There are many reasons why someone on the spectrum may need some sort of accommodation. Usually it’s talked about in the context of school or work, or any situation where someone else may need to accommodate your specific needs. But I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about us on the spectrum learning to accommodate ourselves, something that isn’t regarded as important as it should be. You can encourage yourself to explore outside of your comfort zone without sacrificing your sanity along with it. Value accommodating yourself, even when there aren’t others or anything formal to do it for you.
Of course, there are so many ways to do this. And no way is wrong– if something helps you, and it isn’t hurting anyone else, it’s entirely valid. Some tools that I’ve developed on the way are noise-canceling headphones and earplugs. Even when I wasn’t in any academic environment where my formal accommodations would apply, I would still bring my headphones or earplugs to the library or even just to classes. I felt calmer and readier to learn if I could keep all the ambient noise at bay.
Another great tool is a fidget toy or a chewie. You don’t need a prescription to hop online and check out the assortment of fidget toys and adult chewies that are out there. When things get too loud and overwhelming, I find myself pulling at every loose string on my clothes, or mindlessly swiping through my phone just so my hands could be doing something. I needed the physical distraction so I could put my energy into mentally processing what’s going on around me. Fidget toys and chewies gave me an avenue to do that! These are only a couple ways. There are so many more to explore.
~Anonymous Writer
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