What's in my Autism Friendly Bag | 2024
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มิ.ย. 2024
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There are some things a late identified (diagnosed) autistic TH-camr needs every day - this is my EDC (everyday carry) for 2024.
What are your daily essentials? Tell me in the comments section :)
🔗 Related Links:
How Autistic Burnout Changed My Life (really): • How Autistic Burnout C...
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👨⚖️ Disclaimer:
I am not a healthcare professional or psychotherapist. If you are watching this and feel that you need immediate mental health support, please see the list of mental health helplines at [HelpGuide.org](helpguide.org/) here:
www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm
If you have met one autistic (and or ADHD) person, you have met one person. This is a spectrum condition, and many traits may be different, or have alternative explanations for your symptoms. If in doubt, refer to a psychologist, and not a TH-camr.
Self-diagnosis is valid!
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Airpods
01:27 Handwipes
02:00 Essential Oil Roller
02:29 Sea Flap Flap
03:06 Hydra-te
03:26 Sunglasses
04:30 Packable Tote Bag
05:20 Sleep Mask
06:05 YouTubing Gear
06:25 Travel Case, Teabags, Suncream, Cables
07:15 My favourite sunscreen
07:36 Safe foods
09:15 iPad Pro
09:30 Other items
10:15 EXCLUSIVE VIDEO COMING SOON - บันเทิง
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I have always been teased and ribbed about how much stuff I carry with me, my rucksack is always full and always useful when other have forgotten their stuff or their kids have fallen over suddenly I'm not so stupid for looking like a tortoise with everything but then kitchen sink.
Hahaha that reminds me of Mrs Beaver from the C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. She carried everything, including a random bread knife! 🦫🧡
@Autistic_AF that's right I am that person 😆 I tried being normal last week just taking my phone keys and purse with me but i got half way up the road and thought what if! Never again 😆
People have often picked on me for all the stuff I carry with me until they need something that they know I always have.
Haha same! I was teased all the time for lugging so much stuff around....like half a pharmacy, hat and gloves, sunscreen, electrolytes, power banks and so on... Im like Mr. Gadget. 🤣 However he who laughs last, laughs longest. 😎 Every time they come crawling. 🤣 By now, there is no teasing anymore, all my friends have learned their lesson. 😂
"It's like cat food, but for humans." 😼
Thank you, Mike and Polly! 😺🤍
Thank you :) ☺️
Something I simply cannot do, ever, is rifle through another's personal belongings. But I am also as curious as a cat. So, this was very enjoyable to watch. TY so much.
Hehe, you’re welcome, Auditing with Autism! :) 🧡
Now that I know I'm autistic (technically AuDHD, officially as of February), I make sure I always have two sets of earplugs (Flare & Loop) as well as a small bike chain fidget on my keys. I also use pop sockets on my phone case to be able to hold it, but I found one that is meant to be a vinyl record and it spins. So now I have a built-in fidget spinner on my phone. I also have a calm strip on my phone case (that helps me with skin picking/anxiety). I like other things like Infinity cubes, stuffies, and a giant squishy ball, but ADHD brain wins sometimes and I forget to bring them, so built-in fidgets on my keys and phone which I don't leave the house without are really helpful and act as an emergency kit. I'm more careful about bringing Sensory stuff along when I know I'm going to be in a large group or traveling. I keep sunglasses in the car which I often use in box stores (fluorescent lights).
I think taking away the stress is the most valuable part of it all. Having that kind of safety net makes things so much easier or more bearable that otherwise can be stressing.
Absolutely. Reducing the pain points is the priority. 🧡
I carry tea bags when I travel too, but they are very specifically lapsang souchong, since I have that every morning, and have been for about 12 years.
Absolutely, plushies are essential. I have a small snowy owlet that I bring with me. He is very obviously very well loved.
Yay! A fellow tea - I’m carrying a common breakfast tea, basic English tea but lapsang souchong is nice too! I haven’t had it in so long :) 🦉🧡
@@Autistic_AF It is a nice punch in the face by a campfire. Glad to hear you like it! My co-workers used to make me drink it in a sealed travel mug.
Several years ago, my lapsang souchong dealer stopped carrying it so I had to find a new one. It was a scary time! I order a kilogram of it every 7 months or so.
For the 36 years prior to diagnosis where I was unaware, I think picking my nails until there was nothing left to get at was my stim 😂 in new social situations I’d pick so much they’d be bleeding.
Now if I’m going to visit family or I’m a passenger in my car, I will take a squishy toy to stim as they are my favourites. Nee Doh cube is my #1. I’ve not been brave enough to take fidgets to use in front of non-family yet but it’s only been a few months since I learned I was Autistic
My daughter gifted me one of those cubes, I love it! I like the gummy bears they make, too.
Hey Simon, ahhhh that sounds painful! I do that to my neck and my hair sometimes - I can relate to suspicious looking injuries! Nee Doh - I’ll look into that! Thank you!
I do the same. It’s the worst. I hate always having bloody or hurting fingers, but since learning I was autistic about 1.5 years ago, I’ve been buying all the stim toys to see what I like. I feel like a cat though. I tend to like things not made to be stim toys…. My favorite is actually opening and closing my AirPods Pro 2 case. The little magnets feel good. I put the noise cancelling on and it’s discrete
If I wear a jacket or hoodie with pockets, I will keep a stim toy in there to reach in when things get "tough". My invisible stims are destructive and these can be a good relief addition.
Tryrubbing your thumb and pointer fingers really fast together as a subtil stim. I do it both unconsciously and consciously. As a soon to bee late diagnosed autsitc person I had to teach my self to stim again more intentionaly, and it helps a lott🙂
I don't usually travel, but this was still pretty interesting to watch. The "I'm a Brit so... teabags" and the "It's like cat food but for humans" made me chuckle. I have a handful of fidget toys that attach to a keychain and I always have at least one of them on a zipper in each of my purses, just so I always have a fidget at hand when I leave the house. I also wear those spinner rings. And, when I go to work, I have a small pouch with some extra fidgets to help me survive a day at the office.
Even though I don’t think I need all of this this is a great suggestion guide. I will definitely look into that sleeping mask, most sleeping masks have greater downsides than upsides for me but that one looks really comfy and dark. Also I highly prefer stimtoys that aren’t supposed to be stimtoys but I have bought a few now (not arrived yet) because I’m really scared of destroying things and I need something I can use however I want (including biting) without it being a big deal
Thank you General Otter! 🦦 - the sleeping mask is by a company called, "Manta Mask" - they sell several different ones. This one's the cheapest and the most comfortable of the lot. It's really comfy and 100% blackout. I tend to chew on my hoodie drawstrings but don't have anything for that specific purpose. 🙃
I have that mask too and it’s super soft and comfy. And it’s the best blackout mask I’ve ever tried. It’s down side for me is that it is a bit bulky when you sleep on your side. But it’s very doable and it doesn’t slip off.
@@Autistic_AFI am a, "Pen cap chewer," myself and have started carrying an old smoking pipe to get that oral fix, sometimes. Smokers shame only works if it's lit, right? LOL
Actually in my excitement and rush to comment I forgot some important other stimming behaviour I was not previously aware of too, such as;
Squirming in my chair
Pacing up and down the room or in circles
Bouncing my legs
Shuffling my feet (so much that my socks get worn into a patch of the carpet where I sit)
Playing with cushions on my lap
Fidgeting with objects in reach (pens etc)
Oh, how I used to envy the girls who would just go out with their coin purse, keys and lippy! My EDC bag was one of the things that helped crack my vertebrae. It was really heavy, and I moved a chair it was on and bang! So I had to rethink, as covering for all eventualities was no longer possible. Lip salve is a necessity, plus a smooth lightweight fork as I can't stand the feel of the eco wooden ones in my mouth, always sunglasses, always a mask and gel now as I'm immunosuppressed. I just fiddle with the fittings on my bag. It would be Earl Grey for me when travelling.
Am I the only one who doesn’t need fidget toys? Mainly because anything can be my regulation toy; like moving my fingers a certain way, playing with my hair in a repetitive mode, or a pen or a magazine, or a zipper … or my leg and body. It’s a good thing because due to my bad neck, I can’t carry much (this bag is way too big for me), I create fidget toys out of everything.
I don't normally use fidget items, I'm a lip biter & leg bouncer. Sometimes I sway or rock but don't do that in public much.
Thanks for sharing! You have some good ideas.
I've only recently carried a backpack with me to hold meds as I got older. But I have added a lot of things to it for soothing and regulating measure and had no idea thats why I was adding them. My regulation kit organically assembled itself!
Hi Mike, Hi Polly! I don’t think I'll ever grow a beard either - I also hate stubble on my chin - definitely a sensory issue. Menopause gives me that beard growing option you see, albeit a very, very patchy and thin beard, but stubble asside, i don’t think I'd have the courage. Wish the NT society had less "need for sameness" on this issue.
Good to see the garden swing getting some good use! 🐥🐈💛
Thanks for sharing this. Practical and thoughtful. ❤
Thank you, Fisher! I’m glad you enjoyed it :) 🧡
lol I have a bag just like this. I have many of the same stuff inside!! Instead of essential oil, I carry bottle of Vicks because I love the smell 😂 a nice squish. FL 41 glasses (recommend), Colored gel pens, sticky notes, index cards with organizer file box.
Alcohol wipes. Tye die Hankerchiefs, for if I need a place mat or napkin. Chapstick, lotion. 😂 lol rad
The best, affordable, wipes are Pampers. They don’t tear. I buy them by the gross.
My favourite at the cucumber wipes from Boots (UK). They’re really nice and don’t tear either.
I love the bag. I will look onto essential oil roll ons.
I have popper stim toy, my favourite are spinners.
Thanks for the idea , it's made me think more about doing that.
I love watching EDC videos, thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks for being here, Eric! (Me, too!)
Speaking of autistic people stuck in mental health facilities, have you ever seen Jane Campion's beautiful film, Angel at My Table, based on novelist/poet Janet Frame's autobiographical trilogy? I'd seen it during it's theatrical release and recently re-watched it on TH-cam. The reason I sought it out was that off and on for years since I first saw it I'd remember how I'd related so strongly to various scenes in the film. Since I have been discovering my autistic identity in the past six months it made me wonder if she was autistic, too. I felt those scenes even more deeply when I finally re-watched it. A lot of puzzle pieces fell into place. I highly recommend it. Very sensitively handled. I also read some of her work and she is/was a very gifted writer. I hope you and your viewers will check out the film and her work.
I'm a Janet Frame fan and I, too, have wondered whether she was autistic.
I’ll take a look - no, haven’t seen it. Thanks for the recommendation!
I read the book! It was really good.
I relate as well because I spent time in the state hospital. Though luckily I was not misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
Great timing on this video! I just returned from a trip to Mexico City 2 weeks ago and started planning my very own autism sensory travel kit in my head. One thing I didn’t see in yours is lip balm! The most important thing I’m searching for is some sort of a small travel light or lamp. None of my hotels had a bedside lamp, only a ceiling light with a daylight bulb. ☠️ That is pretty common in Mexico. I’m thinking maybe one of those clip on book lights that I could turn around and face against the wall for a bit of diffusion. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Oh, if you have a small travel or book light that plugs into USB (I have one that’s very cheap. About $5 - and on one end it’s got an adjustable light, and the other end is a USB-A plug. It’s got its own internal rechargeable battery. Something like that would be perfect for you! I hope your trip to Mexico City went well! 🧡
Oh I definitely need lip balm with me at all times!
lol yeas, my partner and I are known as the twins. Because we are both audhd.
We both have sacks we have carried for years. I think it’s just evolution of experience really. You either learn how life is preferably is. You learn it takes more energy some days so you go prepared most days. Especially even a trip to the Librairy doctor or therapist.
I take a small bag with me and I always have lotion (washing my hands dries them out and that makes my hand sensory issues way worse), non sticky lip gloss or moisturizer, 33db reduction ear plugs, my Samsung earbuds which also do noise cancelling, glasses, a compact mirror, a pen and note pad, lightweight chemical sunscreen (Supergoop is the brand I have, it doesn't feel or smell like mineral sunscreen), hair brush and clips (those fly away hairs really bug me!), Nee Doh gummy bear, glasses wipes, and a water bottle. I usually have travel size items because my bag is pretty small. My eyeglasses are transition lenses, I should have something for indoors I suppose since those lenses only work outside or in the car.
I also tend to wear fidgety jewelry, like something with woven glass beads. Those necklaces and bracelets have a nice weight to them, they absorb body heat, and have a smooth but bumpy texture.
Great choices! Oooo woven glass beads sound cool! 👌
I tried fidget toys. Turns out I like old cotton 😂 so have cut up old tshirts and take a piece with me everywhere i go. The cotton has to be really old, like when it gets a bit weird smelling. I think it reminds me of my old teddy bear 🧸
I have that same bag - bought it long before my diagnosis. It's a good bag.
Ditto! Yeah, it’s a great bag! I like the lifetime warranty - but nothing’s broken yet :)
May I ask the brand? I need to replace a backpack and am overwhelmed by the options.
It’s the Peak Design Backpack (there are two sizes - this one’s the smaller one).
This has given me some good ideas of things to add to my bag. Nice video! :)
Hey Jerry! I’m really glad it’s given you some ideas :) 🧡
My favorite fidget toys are nee doh nice cube and a metal spinner.
Musts in my bad (purse) are chapstick/lip gloss (i hate the feeling of dry lips), water bottle Yeti no spill, meds organizer travel box, hand sanitizer, electrolyte packet, kind bar, at least 2 pair sunglasses.
Good suggestions! That nee doh cube really gets mentioned a LOT!
@Autistic_AF it's so satisfying. I have 2 other nee doh items ball-too soft kind of boring and purple squishy cat...cute but too soft...sits on my monitor stand at work. But the cube had the right amount of resistance. Highly recommend. I have heard out of the 3 colors some may have more resistance than others so I will have to buy the other 2 colors to find out lol
LOL I now realise I've been doing this for years!! I always pack for any possible outcome, so I'll have hat, sunglasses, cotton scarf (good for keeping the sun off or keeping warm), earplugs, plasters, water, snacks...
Realised I need to go through my bag when I got a scarf out for a friend & counted at least 3 of them in there 🤣
Hey Laura! Yes! Pack all the things! 🧡😂
Great video Mike, really cool to see what your essentials are. Tea bags and essential oils where two really cool ones I liked.
Would be interested in what kinda apps you rock on your iPad :)
Also this is motivating for me to try and build a bag similar to this :D
Woo hoo! Yes, definitely build a bag with some similar things! It’s great to be self reliant :) (especially with ones own tea bags!). 🧡
I bought myself chew toys after I chewed a wine glass and cracked it.
I like the tyre chewable bracelet from Sensooli and I also like chewing a “puk” that is supposed to be a wrist rest.
I was JUST thinking how I love "what's in my bag" type videos, thanks for making this :) definitely need to add plushie and tea to my backpack!!
Oh DEFINITELY add a plushie and teabags to your backpack! You never know when you’ll need them! 🧡
Maybe it’s just a female thing, but I like to have always have a nail file - which can be multi purpose in emergencies - and tooth picks with me. And a pen. I always have a packet of paper handkerchiefs but never thought of (also) having wet wipes. Great idea.
For sleepovers I always have at least one pair of very insulating foam earplugs to block out noise.
I don’t always carry stim/fidget toys because A) I’m not much of a stimmer and B) I always have my wiggly toes with me anyways. But I do like the ONO roller.
Oh definitely a file and clippers are a great thing to keep on hand 😊
I have a little emergency kit in the car glove compartment and I have files and clippers there along with a bunch of first aid and tweezers.
Oh definitely with you on the nail file. I’ve got some nail clippers and a small file in my travel case - and I will also pack my Leatherman Wave multitool if I’ve got luggage. (Frustratingly a lockable blade isn’t street legal without a valid reason to have it in public). Foam earplugs too - an emergency pair in a bag! Great one, I should have mentioned it :)
My favorite stimmy (fidget) toy is silly putty
And especially ladies, what kind of self-defense item do you carry in your handbag? In case you have severe anxiety.
There must be something for that situation as well, just in case. Thank you for sharing this, Mike 🌠
Fingers to the eyes are my self-defense. They can't easily be taken away and used against me.
Great to hear you are vegan 💚
Hello Brenin 🌱 6 ish years now :)
@@Autistic_AF Same, six years 😄
Yippie! 🌱
@@Autistic_AF If you haven’t already, it would be great for you to have a vegan ‘anniversary’ day. I chose a date from memory as close as possible to my decision day and each year I try and celebrate.
It was Christmas! We raided our fridge and pantry and took everything with animal products (like milk powder!) to the food bank. Literally overnight. I don’t recommend to anyone to switch like that, but it’s the way that worked for us!
Painkillers, ora gel, lipsil
A card game (2 or more players)
Charger/power bank
Not exhaustive list, just extras
Can't be without ways to kill pain or time 😁😁
Oh, nice shout on the card game. I’ve got a few, but in pass-the-iPad mode. Painkillers, personal care items of course too in that little bag :)
Hoorah for the Sea Flap-Flap! Everything is now right with the world 😊
My friend bought me a plushy manatee on Thursday. That is more like a Sea Flop-Flop 😂
Hey Traci, yippee! Can’t not bring the sea flap flap!
While watching; look another floating cat fluff guess I have to get up. No wait... not mine. All good.
I love watching every day carry bag videos as they always give great ideas of what to add to my "purse". Like an eye mask.
Oh yeah, that’s Polly! She sheds more than all the other animals put together. Her coat is so intensely fluffy. Yeah, EDC videos are fun, I had to do one! An eye mask, something literally ‘black out’ is great anywhere you’ve got some privacy. I wish our ears and noses could black themselves out too (like a camel does). Maybe future evolution will give us that ability! :D
Having been a girl guide the mantra of be prepared has stuck with me big time. My everyday bag is awash with nifty gadgets for every occasion mini screwdriver for the glasses emergency, pain relief tablets, penknife, sewing kit, whistle, plasters, tweezers, various pens, ono roller, piece of soft fabric for secretive stimming...I could go on it's quite a list... that's just every day... going on holiday there's a whole box of food which just has to include marmite!!! There's been too many times even with the relatives that the panic rises and I think OK what am I going to eat then???
P.s. much better levels of music...my ears didn't have to analyse it and see it on a score...
Always be prepared! I learnt very little in the scouts, but I did hear this mantra in the cubs quite a bit :D
@@Autistic_AF I even managed to do an emergency repair on a double bass just before an orchestra concert once with the tools in my bag!
I have evolved to a state of too sensitive to travel, but yes… that’s a great pack and well the plushy seems “necessary” some people like gadgets some like plush…: a silky edged plushy for me please!
Oooo what type of plushie is your favourite? 😻
Some are worse than others, but I absolutely hate the texture of sunscreen!!! I rather wear long sleeves, long pants, and a bob hat that covers my neck. Or use an umbrella (the same as I use when it's rainy). It's funny to hear people's comments on my way, from "it's smart" to "she is dumb, she believes it's raining or what?"
I agree! I'd rather wear long clothes. I hate sunscreen. People would ask why I was covered up in the heat. I live in the desert. So I would tell them that you are actually cooler in light colored loose clothes than if the sun is on your skin. This doesn't work where it is humid. But think about what Arab people traditionally wear. They wear long robes.
I use a backpack instead of a purse so I can have all the stuff I need.
Uuurrrrgghhh - noise cancelling headphones are part of the problem! 🤣 How do people bear the circuit hum?
Some are better than others. The AirPods Pro 2’s are the best ones that I’ve found that I can use comfortably and the NC is adjustable. Some people swear by the Sony (WD5?
Cheap ones are terrible about that. Good high end ANC headphones are a bubble of blissful silence, but you get what you pay for.
@@tjzambonischwartz I'm sure you do. Those of us consigned to the economic underclass have to take what we can get.
Finding the "right" food is indeed a struggle.
The struggle is real!!!! 🧡