As pools open this weekend, remember that Neurospicy kiddos (and adults) can have unique challenges with so many parts of this weekend and that pool life. Parties this weekend may have big social expectations with unfamiliar people, and unexpected foods.
At the pool, remember that going in and out of the water shocks the system and some people cannot tolerate the shift from cold to hot and back again. Sunscreen and any kind of lotion may be overwhelming to the skin, and any parent of Neurospicy kids knows that the sprays are TOO COLD!
Pro Tips:
•Use social stories to prepare your kiddo for what they can expect at parties or time at the pool. When will you arrive, what will their expectations be, and who will be there. Also manage expectations for your time. Ex. “Mom is going to read her book for an hour, and then will get in the pool with you. I will not be in the pool all day. Some of the time, you will have to play by yourself.”
•Bring safe foods to avoid meltdowns. If your pool or party includes food, make sure you outline rules before going. Ex. “you can buy one treat from the snack bar today, but we will not be buying a snack every time we go to the pool.”
•Try to allow kiddos with sensory needs to select their own sunscreen experience. The smell, the texture, the application method, and even the colors of the bottle may help them to feel like they have a say.
•Bring lots of water to stay cool, and consider a spray bottle as well.
•Set a timer to remind them when we reapply sunscreen. Let them be mad at your cell phone timer, instead of you. Show them what the bottle says regarding how long sunscreen lasts.
•Find a spot in the shade to set up your stuff if possible
•Respect your kids wish to stay out of the water if they would like to
•Do NOT tell them they are “no fun” if they don't want to do what everyone else is doing
•Consider a pool side game that you can play together
•Remember that being hot is a very uncomfortable body feeling that some kiddos cannot tolerate. If a sweaty kid means a miserable family, manage your expectations for including them in outdoor parties or pool time.
Just a few days til our very first Unmasking retreat!
So psyched to see everyone who is signed up!
Intrigued, but not registered yet? Have a scheduling conflict for part of the weekend? Let's chat! I may be able to help you find a way in!
High Five to Lego! They recently introduced their new “sensory bags” in participating stores.
Clearly I was just a little bit excited to be “the first person to ask to see one”
in the New York City store!
(Sorry to my family…they were more than a little ready to leave at this point.)
The bags have been added to the store so that people with sensory needs can be more comfortable while shopping. The bags are provided from Kulture City. Check them out!!!
The signage was clear, and staff was really excited to provide the bags and explain what was inside when I asked.
Each bag includes noise canceling headphones, a fidget toy, a VIP card, a communication card, and sunglasses. They really thought of everything. (Minus the “New York in the Summer” smell…but no one has figured out how to neutralize that).
It is so exciting to see that Lego is leaning into sensory supports in their stores! Building with Legos is a very common special interest for Autistic kiddos AND adults. Neurodivergent people benefit when any space normalizes accommodations!
If you love Legos and also think this is awesome, leave them a note on my Instragram post from today!
and also…In honor of this special day, I created a lego Kory. Kory Lego likes everything in the sensory bag, and this purple magic coping potion when traveling in NYC.
I was thrilled to hear Dr. Megan Neff and Patrick Casale talk with Liv Sara about the intersection of eating disorders and Autism on podcast 53. It is SO common in my practice to hear from clients that they didn't feel like their eating disorder treatment took their Autism related needs into consideration. Liv shared details from her own lived experience and discussed how she uses that experience in her work.
I'm still thinking about the link between eating disorders and identity after listening to this episode. Many clients share that they have felt connected to specific identities such as “the thin person”, the one with “perfect grades," or the kid that “never got in trouble." When viewed in the context of Autism, black and white identities like this give us a guideline of how to show up for other people, and how to get positive feedback socially. However, when these identities cannot be maintained, Autistic people run a huge risk of a downward spiral. Gaining weight, getting a “B” or getting in trouble can feel like the end of the world, Because Autistic brains are more likely to get stuck and perseverate, this all or nothing thinking as it relates to identity can have dangerous mental and physical health effects.
Many Autistic people report that they don't know how others see them, and have a hard time wrapping their brain around their own identity. In addition, many clients have shared how their weight, body image, and presentation have also intersected with their gender identity as well, making this a far more complicated treatment scenario.
Eating Disorder treatment models are not made for Neurodivergent brains. Residential programs focus on helping patients learn to trust their bodies, and work towards healthier “intuitive eating”. Unfortunately, many Autistic people may have difficulty with interoception, which can make it hard for them to feel and interpret their body's signals. For some, hunger and satiety cues are not reliable. Treatment can cause patients to lose autonomy, predictability, and control over their lives until they maintain a safe weight. Sensory challenges with foods are often ignored, predictability needs are not honored, and many patients are forced to spend most, if not all of their time in the company of others. From a therapeutic perspective, patients are frequently asked to identify their internal thoughts and body sensations that lead to perpetuating the disordered eating. Many Autistic people do not have a running dialogue of internal thoughts and/or cannot recall or explain that if they do. As a result of these reasons, and so many more, many Autistic patients in Eating Disorder programs learn to game the system (learning what staff is looking to hear) and leave the programs before they are ready, or they are asked to leave because they look like they are refusing to participate.
I'm looking forward to reading Liv Sara's book, “Rainbow Girl,” to learn more about her story.
If you can relate to anything mentioned here, let me know in your next session!
Fun in the Community!
For any of you that are in Massachusetts, Hannah Gadsby is visiting Emerson Colonial Theater on September 19th. Would not miss this!
Gadsby is an openly Autistic comedian and author. Her new show is called, “Woof."
From the graphics Department: I have no idea what's going on here this week. We had a very neuro-spicy family trip to NYC for a few days. Turns out NYC is “too loud," has “too many smells”, and “our feet hurt.”
We're still recovering.
Ethan has a whole series outlining my pizza meltdown. Traveling with small human, NYC 1st timers means that sometimes pizza dreams don't work out out the way they were supposed to…but they should because NYC is where the best pizza ever lives.
