#easy recipes for sensory seeking autists

[rewcana]

easy DIY instant ramen

diy instant ramen

ingredients: 1 piece / cake of dried ramen small pour of fish dashi powder small crumble of chicken bouillon cube a few leaves of dried wakame seaweed a few leaves of arugula 2 eggs oil salt, pepper dash of soy sauce dash of rice vinegar dash of mirin 1 tablespoon of chili oil

method:

boil water

assemble dried noodle, dashi, chicken bouillon, arugula, wakame in bowl

pour freshly boiled water over bowl until covering noodles. stir the mixture. microwave for 1-4 minutes depending on noodle thickness. 1 minute for thin, 2.5 min for medium, 4 for thick. check every 30 seconds after until desired texture is achieved (for these it only took 1 min)

scramble eggs in choice of oil and season w salt n pep

add eggs, soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, and chili oil

mix, add cut scallions as garnish

this recipe is SUPER easy to make and it's great if u want the convenience of instant ramen while using your own flavorings and ingredients! you can swap out broths, garnishes, sauces, etc. at will. i will be making many diff versions of this. thinking about a spicy peanut butter version, ginger version, miso version, sesame oil... the possibilities are endless! mwahaha :3

these are the noodles i used which cooked very easily and quickly! (excuse my shitty camera lol)

[fattybattysblog]

✍🏻

I've definitely talked about Saphira before and I think I've talked about Thalia before, so how about we delve into my fixation with JJK.

Tokuma Hairi!

Hairi is a recent professional sorcerer, roughly a couple years younger than Nanami and friends. I never really decided her exact age on purpose. I just say she's a young adult. I pretty strictly ship her with Nanami, but I also have little AUs where she ends up with Hanami and has a weird fling with Mahito.

Outside of sorcery, she unwinds with music. Both listening to it and creating it. She has a Youtube channel (in universe, IDK how to music. Though I'm open to learning so I can make a little channel with music for her.) that hosts many of the songs she makes to process the day and relax.

Hairi is autistic. She borrows from some of my own autism and such. She has sensory sensitivities, mostly involving sound and taste, but she also has a dislike for unknown touch around her neck. She echoes people, repeats music over and over, she'll make little noises when content or playful. She doesn't have a very expressive voice. Things like that.

Hairi's love for art and music is an intrinsic part of her identity. She expresses herself through her creations and finds solace in the harmony of colors, sounds, and patterns. Her curiosity knows no bounds. Hairi's inquisitive nature drives her to explore the world, to uncover its hidden beauties, and to delve into the mysteries of jujutsu. She never stops asking questions and seeking answers. Hairi's heart is filled with boundless compassion. She has an innate ability to understand and empathize with others, making her a natural caregiver. Her kindness and warmth shine through in her interactions.

She also loves trivia. Small factoids that are fun to share make easy conversation. Obviously, she sticks to musical trivia, like weird genres and instrument tidbits, but she will pick up trivia in her friend's interests as well. Food/recipe things for Nanami, Digimon stuff for Gojo, etc. I hope that was interesting. Thanks for asking <3

[pretty-little-monster]

Mental Health First Aid Kit

In honor of Mental Health Month, I thought I would share my recipe for making a Nest for the Apocalypse (both personal and universal). Being autistic, this is a super important tool for me, but I think it could be helpful for any of us with mental health struggles.

Mental Health First Aid Kit and Self-Care Nest:

It is nice to put your Mental Health First Aid Kit (MHFAK) in a single place, where you feel safe and can be comfy with minimal effort (because sometimes you just need to curl into a little ball).

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This is different than a Mental Health Care Plan, which is a daily plan to keep you balanced. This kit is for when you have a meltdown, a panic or anxiety attack, a wave of depression or despair, are over-stimulated, uncomfortable, or just need to feel safe and secluded. The links are just things that I have found helpful- they are just to give you ideas, you need not buy anything! It is pretty easy to build a Care Nest with things that you already have in your house. The idea is to gather them into a place where they are easily accessible when you need them, in a small box or basket.

Begin with finding a safe, comfortable space that you know will be available. (I literally have a large dog bed under a table with my MHFAK and pillows and fairy lights.) Some people make a little child’s cloth tent, or a secure corner in their room. Make a comfortable Care Nest for your needs and store your MHFAK nearby. Make sure your family and/or roommates know that when you are in your Care Nest that you are not to be disturbed.

Optional items to build your MHFAK: If you are sensory seeking, like I am, scents and stimming are more important. If you are sensory avoidant, things like noise cancelling headphones and unscented lotion, chapstick, etc. are more important. This is a run down of what works for me, but it should be adapted to your needs.

Weighted blanket

There are a lot of options for these, but make sure you get one about 10% of your body weight or a little lighter or you can feel like you are being smothered (not a good feeling). These vary in price, so I would shop around.

Rollerball of a soothing perfume or balm to put on your pulse points

I like something with lavender, vanilla, or rose, but there are a lot of options out there. A small rollerball or solid perfume with a scent that that calms you is the most important.

❤  link

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Chapstick

Face mist

This can feel nice and refreshing.

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Eyedrops and eye mask

Rest your eyes, especially if you have been crying.

Water bottle (invest in some flavoring or just some lemon juice!)

As my baby brother is fond of telling me “Hydrate or Die-drate.” Its amazing how often water and a snack help me back to a state of balance, or at least, less dire panic or despair. Remember that crying is extremely dehydrating, so drink up accordingly. Tea is great, and you should have some, but remember that it can be a stimulant and a diuretic. Water is your friend.

Snack

This depends on how your body responds to stress. Some people get nauseated, in which case, some rice crackers get something mild in your tummy. If you need some quick calories, sugar, and protein, I suggest single servings of nut butter. These are my favourite for international flights, long days in the laboratory, or times when I have forgotten to take care of my physical needs.

❤ Rice crackers

❤ Nut butter

mynoise app or similar soothing sounds. (An mp3 player with a premade playlist also works.)

hand lotion

There are so many lovely scents and lotions. Find one that works best for you.

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Letters to yourself

When you are having a good day, write yourself a little note on a little notecard (I use the backs of my out-of-date business cards). They don’t have to be long or deep. Just a reminder that what you are feeling isn’t permanent. Remember that fear itself can’t hurt you. Despair, as a feeling, can’t hurt you. It HURTS inside and that is real, legitimate, and painful, but it isn’t permanent and those feelings by themselves can’t physically harm you. Let yourself feel safe, even for just a little bit. If you have trouble coming up with something, look for inspirational quotes. (Pinterest and Tumblr are great for this)

Stimming toy

Depending on your needs, a stim or fidget toy or jewelry can help, especially if, like me, you are on the spectrum.

A comfy pillow and pillow spray

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Soft stuffed animal

Something to get your mind off of things.

This could be:

❤ a nap

❤ sketching

❤ knitting or crocheting

❤ journal

❤ reading or re-reading your favourite books, poetry, or short stories. I gravitate to young adult books because they often take me away more easily than “deep literature”. But if deep literature is your jam, keep a copy of Crime and Punishment or War and Peace close.

[tipsycad147]

Raising An Empath Child: Signs You’re Child is Empathic & How to Help

This month we close out the Empath Series discussing the empath child – how to know if you are raising one and special considerations for helping them grow into healthy, productive, and fearless adults.

I’ve encountered lots of people who think children on the empath spectrum are different from adults on the same spectrum. The truth is, we’re not so different. The difference between empath children and adults is the ability to understand what’s happening when experiencing sensory overload.

There are many theories and experts that say empathic children and adults appear much like that of those on the autistic spectrum. I believe this is one of those things where Autistic children and adults are usually highly sensitive or empathic, but, that does not mean that every empathic spectrum child or adult is automatically on the autism spectrum. All apples are fruits, not all fruits are apples. If you believe your child may be on the autism spectrum, please seek proper medical attention.

So, the good news is, if you are on the empathic spectrum, it’s highly unlikely that you won’t recognize sensitivity in your child. You will most likely feel it early on or even from birth. The way your baby stares at people appears intense and different. When you are upset, they are inconsolable rather than just fussy.

However, high emotional sensitivity may manifest for your empath child in ways not easy to recognize.

Signs You Have an Empath Child:

1. Sensory Overload

Inexplicable tantrums or meltdowns ensue at the store, family gatherings, sporting events, and other places.  Surprise! There’s an actual reason for these meltdowns, it’s just not visible to the naked eye. The empath child receives an overload of emotional and physical stimuli. This isn’t different than the empath adult. Loud noises, crowds, bright lights, and an invasion of personal space equal a recipe for disaster. The empath is receiving more input than he or she can effectively process. Imagine for a moment that you’re in a room with 100 people raking their nails down a chalkboard. That’s what a trip to your local food shop feels like to an empath child or adult. And being that children have no control to remove themselves from the situation, BOOM! Meltdown aisle 6.

A Personal Story

As an example, when I was around 5 my parents separated. During this time, they got into some of the worst verbal fights – yelling, screaming, etc. I remember standing on the stairs screaming and crying so loudly that I would begin to shake uncontrollably. No one knew what empathic abilities were when I was growing up. Looking back, I know why I reacted the way I did. My senses were overloaded, and I was too little to understand or express it.

2. The Older Empath Child / Teen and Isolation

If you have an older empath child, they may begin to isolate themselves from activities in which sensory overload occurs. Empathic abilities, if left untreated, often manifest as severe anxiety and can lead to depression. If your child is anxious or depressed, seek proper medical attention. However, if they are an empath child, there are ways to help them at home.

So, How Can You Help Your Empath Child?

Keep trips to places that historically cause sensory overload short and to a minimum when possible. Try to lessen the stimuli’s effect with sunglasses, noise-reducing headphones, and emotional comfort items (blankie/teddy/lucky keychain) while out and about.

Respect your child’s boundaries in situations with friends and family. Overly touching or invading an empath child’s personal space is disruptive to their energetic field. If they resist hugging or sitting on someone’s lap, back them up. Empaths are extremely affectionate but on their terms. Also ensure there is a quiet space for your child to escape and regroup if necessary.

The Empath Child in School

Traditional schooling can be a challenge for the empath child. I have witnessed empathic children needing special education enrollment and I’ve seen empathic children placed in gifted programs. The point is, they need to be supported in their learning environment. Be your child’s advocate with teachers and administrators and set up a meeting with the guidance counselor to discuss your empath child’s needs.

Empath Children and Friends

Empath children often feel like outsiders. They usually avoid big groups of friends opting instead for a few close friends. The empath child also needs plenty of alone time to rest and recharge. They may fuss over play dates or avoid going out with friends in favor of reading a book or a hobby. Most empath children appear as introverts or ambiverts.

Encourage Your Child to Find An Outlet

Looking back on my own childhood, there were a few things that helped me immensely. I participated as a counselor to other students in peer dispute resolution. This put my skills to use and allowed me to learn how to communicate emotions. I also participated in a program called Odyssey of the Mind. It allows children to use creativity to solve problems. Having a creative or athletic outlet for the empath child is crucial. It allows them to focus on a task and themselves while inadvertently shedding the energies they’ve picked up.

The Empath Child’s Connection to Nature

Most empathic children have a connection to nature, animals, or both. Children you see spending more time with animals than humans are more than likely on the empathic spectrum. Nature offers the empath child a peaceful place to recharge. And animals? They don’t give their opinion, they just love unconditionally.

If you live in an urban area, make time for nature. Go to the beach, the forest, the mountains, or even to the local park. These kids need time in and around nature to release the energies they absorb. For me, just putting my hands on a tree, or climbing up one when I was growing up, was healing and soothing.

An Empath’s Sensitivity to Media

It may be difficult for your child to watch, read, or listen to things of an emotional nature. They may cry during emotional scenes in books or movies or leave the room when tragic or violent news airs on the TV. Empath children are literally able to feel what the people in media are feeling – be it good or bad.

Preview the Media First

One thing that’s helped me as an adult to be sensitive to empathic children is to preview the media first. Now that doesn’t mean I can always correctly gauge what will be triggering for the empathic child, but it does allow me to be prepared for emotional reactions that may arise. Educating oneself, and being prepared, are the best things adults can do for an empath child. Previewing media helps you decide if it’s just too much for your child’s sensitivity.

An Empath As a Child and As An Adult

There is lots of nuance to children and adults on the empathic spectrum. The most important thing you can remember about the child empath is they are exactly like adult empaths except less equipped to intelligibly express and explain their emotions and experiences. As a caregiver, it’s your job to ask questions, observe, take action, and advocate for your child. For further confirmation, check out the quiz on Judy Orloff, M.D.’s, author of the Empath’s Survival Guide, website.

That’s a Wrap!

Thank you for joining me for the Empath Series here on the Otherworldly Oracle. I have enjoyed sharing my experiences and knowledge on all things empathic. I will see you all again in 2020, when we start a new decade and a new series! Happy holidays, warm wishes, many blessings and much love from my home to yours.

Read the Entire Empath Series by Allorah Rayne:

The Empathic Spectrum and Shielding

Cord Cutting and Energy Transmutation

Earthing Therapy, Flushing and Grounding Yourself

5 Helpful Empath Books and Resources

https://otherworldlyoracle.com/raising-empath-child/