Nervous System Dysregulation: 5 Preventative Strategies for Autistic Adults
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ก.ค. 2024
- This video covers the differences between our parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system plus five preventative strategies for autistic individuals to help stave off dysregulation and burnout.
👂 Flare Earbuds for Sensory Overwhelm (affiliate link): www.flareaudio.com/momonthesp...
🙀🌟 RESOURCES 🌟🕺
💻 🎭 ONLINE COURSE How to Unmask www.momonthespectrum.life/how...
📒 Meltdown Survival Guide: www.momonthespectrum.life/mel...
🗂 FREE Big Autistic Resource Guide (BARG): taylorheaton.gumroad.com/l/barg
🖥 Mom on the Spectrum website: www.momonthespectrum.life
More Mom on the Spectrum Videos: / momonthespectrum
❤️ 🧡 💛 MY FAVORITE THINGS 💚 💙 💜
ONO Fidget Roller (affiliate link): bit.ly/3xLZnQY (use code: MOMONTHESPECTRUM for 10% off at checkout)
Flare Earbuds for Sensory Overwhelm (affiliate link): www.flareaudio.com/momonthesp...
Manta Weighted Sleep Mask (affiliate link): bit.ly/3n3l64I (use code: MOMONTHESPECTRUM for 10% off at checkout)
💃⭐️ FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA 🤠🎶
Instagram: / taylor_heaton_
Tiktok: / taylor_heaton_
📬 BUSINESS ADDRESS:
Taylor Heaton
8901 Tehama Ridge Parkway, Suite 127
PMB 680
Fort Worth, TX 76177
📧 Business inquiries: info@momonthespectrum.life
👏🏻 FREE 👏🏻 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT 🦾
🟥 SUBSCRIBE to the channel
🟧 LIKE the videos that are helpful to you
🟨 COMMENT in the comment section
🟩 Click the “bell” to be notified when I release new videos
🙏 Thank you immensely to those of you who have already donated, been active on the channel, and/or purchased the Meltdown Survival Guide.
DISCLAIMER: Taylor Heaton is not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional. Her services do not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. Please note that Taylor can’t take any responsibility for the results of your actions, nor any harm or damage you suffer as a result of the use, or non-use of the information available through her website, TH-cam Channel, or social media accounts. Please use judgment and conduct due diligence before taking any action or implementing any plan or practice suggested or recommended by Taylor Heaton or Mom on the Spectrum. Please note that Taylor doesn't make any guarantees about the results of the information you may apply from her website, TH-cam channel, and/or social media accounts. Taylor shares educational and informational resources that are intended to help you succeed in navigating life as an autistic adult. You nevertheless need to know that your outcome will be the result of your own efforts, your particular situation, and innumerable other circumstances beyond Taylor's knowledge and control. Taylor is an Amazon affiliate and may receive commissions on qualifying purchases from affiliate links. Taylor is a Flare affiliate and may receive commissions on qualifying purchases from Flare links.
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
You are a beautiful person worthy of love!
#actuallyautistic #momonthespectrum #autisticadult
As a 70 yr old self-diagnosed woman with ASD and EDS, I sleep between 10-12 hrs/night, I drink water like it’s my job and I also exercise 6 hrs/wk. These things go a long way to helping me cope with my world.
I’m 72, and I also sleep 10 to 12 hours out of 24. Now that I’m retired, I can do that, and my quality of life has greatly improved. I also have a better memory now. When I meet people, I remember their names, almost always.
I’d love to have some earbuds.
26 and started exercising again after being a child athlete and quitting in HS from bullying. I'm now in full throw getting back into shape and I LOVE IT.
For anyone outside the US, I did the conversion for Taylor's recommended daily water intake, and it's 32.6 mL of water per kg of body weight.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Basically that is taking your body weight in kg, divide it by three and the result is the amount of water in desiliters. So if you're 90 kg => 90 / 3 = 30 dl, or 3 liters. As far as I can tell, that is a good amount of water intake for an adult, however, only half of that usually should come in the form of liquid and half as a part of food we eat.
Tip for offensive smells/scents: I found an inexpensive lemon extract/oil (large bottle with dropper) and I apply it to my collar or other article of clothing that doesn’t touch my skin. It derails offensive scents and doubles as a “perfume”. Lemon is my favorite, but I sometimes swap it for a vanilla or a mint. With the exception of peppermint, I’ve found that other scent-sensitive people are not negatively affected by my use of them.
Adding these scents to rice or cotton cosmetic pads in a salt shaker can freshen your space in a car, office, or closet/drawer. Just “recharge” the scent as needed. Combinations can be fun, too! Vanilla pairs well with many and can invoke the joys of fresh baked goodies! I can’t tolerate cinnamon, but that’d be a great addition for applications where staining isn’t an issue (like clothing). Just sprinkle in with your rice + oil. Honestly, any spice/herb you enjoy could work. Basil, maybe?
great suggestion!! thank you. lemon is one of my favorite scents as well 🍋
What a terrific video! I’m still in the “i wonder if i’m autistic” phase but am finding your tip’s incredibly helpful. Thank you!!
I recently discovered thinking putty, and it is a game changer!! It’s made me more comfortable being in public, and I can leave my poor cuticles alone!!
The sensory supports one has CHANGED MY LIFE. Especially accommodating my noise sensitivity. When at home, I literally always either have my noise cancelling earbuds (Sony WF-1000XM4) in or my over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones (Bose NC 700) on. When at work, I carry my Loop earplugs on my ID Badge in their little carrying case so I can put them on before going into any louder environments. It's made me SO much more relaxed.
I’ve found the same thing with my Bose headphones. I have the vibes earplugs too but I’m shears scared they are going to fall out of my ears since the stem of them sticks out past my ear and my hair can easily brush it.
@@imogenoliver If you are worried about that try loops, they have 3 different types depending on how you want to use them and they sit flat inside your ear (the loop holds them in place and gives you something to grab to pull them out. I would recommend getting the pro version as they come with more tips to try and what they call a mute so it adds another 5 db reduction.
I did get a pair of vibes but haven't used them as I don't feel like they stay in my ears as well as the loops do (have worked out that the shape of one of my ear canals is a bit wonky as in earbuds sit weird on that side, the loops on that side still sit reasonably flat (don't stick out noticeably)
@@amandamandamands thank you 🙂. Do you find that the loops make your voice kind of echo in your head when you talk (I don’t really know how to explain that)? I’ve heard mixed opinions on this so I’m just curious. I think these flare ones would fit better in my ears too by the looks, given how they nestle into the shape of the ear rather than just the ear canal.
I love my Loops, BUT I can't stand hearing my own voice so loudly in my head when I talk to people, so I find it hard to know how loudly I need to speak to people without seeming weird! Is that something you just jave to get used to? Aah lol, there's always something, right? 😢😅
@@SS24ist arrh yeah there is always something 🙄. Though if you get that amplified sound in your head when you wear the loops, there are earplugs that don’t do that. I find that my vibes don’t do that, maybe slightly but not enough to get in the way.
For me, a big secret I had to unlock about my sensory experience was taking note of the fiber content of my clothes. How they fit obviously plays a big role too. Is there a garment you would wear everyday if you could? Is there one you consistently feel uncomfy in? If the tags are still attached, check out what they're made of, and that will give you some data to work with when buying new clothes. Now you can look for the fiber content of prospective purchases and compare. Even if the tags are long gone, you could make a note of how the things you already own feel in your hand and compare when shopping in-store is an option. That helped me anyway!
I can’t wear polyester. The texture has always upset me, but it is only in recent years that I’ve been able to assign the reaction to a specific fibre.
@rubysilver3299 same! When I was a kid, my adults made it clear that the best thing I could ever be was low maintenance, so I put up with wearing a lot of garments that it cost me SO MUCH mental energy to wear. They really only made space for picky-ness of it was a modesty thing 🙄 It's only in the past few years as an adult that I started connecting the dots between clothing that sucks to wear and what that clothing is made of. I've got a pretty clear idea of my Happy Fabrics and "Dear God No" Fabrics now! I wish us both luck in converting our wardrobes to only Happy Fabrics 😊
Polyester is OMG, no, same with the itchy reg. wool; cotton, Merino wool, and bamboo! and are my happy fabrics. Bamboo is SO soft and fairly stretchy but doesn't last as long as cotton. I can also wear what they used to call raw silk, but I never see that anymore. Linen is also great, except it wrinkles worse than cotton...😢
@tbacon2784 I looooove wool. There are for sure wools I'm happy to wear next to my skin and wools I'll want a layer under, though. Y at temperature regulation is just so *chef's kiss*. And I'm ok with having wrinkles in my linen when the occasion is informal; I actually like the look. I'll whip out the iron for a formal occasion. The biggest barrier between me and more linen garments is just the cost bc my income is quite small. But I'll get them! Slowly but surely.
@ladykarolyn1 Don't laugh, but one pair of my linen pants belonged to my grandmother! LOL! The 2nd pair came from a thrift shop. I don't really mind wrinkles too much either; I actually buy cotton pants that are made to look wrinkled for traveling. I can just stuff them anywhere and pull them out as needed without having to worry that they might get wrinkled! I just know that some people are bothered by wrinkles, so I added the wrinkled bit in there to let anyone reading my comment know about linen wrinkles. Anyway, be sure and check out the slacks aisle at your local thrift shops, etc...maybe even old lady estate sales...
Really enjoyed this. I have been in a situation last week where smells were affecting me in a learning environment. I found putting some aromatherapy oils on a piece of cotton wool and tucking it into my bra. If the smells starred to affect me I’d just get the cotton wool and sniff it. Worked well for me. Thank you. I love the ‘big stims’ concept; going to look into that
My husband bought noise cancelling headphones for his work, and he was impressed with how well they worked and wanted to show me.
I put them on and - it was like my body instantly relaxed and awakened at the same time, that “it’s a whole new woooorld” feeling. I didn’t want to take them off. 😆
Hydration cannot be overstated. I noticed, too, if I am properly hydrated, I’m more likely to respond to thirst signals appropriately. Chronic dehydration can actually reduce sensitivity to thirst.
Hey I find the giant water bottles overwhelming so my advice for anyone like me is to buy literally a toddler sized cup/bottle and drink it once an hour (depending on size).
Late diagnosed as well. I have an OT friend who recommended dry brushing and joint compressions. It regulates the sensory processing center in the brain. Such a huge change! Things are still too loud and bright and uncomfortable, sometimes, but that severe anxiety that accompanied it is gone!
Great video! Daily exercise, walking the dogs, doing chores, I’m finding these movement type experiences are so important for me to feel balanced and well.
Same
Awesome! Glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing!
Even though I have a little more experience being on the spectrum since I was diagnosed at 15yr old, I really do appreciate hearing about your experiences and perspectives, cause it's never too late to learn from one another. 🙏❤️✌️
Love this, thank you Taylor! Our nervous system health is everything, especially when it comes to preventing/healing from Autistic burnout. I would add eating to the point about staying hydrate, because going too long ignoring hunger signals can also trigger the nervous system. And also a big one I would add is pain management. I've had chronic pain for a long time (as I know many Autistic people do) and it's only just recently I've learned from an OT that being in pain will be triggering my nervous system constantly, especially if I keep trying to push through and ignore those signals like with other body signals/interoception issues. I've been in bad Autistic burnout for about a year and it hadn't occurred to me that proper pain management could be a big aspect of healing my nervous system dysfunction and burnout. It makes so much sense but I just hadn't realised!
So yeah, number 6: Pain management 💖
Thanks for sharing this! It's given me a bit of an a-ha moment just now, but of course ignored pain would trigger our nerves. I think as women and mothers we're so used to suppressing our own needs and even pain that we almost forget how it feels to not be in pain. Another generational cycle to tackle ♥
Re: hydration...electrolytes can help with hydration in addition to drinking plain water. It helps me with some POTS-adjacent symptoms, too. So having electrolyte tablets at home or making a simple salty lemonade kind of thing really helps!
Thank you Taylor! Great tips! I resonate with all of these. Another one I would say is to provide yourself with sensory breaks! I find that taking 30 minutes during my day to go to a quiet space and lay down with earplugs and an eye mask on really helps me regulate. During this time, I normally rock. This full body stim is really helpful for getting energy out.
Loops ear plugs have really helped me at work. It's an immediate relief to my whole system.
7:25 I can't stand room spray smells. But I love to spray the Dr Broner's Lavender hand sanitizer. It kills whatever smell and I don't get headaches from it. Hope that helps anyone else looking for something.
Keep a couple of coffee beans in your pocket and sniff as needed.
Thanks for the tip!
I don’t let anyone stop me stimming anymore. I spent years of my life not allowing myself to self regulating to not “upset” neurotypical people. Never again I feel so much better now
Ive not been officially dx, however i brought it up to my counselor about 2 years ago and she said she could see that (i adore her so thats as good as an official dx to me) my dads parents were very sick so asd exploration got put on the back burner till about 6months ago, i started researching it. And never been more sure.
Now to the point of this comment when you said something about the taste in your mouth after eat! Theres been times where i got nauseous from that lingering taste. My family thought im weird but now i get it. It also affects me with food smell on my hands. I went so far as to eat a lot of foods typically eaten without silverware (burgers, pizza) with silverware or i have to wash my hands multiple times.
Thank you for saying that and making me feel more normal ❤ well our normal. Makes me want to cry lol
On the earbuds, as a musician I needed them, so I had them made to fit, it cost 130 euro's, but so worth it. I wear them all the time, especially when there's lots of people talking to each other, and it helps a lot. Also a lot more comfortable than the disposable ones.
Ugh I have been balking at the suggested 8 hrs a night guideline for years and off and on feeling "guilty" for sometimes needing much more rest than that, it is so nice to hear someone else express this.
I think it's 6-10 but they say 8 because people wouldn't even aim for that without it
Yes, that was really comforting for me, too, because I always feel guilty for needing so much rest.
As a 62 year old clinical social worker, I had never heard of interoception. Omg that sent me down the rabbit hole. Found Dr.
Nett, a clinical psychologist, with a great blog/workbook on methods to improve weak interoception. She is ASD/adhd herself. Much needed tools. Thank you for dropping this concept into your video. It will be very helpful to explain more about this, and how to address it.
Oops Dr. Neff.
1. Get enough sleep
2. Stay hydrated
3. Regularly connect with your body through movement (walking, yoga, etc) to feel tension/pain
4. Engage in large stims
5. Using sensory support through the day (sunglasses, hat, comfortable clothing, etc)
I just tried doing a wacky waving inflatable tube man imitation and it felt really nice :D
I’m not autistic (don’t identify with a lot of the key social aspects) but I have newly diagnosed adhd and there’s so much overlap even without being both that a lot of what you talk about applies to me too and I still really benefit from your videos! Plus beyond just what I relate to, it’s also just as valuable to understand where the experience differs aaand helps me better understand one of my dearest friends who is autistic! Just thought I’d send my appreciation, I’m going to drink some water now 😛
If you’re reading this and forgot to hit the like button on this video… do it! I know we can forget, but it’s the least we can do for these great videos! ❤️❤️
sunglasses were a huge thing for me. i didn't think i needed them as much as i do? i've bought sunglasses & neglected them bc i didn't realise how important they could be. i started wearing them this spring while working outdoors & i just kept wearing them any time i'm outside. & the difference in my mood at those times has been amazing. i realise that without them, i get squinty & headache-y & then i get all cranky. & i realise now that i am allowed to wear them *whenever.* like when it's cloudy but the witness of the sky still hurts? i can wear sunglasses. bad/no makeup day, sunglasses. i don't want ppl to see into my soul, sunglasses.
also i really really want to try flares. my loops are ok but flares might do better, idk since i haven't tried them. i love my over-the-ear headphones except that it feels like they're squeezing tf out of my head. i *used* to be huge on scents like incense, candles, wax melts, room sprays. i think it's one of those things that i ended up neglecting bc it's *one more thing to remember.* but i'm going to try it again bc i like nice-smelling things & i live with a lot of cats.
oh also i love swinging my arms around like that, when i remember. mostly i try to dance/headbang it out, but (also audhd) i don't always do that. it's really hard to remember to do, having masked for 45 yrs, so learning to stim has been a challenge! i've also been letting my body physically release energy naturally like if i need to, i'll flap my hands/arms, or i'll kind of twitch or shudder, i shake my head a lot, things like that. things that are going to happen that i no longer feel the need to suppress.
I haven’t heard anyone else mention the ‘seeing in to my soul’ experience but I have that a lot. TY for mentioning
@aka.roryyy I'm audhd too. Formally diagnosed adhdi, but I have a LOT of autistic traits, too (undiagnosed) It's a real pest at times when they contradict eachother! With the whole movement and stim thing, I really wish there were adult playparks like Urban Air etc so you could just be yourself and get all your stims, wiggles and enjoy fun textures and physical feedback etc. I take my 2 son's, but I want to enjoy it myself and not be the tense guard dog, watching for them to not get hurt or abducted etc 😢😅❤
@@SS24ist omg play parks for autistic adult ppl would be so cool.
Thanks, that all sounds like very good advice! My nervous system feels so dysregulated today that I had to request the day off work. What's funny is that the 2 things I've been doing intuitively to try to fix it are sleeping a lot and drinking water... after realizing I was dehydrated and sleep deprived. The only thing on the list I haven't used in the past as a strategy is air freshener... I don't like the smell of any I've run across, but I have bought candles before with a light scent... never thought about that as a strategy for fixing imbalanced nervous system though. It's good to hear this list because it all resonates with me strongly and yet, I've never heard someone else talk about these things, just somehow found them by trial and error. Many doctors have diagnosed me with ADHD, but when I went through an intensive 3 month analysis at an autism clinic they said I couldn't be autistic because I "don't lack empathy"... and because I seemed to be able to communicate well. I still think I'm on the spectrum though.
Just wanted to give a small compliment for taking the day off work to take care of yourself!! 😊❤
I'm actually super excited to try the large stims. I never thought about doing the full motion that I was never allowed to do as a child ❤❤❤❤
@@jamiesmith6296😅 I'm 47 and do it in the middle of CVS!
I don't care what people think.
I don't bump into them, I don't get in their way (I move out of the way if I need to), and I am not hurting anybody. I also will get excited if a song I like comes on in the store. I will smile and sing to my boyfriend and don't care who is watching!
I was only diagnosed recently, and realized that I was already doing some of this stuff in public at times. It suddenly made sense.
I just am a bit more free about it now, because I understand myself better.
I’m sorry you weren’t allowed to do this when you were little
I am going to try large movements too! I remember as a child, dancing free form to music, but as got older, tended to only do it when alone, then not at all.
Wacky waving inflatable tube guy! Or gal in my case :D
Sensory care is 100% my top help since self-diagnosing! I’m very light sensitive and I’ve been using Axon Optics sunglasses/indoor glasses a ton (it’s been about 8 months), and it’s made a HUGE difference! I used to get headaches all the time, ranging from small and constant to migraines. Now I almost never get a headache, and the glasses even help get rid of headaches. HIGHLY recommend!!
Where did you purchase these glasses?
Yes, I love mine, I have the transitional ones too. When I put them on for the first time I felt the headache that I had disappear.
@@srldwg I bought mine directly from their website, they do have a store locator on their site if you want to see if they have a provider near you. FYI last year they had really good specials in the Black Friday sales.
I definitely use prevention. Sleep is big, try drinking as much as I can.... Never drinking plain water, always light limonade or tea because it also helps to calm me. It was really hard to learn because the thirst sign got pushed away if I don't drink right away. I have special glasses that filter light and become sunglasses outside. Movement and stims I just don't. I am not even aware if I have stims, even getting upset from moving....like you scared or unsafe. Very recent I have headphones thats preventing me hearing my environment and was very helpfull
I just discovered how satisfying a clicking stim toy can be. The sound dives me nuts if someone else is doing it, but when I am in control of it, it is SO GOOD.
Getting enough rest is a big one
essential oils are really wonderful for smells, i would also highly recommend amber resin! also recommend deathandfloral for really amazing scents
I just got my loop engage a week ago. My first ear plugs ever. It’s changed my life.
Just did the twisting arm-swinging stim and IT FELT SO GOOD!!!!!! Also realized that I used to do that as a kid and loved it then. Bringing that back into my toolkit!!! TY!!!
Awesome! And you’re welcome
Right?! I was doing yoga years ago when I got introduced to this move (I’ve heard it called ‘knocking on heaven’s door’ in that context) and it quickly became a favourite. I get excited every time it comes up in a routine and started doing it just whenever I wanted to let go of tension or get some movement in and only just recently realised I was stimming all along!
I did a lot of these things instinctively when I was younger, but had no language for how it was helpful to me. So when I aged through teenhood and became an adult, I was convinced these were juvenile needs and I needed to "grow up". Now it can be hard to remember, and it saddens me that these instincts were trained out of me through shame and adult peer pressure.
Hello! First of all thank you Taylor for making my (and those of many others!) discovery of neurodiversaty so easy to excess and understand! I can't imagen finding it out 20 years ago through doctors!
Second I wanted to share, that I feel very brave of having made the first step to an official diagnoses, by talking to my GP and getting paperwork sent. It is nerve wrecking as I don't trust people I don't know (the health care system in particular) with diagnoses about my mental or physical state! No wonder by a past in which one always felt misunderstood and judged...
Me and my partner and through some online test, belive truly, that I might be autistic, likely with add and pda. I discovered this earlyer this year (I'm in my mid 30's) and my life and myself have changed so much since then!
YES! I hate big smells, but I used to get hand lotion with smells I liked from bath & body works just to mask the smells I was around in schools or offices
ugh I GET this!
I even got fired from one job b/c the girl I was working with wouldn't move away from my work station and she was bathed in something really really strong. I finally just said, well, I guess I'm done for the day and left. Then they fired me. LOL@@MomontheSpectrum
The Calmer earbuds are life changers! I have a screechy lil kid and my life is so much more chill when I wear them. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 😊
Wonderful tips, thank you. ❤ im a terrible "finger picker" anything dey or flaky like cuticles or dry hands and I'm picking til it bleeds etc and it just nakes it worse... Figuring out ways to calm thay stim and replace it has been valuable to me. I've replaced the stress picking with the following self-care strategies (in case anyone else can benefit from these) i ALWAYS carry a mini tube of hand cream to hydrate after EVERY hand washing, which dries my skin out. A mini cuticle oil and use that at least twice a day. These all stop the cause of the dryness so fixes those issues. I hated handcream for the longest time, too. Slimy and sweaty lol, but I got over that....
Then ill try to keep my nails nice as a visual to not pick and mess it all up. If I'm a bit flush, I'll get acrylics at the salon. If I'm broke (usually as I'm a SAHM to our 2yo) I'll get some store bought press-ons or just some pretty, sparkly regular polish. I hope this helps others! Sorry if it was too long to read. 🎉😂❤
Bit late to join in, but I wanted to add a tip for hydration AND comforting scents ALL AT THE SAME TIME: teas and herbal infusions. And I realised just this instant that pouring and sipping tea is a very covert form of fiddling (don't like the word "stim", not sure why). So three in one. Or four in one, since it gets you moving regularly ... towards the toilet if nothing else. So, I have a 1 litre steel thermos with a built-in infuser for loose leaves, that you can remove before the infusion gets too bitter. You make your thermos and you get a little cup (it has to be a small cup) and spend an hour and a half drinking it while you work. Every time you bring the cup towards your lips, your whole face is wreathed in soothing vapours: verbena maybe, or camomile or lime blossom, or if you're going the stimulants way, then genmaicha, green teas in general, pu-erh tea, yerba maté... Teabags are easier to find and less trouble, but the problem is they're nearly always made with synthetic aromas, and somehow not nearly as satisfying if you start to really pay attention to the sensory experience of drinking the influsion
I like the ear buds strategy the most.
I walk several times a day . I am doing push-ups everyday to and also working on my forearms a little. I did martial arts for many years and that helped me tremendously. I am buying new ear buds. To walk and listen to music or one of your awesome videos. I have to learn to make everything easier as far as organizational skills.
I like to wear a big baggy sweatshirt with hood. I can pull the hood up and block the
Ights. It also a calming thing for me, the softer/ fuzzer makes me happy
Baggy sweatshirts are the BEST! I can’t wait until the summer temps go down in Texas so I can pull mine out!
@@MomontheSpectrum am in wyoming mountain right now it’s 60 degrees during the day and 50’s at night. Am loving it.
@@MomontheSpectrum I just saw a company that makes stuff for anxiety people. It’s called “Free The Sheep”. I have been check out the big fuzzy sweatshirt.
Have you looked into omega 3 fatty acids to help self regulate yourself? (Your "as I get older, feeling more autistic" [paraphrased] video showed up in my feed.) Also check your B12 (and I believe 6 &3) as the B12 being too low can lead to neurological issues. (and the 3 & 6, mainly 6 if I am recalling correctly support B12 utilization by the body.)
I have been told that I have MHTFR.
I will have to try methyl B12 again.
Thanks for the B vitamin tips!
I connect with my body via physical work. Pretty easy.
I have bitten my nails my whole life. I have tried to break the habit, including those stop nail biting polishes and before that my mom tried coating them in foods I hate, but nothing worked. I bet it's a stim!
Sounds like it!
Sounds like it, if you are wanting to stop work out if it is a chewing stim or a fidgety one (or something else) and then you can work out what to replace it with eg if it is chewing you could try gum, chewelry or pencil toppers that are designed for chewing
I pick horribly. I had to use handcream, cuticle oil to remove all temptation, then press on nails or a salon manicure (dip acrylics etc) if it's affordable to you. I sometimes use press on fake nails which help immensely. I use short to medium length, can't tolerate long. I hope that helps.
@@SS24ist I appreciate the advice and thank you. Unfortunately my income is well below the poverty level so salons are not possible. In fact I only keep my internet and phone because they are necessary for my job.
I find that general air fresheners give me a headache but i can handle essential oils. I have sprays but ill also just put a couple of drops on a kleenex and put that near me on my desk.
I appreciate your video's so much! Thank you!
Amazing as always ❤
Thank you for these videos - I enjoy watching them and I like how you explain things. :)
This was so so helpful Taylor !! Thank you . I am so grateful for your tips! They resonated so much especially the knowledge about how the different nervous system operate in our body.
Absolutely excellent content thanks Taylor x
Thank you so much for this helpful and validating video 💝💕
Thank you so much Taylor for all your great content! I just checked out books from the library today to continue learning.
Awesome! This makes me so happy. And you're welcome! Let me know if you find any books we should know about. 🙃
This information was very helpful! Thank you so much! 😊
Oh nice! Thank you so much, some great tips here to try
Late diagnosed and didn't think that I had any sensitivities when I had my evaluation. These days I wear glasses that are designed for light sensitivity (they are transitional so double as my sunnies) and have had an enormous reduction in the number of headaches that I get. I also have headphones on the majority of the day when I am at home (Sony XM4), when I am out I have my loops with me and depending on what I am doing I will also take my headphones for just in case. I also wear fidget rings when I leave the house and quite often wrist spikies (Amazon has the finger ones listed as acupressure rings). I will also take a couple of favourite fidgets with me too.
Great tips love your videos!
Hey Taylor, thank you so much for the great vid. I am a highly sensitive person (sensory processing sensitivity) and I’ve used your link to order the Flare Earbuds. I’m excited to try them! Thank you for your great advice and information ❤
Too bad i missed the giveaway but i ordered the buds anyway.... This could be life changing for me. No more loud sounds and screaming! I think that a whole new world wil open up for me. Thanks for the video.
I actually learned to regulate through your videos. You are not the only one wearing those same earbuds throughout the day. If I'm not wearing the Flares then I am wearing my noise cancelling headphones.
Great tips, I do feel a lot better when I do the above and I see the difference when I don't. It can be hard though to keep up with it, like drinking enough water can get overwhelming when the day goes so quickly and I find it difficult to get on my yoga mat although I know it helps. Especially as a late diagnosed autistic person, I do not really know my stims and what would regulate me. Thanks so much for the reminders!
Just ordered a pair through your link. I like the loop ones but can hear chewing 🤢 through each of several types they sell. Also, and I don’t know if this is an autie thing, but *Thank you* for not recommending meditation, which for me is a dark place that wakes the anxiety monsters, as I’m in the 30% who do not respond well to meditation. Longtime subscriber enjoying watching your journey, and grateful for your insights. Thanks Taylor!
I am with you, I don't do well with meditation
Great video. Relearning how to stim is so helpful. With AS and EDS I've learnt how delicate the balance between rest and movement is! Thank you for your amazing content. This late dx in my 50's has been a harrowing journey. I keep masking default but recently through the loss of a very longstanding special friendship I'm trying to find the balance between masking and not!!!!😊❤ sending live from South Africa
Discovered that I needed a cpap machine! I'd woken up gasping my entire life, and since starting it I'm able to handle SO MUCH MORE. Eeep....hydration...😅 audhd here, and I have SO MANY TUMBLERS. Even 20 min walking daily makes a HUGE difference! Fibromyalgia makes moving hard, but I definitely notice a good difference on those days.
Your videos are so helpful! I just started following you on IG. Would love to try those earbuds. I'm thinking of recommending something similar to my parents. The world is just so loud.
8:02 definitely wanna buy the earbuds for crowded places
I was told by a family member that I absolutely was NOT autistic. No, she isn't trained to know... I had taken se eral online autistic tests and placed very high likelyhood of autism on all of them; I almost believed her because neither of us understood stimming as well as other things that factor into autism. I now believe that I actually am. The more I learn, the more I am sure... Hubby doesnt think I should get an official diagnosis, partly because we don't really have the money, and partially because he says it won't change anything anyway. He does believe I am autistic. I grew up getting into trouble when my leg bounced, or I jumped up and down, or basically did anything. I rarely talked, had to be taught to make eye contact, etc. I also learned to mess with my hair instead of stimming in my usual ways because handling your hair was a normal girl thing, I guess. I also was a loner, leaving everyone to go to a different room to read or play or pick at my skin and fingernails. What do you think? Does any of this sound right to you all? Also, is it awful for me to ask to get the free guide without offering anything for it? I have a really hard time asking anybody for anything, Even though brother and sister have no problems, is this also a part of being autistic? They could ask for hugs , kisses, toys, money, etc. I never could. It just wouldn't come out of my mouth...
Music has always been my salvation ... didn't have too many problems as a child I think because I was in ballet class twice a week starting at age four. It was after I stopped when things fell apart. The more I dance the better I feel. And when I discovered noise canceling headphones I thought I'd died and gone to heaven ...
Self-diagnosed AuDHD a year ago at 48, I have recently discovered headphones!
I wear them daily; I DO look silly, though, when I'm out in public.
(Most people don't respect that fashion choice.)🤪
Sooooo, I ordered the FLAREmini.
I hope these work for me.
Thanks,Tay, for the promo.
I hope you are having a wonderful day.
These ear buds... life saver. I own the mini version for kids and the soft ones. The soft ones I cant wear all the time, but give a bigger relieve, but also presses too much on my ear. the small ones, though... Although my 3yo is probably also autistic or have adhd and he likes to steal them from me :D so I either get the soft or the small ones. its a game changer for sure. Fun fact: My nt husband tried them and it made absolutely no difference for him at all. he heard nothing different. like what? Nothing. So I assume this is his norm.... jealous
I like the idea of the flair ear buds with the hole in them. Very clever.
When you talked about the spray, it reminded me of a bit Paul Lavaske, or triple H of wwe, etc used to do on the show when he was young and just starting with the organization.
He would pretend not to like certain smells and he would keep a “fancy” spray bottle with him and would spray it everywhere when his character got mad or bothered😂
Perfumes bother me but i found after becoming a dog bather that scent sprays for dogs are pretty nice.
I'm still waiting to find a psychologist who can diagnose me but literally everything you say makes me relate. I've been dealing with difficulties managing my daily life since childhood but because of my intelligence I did very well in school and my mom refuses to accept me being neurodivergent. I first ran into a severe eating disorder because it became a routine and tool to avoid decision making or school or anything social, then I got into bodybuilding because working out gives my brain some rest (entirely focusing on the excruciating pain during lifts lol) and afterwards I'm so dead I finally get to be calm for at least an hour. But this strategy is so taxing in the long run and I am really burned out with 2 jobs and uni. I really need a diagnosis:(
In the US, you need a neuropsychologist. It took me a couple of years to find that out, and I was asking ANYONE who might possibly know!
Best of luck!
I discovered I need white noise to feel calm, especially when trying to focus. I have a small air purifier that I run almost nonstop. Otherwise, there are plenty of white/brown noise videos on YT that are pretty good. I currently have Loop earplugs. They do help but, as mentioned here, you can hear yourself chew and breathe, so I only typically use them in crowded or noisy places. They are a lifesaver at the grocery store on a busy day. (I try to avoid that, but sometimes you can't. Hot tip - weekday mornings it's always calm. You'll notice that's when seniors shop. They know what's up! 😄
I started rucking, or walking with a weighted backpack/plate carrier on my back. I'm up to 35 lbs, doing to 30,000 steps a day. Somebody told me the other day that he thought i looked a little taller since the last time he saw me. Might go up to a 45 lb cast iron plate soon to increase the load.
Welp I officially got some earbuds. Hopefully they help my chronic overstimulation 😮
Hope you love them as much as I do!
I’d love to have some earbuds. thanks!
I purchased a set of the earplugs through your link. I have serious sensory issues around eating. I like my vibes but they’re terrible at meal time. The sound of myself eating is amplified which causes me no end of grief. I also hear my blood pressure quite loudly. I only use them for very high sensory activities, church, the movies, markets, etc. I’m very hopeful that you’re correct and I won’t hear myself chew.
I just had my first breakup since my unmasking!! One of the most suppressed emotions was crying well needless to say my crying at that moment is uncontrollable and lasts a couple minutes and am exhausted now through all this my adhd never had a word in so today I went and had a dragon head tattoo on my hand!! Now I must say it was soooooooo exhilarating, spontaneous and I loved every pin prick from that tattoo gun!! So I am in a slight burnout mode but feels much better. I know it was an extreme stimulating response but this was an extreme breakup because I'm an Empath and I stood up for my wants and needs for once. I got a response with 0 empathy from her. Tourettes/ADHD/Autism/Empath!! 🤔 more like a train wreck!! 🤪🤣🤣👍😎👻🌶
I have real issues with finding smells overpowering - strong smells feel like loud noise to me. Anyway I found that by substituting a smell in the environment with one I like it in effect blocks out the noise if you get what I mean. For me I use Tiger balm which i really enjoy as a smell and I keep a small pot with me wherever I go, I just rub a tiny amount on the back of my hand if I need it. Hope that helps someone else.
Sleep 8-12 hours, drink 60-100oz of water, do all my PT exercises and a 15-20 min walk. And so much needlework and drawing.
I’m definitely too embarrassed to do large stims and exercise. I keep getting comments from family. I wish I lived alone
I am getting ready to buy ear plugs. I have gotten flare calmers before and I lost them and I was waiting until I could manage my mess before I rebought. I am looking into the loop version because I really need to turn the volume way down. Though the are physically uncomfortable i am wearing ear plugs provided at work. I have a very noisy work. I am also working on getting wall coverings for sound absorption. I moved and my new apartment is louder. I like that it has less carpet but it echos.
Regarding the water: 1 lbs = 0.45 kg, 1 oz = 29.6 ml. So for the example the 200 lbs person would be 90 kg in metric, and their recommended water using this method would be 2,960 ml (or 2.96 lt). So a metric version of your formula would be weight in kg divided by 30 to get how many litres of water per day.
I think I calculated it before in previous video for water. Half liter per 15 KG.
I recently got a pair of those calmer earplugs, I like the way they soften nose but they always seem to be shifting in my ear and I have to adjust them a lot to keep them in place (I ordered the regular and the mini just in case so it's not a sizing issue). Is there some kind of trick to get them to stay? This is my problem with earbuds too they just never stay. It's my ear shaped weird? Or am I just hyper aware of them and notice it more than others?? I really want to figure this out but the noise reduction is sooo good! Like, the a/c isn't so loud anymore I don't even notice when it kicks on (I used to have to turn up and down the tv when it was on/off)🤯 Also, weird thing I noticed, they seem to make the air whooshing sound when driving more obvious (maybe because my ear is close to the window idk) so U don't like wearing them when I drive so I can focus on the music/ audio book I'm listening to.
❤ after a drunk driver twisted my spine and no medical resolution (rip Healthcare) I've found my sensory network is WAY different now 😅
I JUST added lavandar essential oils to my space ⚖🥰🍃 day 1 this morning 🎉 unreal! 14hrs SOLID 🎉
I never spotted my stemming until I watched a video in editing of myself talking😅😅😅 I noticed all kinds of twitches in my face and jerks of my head but only through the time lapse😂
My Beats By Dre Studio 3 have had 5 headbands and 2 pad replacements 😅 LOVE my BS blockers 🎧❤🍃
Hi, did you sleep for 14 hours? That sounds so nice. I always forget about my oils. Btw I had a head injury and experience a different sensory processing/tolerance now too
I need a lot of sleep to but being a busy uni student I'm finding it very hard to get enough sleep as well as keeping up good grades and keeping up with friends and flatmates that like to stay out late and early morning lectures etc. Do you have any tips/advise?
How do i know if i should get regular calmer or soft calmer?
Sleep was a huge one for me, and also the quality of sleep. I have sleep apnea, so I needed a machine to fix that. The hydration one is something I know I should do better with but always forget to drink throughout the day. Although What you drink also has a lot to do with it as well. For dietary reasons, I’ve done my best to cut down on drinks that have a high calorie content such as coffee (milk based), soft drink (soda for non aussies), fruit juice, beer or even sports drink such as Gatorade or Brawndo the Thirst mutilator😜and that’s because your body has to process them as food before it’s extracted the water content for hydration purposes. I haven’t cut them totally, but when I have them, I think of them as food, not a hydration. Water is just easier on the body to process, a squeeze of lemon or lime juice is fine if you need some flavour.
Have u tried fruit infused water? It’s tasty (watermelon infused with mint is the best)
Also Me and my Husband have just bought a house. Everything and I mean everything is topsy turvy, to the extent I don't know where to start. My meltdowns have been horrendous. He too is on the spectrum and struggles to get motivated. Any help, suggestions for an Autistic couple that struggle to get started and who have Adhd on top we would love some helpful strategy suggestions. Thank you xx
How do you keep your house so tidy?!?! Its amazing. I'd love to keep my house nearly half as tidy as yours. Especially with kids how do you find the executive functioning? You must be a super woman .
Decluttering helped me, after the declutter having a home for everything (you can see Taylor is doing this in that room). Also remember a videomis not an accurate representation of someone's whole life.
My 17 year old son was just diagnosed with ASD level 1 with support. We are new T this and honestly overwhelmed with how to help him 😢. Have you experienced any episodes where you are almost paralyzed and can’t get your words out ?
Situational mutism is a common thing that happens for autistic people. For myself my speech will regress so that I sound like a toddler. Very common to be overdone and your brain just can't process, being asked to make any decision will be too much when that happens.
I have, I can't speak or move. It is terrfying! I find food and a nap help after I've experienced it. Using a text-to-speech app allows me to communicate.
For future reference, 1 oz = 28 milliliters (ml) or 28 grams (g)