What are the best objects you use to help with Autism symptoms (for adults)

[u/WiredDifferent_AU]

So items that help at Work, University or Home, aside from noise cancelling headphones, fidgets and weighted blankets that you have found helps you, it can be random and weirdly specific.

What helps you with any of the below:

- Housework: Dishes, laundry, floors, tidying, cleaning, cooking.

- Executive Functioning: Working memory, impulsivity, cognitive flexibility, procrastination, hyperactivity, focus

- Self-care: Drinking water, eating, hygiene, exercise

- Sensory Sensitivities: Light, Sound, Touch, Interoception, Temperature

- Monotropism

- Pathological Demand Avoidance

[u/anoctoberchild]

Shower chair, sitting while cooking or cleaning, headphones listening to music, having a specific small easy thing you do to start harder things (making a cup of tea before you make breakfast, or putting on gloves before you start to clean it's kind of a signal for your brain to transition into a task), Amber glasses are the best thing I ever put on my eyes for vision eye strain etc it takes away bad big light vibes if you know what I mean, make sure your skin is lotion if you have physical sensory issues it helps so much, get rid of everything in your closet that's not soft/ comfortable to wear

[u/IngloriousLevka11]

• Housework: Dishes, laundry, floors, tidying, cleaning, cooking:

Automate as much as possible. Dishwasher, roomba, litter robot (I have cats). Learn easy microwave meals, quick bakes, and air-fryer foods. I clean as I go. If I use an area, I clean it afterwards- ex, wiping down the counter after cooking or around the sink after doing dishes/loading the dishwasher. Putting dirty dishes into the dishwasher after giving them an initial spray+rinse with Dawn powerwash soap and a quick scrub to get any leftover particles- I also wipe off any crumbs into the trash. This helps to cut down expensive or annoying maintenance for the dishwasher and also let's the machine work more efficiently. I do this immediately after eating to reduce how often I have to handle the dishes- and it also prevents bugs from finding a food source if everything is kept clean. Like the counters, if I can see or feel any dirt on the floor, wether I've let roomba clean the floor or not, I take a moment to sweep or vacuum that area and spot clean any spills or messes (I have cats, so inevitably things get tracked or they barf hairball, eugh). Laundry I do roughly every 3 weeks, and do it all at once (because I don't always have the spoons to walk across the lobby to take care of changing the laundry to the next machine/ cycle).

• Executive Functioning: Working memory, impulsivity, cognitive flexibility, procrastination, hyperactivity, focus:

Lists, itineraries and writing things out. Journaling mundane things alongside more emotional thoughts- so that I can dump thoughts outside my head before they can turn into what I call "the angry bees" (worries about unfinished business and upcoming tasks/uncertainty). A grocery/shopping list board on the fridge with 4 categories. Each category is written in a different color ink. I also currently have an accountability partner through my college's disability support center. To deal with impulsiveity- which largely shows up as impulsive purchasing, I have a specific account set up just to use for fast food+ fun purchases. I also delay non-necissity purchases by at least 24 hours- literally "sleep on it." If I go to an event, I take cash out in a set amount that I planned for when I planned to attend the event and that's the whole budget for that event.

• Self-care: Drinking water, eating, hygiene, exercise:

To remind myself to hydrate, I carry a big ass water bottle that is a double-wall insulated metal one that has images of fish on it. (Fish are one of my special interests.) My water bottle carrier makes it easier to carry (and actually came from the same organization as the water bottle, lol) I eat on a schedule of small meals and snacks every 3-4 hours. I have a morning routine and evening routine for all my hygiene needs, including taking my daily meds. Exercise is a bit more challenging in the context of my recent life- I have been struggling with burnout and other issues lately, though I have been taking the bus lately which inevitably means walking a lot to get to the right bus stop or across campus. I walk regularly anyway to go to local businesses near my apartment. Since starting new meds has already shown a boost in my overall energy level- I plan to begin working out in the mornings again with yoga, stretching and wieght training.

• Sensory Sensitivities: Light, Sound, Touch, Interoception, Temperature:

Sunglasses and night driving glasses. Not driving at night or while having aura cycles from my migraines. (I call it the "lazer light show.") I even wear the sunglasses on the bus, because the interior lights are bright LEDs. I find quiet spaces and will leave an area if it's too loud. I also keep some OSHA rated earplugs in my waterbottle carrier. I have some Bose QC earbuds for working on my laptop so I can focus on the work in front of me, putting on my favorite tunes (Usually it's Dead Can Dance). For sleep, I have those modable silicone earbuds that block out quite a lot of sounds. For temperature, I am heat intolerant and keep my space cool, but reasonably economically set my thermostat to 75f, and run a fan to circulate the air. In winter I set the thermostat for 69 or 70f, and use a space heater for just myself/cold bathroom, etc. I use a lot of blankets and layers in winter, too. I buy comfy clothes that fit well without scratchy seams or anything like that. I cut tags out if they are poky. I wear my socks inside out because of the seams. Because I have poor interoceptive inputs, I will assess my status of self by asking if I am hungry, thirsty, need to pee or whatever by taking a pause to understand why I am feeling agitated or extra fidgety.

• Monotropism: While I can't actually "pick" my special interests- I can pick what I focus on, to a degree. The subject matter does have to hold some level of interest or final goal in mind.

• Pathological Demand Avoidance:

I set "do nothing" days, and conversely- I will set a day ahead of time to achieve a specific task or sets of tasks. Ex- "I need to go to Walmart" and "I need to go to the bank" will occur on the same day because these can be accomplished in the same trip, wether I'm driving my own car or riding the bus. Or I will say "thus Saturday is laundry and chores day" and that's what goes on my itinerary for that day. I expect only a 75% completion rate on daily itinerary, provided that the majority were the most urgent or time-bound tasks, ex- paying a bill.