neurodivergentexchange

[neurodivergentexchange]

executive function apps android

Todoist

Life Reminders

Regularly

Google Keep

Bills Reminder

Medisafe Meds & Pill Reminder

Period Reminder

Out of Milk Shopping List

Evernote

My Homework Student Planner

*Disclaimer: I’ve used some but not all of these, however all are highly rated and free

[neurodivergentexchange]

Meltdown emergency chat

As I told lipstick-autistic in an ask, I made an app for android to help me communicate when I’m non-verbal after a meltdown. After receiving positive feedback on the concept, I decided to publish it here and hope I can help other people who want to communicate with outsiders in situations where speech is impossible.

This is the opening screen of the app. It has a base text that explains to the person you gave your phone to that you can’t use speech and want to use this app to communicate.

Both the title and text can be adjusted in the settings(accessed with the Menu button on your phone or through the separate Settings launcher) to be whatever you want the person you give your phone to to know.

When the Continue button is pressed, the app continues to a bare-bones chat client:

(yeah, I didn’t really have a lot of inspiration writing a demo conversation)

I hope this helps some people(and I hope never having to use this).

EDIT: the app is now on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jeroendebusser.aspiemeltdown

[neurodivergentexchange]

Reblogging for New Years, and to add that a similar post can be found here! 

Neurodivergent Holiday Health

An Ongoing List of Ways to Make Holiday Seasons Easier

Since the demands of the holidays can be particularly challenging for neurodivergent people, this post is a list of tips and tricks suggested by other neurodivergent people to help you get through holiday seasons as easily as possible. It will be an ongoing list, so if you have anything to add, feel free to get in touch. We hope it helps. :)

Plan ahead as much as possible. Holidays are rough on routines, so give yourself as much time as you can to prepare for changes to your regular schedule. Try to keep up a few parts of your routine to make the other changes a little easier - this might include small routines for waking up, going to sleep, or having meals. If possible, collaborate with the people you’ll be spending time with to create a holiday schedule that’s most comfortable to you and gives you time to recharge in between things.

Keep a supply of favorite films and/or books close to hand. They can help you relax before and after something that’s taxing, and can help you focus away from anxieties and distractions.

Take a break to color a mandala

Reward yourself. If you know you’ll be spending an afternoon surrounded by people, make a plan that includes time in the evening for something you enjoy - a favorite hobby or book, some tv, a game you love, time on the internet. 

Keep some good music close to hand. Create playlists to help you through particular situations - something upbeat to keep you going through the afternoon, something calming for the evening, something instrumental and quiet for when you’re feeling overwhelmed. If you’re traveling, bring some favorite playlists, podcasts or audiobooks. Musical suggestions include Keaton Henson, The Cinematic Orchestra, 8tracks.com 

Have a pair of earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, especially for travel or sleeping in an unfamiliar place. 

Wear comfortable clothing. If you have to go somewhere that requires wearing something uncomfortable, bring a comfortable change of clothes with you.

Be aware of your own limits. If you can feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, especially in social situations / family gatherings, excuse yourself to somewhere quiet to regroup. If people won’t understand a simple “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” you might say you have a headache, or have to use the restroom.

Keep some good sensory items close to hand. Suggestions include: an electric blanket or heating pad if you enjoy heat; weighted blankets or horsehair blankets; cool-weather clothing with a soft lining; clothing with a perfume/scent you like; pocket-sized items like a favorite stim/fidget toy, hard candies or gum.  

Have an “exit strategy” planned for social functions and/or family events - a reason to leave early if necessary, and a way to do so.

Take advantage of all the fairy lights and candles around this time of the year to get a break from harsher lighting. If you’ve had a long day, try a shower/bath with minimal lighting. 

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far! May your holidays be happy and filled with as little stress as possible. :)

[neurodivergentexchange]

{ this is a skill i’ve been using a lot lately, thought i’d share :) }

[neurodivergentexchange]

Neurodivergent Holiday Health

An Ongoing List of Ways to Make Holiday Seasons Easier

Since the demands of the holidays can be particularly challenging for neurodivergent people, this post is a list of tips and tricks suggested by other neurodivergent people to help you get through holiday seasons as easily as possible. It will be an ongoing list, so if you have anything to add, feel free to get in touch. We hope it helps. :)

Plan ahead as much as possible. Holidays are rough on routines, so give yourself as much time as you can to prepare for changes to your regular schedule. Try to keep up a few parts of your routine to make the other changes a little easier - this might include small routines for waking up, going to sleep, or having meals. If possible, collaborate with the people you'll be spending time with to create a holiday schedule that's most comfortable to you and gives you time to recharge in between things.

Keep a supply of favorite films and/or books close to hand. They can help you relax before and after something that's taxing, and can help you focus away from anxieties and distractions.

Take a break to color a mandala

Reward yourself. If you know you'll be spending an afternoon surrounded by people, make a plan that includes time in the evening for something you enjoy - a favorite hobby or book, some tv, a game you love, time on the internet. 

Keep some good music close to hand. Create playlists to help you through particular situations - something upbeat to keep you going through the afternoon, something calming for the evening, something instrumental and quiet for when you're feeling overwhelmed. If you're traveling, bring some favorite playlists, podcasts or audiobooks. Musical suggestions include Keaton Henson, The Cinematic Orchestra, 8tracks.com 

Have a pair of earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, especially for travel or sleeping in an unfamiliar place. 

Wear comfortable clothing. If you have to go somewhere that requires wearing something uncomfortable, bring a comfortable change of clothes with you.

Be aware of your own limits. If you can feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, especially in social situations / family gatherings, excuse yourself to somewhere quiet to regroup. If people won't understand a simple "I'll be back in a few minutes," you might say you have a headache, or have to use the restroom.

Keep some good sensory items close to hand. Suggestions include: an electric blanket or heating pad if you enjoy heat; weighted blankets or horsehair blankets; cool-weather clothing with a soft lining; clothing with a perfume/scent you like; pocket-sized items like a favorite stim/fidget toy, hard candies or gum.  

Have an "exit strategy" planned for social functions and/or family events - a reason to leave early if necessary, and a way to do so.

Take advantage of all the fairy lights and candles around this time of the year to get a break from harsher lighting. If you've had a long day, try a shower/bath with minimal lighting. 

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far! May your holidays be happy and filled with as little stress as possible. :)

[neurodivergentexchange]

Reblogging once more for luck. :)

We've had a couple great suggestions, and I'm planning to stick everything in a new post tomorrow!

Neurodivergent Holiday Health

Hello :)

I know the holidays are an especially difficult time of year for many of us - extra lights and sound, extra social obligations, and family gatherings, more things that break routines and are hard to keep track of - and we each have ways to get through this time of year as best we can. In the spirit of helping each other out around the holidays, I’d like to collect all of those tips, tricks, and other coping strategies together into a Neruodivergent’s Holiday Health Masterpost. But, in order to do this, I’ll need some help!

Here’s what I’m asking - over the next few days, tell me all about your best strategies for getting through holidays (doesn’t have to be specific to this time of year, any and all holiday strategies are welcome!) This could include a particular routine that soothes you, a good playlist, a favorite sensory toy or stim - anything that brings you comfort, really.

To share your thoughts, you can:

send us an ask or an email here at NeurodivergentExchange

reblog this post with commentary

make your own post and use the tag “NDHolidayHealth”

I’ll use any suggestions to create an ongoing holiday health masterpost, filled with strategies that are from neurodivergent people, for neurodivergent people.  :) 

-Jennie

[neurodivergentexchange]

We've had a couple responses to this so far, but we'd love to hear more! The more suggestions we have, the better the resulting masterpost will be. :)

Neurodivergent Holiday Health

Hello :)

I know the holidays are an especially difficult time of year for many of us - extra lights and sound, extra social obligations, and family gatherings, more things that break routines and are hard to keep track of - and we each have ways to get through this time of year as best we can. In the spirit of helping each other out around the holidays, I’d like to collect all of those tips, tricks, and other coping strategies together into a Neruodivergent’s Holiday Health Masterpost. But, in order to do this, I’ll need some help!

Here’s what I’m asking - over the next few days, tell me all about your best strategies for getting through holidays (doesn’t have to be specific to this time of year, any and all holiday strategies are welcome!) This could include a particular routine that soothes you, a good playlist, a favorite sensory toy or stim - anything that brings you comfort, really.

To share your thoughts, you can:

send us an ask or an email here at NeurodivergentExchange

reblog this post with commentary

make your own post and use the tag “NDHolidayHealth”

I’ll use any suggestions to create an ongoing holiday health masterpost, filled with strategies that are from neurodivergent people, for neurodivergent people.  :) 

-Jennie

[neurodivergentexchange]

This looks like so much fun I couldn't not reblog. :D

-Jennie

DIY Easy 2 Ingredient Sensory Rainbow Bubbles and Foam Tutorial from Fun at Home with Kids here.

[neurodivergentexchange]

Neurodivergent Holiday Health

Hello :)

I know the holidays are an especially difficult time of year for many of us - extra lights and sound, extra social obligations, and family gatherings, more things that break routines and are hard to keep track of - and we each have ways to get through this time of year as best we can. In the spirit of helping each other out around the holidays, I'd like to collect all of those tips, tricks, and other coping strategies together into a Neruodivergent's Holiday Health Masterpost. But, in order to do this, I'll need some help!

Here's what I'm asking - over the next few days, tell me all about your best strategies for getting through holidays (doesn't have to be specific to this time of year, any and all holiday strategies are welcome!) This could include a particular routine that soothes you, a good playlist, a favorite sensory toy or stim - anything that brings you comfort, really.

To share your thoughts, you can:

send us an ask or an email here at NeurodivergentExchange

reblog this post with commentary

make your own post and use the tag "NDHolidayHealth"

I'll use any suggestions to create an ongoing holiday health masterpost, filled with strategies that are from neurodivergent people, for neurodivergent people.  :) 

-Jennie

[neurodivergentexchange]

Sorry about that! I've been letting this post languish in our drafts for a while, and didn't actually check all the links before reblogging it. :/

It seems that all the links except the first one are in working order, but since I can't fix that one, I would recommend selecting the Side A download link under the "I am Autistic" two sided card, and crossing out or whiting out the bit that says "over please -->."   This should basically give you an equivalent to the "I am Autistic" one sided card. 

I'll try to be a little more diligent about posts that include links in future. :)

-Jennie

Hi friends! I recently went on an internet adventure looking for autism alert wallet cards appropriate for adults. When I couldn’t find anything that worked for me I decided to make my own. Then I decided to share. 

These are intended to inform police, medical personnel, EMTs and other first responders about your autism in an emergency. If you are non-verbal, or lose the capacity to communicate effectively during times of stress, these could be helpful.

Also, if you are ever injured or involved in an accident, having one of these in your wallet can give the people helping you a heads up. There are two versions- “I am Autistic” and “I have Autism”. The two-sided cards have a space for a family member’s/emergency contact’s/advocate’s name and phone number on the back. 

"I am Autistic" (first image shown) One sided card, prints eight 3.25”x2” (8.25cmx5cm) cards per 8.5”x11” (21.5cmx28cm) paper

download link

"I have Autism" one sided card (second image) Prints eight 3.25”x2” (8.25cmx5cm) cards per 8.5”x11” (21.5cmx28cm) paper

download link

"I am Autistic" two sided card (third and fourth images) Prints eight 3.25”x2” (8.25cm x 5cm) cards per 8.5”x11” (21.5cmx28cm) paper

Side A: download link Side B: download link

"I have Autism" two sided card (fifth and six images) Prints eight 3.25”x2” (8.25cmx5cm) cards per 8.5”x11” (21.5cmx28cm) paper

Side A: download link Side B: download link

I’d recommend printing them on card stock or cover stock for better durability. If you want it to really stand out, you could print it on bright or colourful paper! Yay!

[neurodivergentexchange]

Still seeking advice/resources to protect oneself from sensory over-stimulation. 

Request for Information About Sensory Defensiveness & Chronic Illness

Hello all,

We recently received an ask from someone who writes that they are going through a very difficult time dealing with sensory issues/sensory pain, chronic illness, and constant headaches. They are unable to use public transportation or make phone calls, due to the sensory input involved, and are looking for support.

If anyone has any resources or coping strategies for handling sensory defensiveness, and/or chronic illness, and/or migraines, please let us know (ask or email) so we can pass the information along. Also, if anyone shares similar experiences and would be willing to talk about it, please send us some contact information that we can pass on.

Thanks!

-Jennie

[neurodivergentexchange]

Tumblr accessibility culture fix: link text

Dear Tumblr users:

There’s a cultural thing on Tumblr that if people changed just a little, would be a big accessibility win. You know the technique of linking to the source of content with just a linked “X”, eg: [x], or numbers, eg 1, 2, and 3? Please don’t do this.

That tiny “X” makes a tiny, tiny target. It’s hard to see if you have vision impairments or other visual processing issues. It’s hard to navigate to with a mouse for users with mobility issues, and a nearly impossible target for many people with small touch screens. For screen reader users, it simply announces as “link: X” and can be very difficult to understand out of context. For people with cognitive processing issues, it’s a link that tells the user nothing about its destination.

And most of these limitations can also be problems for able-bodied people!

Instead, using meaningful link text. Some examples might be

Source

WebAIM

"Creating good link text"

Source at WebAIM

For a video, the title of the video is a pretty good choice, eg “How Blind People Use Twitter & You Tube on the iPhone 4S”. Or “Source”, or “source at YouTube”, or “video source”.

It’s a little thing which can be hugely beneficial to people with disabilities. Thanks, and I hope you consider changing how you link.

(Please reblog, too!)

[neurodivergentexchange]

a free link to the complete DSM-5

please reblog so that all mentally ill people who want to learn more about the criteria used to diagnose them can

[neurodivergentexchange]

This blog post was just recommended to this blog, and it looks pretty helpful! These are things I definitely want to incorporate into my own environment!

[neurodivergentexchange]

Hi friends! I recently went on an internet adventure looking for autism alert wallet cards appropriate for adults. When I couldn’t find anything that worked for me I decided to make my own. Then I decided to share. 

These are intended to inform police, medical personnel, EMTs and other first responders about your autism in an emergency. If you are non-verbal, or lose the capacity to communicate effectively during times of stress, these could be helpful.

Also, if you are ever injured or involved in an accident, having one of these in your wallet can give the people helping you a heads up. There are two versions- “I am Autistic” and “I have Autism”. The two-sided cards have a space for a family member’s/emergency contact’s/advocate’s name and phone number on the back. 

"I am Autistic" (first image shown) One sided card, prints eight 3.25”x2” (8.25cmx5cm) cards per 8.5”x11” (21.5cmx28cm) paper

download link

"I have Autism" one sided card (second image) Prints eight 3.25”x2” (8.25cmx5cm) cards per 8.5”x11” (21.5cmx28cm) paper

download link

"I am Autistic" two sided card (third and fourth images) Prints eight 3.25”x2” (8.25cm x 5cm) cards per 8.5”x11” (21.5cmx28cm) paper

Side A: download link Side B: download link

"I have Autism" two sided card (fifth and six images) Prints eight 3.25”x2” (8.25cmx5cm) cards per 8.5”x11” (21.5cmx28cm) paper

Side A: download link Side B: download link

I’d recommend printing them on card stock or cover stock for better durability. If you want it to really stand out, you could print it on bright or colourful paper! Yay!

[neurodivergentexchange]

Summary of executive function and how impairments in EF can manifest in autistic individuals. Lots more details in the executive function series

[neurodivergentexchange]

Introducing Color Communications Badges

We want to make sure everyone has an amazing and fun weekend at BronyCon, but we also know that it can be overwhelming to meet and be around so many people in such a small space. For 2014, we’re trying something new and we hope that it will have a positive impact on the brony fandom and on the convention community at large.

We’ve adapted the color-coded badges popularized by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and made them available for people who want to express their communication preferences quickly and non-verbally. By doing this, you can notify everyone whether you want to be approached for interactions or not.

Here’s what the badges look like and what they mean: