When I came across some of the multitude of videos circulating on social media about T-Rex arms and autism, I recognized the behaviour immediately: I sleep like this, and both kids as well. While there is obviously no research on this specific phenomenon, when you search “T-Rex arms sleeping,” you will find several other people describing their experience with this.
What are Autistic T-Rex Arms?
Cross River Therapy explains that autistic individuals frequently bend their arms at about a 90-degree angle with their hands out in front of them, a posture affectionately called "T-Rex arms" within the autistic community. This posture is often a preferred position for their arms as it provides comfort and a sense of security. It's also common for autistic people to grip objects in front of them and hold them close to their chest.
Why?
Sensory processing differences are a common characteristic of autism, and autistic T-Rex arms are just one manifestation of these differences. Autistic individuals may also exhibit other unique physical expressions, such as hand and arm movements, gripping objects in a specific way, or engaging in repetitive actions. These behaviours are not random or meaningless; they serve as a form of self-regulation and communication for autistic individuals.
Autistic individuals often have different ranges of movements and sensory sensitivities compared to neurotypical individuals. The T-Rex arm posture, with the elbows bent and hands close to the body, may provide a sense of security and help in managing sensory overload by reducing the exposure to overwhelming sensory stimuli. It can also be a form of stimming, which is self-stimulatory behaviour commonly observed in autistic individuals as a way to self-regulate emotions and sensory input.
According to Connect n Care, there are several common misconceptions about autistic T-Rex arms:
- One common misconception is that T-Rex arms are purely a physical limitation, making it difficult for individuals to reach out or perform tasks. However, T-Rex arms in autism are not a result of physical limitations but rather a preferred posture that provides comfort and a sense of security for autistic individuals.
- Another misconception is that T-Rex arms are a sign of weakness or inability. In reality, T-Rex arms are a natural expression of the individual's neurology and sensory processing patterns. They serve as a form of communication, self-regulation, and comfort for autistic individuals.
Sleeping with T-Rex Arms
So, what does it mean to sleep with T-Rex arms? While seemingly peculiar to some people, this sleep position seems to offer a unique level of comfort for many of us in the autistic community.
According to Discover Magazine, it is broadly hypothesized that this posture can provide a sense of comfort and security, especially for those dealing with sensitivities in regard to their senses. Experts note that this position can help individuals feel grounded in a way, and manage sensory input more effectively.
It also boils down to proprioception, which is the body’s ability to sense its position in space. For some, particularly those with sensory processing challenges, this position might offer deeper proprioceptive input, which is inherently comforting. According to a study published in 2023 in the Journal of Neurophysiology, proprioception plays a critical role in maintaining body posture and stability, which could explain the comfort found in the T-Rex arm position.
Does sleeping with T-Rex arms mean that I’m autistic?
Rosie Neustadt, clinical director at Circle Care Services, explains that holding the arms in a T-Rex-like position may provide a sense of security or help manage sensory overload. It can also be a form of stimming — self-stimulatory behaviour common among autistic people. She says: “If someone does put their arms in a T-Rex position, that alone would not mean that they have autism. Many people who are not on the spectrum have sensory needs and can find it calming and supportive, or that the position provides them with security.”
According to Neustadt a range of movements or positions of the hands are commonly observed in autistic individuals. These include flapping, twisting, flicking fingers, or other repetitive movements.
“These gestures are a form of non-verbal communication and can be a way for autistic individuals to express emotions, manage sensory experiences, or engage in self-stimulation for comfort. Understanding these gestures is crucial for better communication and empathy with autistic individuals,” Neustadt says. However, sensory needs like the T-rex arms position would need to come along with other deficits for a person to be diagnosed with autism - An autism diagnosis would require persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and at least two of four restricted, repetitive behaviours. (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
Warning: Autism advice and social media
The T-Rex arms trend is quite popular on Tik Tok and social media can be a powerful tool to spread awareness about autism, but should not replace professional advice or research.
A 2023 study that analysed ASD-related YouTube videos and their comment sections found that discussion was centralized around providing educational information, discussing personal experiences, and displaying daily life.
Another recent study looked at popular videos with the #Autism on TikTok. Among the top 133 videos that accrued 11.5 billion views, 27% were classified as accurate, 41% as inaccurate, and 32% as overgeneralized.
The authors say that TikTok can distort understanding about autism by providing blatant misinformation, such as selling products that “cure autism” or saying that the disorder is caused by vaccines. Additionally, overgeneralizing an individual experience to the entire autism spectrum, as well as not representing the entire spectrum of manifestations, can skew perceptions of ASD.
In short, sleeping with T-Rex arms is not enough to tell whether a person is autistic.