If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen over the recent weeks Iāve been trying out a new feature on the platform. Iāve been giving my followers the opportunity to ask me any questions they may have and then posting my answers via my Instagram stories. I bought it would also be worthwhile posting the questions and my answers below (all anonymous). You can still access all my question and answers on my @21andsensory Instagram profile page under the āhighlightsā section. So here are the questions I have been asked…
What sensory strategy have you found most helpful?
I reckon the best strategies Iāve found are a combination of: sensory diet (e.g body brushing, weighted blankets, fidget toys) alongside occupational therapy which Iāve found to be the most helpful form of therapy. Basically what Iām getting at is that thereās no one sensory strategy…itās lots of different things in combination that help me to function. And I canāt always function ānormallyā which Iām starting to understand more.
Tips for travelling with sensory issues?
Ooh okay. Good question but a bit of a difficult one as I donāt tend to travel that much! I do go on trains and drive places, etc but I havenāt been abroad in years. I would say that distraction is the key š. Using things like weighted blankets and jackets, fidgets, chewing gum, listening to calming sounds or music, etc.
Also I like to travel with my own washing detergent and same sorts of smells like deodorants and perfumes so that everything feels a bit more normal and routine. Itās all about making things more easier and comfortable for yourself.
Do you have any tips for how to help someone who struggles with taste and texture of fruit and veg?
I totally understand how much of a struggle this can be, especially introducing new foods (and weird textures are the worst!) I think just trying new foods little (portion) and often (as much as you can) and just trying to get used to the food in your mouth or even just holding it in your hand is a really good step in the right direction. Equally thereās lots of food/textures I just canāt deal with so I just steer clear of them altogether – this is totally okay and acceptable too.
What would one of your top tips be for supporting someone with SPD?
Thatās a very good question š¤ I think each person with SPD is completely different so itās key to have a quick chat or conversation with the person to check if they are sensory defensive or sensory seeking or a bit of both! Just understanding what a person can and canāt tolerate means you are taking time to make their environment and experience that much more easier to cope in and this will help them to feel more confident. Also being understanding of the fact that we may use fidgets, body bushes, sunglasses, ear defenders, etc to allow us to cope in everyday environments means you are being super supportive āŗļø
I think itās important to have an understanding of sensory meltdowns and providing a quiet safe space or zone (even if itās a loo break) can really helps people with SPD calm themselves down to avoid a meltdown.
What advice would you give your younger self in terms of understanding your own needs?
Definitely an interesting question. I think I am struggling to understand my own needs even now š but I think I would say to my younger self to hang in there and that youāll pick up little coping mechanisms and techniques that survive everyday living. I think Iād also say that sensory processing disorder and autism will become more and more well documented and understood as the years go by – so have faith!
And what advice would you give parents? Ps thanks for everything you post, itās so helpful and insightful!
Another super question…I know it must be so difficult being a parent because you just want to support and help your child as best you can. I know this is super hard because you are unable to sort of see and hear what goes on in our heads and to understand what itās like to be sensory seeking or sensory defensive.
I would suggest a great thing to start is creating a sensory bin/box with sensory toys and fidgets and allow your child to stim and explore different things. For example my mum always helped me by giving me opportunities such as having a swing in the garden, allowing me to trampoline and have weighted jackets and ankle weights. Feeding that need for self regulation by building up a sensory diet with your child āŗļø
I think itās so important to remember that your child is different and not less. All of my relatives know of my āspecial quirksā and thatās okay because thatās what makes āmeā me.
Ps: Thank you so so much for this comment – it really does mean the absolute world to me! My aim after starting my blog and Instagram account was: if I can help or support at least one person then I will have done my little bit in this crazy old world!
What recommendations do you have for living with dyslexia and dyscalculia? Especially with schoolwork?
Again another great question! I think concerning school work and dyslexia / dyscalculia I tried to make everything as visual as possible. Lots of drawings lots of A3 posters (which I stuck in my bedroom and around my house!) in different colour pens with drawings so the information would stick in my brain. At uni I used to record every lecture via a dictaphone or on my voice memos on my phone so that I could always go back and re-listen to what they had said. This was especially helpful when it came to essay writing!
Do you ever notice if youāre being overstimulated until later on?
I am quite sensitive to literally the world so I usually become overwhelmed sensory-wise immediately after something like a loud noise or bright colourful environment š I will either escape to a toilet or outside to just get some quiet and calm or I will bottle up how I feel and have a good cry when I get home!
How do I catch my social mistakes? Or should I ask my peers to correct me?
This is always a difficult one. I think itās okay to ask your family / relatives to maybe comment and suggest where you might be going a little wrong. I find peers and friends can be too critical and not always understand what difficulties I actually have. Much better to ask people who really know you well. I also think āneurotypicalā people make social mistakes too – so dint be too hard in yourself because itās great that you are being social and meeting up with people āŗļø
So there you have it – I tried to answer as best I could and I was really surprised and impressed at the amazing range of questions I was asked! If you ever have a question for me feel free to message me on Instagram, here in my blog comments or via my email: 21andsensory@gmail.com and Iāll always try my best to get back to you!
I’ve been wanting to write a post on my feelings on medications for a while. Have they helped me? What have I found difficult about them?
