Me: say no more

i’m a full adult and still have meltdowns when i’m separated from my plushies for even a few minutes. i never go places without them. i cannot exist without them.

Many autistic and neurodivergent people have comfort objects.

A comfort object is usually something the person likes to bring with them wherever they go, or they like to keep it somewhere safe at home. This object brings them security and safety. We often think of security blankets or stuffed animals as comfort objects, but anything can be a comfort object.

Anyone can have a comfort object. Not just kids.

I have a comfort object I sleep with every night. Without it, I have a difficult time sleeping and often feel anxious.

I also have a comfort object that I take with me everywhere! I usually keep one of these in a backpack or in the car, but it comes with me wherever I go

If your child or someone you know has a comfort object, DO NOT:

- Take the comfort object away as punishment

- Tease the person for having a comfort object

- Joke about destroying or throwing away said comfort object

Those are ways to cause trauma. Comfort objects are not just objects a person really likes. This is an object they have connection to, and feel SAFE with.

Taking away a child’s (or adult’s) comfort object for a punishment is like taking away their safety.

He also enjoys pats 🫳🏼

asterisk and i had a fun day!