#autism tip

[tomiarts]

GUYS, GALS, AND ENBY PALS

how do you actually have multiple friends? no really, how do you? how do you communicate/text with every and each one of them, especially if they're texting you at the same time, on different platforms?

when I was young, I wanted to have multiple frens, to not be alone, but this seems just quite overwhelming (still prolly better than being alone, FOR SURE, but overwhelming).

and then, my autistic, shy, introverted ass just needs a time off and doesn't text another fren, and I then have to explain "sorry, my battery was running low" like ???

how? like genuinely no joke, I wanna learn, and try in the future, to master the art of having friends. because I've seen so many people online with multiple friends, and it didn't seem so hard/overwhelming, but all my friends are messeging me at the same time, every single day (WHICH IS STILL GREAT BTW), and they're great for that, cuz they aren't just those kinds of friends who "message once a week/month" (not that there would be an issue with that if they need space, don't mean it in a negative way, just saying that they aren't like that), but genuinely expect to message me every single day (again, that's great, but mutual, if you're reading this, why me? lol. don't you also wanna text someone else? you're so cool for that for choosing me thank you I love you now I'll be unreasonably attached lol /jk - just asking, do all people text their friends every single day, or did I just hit a jackpot and got only such frens? is that normal?)

but genuinely, this is not meant to shit on them (they're great), nor me (I do be that friend who texts once a week sometimes, especially when I text one friend per day, each day different friend, and I have like 7 cool online friends, some of whom I could talk polemics and dialectics), but I'm genuinely trying to learn, so if you have tips and tricks I'll genuinely need them and appreciate them (like HOW do you do it, because I wouldn't want the solution to be "just get rid off some friends/ghost your least favourite friend" because that sounds cruel and everyone is important to me, but I genuinely wanna manage it somehow)

[astralautism1]

Tips on how to survive the dishes from a (questioning) autist with arfid and food issues!!

[pt: Tips on how to survive the dishes from a (questioning) autist with arfid and food issues!!. End pt.]

To me, putting the clean dishes away from the dishwasher is fair easier + just a completely different task from putting the dirty ones in the dishwasher. This post is referring to the latter, how to make putting the dirty dishes away more friendly to my issues. If there is anyone who needs help w the former please let me know I will do my best to give some advice!

1. Dish Gloves!! These are the most important step and I cannot stress that enough. I cannot and will not do dishes if I do not have dish gloves. I would recommend looking for some thick gloves to help protect your hands from the heat of the water. If you are like me, it may be hard to find gloves in your size. Check your local stores, and if you cannot find any there then check online (however be sure to read the reviews to ensure it will be a good fit). I will say, having gloves that are a bit to big are better than no gloves at all. Personally I have a green pair with grippy fingers. It is not exactly perfect, but it suffices.

2. Masks!! Although I have learned how to avoid getting any splash back, it still occurs, and even worse when there is assumably food in the splash. Wearing a mask helps with this. I personally have not needed protective glasses, however if that is a worry I would recommend them. If you struggle with breath smell, you can suck on a candy while you work to have a good sensory to focus on, and something to combat the smells. There are also flavorless + smell-less candies for the express purpose of having it while you wear a mask, too, but it may take some time to find those.

3. Eating!! This one is a strange one, but I recommend taking a minute before you start the task of dishes to prepare + fuel your body. Depending on the amount of work needed + how I am feeling, sometimes I can get started and half to quit prematurely due to being hungry. And, because I was in a bad food place, I am too icked out to eat without issue. I end up hungry, exhausted, overwhelmed, and overall just not in a good place. Its nice to take a sec, get food in when your not in a bad sensory place, and prepare for what you need to do.

4. Candles!! If the candy in the mask thing doesn’t work or your not doing the mask thing at all, but still want some help with the smells, candles + insence are your next best option. Anything smelly will work honestly— perfume, lotion, fabreeze before you start. I recommend candles as the smell will stay better. The more candles/good smells you have, the better it will be. I will warn, sometimes no matter HOW many smells your going, the smell of the dishes will prevail (standing right next to them + plus hot water + steam + heat rises, ur gonna smell them).

5. Distraction!! I almost never do the dishes without a distraction in the background. Music, a YouTube video, a podcast or movie. For me it can’t be something I actually want to pay attention to, then I either don’t watch it and have to rewind or I stand over the sink with gloves on watching a video without doing anything. Just something light you can tune into and out of without consequences. Playing it out loud is fine but if you can’t listen to it out loud or don’t want to then I def recommend wearing your headphones (pretty soon I want to make a guide on how I wear my headphones when working. I have a rlly small head and find they fall off all the time BUT I figured out a hair hack to make it stay in place while I work.

6. Cleanliness!! After I finish the dishes I need to wash my hands (even tho I was wearing gloves), and if I still feel squicky I will take a shower. I often try to opt for the shower but that’s mostly because I am bad at keeping up with my hygiene, so taking one after doing an ‘unclean’ task helps me remember + gets me in the shower even if I am having trouble transitioning tasks (id rather transition tasks and be clean then not and feel like I haw gross food on me all day). No matter what, even if my clothes were just washed and didn’t get dirty, I have to change clothes. Normally just my top is fine but sometimes I just change my whole outfit.

I think that’s about all the tips I had. This feels a little silly to post, a guide on how to do the dishes. But this is exactly the kind of guide I would have wanted a while ago. I wanted to make this list for anyone who was like me and could have used it when trying to help get their lives together.

Remember that progress happens at any age. You are not weak, stupid, or bad for struggling with the dishes, and you deserve to accommodate yourself. (EVEN!! If you aren’t neurodivergent. If these tips help a neurotypical do the dishes better then GOOD!! Yay!!) you are trying and we are proud of you!! Keep going!!

If anyone has any additional tips please feel free to share!!

[coffeelounds]

"whoever came up with the phrase "righty tight-y, lefty loose-y' deserves an award"

listen to me, autistics

putting something to a specific rythym/melody/pattern makes it much easier to remember.

that's probably why a lot of people love shakespeare so much, and why brands have jingles for their phone numbers.

when i was little i literally memorized my mothers phone number by learning it to a little melody in my head.

[naturesridicule]

Autism tip!

Can’t take a shower because it’s too loud or you struggle with even getting in? Use earplugs!

[dogheadedhumanboy]

Cool-Down Tips

Small tips to help yourself calm down from an overload, anxiety attack, or anything you feel is overwhelming. I got these from my therapist :)

1. cross your arms or one of your arms over your chest. use two fingers to tap on your collarbone or whatever area feels comfortable and close your eyes if you’re comfy enough in the area you’re in. focus and listen to yourself breathing, do not break this focus. do not listen to others around you, just listen to your body.

2. this one is called the 5 senses countdown, it’s actually really really helpful for me! count backwards from five, using your senses to do this. count 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. you can switch up the order of the senses, but be sure to count backwards. <3

3. if breathing helps you, try doing this one. breathe in for 4 seconds, hold it in for 6, and let it out for 8. if this doesn’t work, try to breathe slowly and time some hand movements with the inhale and exhale of your breaths.

[spidey-elbaph-dragon]

Restaurant Tip

Okay I don’t know if this is an autism thing, but I always get very frazzled when you sit down at a restaurant and the waiters ask you what you want to drink before you even got a chance to look at the menu.

I guess most people already have a drink in mind? I don’t. I want a chance to see what they have to drink. You can ask, but that’s usually more stress on me because then I have to make up my mind on the spot and try to focus on what the waiter is saying, as well as try to be as sociable as possible. 

So the tip is simple: the moment you sit down and have a menu, the first thing you should look for is the beverages. It’s usually in the back of the menu. Skip looking at the food, don’t get distracted. You’ll have time after they ask for drinks. Sit down, look for drinks.

It’s a little tip but when I remember to do it, it helps. :3

[sensory--heaven-blog]

Autism Tip #2

When an ableist tells you to stop stimming, continue to stim by slapping them in the arms

[autism-tips-and-tricks]

Watch Project Hail Mary