I recently saw some posts by an AuDHD creator on Instagram, about the small accommodations that help them live their everyday life, and it made me wonder what accommodations I’ve made for myself without realizing it? So I decided to make a list of the accommodations I’ve made for myself, in hopes it might help someone else:
Whiteboards: I have a whiteboard calendar, a days of the week whiteboard, and a regular mini whiteboard. All of them are mounted on the wall next to my door, so it’s the first thing I see when exiting my room, where I write my schedule, events, reminders, etc. If I don’t write it, I forget it!
Only open shelves: The furniture in my room is 99% open shelves and bookcases, because I have issues with object permanence. The only drawers I have are in my closet, for my pjs. Everything else is shelves.
Shelf instead of a vanity: Again, I have issues with object permanence. So my vanity is actually a repurposed kitchen spice rack that I upcycled! It has my hygiene products (like my skincare and deodorant), my hair brush, and I use the pan rod as a towel holder.
Sleeping on the floor: I am blessed to have low support needs, but working does leave me very disregulated often. I’ve found that being on the floor helps regulate me most; so a few years ago I ditched my mattress for a Japanese futon.
Bag organizer: There are little bag organizers one can buy to stick in their bag. I use it as my catch-all kit. I have my ear defenders (for Big Noises), a power bank, my Kindle, a mini fan, my fidget toys, ear plugs (for Lesser Noises), a compact umbrella (for both rain and it’s too bright), and my CD player + earbuds in it. I usually have sunglasses too but I lost them 😅. Since it’s a bag organizer, I can easily move it between bags.
Using kid’s products instead of adult products: Products made “for adults” tend to be heavily perfumed and irritating to my sensory issues, so I sometimes just opt for the “kid” version, which tend to be gentler and fragrance free or easier on my sensory issues.
Bandanas!!!: Traditional headbands and hair ties are just too much for my sensitive head. But with a bandana, I can control how tight or loose it is, and can wear it as a headband, bow, updo, or the regular way! I can even get prints in my special interest (pokemon)!
Gloves: Sometimes I have bad sensory moments and can’t stand touching certain textures, so I have a pair of rubber gloves for washing dishes with. Sometimes, if I’m having a really bad sensory day, I use the rubber gloves to help me wash my hair in the sink too.
There are probably tons of other things I do too that I just can’t think of right now, but this is what came to the forefront of my mind! If you made to the end of this list and you have your own accommodations to help you live your life, what are they?
