Stimming gets a bad reputation. Stimming is seen as bad 😞 and it's not bad at all! It's very important that autistic people and neurodivergent people in general can stim safely. Even neurotypical people do it.
Harry has been diagnosed with autism many years prior in this one.
Harry goes into a toy store with the kids and Ginny and they have to drag him out lol. Not talked about much, but just as autistic people can feel sensory overload, we can have sensory euphoria too!
Harry POV
"Dad, don't you have, like, twenty of those squishy things?"
I look at James, who is looking at me with amusement as I play with a squishy toy that has a cute face on it. I grin at my son. "You're right. I do. But it's so nice!"
Lily comes up, giggling. "Is Daddy obsessing over squishies again?"
Chuckling, I put the squishy toy in my shopping basket. "Did you two find the stuff you wanted?"
Albus runs up with Ginny, just as I've spotted a shelf of adorable stuffed animals. I forget everything else as I marvel at how soft they are. Picking one up, I squish it and can't resist a huge smile. "Oh my Merlin..."
"Dad saw the squishmallows. It's over."
Lily bounces over, giggling. "I got a mouse one of those!"
Albus, our little Slytherin, playfully rolls his eyes. "Mum, we're never getting Dad out of here."
I rock a little on my toes, finally picking up a squishmallow that looks like a white owl. So cute! It's so soft and squishy. I flap my hand a little, overjoyed at the pleasant sensation of the squishy fren. "I love them."
Lily comes over, head tilted, eyes wide in concern. "Is Daddy okay? He's doing the hand thing."
I smile at the nine year old, rocking more visibly. "I'm very happy, Lils."
I buy that squishmallow and hold it to my chest as we walk out of the store. Ginny whispers, "You doing okay?"
I flap my hand again, nodding enthusiastically. "I'm great, Ginny. It's just so soft, it's overwhelming me a little, in a good way."
We all Floo home, and I happily run off to put my squishmallow on Ginny and I's bed. Lily follows me, giggling as I hug the squishy to my chest again.
