Who uses chewelry or chew tools?

🐝 Bees 🐝 (they/them) Autism resources in bio #stoptheshock #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs said:

Embossed patterns of alternating colour choice sounds like a logical, and pretty, first step to branching out of the current shapes. Then depending on success with the user base branch out further. I'm actually a little surprised nobody from such companies has decided to try to poll the chewlery demographic for ideas of their own at this point.

I like your idea, I really like patterns so I think I would definitely use some patterned chewelry.

I agree with you about the poll for chewelry users, there should definitely be more research into what users actually want from their products. For example, in terms of texture, colour and durability. I assume this type of research has been conducted before (albeit on a small scale) because some chewelry/stim tool businesses are owned by autistic/otherwise neurodivergent people. These people usually decided to start their business because they were struggling to find suitable stim tools for themselves.

Hmm I maybe in the process of changing my mind on whether or not I'd get one, I just caught myself rubbing one of my rubber squishies on my lower lip, kind of forgot in the moment of posting that that's one on my stimms even if nothing actually goes in my mouth. Might be nice to have a dedicated thing for that stim for hygeine reasons if the rubber of the chewlery has a satisfactory kinetic friction texture.

That's a great post, and full of things I hadn't considered before I commented. Thanks, Sam.

Hmmm I suppose probably it has something to do with the autism stuff being aimed at kids more specifically, a lot of people don't seem to think of adults with autism or at least we are not the ones being primarily considered.
I don't know if the reason is we are expected to actually somehow outgrow our autism (which obvs we can't) or if we are just socially expected to mask to fit in by the time we are adults, I know that's what a lot of autistim "therapy" used to be for older generations just people saying can you do XYZ etc to "fit in".  :( The recognition that we cannot be cured of autism, and have an equal right to express ourselves has more recently grown in the last 2 decades. But a lot of people still have a long way to catch up on how autism works, social vs medical models of disability, etc. The good news is we now have a lot more media representation NTs are slowly realising kids with autism grow up into adults with autism.

I don't mean the following in a judgmental way; I'm just curious: is there an autism-specific reason why so much merchandise for autists is multi-coloured, even garish? Or is it, perhaps, just cynically assumed by NT sellers that bright colours will appeal to our supposedly simple minds?

Well in theory the material would suit almost any shape that could be made from a mould as long as the thinnest point couldn't accidentally be bitten off and swallowed. Embossed patterns of alternating colour choice sounds like a logical, and pretty, first step to branching out of the current shapes. Then depending on success with the user base branch out further. I'm actually a little surprised nobody from such companies has decided to try to poll the chewlery demographic for ideas of their own at this point.

Cool, I am glad your chewy necklace is helpful. It’s a much better alternative to chewing your nails. 

Luna said:

I need mine to be quite soft but firm at the same time :) 

Same, the chewelry needs to be the right texture to provide the sensory feedback we need.

I have some necklaces which I chew on - used to be my nails and items around the house but my teeth hurted so I've since gone on to official things and they're a big help.

I need mine to be quite soft but firm at the same time :) 

Do you have any ideas for more elaborate designs?

🐝 Bees 🐝 (they/them) Autism resources in bio #stoptheshock #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs said:

I do like that they are usually subtle and look a bit like the gem stone pendulum type pendants, as if I did use them I can see how that would be a huge bonus as it can be used by teens and adults with less fear of getting infantilised

So do I, the pendant type chewelry is quite cool and a visual stim too. Some people before have commented before that my pendant looks like a necklace, it’s the reason why I like it, it is subtle.

Yes when I looked for chewelry online I specifically searched for adults chewelry. I understand what you mean about the fear of being infantilised but we all have sensory needs that need to be met regardless of neurotype/age and deserve to be proud of and embrace our stims.

🐝 Bees 🐝 (they/them) Autism resources in bio #stoptheshock #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs said:

But then the designer in me also kinda wishes they came more frequently in more elaborate designs too.

Cool, there is definitely an audience for elaborate chewelry that could reflect your individual personality. A lot of the current designs are quite boring and basic.

I have become aware of their existance but it's not a thing I personally need so wouldn't use, I do like that they are usually subtle and look a bit like the gem stone pendulum type pendants, as if I did use them I can see how that would be a huge bonus as it can be used by teens and adults with less fear of getting infantilised. But then the designer in me also kinda wishes they came more frequently in more elaborate designs too.

Cool, you can wear the necklaces as a fashion accessory. I think there needs to be more chewelry that is specifically aimed at an adult audience.

I have some "teething necklaces" that I discovered as a new parent.  Designed for use with an infant, but to look stylish on a mum.  I used them much more than my children.