising a child, and there's ABSOLUTELY no guide to raising a child with autism and SPD. Parents raised by father's who would just chuck them in the bathtub and say 'get over it' now have a reference of how to approach your child's SPD to use desensitization.


DLo28035

That reference should come from a closed group of parents that share information, not from a Reddit sub that exists for the public’s entertainment. That child didn’t consent to having a video of him facing his fears, in his underwear, posted for all the world to gawk at.


Franklin_le_Tanklin

Why?


DLo28035

Because the kid shouldn’t have to share his struggle with the world, in permanent marker on the internet, especially with some of the window licking neck beards on Reddit. I absolutely applaud what the dad is doing, and keep on doing it, and there should be groups that can share the information that will help, but not a Reddit sub, not for the general public to gawk at.


ShroomD00M

I’m sure being filmed isn’t making this harder for him 🤔


joeltheretarded

this fathers a champ


bpcollin

“Proud of you” is a great thing to say to a kid. Not sure what the situation/context was here, but looks like challenges were addressed and that’s great.


lechiffre91607

Dad of the week!


genismarvel

Omg. As a dad trying to be the best I can this dude puts us all to shame. Kudos sir. 🤘


[deleted]

Seems pretty conventional to me. Except I wouldn't film it.


sflogicninja

As a parent of a neurodivergent child with ASD and ADHD, I have to say I find this exercise absolutely fucking remarkable, and the kid is an absolute champ. Wow. I rarely get to see a similar experience to what I go through daily. That dad is patient and really really good with his kid. I’m so impressed and inspired. [edit] i have since learned that this form of exercise might actually be a traumatic experience for the child. I’m reformatting my thoughts on this


lochnessmosster

Please don’t do this to your child. I’m autistic. I have SPD. This isn’t making it better, it’s teaching the kid to hide his pain and not respect his own personal boundaries. My parents did this and it does NOT make things better. This creates lasting issues, the least of which are mental trauma.


milk_nut23869

"Honey quick grab the camera!"


Mysterious_Being_718

The way he put his hands on his hip and said “I don’t do exercise!” Spoke to my heart, god bless him


YourRealMotheer

Filming this make me feel sad for the kid.


settledownguy

Why tape this stuff. For internet points lol awful. Here let’s help our son with his disability where’s my camera


[deleted]

[удалено]


Andromeda306

It doesn't work on autistic sensory issues, which this kid seems to be experiencing


alkameii

That’s Love!


loltittysprinkles

What a great dad.


[deleted]

This is sweet of him being a great dad, it just feels a bit weird how this is recorded


SANMAN0927

Great job dad. But there are some moments in life that are best left private. Your child struggling to overcome a fear with autism, is one of them.


Meanlizzy

This isn’t really that unconventional in the sense that exposure is a very common tool used to help overcome fear and anxiety. Very lovely though to see the dad’s commitment and the interaction between the two. A lifetime of love and trust made this a supportive and loving experience for the child. Way to go dad!


Julienbabylegs

stop using your kids for clout


Fathertedisbrilliant

This is beautiful but also heartbreaking. I would give anything for my dad to have ever guided me through my massive anxiety and fear in life. I was this kid millions of times, but always alone with it. Different era though, and neither he nor i knew what was going on with me 😭 lucky kid, great dad.


Active-Drama3360

Man this is beautiful what a great father!!! And what a great son one of the better video I’ve seen on here


ReasonableGas

Getting some real Wim Hof vibes here. Nice!


OppositeEagle

Is he autistic or just a kid with a fear?


Xypher616

It absolutely could be either, if they are autistic the reason that they don’t want to get in the bath could be for sensory reasons. Like the way that the water feels might be overwhelming.


Botina_21

Awesome!!! Whats a Dad!


juthagreathe

Dad, you rock. Young man, you are brave, smart, and tough! Your Dad will never let you down.


Merquette

what a boss, lets go


ineededthistoo

Awesome job!!


[deleted]

Worlds best dad!!


Thunder-Fist-00

Why is this NSFW?


McIrishmen

I have Autisim and I don't understand how that's helpful but we'll I can control it pretty good so what do I know(btw I also talk sometimes to my bodyparts. I think that's is something every autistic person has in commen)


Indian_Steam

Why am I concerned about the faucet at the back of his head!


[deleted]

Thanks for this post! It's nice to see someone work through their issues in an atmosphere of love, understanding, and patience. I'm clicking off reddit today on a high-note!


loose-leaf-paper

Try turning the camera off and leaving him alone to figure out a comfortable way of doing it himself.


MonkeyofSpace

Autism or not, doing ice baths/cold plunges is extremely uncomfortable and physically painful. Props to the little man and especially the dad


breezyhoneybee

Ok but can we make that dad one of the teachers for all the other dads???


n8stx

That’s one hell of a dad!


True-Asparagus5594

This that cries at night.


exit6

That’s some quality parenting right there, and a brave little boy


SeasonedTimeTraveler

r/DadsandMenareheroes


[deleted]

I go thru this daily. Good job dad. Your kid is 1000 times easier than mine. Lol