Let's talk about Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours and Interests (RRBIs), along with associated words like "rigidity" and "routine" - I'd be quite curious to hear how other autistics relate to these descriptions, especially with/without ADHD

1/

So this is one of the core traits of being autistic according to the DSM and the further along I've gone the weirder this phrase appears to me. RRBI basically refers to stimming (repetitive motions) and special interests/hyperfixations

2/

To begin with, why are these two things grouped together? Stimming and special interests have nothing to do with one another per se, which suggest to me that RRBI is shorthand for "autistics do these weird things a lot over and over again"

3/

As far as I can tell, labelling this RRBI does very little to explain how being autistic is linked to these behaviours in any way at all. What counts as a restricted interest is also bound by social norms: if your special interest is socially acceptable, its not "restricted"

4/

Autistics can need routine, repetition and be rigid about these things: but the DSM doesn't seem to explain why? My own experience is that routine reduces stress from decision paralysis (too many details to consider) and allows me to avoid other stressful situations

5/

If I make a decision about how I want things done, I know it can be frustrating for things not to go to plan, especially when it comes to timing so do things predictably decreases the anxiety related to say being late.

6/

I also know that sensory issues can be a major reason why autistics stick to the same decisions (like clothing/food etc). Stimming is likely related to sensory issues and anxiety as well.

7/

So, that these things are repetitive seem to be very trivial, as compared to the reasons why we repeat certain things, not to mention the fact that they probably only appear repetitive or restricted when they're socially unacceptable.

8/

For example, if I'm an autistic film critic who watches the same movie again and again to analyse it, that's not going to be diagnosed as a RRBI because it's "productive". It's only a RRBI, apparently, when it interferes with a "normal lifestyle" I suppose.

9/

Add in ADHD and my special interests can look much less restricted/fixated because a) I have a stronger need for novelty b) ADHD brains have rapid free association so being interested in one special interest can easily divert me into another.

10/

So as always my frustration is with the failure to understand underlying cognitive processes in neurodiversity and our psychosomatic relationship with stimulation, where we just have a label slapped onto the behaviour to seem it unusual/abnormal.

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