As you know, I’m an adult with autism and chronic pain/fatigue from other physical disabilities. Here are some things I use to accommodate myself.

Whiteboards. Whiteboards. Whiteboards.

I use whiteboards all over my house. We have a meal plan whiteboard on the fridge along with messages or reminders. We keep a whiteboard in the living room for reminders. I usually have one in the bedroom and office for applicable reminders but haven’t put them up since I moved (maybe I should put that on the kitchen whiteboard…)

Sticky Notes (Or regular notes)

Along the same line as the whiteboards, I use notes. My partner and I both have a stack of small pieces of paper (sticky note sized, but not sticky). Sometimes we leave love notes to each other, but more often, I’m using them to display a to-do list. I use this mostly at my desk at home so when I step away, I know exactly what I was working on or what I need to do when I come back. These are also nice because they move. I can put them in my way so they don’t fade into the background to be forgotten. Sticky notes are great too, but I don’t like the stickiness. I use them at work.

Anti-Fatigue Mat

In our kitchen, we have an anti-fatigue mat right in front of the sink. I work full time, so doing dishes is the last thing on my mind. It’s not just something I don’t want to do; It’s something I actively will avoid and get upset about if I have to do it. This mat helps. I deal with foot/ankle pain from standing at work, so it takes some of the edge off of standing for dishes. My partner loves it too! He keeps recommending it to everyone when we are in their homes.

Lounge Space

I have a Big Joe bean bag. I love launching myself into it. I like how I can sit however I want in it. I can lay down, sit up, pretty much do whatever and still be supported. Not everyone has the money to buy one of these, but having a flexible lounge space is important. I also have a unique desk chair that I can sit criss-cross, kneel, sit up (like the Thinker), and more in. It also rocks (like a rocking chair, but yes it also rocks in the awesome sense).

Fidgets

Yep, you read that right. Fidgets are COOL and I won’t accept any fidget hate. They aren’t toys, they are tools. I keep a fidget in just about every space I might be idle in. Additionally, I have a discreet fidget ring and a necklace that I can fidget with.

Loop Earplugs and Headphones

This is like 3 products grouped into one category because sound is loud and difficult. I puchased Loop Experience a year or two ago in an attempt to lessen noise in public places so I can focus on the speaker and have more intimate conversations without getting distracted by the conversations at the table next to us or simply being overwhelmed by sound. They works okay, but I had a hard time talking with them in. The mouth sounds were just too loud and stuffy. They’re still great for when I go see live music (because I’m a musician and I like that stuff). Recently, I got Loop Engage, which are supposed to block out less, but have less of that stuffy feeling. Yes, Yes, Yes this is what I needed! It blocks out the background noise, but I can still hear the person speaking and important sounds (think announcements on the train, cars honking to alert you, etc.). And I can talk with them in! My partner borrowed them for a concert and he loved them so much he got his own pair! I do have a referral link that gives you a percentage off (I forget how much). Don’t feel obligated, but if you want to explore and maybe make a purchase, save some money! Lastly, I have big, noise-canceling headphones that I use for loud sounds at home like the coffee grinder, vacuum, etc. I also have this silly sensory thing where if I hear buzzing, I can be convinced it’s a bee stuck in my ear. This is so much worse in the spring when the bees are out again, and wearing them outside for yard work resolves that problem. Plus, I can listen to some cool tunes if I wanted!

These are just some of the products I use to help me be a productive member of society and work with my brain and body, not against them. There may be more to come as I discover more, but for now, give these a try!