Tag: autism hacks

Adult Sensory Activities…

boopmcrantypants:

sensorypeople:

Hey guys I was wondering if you guys could give me suggestions of sensory activities you like as an adults with SPD or ASD? I know what ones help me, but would like to know what helps others as well and then compile a list out of all of your suggestions to post on this blog as a page of sensory activities that help with self-regulation. Any suggestions?

Miriam, Mod.

  • I’m a big fan of coloring. Crayons seem to be the biggest sensory experience because of texture, but you can color with whatever you like.
  • Crochet: It’s something you can take with you and nobody gets upset with you for doing because it’s “productive” but also you can use all kinds of different textured yarns, even attaching different types of beads or jingle bells, etc.
  • Marbles—I bring a couple giant marbles with me, and when I’m feeling overwhelmed/trying to take a test or fill out forms, I twirl a couple in my hands like meditation balls.

BIG +1 to the fiber arts suggestion.  I personally try never to leave home without a knitting or crocheting project (or my spindle, when I’m in the mood to be accosted by strangers who don’t understand what i’m doing.)  If someone comments on it, I describe it as “socially acceptable fidgeting,” which has the advantages both of being accurate and usually getting a laugh.

On the same lines as the marbles, I’m personally fond of these bone dice (so called because they resemble bones, IIRC they’re plastic), which fit neatly in the joints of my fingers.

squidsqueen:

brinconvenient:

micdotcom:

These revolutionary digital ear plugs just raised $250,000 on Kickstarter in 3 days 

A company called Doppler Labs just finished the prototype for an incredible new technology that has the potential to change live concerts and even the way we hear the world. It’s called Here Active Listening, and it’s a wireless earbud that, instead of playing music, lets you control the sound of the world around you.

With the understanding that I don’t have sensory processing problems, I feel like this would be incredibly useful for people with sensory processing issues – like, when everything sounds equally loud, being about to filter out the sudden sirens, beeping, chatter, etc would be a miracle!

This absolute would make a world of difference to me, as a person with sensory processing problems. It would also be amazing for a lot of my friends who have anxiety about sudden noises, or any loud sounds in general.

into-the-weeds !

Scent sensitivities

silenceforthevocal:

Okay, if you’re like me and get really bothered by things like strong perfumes you probably avoid stores that sell it or body products like the plague.  

Well, I just learnt something really interesting about them from my counselor.  Apparently, if you’re smelling different products, a lot of these stores actually keep bowls of coffee beans that you can smell in between different fragrances.  Why?  It cleanse the palate!  

Well, on her advice I’ve started carrying a tiny bag of them with me (just a mini ziplock bag, about palm size if even, and I even made a little fabric bag to hold it in so it’s more discrete) and it’s amazing??  Now when I have to be sitting next to someone wearing strong perfume it’s easy to breathe in the smell of the coffee beans quickly (which to me is a really pleasant smell) and it helps stave off the perfume smell and clears the residue from my system.  I’m currently sitting in a computer lab next to someone who has painfully strong perfume, enough so that it’s making my eyes prickle, but by smelling the coffee beans every so often I still haven’t gotten a headache and have been able to concentrate on my work!

I thought some of you guys might like to know this fun fact because it’s seriously making things so much better for me!

Autism Acceptance Activity Ideas for Americans

iamthethunder:

  • Register to vote.
  • Do something fun with an autistic child.
  • Find out whether your state legislature will make any decisions about disability issues in the near future.
  • Go out with other disabled adults.  Take selfies.
  • Tell one person who did not know that you are autistic.
  • Find out if there is anything you can do for your local special education or inclusive classroom teachers.
  • Look up what positions, if any, your senators and representatives have on disability issues.
  • Join or donate to a good disability organization.
  • Teach an autistic child how to do something or about a subject you know well.
  • Visit a disabled adult who might be isolated.
  • If you can drive, help someone who cannot run an important errand.
  • Help teens and adults who are disabled and poor get library cards.
  • Help autistics who seem dissatisfied with their means of communication look for better ones.
  • Invite autistic adults to come and visit you.  Talk about disability issues or just watch a movie.
  • Sign up to receive emailed action alerts from the major autism and disability organizations.