In response to What the Hell Are Fidget Spinners? An FAQ for the Olds, written by Drew Magary and published on May 25th.

In your article, you talk about fidget spinners the way you would about any other trend – silly, pointless, and sure to pass without incident. You readily admit that you believe they serve no purpose, and that you have no idea where they came from. You did not do research.

I am autistic. On the DSM criteria for autism, you’ll find something relevant: ‘stereotyped or repetitive motor movements.’ This is often rocking or hand-flapping, but just as often it could be, say, using a fidget spinner. These movements help autistic people focus or calm down, and they are necessary for day-to-day function. I don’t have a spinner myself, but I know people who do and perform better because of it.

Fidget spinners come from an entire family of similar tools designed for people with ADHD, anxiety, or autism – disorders with measurable neurological differences, not merely ‘overly active children’. Most people don’t see these, because they aren’t fun or trendy; they fulfill a need.

Perhaps they are a silly, passing trend for many, but they will never be pointless, and treating them as such trivializes the issues of the people who need them.

I did it! I got there - even with the bus it still took about an hour each way - and didn’t even get lost, probably because I was staring at the map the entire time. It did have the slime display still, but I’m missing two ingredients so I’ll have to run to Rite Aid within the next week or so. (I’m too tired today - that’s a half hour each way.)

Still! I love Michael’s so much, there’s so many pretty things there with all the paint and ribbons and blank canvases and ahh, it’s so nice.

Is this too petty? Probably