#actuallyspd

[thewolfofthestars]

To everyone with sensory issues:

You are not a baby for melting down because of under/overstimulation. You are not being immature or "just throwing a tantrum" when you have meltdowns. The discomfort and pain and fear you feel due to your sensory issues is real and valid, and shouldn't be dismissed as silly or unimportant by people who don't understand it.

#actuallyautistic #actuallyadhd #actuallyspd #actuallytraumatized #actuallyptsd #autism #autistic #adhd #spd #sensory processing disorder #trauma #traumatized #ptsd #cptsd #c-ptsd

[fidgettoy]

stimulating productivity in school and beyond

Since the time between starting this blog and now, I've since graduated university. School was never easy for me, needing a lot of stimulation to focus and not having any motivation to work. I imagine this is the case for many people. So I would like to share some tips that you may find helpful now that I'm on the other side.

1. Take physical notes if you can.

Typing doesn't embed memories as deeply into the brain while physically writing does. Use nice stationery that you like to make the experience more enjoyable.

Make it as colorful as possible - if that doesn't distract you or slow you down (I bought a pack of 100 markers for example). Colors stimulate the brain and help your memory.

2. Make learning a goal and stimulate your brain yourself if the instructor or the content isn't doing it for you. For example, when notetaking, ask yourself lots of questions. What does this concept actually mean? Can I explain it in simple terms? Can I explain it without looking at my notes or book?

Solve lots of problems in the book. Try explaining it in a way a kid could understand or actually teaching it to someone else. Teaching is a great way to learn - to make sure you actually understand what's going on. And it helps cement the content in your brain.

3. Make studying physically stimulating, if you would find that helpful.

For example, I bought a mechanical keyboard and learned to touch type at a late age. It helped me do homework much faster because touch typing is more effective than pecking at keys two at a time. But also the mechanical keyboard was stimulating to my ears (through its clicky noises) and its tactile nature (they are 'brown keys'). I would recommend a mechanical keyboard to anyone that needs to type a lot and needs a lot of stimulation while doing so.

You need to make your study habits, environment, and techniques suit you and help you as much as possible. Research the psychology of effective learning, how the brain takes in information, different methods of studying and what works for people.

Try different things. It's different for everyone and what may work for others may not work for you. Perhaps you need a quiet room to study, or perhaps the company inside a cafe would help more. Perhaps some ASMR in the background would stimulate you into working better (as helped me) or perhaps you prefer silence.

4. If studying is intimidating, tell yourself it's just for 5 minutes and then you can take a break. 5 minutes is truly better than nothing. Often, once you get into the groove of things, you'll find you're too focused to stop anyway and you'll be getting things done.

If your attention span is low, you could aim to study for a reasonable amount of time like 20 minutes and take a 5 minute break after every session. Don't over exhaust yourself by doing everything at once. Schedule your rest. Schedule bouts of procrastination, if need be.

And of course, you need sleep. Sleep is when your memories solidify and without sleep, your brain can't work effectively. Take care of yourself. Any way of keeping your stress down will only make you more effective.

5. I often had trouble staying awake in class or staying focused. So I would bring some sensory toys that would help me: small spike balls and a tangle relax therapy, which is covered in bumpy rubber. I'd use them to massage my hands in my pockets while in class and the bumpy/spiky sensations would help perk me up.

If you bring a fidget/sensory/stim toy to school or work, it's helpful for it to be discreet, small, and quiet. There are various recommendations online, on this website and this blog.

Sometimes such objects are banned in school. There may be some other unsuspicious alternative objects you can use to stimulate your senses. Stationery objects can often fit this use: things like novelty erasers, pens, tape, etc.

Other objects you can use may be ones that simply can't be banned, because they are too common or simple. For example, ear bud covers, silicone food utensils, the zipper on a pouch. With imagination, anything can become a sensory tool.

Another alternative is taking what you can get. Break times. Standing up to go to the restroom. Jiggling your leg. Pinching yourself. Simple things no one can take away.

I hope this helps give some ideas on how to help stimulate productivity in your life.

#studyblr #stim toys #fidget toys #actuallyadhd #actuallyautistic #actuallyspd #studying #school #fidgeting #stimming #sensory #tips #mind you this was my experience in college so take what works and leave the rest

[astrologicalz]

How to tell if you’re over or under stimulated ??

#personal #actuallyautistic #autism #overstimulated #understimulation #stimming #meltdown #sensory #sensory overload #spd #adhd #actuallyspd #actuallyadhd #neurodivergent #autistic #help #advice

[shepfax]

self-administering deep pressure therapy by reclining in a cartoonishly large panini press for 20 minutes a day

#soon I will be cured of autism and look like flat stanley and smell like a delicatessen #actuallyautistic #actuallyspd #sensory processing disorder #is it cartoonishly large or am I just a little guy 🤔

[enby-axels]

twitter is mocking sensory processing issues, and i am so, so tired

#ableism #actuallyspd

[sensorysurvival]

Here is a resource for autistic adults on navigating/understanding overstimulation when it happens to you!! Hope it helps some folks :)

#sensory sensitivity #resources #sensory regulation #actuallyspd #actuallyautistic #autism #spd

[we-work-in-the-dark]

The Invisible Disorder

It’s so hard to be an adult with Sensory Processing Disorder. Especially when it isn’t really recognized as a thing that adults can and do have. People just don’t see it. They say I’m just being “dramatic” or “picky.” Why don’t I just toughen up and deal with things like everyone else does, they say. Well I don’t experience it like everyone else does. And it’s embarrassing. People need to know that this is real, and they need to understand it, or try. SPD makes my life sooo hard, and 50% of that difficulty is because of how ignorant other people are about what it is to have SPD. 

#SPD #actuallyspd #sensory #sensory problems #sensory processing disorder #neurodivergent #actuallyneurodivergent

[retro-ghostingreen]

Things I’ve Typed Zoning Out On The School Bus

#actuallyautistic #actuallyadhd #actuallyneurodivergent #actuallyadd #actuallyspd #sensory processing sensitivity #sensory processing disorder #sensory issues #just finding people i know can relate #one of these was written today #im not sure what that second one is #i don't even remember writing it

[the-bi-man-cometh]

I don’t see much about olfactory (or scent) stimming, which is my main type. Does anyone else have experience with this? I’m trying to find socially acceptable ways to stim since it’s become clear to me that I can’t stop altogether (I’ve tried many times and can’t). Things like scented oils don’t work for me; my stimming has always been more about subtle, natural scents.

#actuallystimming #actuallyadhd #actuallyspd #stimming #mental illness #mine #the blogger diarist #adhd

[the-diary-of-me]

My mom had to cut my hair today, and it was a bad experience. She’s great, but I have short hair, a typically male haircut, and mom just had scissors and a comb. It wasn’t that bad, my hair looks kinda good for a home cut and the first time she’s done it, but the amount of touching filled my quota for like a month. She didn’t even realize that her hand was on me most of the time (not in a bad way, she’s a good mom, she’s just very tactile) My sister sat across from me and laughed the whole time (I love her). Maybe my dad will understand my touch aversion now after I have a breakdown tomorrow about it (not planning on it just expecting it)

#actuallyautistic #actuallymentallyill #actuallyanxious #actuallyspd #sensory processing disorder #spd #blog post

[spacepuppie]

I bought this nice thing that makes nice soft wood clinking sounds and thought y’all would enjoy it too

#adhd #actuallyadhd #stim #stimming #stim toy #auditory stim #soothing #sensory #sensory processing disorder #actuallyspd #autistic #actuallyautistic

[queenmaj]

my therapist: have you ever considered that you might have SPD?

me, pulling 482837275747 pages of research and a powerpoint presentation out of my bag: omg it's so funny that you mention that, I've done a little bit of research over the last idk like 3 years or so, and-

#skakakdjsjdjsjdjdj i always wanted to talk to him about it but like he had to bring it up First u know #i think i wanted him to say it first so i could be like okay look another person sees this in you so you aren't faking or wrong about it #this happened like a year and a half ago #spd #actuallyspd #sensory processing disorder #therapy

[minecrafttortie]

step 1: have symptoms/be weird in some way

step 2: develop self-hatred

step 3: see a person or tv character behaving the same way

step 4: ask someone Why Am I Like This

step 5: discover a mental illness that fits you to a T

step 6: add to the "what's wrong with my brain now" pile

step 7: repeat

#y'all apparently most/all of my anxiety stems from a fear of being abandoned #thanks rebecca sugar #actuallyanxious #actuallymentallyill #actuallymisophonic #actuallyadhd #actuallyspd #spinel #mental illness #mental health

[sensorysurvival]

do you have any tips on calming yourself down from sensory overload when you physically can’t leave the area and the people around you don’t listen/don’t believe sensory overload is a thing and instead they keep berating you and being loud, verbally aggressive, etc? I tend to act aggressive back until they leave me alone but it always leads to conflicts and I don’t know what else to do, they won’t listen to me and it’s bugging me a lot lately. thank you and stay safe and healthy!

Hi there,

This is a really great question--it’s something I personally struggle with myself. What I try to do is breathe and refocus. There’s a breathing technique called ‘square breathing’ where you breathe in deeply through your nose for a count of four, hold for a count of four, then breath out through your mouth for a count of four. It’s shown that this type of breathing, when done for a minute or longer, can slow our heart rate down so that we’re not as angry/keyed up emotionally.

The other thing I do is refocus. I find one pleasant or neutral thing around me and focus on that, while I breathe at the same time. Maybe it’s a flower that I like in the room. Maybe it’s the feeling of my feet on the floor. Maybe it’s the tap of my fingers against my thigh. The important thing is I find that thing, breathe, and focus as best I can on that thing.

Once the fight etc is over, I hightail it out of there and use deep pressure (blankets on top of me, hugging myself, etc) to calm myself down, but that’s just me--do what you can to go all the way calm again, bc breathing & refocusing are good for keeping yourself under control but don’t necessarily completely bring you down from overload.

I really, really hope this helps <3

Good luck, stay safe, & stay healthy,

Rowan

#actuallyasd #actuallyspd #asd #autism #sensory processing disorder #sensory overload #coping #asks #answered #Anonymous

[dandypauper]

Durable, sensory-friendly earbuds?

Hey y’all. So I’ve just broken my fourth pair of EarPods (I swear to god Apple must be making them cheaper and cheaper)- which sucks because they’re a big coping item for me, especially at school and in crowded places. I’ve been thinking about investing in AirPods so I don’t have to worry about breaking the cords, but I’m hesitant that I might lose them.

Does anybody have recommendations for earbuds that have a similar shape/feel to apple EarPods (the ones with rubber bits that you just stick in your ear kind of freak me out), but are more durable/better made? Thanks!

#spd #actuallyspd #actuallyautistic #anxiety #actuallyanxious #sensoryprocessingdisorder #sensoryprocessing

[compulsiveobsessing]

at TWO previous concerts I attended, friends asked if was alright because I guess I looked upset or sad??? Or something???

And during those moments I wasn't talking and was just sitting in my seat because the opening acts were playing and they were very loud and had strobe lights each time

So I guess I have a visceral reaction when I'm overloaded? Or maybe the switch from normal to overwhelmed is very noticeable?

Which is weird to me because I never thought people noticed. My family certainly never did.

#Just something I remembered earlier #Spd #Sensory processing disorder #Actuallyspd #Sensory overload