#spd tips

[nowimgettingbetter]

Sensory processing disorder tip

Go for skincare products that are organic! Organic lotions don't smell as strong as the ones with artificial fragrances. Also, dry skin is sensory hell, and organic products are better for dry skin in my experience. I absolutely love Lush. There are other brands that work well but I don't remember the names rn.

[cloudedstudies]

whether your heightened sensitivity is caused by asd, spd, anxiety, or something else, it can make navigating school seem impossible with an overload of sensory input greeting you at every turn. as someone with asd, here are my tips and tricks i’ve learned over the years on how to deal with the input, and if needed, how to avoid it the best you can.

1. tell your teachers!!

it’s the only way to get accommodations!! if you’re in a smaller/more chill school like i am, you might be able to get away with getting up and leaving the classroom without having to explain yourself in front of everyone. however, it is better to let your teacher know beforehand so you can get the accommodations you need. keep in mind they may want a doctor’s note to confirm that you need the accommodation and that you’re not faking to get out of class

2. have a sensory kit on you and in your locker

include things like a small stim toy, earplugs, and scented lotion in the kit you’ll keep on you, and things like a change of sensory friendly clothes, eye mask/sunglasses, and anything bigger in your locker. even if you never end up using them, it’s better safe than sorry.

(in my locker, i put a change of clothes, pj’s, and stimmy candy, and in my pencil case i have a scented lotion, essential oil, gum, and earplugs)

3. find a quieter place to sit during lunch/breaks

my friends and i sit outside during lunch because its too loud and smelly for me inside, but last year we were able to sit in a teacher’s room, and sometimes we’re even able to use an empty meeting room!! just make sure to ask first, and be prepared to explain/need a doctor’s note explaining why you need to use a space, especially if it’s one students aren’t usually allowed in

4. advocate for yourself

if someone’s being too loud, ask them to quiet down! if a video is too loud, ask the teacher to turn it down! if you can’t understand something someone’s saying, ask them to repeat it slowly! you’re not being a burden to others for taking care of your needs!!!

5. get someone else to advocate for you

it’s good to have backup, especially for more stubborn cases. if you can get some people to stand with you when asking for something to be adjusted, you’ll probably have an easier time getting it.

6. take care of yourself

make sure you’re getting enough rest, drinking enough water, eating at least a little healthy, and taking time to relax. you’ll be surprised about how much these factors can affect the way you process things. i’m not saying by doing this you’ll be cured, but you’ll be able to handle those situations a bit better, and that counts for something, right?

7. on the topic of self care, choose your relationships

people w/o sensory issues wont realize how much they’re affecting you unless you tell them, however, they might not comply with your request. if this doesn’t work, then don’t be afraid to cut. them. out. (even if it’s just for a bit). you’d think i’m exaggerating, but think of it this way. you meet someone, and your likes completely clash. you like indie, they like heavy metal. you’re an avid book reader, they refuse to even pick one up. you’ve tried to find common ground, but you just can’t. is it worth the energy to keep trying? at a certain point, no. you realize that you can’t make this work, and all it is is taxing. it’s kinda like that to people w sensory issues. we find people who we clash with, except instead of different tastes in art they make you feel like your ears are going through a cheese grater and they refuse to do anything about it. trust me, it’ll be worth it. 

that’s all i have for right now!! the biggest things are definitely getting accommodations and taking care of yourself, both in and out of school. i’ll be putting up another masterpost soon about how to relax on the go, which are helpful for oncoming sensory overloads or things to do during your breaks. i hope next year is a better sensory experience for you than last!!

my other masterposts:

what are migraines and how do i deal with them?

my ideal day

my school shopping list

what i learned from last year

[nowimgettingbetter]

Sensory processing disorder tip

If you're a girl, try shopping for jeans in the guys section. They fit looser, stretch more/in different places, and the tag shows the size of the jeans in inches. You have to measure your leg and waist, and then buy the jeans. No trying on ten sizes just to fine one you like.

[nowimgettingbetter]

Sensory processing disorder tip

Noise cancelling earbuds! I have concert grade noise cancelling ear plugs from amazon. They are small and my hair covers them, so people don't notice when i have them in. I can hear everything clearly, it's just quieter. They come in a little case on a little keychain so I can bring them to parties in case I get a sensory overload.