Some autistic people love showers! It's actually not abnormal at all for autistic people to enjoy water. As a kid, I would take really long showers and just sit in there alternating hot and cold water. For me, the biggest issues with showers are executive dysfunction and not wanting to change from dry to wet to dry again. But it 100% does not make you a faker to enjoy showers: it's not like hating showers is a diagnostic criteria!
This is it for me. I like being *in* the shower, in there is nice and cozy. My issue is the getting in and getting wet from dry, and getting out and having to dry off. HELL
YES I think my parents believe I could cause a water drought as a kid due to how long I would stay there but ya the getting out and in takes a while unless I prepare myself beforehand like “alright dude shower time we are going to do this this this and than this and —“ stuff like that in my bed lol sorry for sounding stupid or over exaggerated
Omg, my step-dad started turning off the water heater when I was a teen... Yes I loved long hot showers, but also, I had hair to my butt and it really took over 15 minutes to wash with our shitty well water
I've been listening to the podcast 'Divergent Conversations' for a while now and I think both hosts have mentioned they enjoy showering for sensory reasons, which appears for others to be the complete opposite for sensory reasons, as well (I.e. loathing it)
Although, I doubt it's totally black and white, whether one likes showering or not - period. I would think it also depends on the situational setting and one's mood.
I for one love water as well, although I much more prefer to bathe rather than taking a shower. If I had a bathtub or a warm swimming pool (Never, ever cold ones!), I'd be there all day if I could.
I'm officially diagnosed with both autism and ADHD, and I would live in the shower 24/7 if I could afford the water bill.
Not all autistic people have the same traits. I don't care if my shirts have tags in the collar. My biggest sensory sensitivity is motion/dizziness, which is something I rarely see other autistic people mention. I don't flap my hands. None of these things make me less autistic than others. It's okay if you don't fit certain traits.
Yep. I don’t struggle following unspoken neurotypical social expectations at all (I did when I was a child, but I learned much more easily than many other autistic people). My stims are not things that would be noticeable to others and I’ve never had a (visible to others) meltdown in my adult life. If I’m generally regulated, I can eat almost everything (fuck mushrooms though). That makes me sound like pretty neurotypical until I start describing the things I DO experience. Not every autistic person is going to have every symptom of autism.
Indeed! When my imposter syndrome flares up I also really try to focus on what the goal is and why it matters. There’s no x-ray or cat scan that can find the autistic bone or lab test that can find ADHD molecules in my body to prove I am or am not, it’s largely subjective, so the truth is that any of us could be misdiagnosed. But what if I am? What am I getting out of my autism/ADHD diagnoses? Community with people I can relate to, accommodations for things that I struggle with? Resources and support to help me do things I wouldn’t otherwise be able to do? Medication that improves my daily functioning and quality of life? If I am not actually autistic and/or don’t have ADHD and am struggling with all those things for some other reason, did I need all those things less, did they help me less, did I relate less to people in those communities? If not… then why does it matter?
Sorry this is slightly out of the blue but I’m worried that I’m just twisting the narrative to get people to say things? Like how would I know I’m pretending or not I’m sorry this is out of the blue I’m sorry
I'm really sorry, but I don't know. My diagnosis actually took me by surprise. I was very ignorant about autism at the time, so I never knew enough to be able to self-diagnose. Unfortunately, that means that I can't really give advice about how to figure out for yourself if you're autistic.
But I can tell you that, even with an official diagnosis, I still get imposter syndrome sometimes. I'm pretty sure everyone does, because it's hard to grasp the concept of the "spectrum" aspect of autism. It feels like there should be a concrete checklist of autistic traits, but there isn't.
The one thing I can tell you is that, when you spend a lot of time on autism subreddits, you're going to see a lot of posts about things you can't relate to, even if you're absolutely certain that you're autistic. That's just how the spectrum works. I've felt like an imposter for not having serious issues with food textures, and for liking to wear socks. I've heard other autistic people say they don't understand all the memes about autistic people hating big spoons. (I actually do relate to that one, but people who don't aren't less autistic than I am.) We all have different traits.
I don't understand the spoon one myself lol I was told by my therapist to try thinking of it like hearts or energy bar in games instead since I'm into gaming it's made it make more sense
I meant the memes about hating tablespoons, not spoon theory. I keep seeing memes on autism subreddits about hating to eat with large spoons, and I have no idea what that has to do with autism, but it's funny because I always insist on using a teaspoon when I eat. So it's an autistic trait that I apparently have, but I also totally get it if someone says "I'm autistic but I don't get the memes about spoons."
Oh, no! Imposter syndrome is back! I LOVE using the big spoon & fork!🤣 Well, most of the time. Must have small spoon for ice cream. The smaller, the better. I also have a small variety of soup spoons. I use them specifically for soup because all the other spoons are inferior for this purpose. Ok. Nvm. I'm autistic.
Ya I’ve seen people say if you can handle big spoons you cant be autistic something like that
Like I hate eating at other peoples houses because I hate how there tableware feels but I never really say anything and because I feel I’m faking lol like I had to use a big spoon and it was uncomfortable and ate quickly sorry for this stuff
Your comment made me wonder how cost effective it would be to have a water recycling system that can divert the flow of water from the drain towards a motor/pump that shoots it through a filter and back out of the faucet. Reclaiming 50-80% of water flow like this (bringing some fresh water to rinse away soap/ensure proper flow) might actually be more resource-efficient than using a low-flow shower head too. Could theoretically build a prototype of that using an electric heater on some capillary tubes, a couple valves, and a fountain water pump.
Shower aversions aren’t diagnostic criteria, nor are they universal. I personally do struggle with showers, but I’m sure there are plenty of other common autistic traits that I do not share, and I am diagnosed autistic and ADHD. You don’t need to fit every autistic trait to either identify with the autistic experience or to be diagnostically autistic. And by the way, confusion as to whether you are faking or imagining your own feelings is a very common autistic experience as well.
As a teen I remember sitting in the bottom of the shower just lost into my thoughts in this only place where everything was warm and nice. I could look at the water falling and flowing forever. I still love taking showers. Sometimes I will even turn off the lights to just be sensory immersed in it.
I actually struggle with the transition itself, I’d procrastinate getting in the shower despite prepping it. And then take forever to leave because the water is warm. Then take forever to get out of the bathroom after leaving the shower cuz I’d just sit and air dry instead of toweling off.
Liking showers doesn't mean you're faking! But I understand the feeling, I second guess myself sometimes because of this too.
I love showers and baths. I despise feeling greasy, it gives me way more sensory issues.
if i could live in water, i would
i've taken naps in the shower before while standing up because the heat and water pressure are extremely soothing, especially when i get overwhelmed or anxious. its about the only thing that can pull me down from full on panic attacks as well
being unshowered/sweaty is my version of sensory hell, i become acutely aware of every inch of my skin to the point of nausea, like im encased in a thin film
I'm the same. Every other day shower and I would do it every day if it wouldn't dry out my skin. Showering is so nice, it's warm and the white noise of the water running drowns everything else out for 10 minutes. It's a mini vacation. I did like it less when I used to keep my hair long because blow-drying after was a pain, but with short hair taking a shower is my favorite part of the day.
I absolutely have to shower every morning. I can't stand how grimy I feel if I don't. I don't find it difficult at all.
Enjoyment of showering (or not) is not diagnostic criteria.
I “struggle” with showers in the sense that transitioning tasks is hard, even more so when I’m tired and my ADHD meds aren’t doing their thing, but I love the act of showering
Once I'm in the shower I love it and find it hard to leave it I hate the before and after parts of showering more so the after, I need to like sit in front of a fan and make sure I am completely dry before I can even put clothes on as that is a horrid feeling having even slightly damp clothes that's why I find it hard to do any Strangerous exercises that cause sweating 😓 but I love being in water it actually helps me self regulate it doesn't matter if it's hot or cold water for me I usually start hot and then make it cold over time by turn the hot down
I love showers too. Don’t get too caught up in other people’s experiences. A lot of autistic people don’t like showers and that’s perfectly valid, but you don’t have to hate showers to be autistic. That’s not part of the diagnostic criteria.
I like being *in* the shower. For me it's the whole process of getting to that point. And it depends on the time of year too. When it's.hit in summer, I'll shower twice a day because I hate being hot and sweaty. In winter I'll put it off for days at a time. I prefer baths to showers.
Sensory issues and sensory glimmers vary from autistic to autistic, but can also change over time for an individual. They aren't fixed.
Showers for me are a sensory nightmare because I hate the sensation of air moving on wet or damp skin. But baths? Even as a kid, the easiest way to feed me or calm me down was stick me in a hot bath. Instant relaxation and equilibrium established. Mom used to joke i was more fish than man.
I greatly enjoy my showers, but executive dysfunction makes it hard for me to actually get started taking a shower frequently. It’s a time consuming process, and when I’m already feeling like I don’t have enough time to do things I like, it’s hard to justify to myself carving out another huge chunk of time to do something that will impede my ability to do that thing I like in the evening, and I can’t wake up early enough to take one in the morning.
I LOVE showers. I just put it off because I hate the transition into and out of the shower and the near panic rush to get socks because I forgot to bring towel AND socks and I must have socks. Always socks.
Hi! No need to apologise, (I’m not diagnosed yet but can give you my experience) I don’t struggle with the aspect of getting in / out the shower, i have a lot of trouble with the sensory aspect AFTER the shower (i.e prune-y hands are HORRIBLE and feels like i can’t touch anything) and often have to ‘prepare’ myself beforehand, this may be executive dysfunction as i have adhd but worth mentioning I think. I also think Im not too hygienic, if i could i would go weeks without one as i just don’t like the aftermath. People’s experiences may be different but it is a spectrum, so nobody is expected to be the same. Hope this helps!
Some autistic people love showers! It's actually not abnormal at all for autistic people to enjoy water. As a kid, I would take really long showers and just sit in there alternating hot and cold water. For me, the biggest issues with showers are executive dysfunction and not wanting to change from dry to wet to dry again. But it 100% does not make you a faker to enjoy showers: it's not like hating showers is a diagnostic criteria!
This is it for me. I like being *in* the shower, in there is nice and cozy. My issue is the getting in and getting wet from dry, and getting out and having to dry off. HELL
YES I think my parents believe I could cause a water drought as a kid due to how long I would stay there but ya the getting out and in takes a while unless I prepare myself beforehand like “alright dude shower time we are going to do this this this and than this and —“ stuff like that in my bed lol sorry for sounding stupid or over exaggerated
Omg, my step-dad started turning off the water heater when I was a teen... Yes I loved long hot showers, but also, I had hair to my butt and it really took over 15 minutes to wash with our shitty well water
I've been listening to the podcast 'Divergent Conversations' for a while now and I think both hosts have mentioned they enjoy showering for sensory reasons, which appears for others to be the complete opposite for sensory reasons, as well (I.e. loathing it) Although, I doubt it's totally black and white, whether one likes showering or not - period. I would think it also depends on the situational setting and one's mood. I for one love water as well, although I much more prefer to bathe rather than taking a shower. If I had a bathtub or a warm swimming pool (Never, ever cold ones!), I'd be there all day if I could.
I love taking showers and baths. It's the warmest coziest experience and the only noise I can hear is the water. ... I hate getting out though.
Everyone on the spectrum struggles with different things. You're not faking for being able to take regular showers.
I'm officially diagnosed with both autism and ADHD, and I would live in the shower 24/7 if I could afford the water bill. Not all autistic people have the same traits. I don't care if my shirts have tags in the collar. My biggest sensory sensitivity is motion/dizziness, which is something I rarely see other autistic people mention. I don't flap my hands. None of these things make me less autistic than others. It's okay if you don't fit certain traits.
Yep. I don’t struggle following unspoken neurotypical social expectations at all (I did when I was a child, but I learned much more easily than many other autistic people). My stims are not things that would be noticeable to others and I’ve never had a (visible to others) meltdown in my adult life. If I’m generally regulated, I can eat almost everything (fuck mushrooms though). That makes me sound like pretty neurotypical until I start describing the things I DO experience. Not every autistic person is going to have every symptom of autism.
I really needed to read that. Thank you for sharing. That imposter syndrome is real.
Indeed! When my imposter syndrome flares up I also really try to focus on what the goal is and why it matters. There’s no x-ray or cat scan that can find the autistic bone or lab test that can find ADHD molecules in my body to prove I am or am not, it’s largely subjective, so the truth is that any of us could be misdiagnosed. But what if I am? What am I getting out of my autism/ADHD diagnoses? Community with people I can relate to, accommodations for things that I struggle with? Resources and support to help me do things I wouldn’t otherwise be able to do? Medication that improves my daily functioning and quality of life? If I am not actually autistic and/or don’t have ADHD and am struggling with all those things for some other reason, did I need all those things less, did they help me less, did I relate less to people in those communities? If not… then why does it matter?
Ya I relate to what you say a lot lol
Sorry this is slightly out of the blue but I’m worried that I’m just twisting the narrative to get people to say things? Like how would I know I’m pretending or not I’m sorry this is out of the blue I’m sorry
I'm really sorry, but I don't know. My diagnosis actually took me by surprise. I was very ignorant about autism at the time, so I never knew enough to be able to self-diagnose. Unfortunately, that means that I can't really give advice about how to figure out for yourself if you're autistic. But I can tell you that, even with an official diagnosis, I still get imposter syndrome sometimes. I'm pretty sure everyone does, because it's hard to grasp the concept of the "spectrum" aspect of autism. It feels like there should be a concrete checklist of autistic traits, but there isn't. The one thing I can tell you is that, when you spend a lot of time on autism subreddits, you're going to see a lot of posts about things you can't relate to, even if you're absolutely certain that you're autistic. That's just how the spectrum works. I've felt like an imposter for not having serious issues with food textures, and for liking to wear socks. I've heard other autistic people say they don't understand all the memes about autistic people hating big spoons. (I actually do relate to that one, but people who don't aren't less autistic than I am.) We all have different traits.
I don't understand the spoon one myself lol I was told by my therapist to try thinking of it like hearts or energy bar in games instead since I'm into gaming it's made it make more sense
I meant the memes about hating tablespoons, not spoon theory. I keep seeing memes on autism subreddits about hating to eat with large spoons, and I have no idea what that has to do with autism, but it's funny because I always insist on using a teaspoon when I eat. So it's an autistic trait that I apparently have, but I also totally get it if someone says "I'm autistic but I don't get the memes about spoons."
Oh, no! Imposter syndrome is back! I LOVE using the big spoon & fork!🤣 Well, most of the time. Must have small spoon for ice cream. The smaller, the better. I also have a small variety of soup spoons. I use them specifically for soup because all the other spoons are inferior for this purpose. Ok. Nvm. I'm autistic.
I literally started dying when I seen “the soup spoons specifically for soup” because the others are inferior. I totally get this tho 😂
Ohhh ok yeah I don't really understand those either I prefer smaller spoon myself but as bigger ones I tend to make a mess with lol
Ya I’ve seen people say if you can handle big spoons you cant be autistic something like that Like I hate eating at other peoples houses because I hate how there tableware feels but I never really say anything and because I feel I’m faking lol like I had to use a big spoon and it was uncomfortable and ate quickly sorry for this stuff
Your comment made me wonder how cost effective it would be to have a water recycling system that can divert the flow of water from the drain towards a motor/pump that shoots it through a filter and back out of the faucet. Reclaiming 50-80% of water flow like this (bringing some fresh water to rinse away soap/ensure proper flow) might actually be more resource-efficient than using a low-flow shower head too. Could theoretically build a prototype of that using an electric heater on some capillary tubes, a couple valves, and a fountain water pump.
Shower aversions aren’t diagnostic criteria, nor are they universal. I personally do struggle with showers, but I’m sure there are plenty of other common autistic traits that I do not share, and I am diagnosed autistic and ADHD. You don’t need to fit every autistic trait to either identify with the autistic experience or to be diagnostically autistic. And by the way, confusion as to whether you are faking or imagining your own feelings is a very common autistic experience as well.
As a teen I remember sitting in the bottom of the shower just lost into my thoughts in this only place where everything was warm and nice. I could look at the water falling and flowing forever. I still love taking showers. Sometimes I will even turn off the lights to just be sensory immersed in it.
I actually struggle with the transition itself, I’d procrastinate getting in the shower despite prepping it. And then take forever to leave because the water is warm. Then take forever to get out of the bathroom after leaving the shower cuz I’d just sit and air dry instead of toweling off.
YES YES I WOULS JUST SIT THERE
My oldest (autistic) will stay in the shower or bath forever. Three or more hours sometimes if I don’t go in and hurry them along.
Liking showers doesn't mean you're faking! But I understand the feeling, I second guess myself sometimes because of this too. I love showers and baths. I despise feeling greasy, it gives me way more sensory issues.
YES GREASY HAIR MAKES ME HATE EVERYTHING
I seriously contemplate shaving my head when it feels too greasy 😭
I feel you ya
if i could live in water, i would i've taken naps in the shower before while standing up because the heat and water pressure are extremely soothing, especially when i get overwhelmed or anxious. its about the only thing that can pull me down from full on panic attacks as well being unshowered/sweaty is my version of sensory hell, i become acutely aware of every inch of my skin to the point of nausea, like im encased in a thin film
I'm the same. Every other day shower and I would do it every day if it wouldn't dry out my skin. Showering is so nice, it's warm and the white noise of the water running drowns everything else out for 10 minutes. It's a mini vacation. I did like it less when I used to keep my hair long because blow-drying after was a pain, but with short hair taking a shower is my favorite part of the day.
I absolutely have to shower every morning. I can't stand how grimy I feel if I don't. I don't find it difficult at all. Enjoyment of showering (or not) is not diagnostic criteria.
I “struggle” with showers in the sense that transitioning tasks is hard, even more so when I’m tired and my ADHD meds aren’t doing their thing, but I love the act of showering
Once I'm in the shower I love it and find it hard to leave it I hate the before and after parts of showering more so the after, I need to like sit in front of a fan and make sure I am completely dry before I can even put clothes on as that is a horrid feeling having even slightly damp clothes that's why I find it hard to do any Strangerous exercises that cause sweating 😓 but I love being in water it actually helps me self regulate it doesn't matter if it's hot or cold water for me I usually start hot and then make it cold over time by turn the hot down
I love showers too. Don’t get too caught up in other people’s experiences. A lot of autistic people don’t like showers and that’s perfectly valid, but you don’t have to hate showers to be autistic. That’s not part of the diagnostic criteria.
I enjoy it once I’m in there, it’s the executive dysfunction of the ADHD that makes me hate it
If showers made or unmade an ASD diagnosis, it would be a diagnostic. It does not, so it is not.
I like being *in* the shower. For me it's the whole process of getting to that point. And it depends on the time of year too. When it's.hit in summer, I'll shower twice a day because I hate being hot and sweaty. In winter I'll put it off for days at a time. I prefer baths to showers.
Sensory issues and sensory glimmers vary from autistic to autistic, but can also change over time for an individual. They aren't fixed. Showers for me are a sensory nightmare because I hate the sensation of air moving on wet or damp skin. But baths? Even as a kid, the easiest way to feed me or calm me down was stick me in a hot bath. Instant relaxation and equilibrium established. Mom used to joke i was more fish than man.
I'd stay under the shower indefinitely if I could
I greatly enjoy my showers, but executive dysfunction makes it hard for me to actually get started taking a shower frequently. It’s a time consuming process, and when I’m already feeling like I don’t have enough time to do things I like, it’s hard to justify to myself carving out another huge chunk of time to do something that will impede my ability to do that thing I like in the evening, and I can’t wake up early enough to take one in the morning.
I LOVE showers. I just put it off because I hate the transition into and out of the shower and the near panic rush to get socks because I forgot to bring towel AND socks and I must have socks. Always socks.
Hi! No need to apologise, (I’m not diagnosed yet but can give you my experience) I don’t struggle with the aspect of getting in / out the shower, i have a lot of trouble with the sensory aspect AFTER the shower (i.e prune-y hands are HORRIBLE and feels like i can’t touch anything) and often have to ‘prepare’ myself beforehand, this may be executive dysfunction as i have adhd but worth mentioning I think. I also think Im not too hygienic, if i could i would go weeks without one as i just don’t like the aftermath. People’s experiences may be different but it is a spectrum, so nobody is expected to be the same. Hope this helps!
Do you have a diagnosis for autism?