Safety & Wellness

How To Teach Adults About Their Sensory Needs

Parent Education, Safety & Wellness / /

The Most Important Step in Addressing Sensory Processing Challenges in Young Adults If you haven’t had the chance, check out last week’s post where we introduce what sensory processing disorder looks like in young adults. As young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities age out of public school, move into college transition programs, or start living with roommates for the first time, new sensory challenges are likely to arise. These novel experiences lead to increased stress and often test an individual’s self-regulation skills.  So what can be done to assist young adults as they navigate these new challenges?  The simplest answer – help them truly understand their own sensory needs.  This is not to add another label or make someone feel like an outcast. Understanding our own sensory needs will help each of us realize that we ALL experience the world in a slightly different way. Plus, this information better prepares young adults for how their personal needs will impact relationships with others so they can set themselves up for success. As a caregiver, teacher, or support professional working with young adults with intellecutal and developmental disabilities, how can you support someone in understanding their sensory needs? Step 1 – Review Your Own Sensory Preferences If you are assisting someone in learning about their own sensory processing preferences, it’s good to start with your understanding your own needs. What are the things you do every day to help stay regulated? Be prepared to offer examples to your learner. To help you understand your own preferences, answer these questions:  When you wake up, are you ready to go for the day, or do you need a little time to get going? Do you drink coffee for extra energy, or does it make you too jittery? Do you listen to music while you work, or does it distract you? Do certain clothing fabrics or tags bother you, or do you not even notice them?  Are you a picky eater, or do you eat anyting? Do you like hugs, or do you prefer not to be touched?   When you sit in a meeting, are you able to stay focused, or do you find yourself needing to stand, move, or fidget?  While these are just a few examples, they should help you start to understand your own habits and preferences. If your answers leaned toward the blue responses, you might be a little more sensitive to sensory input, while if your answers aligned more with the green responses, you might be less sensitive to sensory input.  These questions are by no means meant to diagnose, but instead start the conversation of understanding the different experiences and choices we make we throughout our day. We all have sensory preferences, even if we don’t experience the challenges of sensory processing disorder.   Step 2 – Review Your Learner’s Sensory Preferences While you’ve had a chance to think of your own preferences, let’s talk about assisting young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in understanding their own sensory needs.  Here at Accessible Adulthood, our team has had the opportunity to teach young adults about their sensory preferences. The most effective technique we have found is empowering these individuals to fully understand how their brains and bodies react to the world around them.  Once again, this information is not intended to make someone feel “different.” In fact, learning how people react to situations reinforces the concept that every single one of us experiences the world in a unique way. This conversation can be enlightening and exciting. In the past, some learners have exclaimed, “So that’s why I do that!?” with comfort in understanding themselves better. Knowledge truly is power when it comes to understanding our sensory needs. Once someone understands their own responses to the world, they can better navigate interactions with others. Which, as they transition away from home, will include roommates, peers, friends, and colleagues.  If you aren’t sure where to start when having this conversation with your young adult learners, finding an occupational therapist who understands sensory processing can be incredibly helpful!  We also created our Sensory Preference Checklists to introduce the concept of sensory self-awareness, which includes understanding one’s own preferences and relating those preferences to relationships with others.  Download the first page of this resource (Sound Preferences) for FREE to see if you or your learner can benefit from understanding more about how they interact with sensory input.

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What Sensory Processing Disorder Looks Like in Adults

Parent Education, Safety & Wellness / /

Sensory processing challenges look different as people age Children are often referred to occupational therapy for sensory processing concerns when they can’t sit still in class, have “meltdowns” when asked to wear certain clothing, or when they avoid going to the bathroom in public due to the unbearable sound of the toilet flushing. In general, people have started to learn these early signs of sensory processing challenges and are referring these little ones to the appropriate interventions, which is fantastic! However, there remains a wide gap in both understanding and providing appropriate interventions for adults with sensory processing challenges. In this post, we’ll review how sensory processing disorders can present for young adults, with a special focus on the time of transitioning into their own living space. What is Sensory Processing Disorder? In a nutshell, sensory processing refers to the ability to take input from the environment and respond in a successful way. Here are two simple examples of successful sensory processing:– Touch a hot stove? Your body instictively pulls away. – Stepping onto a boat? Your muscles will automatically adjust to stabilize you against the waves. We all have sensory preferences – maybe you avoid wool sweaters or don’t like the feeling of dirt beneath your fingernails – but these situations likely don’t prevent you from engaging in your necessary daily tasks. Sensory processing disorder refers to such intense challenges with sensory input that it prevents the successful particpation in daily tasks. Perhaps you can’t find ANY clothes you feel comfortable wearing out of the house, or the touch of certain textures causes you to gag or feel physically sick. Sensory processing is a complex subject, and finding a skilled professional can be very helpful in understanding your own challenges. However, for the purposes of this post, let’s review some of the very basics. Over-Responsive to Sensory Input When someone is over-responsive to sensory input, they are considered “sensitive.” A small movement may feel overwhelming and disorienting. A gentle touch might feel painful. An overhead light might cause a piercing headache. When someone is over-responsive to sensory input, they might respond in one of these ways: Avoiding sensory input – Examples include wanting to wear sunglasses at all times to block light, keeping the shades down all day, or avoiding grooming and hygiene tasks. Seeking calming input –  Examples include participation in repetitive and predictable activities to calm the nervous system. This can look like jumping up and down, rocking back and forth, or humming consistently. Under-Responsive to Sensory Input When someone is under-responsive to sensory input, they likely don’t notice sensations in their environment. You may call their name several times without them responding or they may not notice that they have toothpaste on their face. They may bump into things in their environment because they look more clumsy than their peers. When someone is under-responsive to sensory input, they may respond in one of these ways: Seeking out intense input – Examples include hobbies that allow them to “fill their sensory bucket” with high-intensity input such as spinning, jumping, and lifting. Ignoring any additional input  – Examples include sedentary behavior, staying camped out in a favorite chair, requiring a lot of prompting, and tiring easily. Common Examples of Sensory Processing Difficulties in Young Adults Now that we’ve reviewed the basics of sensory processing, let’s apply it to the setting of young adulthood. While the situations below are common for many transition-age adults, let’s look at them from a sensory processing perspective. Trouble Sharing a Space with a Roommate A roommate can be incredibly unpredictable! They come along with different sounds, smells, lighting preferences and unique routines. The environment is much more out of your control when you live with someone else, which can make those with sensory sensitivities much more uncomfortable. On the flip side, those who are under-responsive to sensory input might not notice their own habits that bother others. Perhaps they leave a mess behind, let their alarm ring for hours, or never notice that the trash is stinking up the place. Difficulty Regulating Sleep/Wake Cycles Most young adults struggle with regulating their sleep/wake cycles as they move out of their homes. There is much more freedom to use your time as you wish, which might mean too much screentime, staying up too late, drinking too much caffeine, or taking mid-day naps. However, maintaining these cycles of regulation are especially difficult for people with sensory processing disorder. Their bodies have a harder time transitioning between sleep and wake as well as matching the appropriate level of alertness to a given situation. Finding the right routine will be important to support their unique needs. Poor Tolerance to Changes in Routine When people are feeling dysregulated or aren’t meeting their unique sensory needs, they may rely on routines and clear expectations to get through their day. Many people with sensory sensitivities thrive on knowing what is next so they can prepare for what they are going to experience. If an expected routine becomes disrupted, their frustration tolerance might appear to be very low. Difficulty Finding Things to Eat Many picky eaters are nervous when it comes to social eating. This can happen while eating at a friend’s house, going out to eat, or finding something at the dining hall. Picky eating increases when people aren’t meeting their sensory needs. The stress of managing your own schedule, establishing new habits, and sharing space with new people can decrease the overall tolerance for trying new foods out of your comfort zone. Struggling to Find a Hygiene Routine that Works When you can’t control the environment around you, or you feel stressed, you often feel overstimulated. Along the same lines of picky eating, tolerating hygiene routines can become more challenging as well when you are dysregulated. Want to learn more about this area specifically? Check out our post on teaching hygiene skills. Now What? Now that you have a better understanding of how sensory processing difficulties can present for young

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Table Manners and Dining Etiquette for People with IDD

Parent Education, Safety & Wellness / /

Teaching Mealtime Etiquette and Manners to People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Mealtimes offer a plethora of opportunities to practice social skills, once table behaviors are mastered. Start habit training with your young adult and help them unlock opportunities to socialize around the table, be it at a family meal, a lunch with coworkers, or dinner with friends. Table Manners & Etiquette Before You Get to the Table Turn cell phone off or on silent No texting at the table Wash hands before coming to the table At the Table Napkin in lap when you sit down Good posture with elbows off the table If you need to leave the table during the meal, say “excuse me” and put your napkin on your chair until you return Eating Etiquette Wait to eat until everyone has their food If there are more than one fork, spoon, or knife – start with the utensils on the outside first and work inward Bring food up to your mouth (not your mouth down to the food) Take bites that are not too small and not too big Chew with your mouth closed Eat slowly Conversation Manners No complaining about the food Say “please pass the…” if you need/can’t reach something Use please and thank you Wait your turn to talk Talk to everyone at the table End of the Meal Manners Thank the person who made the food Put your napkin on the table when you are finished eating Take your dishes to the kitchen Offer to help clean up Getting in the habit of good table manners can help open doors for your young adult. Practice now for the payoff later.

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Top 10 Home Safety Procedures to Teach Autistic Adults and Developmentally Delayed People

Parent Education, Safety & Wellness / /

Teaching Home Safety for People with IDD during Fire Safety Month This page contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn commissions from Amazon at no additional cost to you. To kick off Fire Safety Month this October, we’ve compiled three crucial fire-related home safety procedures and 7 additional home safety procedures for you to think through and teach your young adult, so they know how to live safely on their own. Empower your child with the safety information that gives you peace of mind!  Have a Fire Escape Plan Does your child have a safe meeting place in case of a fire? Does your child know to NEVER go back into a burning building? Are you checking the smoke detector batteries twice each year? Does your child know two ways out of every room? Can they move quickly enough to get out in under 2 minutes? Have they practiced getting low and moving to the exits in case there is smoke? If not, today is a great day to make your Fire Escape Plan and most importantly PRACTICE it.  Making a fire escape plan comes down to 3 steps:  1. Know where to go 2. Check smoke alarms 3. Do the drill. Use the home fire escape plan from ready.gov and practice escaping in under 2 minutes with their free timer on the Make Safe Happen app. Use a Fire Extinguisher According to the CDC, cooking is the main cause of home fires. Keep a multipurpose fire extinguisher in an easily accessible place in your child’s kitchen. Watch videos on how to properly use one. Buy an extra extinguisher and have your child practice using it. Head outside, put up a picture of flames and have them practice aiming and depressing the valve so they get the feel of how hard they need to press and how to aim the nozzle. Don’t forget to replace the extinguishers as needed before their expiration date! Use Diffusers, Not Candles Skip the open flames and opt for a diffuser instead. Your child can choose a waterless diffuser or reed diffuser for less maintenance and still get just about any scent under the sun they’d like. Perform First Aid Kit Basic first aid is a great skill for your child to have when they’re living on their own. Accidents can happen during cooking or around the house and having the information for what to do when waiting for medical professionals to arrive could make all the difference.  Consider taking a First Aid Training Class with your child from the American Red Cross. You’ll both learn basic “hows” and “whys” behind basic first aid skills. Definitely use the first aid training class locator and attend an in-person classroom training for instruction and hands-on practice. Know Emergency Information Do they have their street address memorized? Could they recall it if they were in a state of panic or an emergency? Does your child know the number for poison control? If there’s suspicious activity by their home, can they call the non-emergency police line? Do they know their pharmacy phone number? What about their medication side effects or allergies?  Hang an Important Information Safety Sheet from Accessible Adulthood on their fridge so they know exactly where to go if they need it. Close Blinds and Curtains When the sun is starting to set, close the blinds and curtains. Take and evening walk with your child and show them how when it starts to get dark, people from outside can see in their home and that’s why it is safest to close your blinds and curtains at dusk. Lock Doors and Windows Teach your child the habit of immediately locking the front door behind them when they get into their home. If they’re not sitting by an open window enjoying the breeze, then go ahead and close it and lock it. Before bed double check that exterior doors and windows are all locked. Leave a Light on When You Leave If your child heads out for activities and could potentially get back when it’s dark, teach them to leave a light on inside and at your front door. Not only do lights make your house less susceptible to burglary, but it also makes it easier to see when you’re getting home to put your key in the door and getting into your home.  Use a Video Doorbell or Peephole If your child’s front door has a peephole, teach them to quietly look through and check any visitors knocking on their door before speaking to them or unlocking the door for them. Consider installing a video doorbell program which sends an alert straight to their phone when someone approaches the door. They can open the alert to see a live video and depending on the program, they can talk through the doorbell to the visitor without ever unlocking their door. This video doorbell from Blink integrates with Amazon Alexa and has over 47,000 five-star reviews. Install Motion Lights Depending where your child’s home is and what the surroundings look like (e.g. wooded, dark, etc.) you may want to install motion detection lights. Any movement and that bright light pops on illuminating whatever triggered the sensor. Some motion lights even have the ability to send text alerts of suspicious movement now too. Find the Emergency Information Safety Sheet and more in the Safety Resources section in our shop. 

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The Importance of Clothing Fit For Young Adults

Safety & Wellness / /

Follow these basics of clothing fit to set yourself up for fashion success! Clothing trends will come and go. The styles that were cool when your parents were young might even seem silly today. But a few things about clothes never go out of style, and that includes having them fit you correctly. Let’s review a few basics of clothing fit to keep in mind next time you go shopping. Well-fitting clothing lasts longer When clothing fits correctly, it will last longer! If pants are too long, they might drag on the ground, causing tears in the fabric. If a shirt is too small, the zipper or buttons might break. When clothing is too tight, it might actually rip when you move around. Finding the right size might take a few tries So now that you know proper fit helps your clothing last longer, how do you find the right size? Shopping Online Many of us order clothing online. While it is easy, ordering online can be tricky when it comes to sizing. Some stores have reviews that allow you to get feedback from others about how the clothing fits. They might say something like: True to size (this means order your usual size) Runs small (might need to order a size larger than your usual size) Runs large (might need to order a size smaller than your usual size) You may be tempted to keep something when it doesn’t fit, but many online stores will allow you to return items to their store, or send them back in the package they came in. That’s why it’s important to open the package carefully when you receive any clothing in the mail! Shopping at Different Stores Sizing is not always the same across brands or companies, especially when it comes to sizes such as small, medium, large, etc. If you aren’t sure, the best idea is to try on different sizes and see how they fit! Clothing might also have extra descriptions to help you decide how they will best fit. Some common examples are: Regular (their “standard” size) Tall (shirts and pant legs will be longer than standard) Petite (shirts and pant legs will be shorter than standard) Slim Fit (shirts and pants may be more narrow and tight) There are many other descriptors that might be specific to a certain store where you like to shop. Once you try on a few things, you can get an idea of which specific fit looks and feels best on you. Clothing size isn’t just about a number When you buy clothing, it is important to keep in mind that it is not about fitting into a certain size, it’s about getting what fits your body correctly. Also, it is sometimes tempting to think, “maybe I’ll fit into this in the future” – but don’t buy clothing to meet a certain goal. You want to find pieces that fit you and can be worn right away! When you buy things that aren’t the right size, they’ll often end up sitting in the back of your closet taking up space. You want to feel comfortable in your clothing. If it’s too tight you might have trouble breathing or moving around. Too loose and you’re constantly pulling and tugging on your clothing. Want to keep track of your clothing sizes? Check out our Clothing Size Quick Reference Sheet!It comes with a handy printable wallet cart to increase independence with shopping! Poor clothing fit sends a message For better or worse, people will make judgements based on your clothing. If your clothes are very baggy and dragging on the ground, you may come across as dirty or sloppy. Tight fitting clothing often looks uncomfortable or stretched out. Think about this when you are going somewhere where you want to make a good impression. That might include a job interview, or a first date, or a formal event. If you focus on what fits you best, and keep track of those sizes, shopping will become a much easier task!

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Top 5 Portion Control Strategies for People with Down Syndrome

Parent Education, Safety & Wellness / /

Nutrition Skills to Teach Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities This page contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn commissions from Amazon at no additional cost to you. According to the National Down Syndrome Society, “adults with Down syndrome are more likely to be obese than their typically developing peers.” NDSS reports that weight management issues are generally attributed to taking in too many calories in relation to the level of physical activity, meaning people with Down syndrome typically are eating more calories than are burned through physical activity and exercise. Building balanced eating habits can be a bit nuanced and abstract. People with Down syndrome tend to learn best, not in the abstract, but with concrete examples and visuals. So how can we teach balanced and healthy eating to people with Down syndrome? One strategy the NDSS lists for treating and preventing obesity is portion control. 1. Use Their Hand as a Visual Try teaching portion sizes in the moment while you’re in the kitchen cooking or preparing meals. Here’s a portion size guide from Consortium for Health and Military Performance that visually shows the appropriate portion sizes using one’s own hand. Your handy guide to portion sizes | HPRC (hprc-online.org) 2. Portion Control Plates Another way to visually show appropriate portion sizes is by using a portion control plate. These plates have divided sections for proteins, vegetables, fruits, and grains. Have your child practice plating their dinner meal components into the correct sections to ensure they are not overeating. Here’s a portion control plate from MyPlate.gov available for purchase on Amazon. Amazon.com | MyPlate Materials Portion Plate for Adults & Teens – 100% Melamine – Dividers and non-slip feet – 1 Plate: Dinner Plates Or if you like even more visuals, here is another option that has illustrations for each category on the plate. Amazon.com | VIYNRAN Ceramic Portion Control Plates 10 Inch For Weight Loss, Microwave-Safe (2 Pack): Dinner Plates 3. Portion Control Containers Similar to portion control plates, you can teach the person with Down syndrome to use color-coded portion control containers when preparing their meals. These would be great tools for packing a lunch and the containers generally come with some information on which colors and how many of each color to use for a balanced breakfast/lunch/dinner based on weight and activity level. Amazon.com: 21 Day Meal Portion Containers and Food Plan – Portion Control Containers by GAINWELL: Home & Kitchen 4. Salad Dressing and Condiments People with Down syndrome can use small 1-1.5 oz cups to portion out their salad dressing, condiments, and dipping sauces before adding them to their food. Here’s an easy-to-clean option available on Amazon.  Amazon.com: 6×1.6 oz Salad Dressing Container To Go, Fits in Bento Box for Lunch, 18/8 Stainless Steel Condiment Containers with Lids, Easy Open, Leakproof, Rainbow Color Reusable Small Dipping Sauce Cups Set: Home & Kitchen  5. Serving Size Teach awareness of serving sizes, especially when it relates to snacks. Perhaps it may seem an impossible feat to eliminate potato chips or other snacks from someone’s preferred diet; instead focus on teaching moderation of the more unhealthy foods and food groups by drawing attention to the nutrition label. Focusing on matching the serving size and eating only 22 chips per day instead of a whole bag, is a great start to moderation. You may have to start off with one serving for lunch and one serving for dinner, then over a couple weeks decrease to one serving per day, one serving per week, to whatever the goal may be. New habits take time, mistakes, and patience. Yes, mistakes. So go easy on yourself and your child while trying to learn new, balanced eating habits. You might consider changing your eating habits to practice proper portion control alongside your child, because who likes learning and practicing a new skill on their own? Looking for more resources to teach skills realted to nutrition? Check out Accessible Adulthood’s resources in theSafety & Wellness target skill area.

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