Autism Life Hacks You Need To Know

Here are my autism life hacks you need to know. These life hacks for me as an autistic person have made my day easier and are meant to help other autistic adults. But these autistic life hacks could apply to autistic kids easily for managing sensory issues and general life. Links are below.
**Amazon affiliate links for UK**
☑️ = Any items purchased through the links with the click mean I received a commission or % of the product cost.
☑️ Headphone (As shown): amzn.to/2IsiKVV
☑️ More noise-cancelling headphones: amzn.to/3377iH6
☑️ Sunglasses: amzn.to/3377J4c
☑️ Sunscreen (As shown) amzn.to/31ZZAPb
☑️ Amazon Echo Dot: amzn.to/2IpgGy7
Evernote (On app stores): evernote.com/
☑️ Elastic laces (As shown): amzn.to/2ogYKPe
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ABOUT ME
Videos on autism from the perspective of an autistic adult. Sharing my autism experiences to help other autistic people and autism families to improve understanding of autism.
Hello indie people, I'm Andy and I have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I make videos on autism from the perspective of an autistic adult. Sharing my autism experiences to help other autistic people and autism families to improve understanding of autism.
This channel is focused on raising autism awareness & acceptance of autism. To try and change attitudes towards autism, to educate people about autism for those who are new to the autism world.
**New Videos Weekly: Tues & Fri**
So if you are on the spectrum, know someone with autism or are working professionally in the autism field and want to learn more about autistic people then consider subscribing and turning on the notification bell to see all future videos.
Useful links:
💡 NAS: www.autism.org.uk
💡 Autism Directory: www.theautismdirectory.com/
💡 Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (US/Australia): autisticadvocacy.org/
💡 Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk
💡 Samaritans: www.samaritans.org/
#autism #autistic #lifehacks

[@IndieAndy]

Hi indie people! What life hack was your favourite and you would use? Here are some similar videos: 👉 New to IndieAndy playlist: bit.ly/2xjyG6Q 👉 Autism videos playlist: bit.ly/2Xw0R1n 👉 Autism Back To School Tips: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaOshXqOetdjrMk 👉 Sensory Toys For Autism: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4a7mYeehbidntE

[@aaahah9931]

Just had a shutdown so I'm watching KZbin to help.

[@IndieAndy]

Hi there, hope you are ok 👍💛

[@toucannonz3372]

Sunglasses also hide your eyes so people can’t see if you aren’t making eye contact!

[@DustyDreamerCreates]

Organizing is really difficult in a cluttered mind. It’s crazy.

[@CatLady502]

One of my biggest life hacks is to order my groceries from the store app to be picked up. I live in a rural area so delivery isn’t an option except in the city otherwise I’d have them delivered. Grocery shopping is a nightmare for me as I’ve got older. Thankfully a national chain of grocers here in America will let you select items from your closest store from their app, and for a mere 5 dollars have it all gathered and ready for you to pick up and take home! Amazing! No more hour long treks thru the grocery with lights burning my eyes out and hordes of talking people and awful smells.

[@IndieAndy]

Aww gosh really? Now we can get stuff delivered but it typically is more expensive to so this but it gives on the stress. But also I'm someone that likes to know what we are getting so I know I'm going to like it. Because with delivery, if they don't that item, they might swap it for another brand. But that system seems pretty great... Might have to try that out sometime!

[@CatLady502]

IndieAndy the store that I pick up from will send me a text to let me know that my chosen item is not available and they let me know which substitutions that are in stock that I can choose from. Usually it’s my prediced onions that are always out of stock. I hate cutting onions! It’s like an attack on my face and almost puts me in meltdown. I was afraid to try the pick up service at first so I started with a very small order and it all went smoothly and I was hooked!

[@georgiaconnelly.5540]

Hi andy I’ve got asd thanks for the tips keep safe.

[@gerardtay]

My roommates are extremely loud and annoying to me, so earplugs and noise cancelling headphones really help me from having meltdowns.

[@HannahBaruch]

For the shoelaces, I prefer to use drawstring shoelaces instead of the elastic ones featured here.

[@aplam94]

For sticky stuff on hands I use Disposable gloves when I’m cooking or cleaning. I also always carrying wet wipes or baby wipes in my bag just in case I touch something sticky.

[@IndieAndy]

Ooh now I don't really cook so that's fine but I always wear gloves for cleaning. I don't like the wetness of mushy food 🤢. Also the smell of gravy in the sink... EURGH

[@ReiverBlue1971]

I find it hard dealing with the Sun shining off the road, through a windscreen or night time headlights. Smell is my trouble sense, but rather than protect it, I think I sort of "stun" my nose by using a Vics inhaler so all I can smell is mint/cool feeling on the insides of my nose which I enjoy.....weird :P I suppose and unspoken (but now I have) one would be having a handy hood to pull up as well as a place to keep some of your best mates (fancy rats for example) :D

[@IndieAndy]

Aww headlights in the nighttime can be pretty.... From far away ☺️ My Nicola really hates this as well & she does all the driving! Ooh that's fair enough... So you just smell mints all the time? That's not a bad idea.

[@l.ghosttmiilk6016]

I do that too! Those inhalers are lifesavers!

[@Rayxl1]

One life hack I've started using is the sunflower lanyard scheme. Most people don't notice that you're wearing one but shop staff do. I tend to get bogged down when trying to get a long list of things in a supermarket and the staff will show me where allot of things are quickly which is a god send.

[@IndieAndy]

Aww yeah I have to say the sunflower lanyard scheme is a really great thing for sure!

[@monalovejoy6341]

What is a sun flower landlord scheme? I would like to know. Thank you in advance.

[@TheReadingWren]

@@monalovejoy6341 Hi, it's a scheme in the UK (not sure if it's in other countries too?) where you can pick up a sunflower patterned lanyard from some shops. If you wear one it lets other people know that you need extra help or extra time when shopping or using public transport etc

[@IndieAndy]

Aww thanks Jenna for explaining this! I didn't see Mona's comment come through 😟

[@TheReadingWren]

@@IndieAndy No problemo! Thanks for the brilliant videos, I just discovered your channel and it's helped me a lot :)

[@Keyannakrazewolfie]

i couldnt tie my shoes till i was 11 and its still been an issue of mine now that im 20! ive pretty much got tying down even though sometimes i have trouble with it. but i still hate how tight tying makes it!!! and i can never get the tightness even on both feet and that bothers me. thank you im buying those laces!!!!

[@IndieAndy]

Ooh it's not a problem, glad this video helped you! I didn't realise how useful things like this were available. It would have been so useful but I'm just glad I could share this stuff with people :D

[@euanelliott3613]

I was late at tying my laces and I still do it awkwardly. Others seem to do it with ease but I still do it badly.

[@mobbs6426]

I think I was around 14 when I learned there was an alternative to the bunny ears

[@albamg04]

I wish I could wear the sunglasses in school, my classes' lights hurt my eyes and make me teary.

[@IndieAndy]

Ooh dear 😭

[@l.ceciliaperazaa.8484]

I found yellow tinted glasses a lifesaver. I walk with them everywhere, inside places and at university. I do have to let some people know I need them (like some teachers or random people I hang out with). Yo can easily say they are for photophobia or (in case the person is too ignorant to understand why light sensitivity hurts, just say you had an eye procedure recently (simple things like a check-up which requires applying drops to expose the pupils give you light sensitivity and they ask you to wear sunglasses for a while. That's just in case somebody is pestering you, beacuse you don't need to explain while you need them.

[@l.ceciliaperazaa.8484]

@@IndieAndy Also..I forgot. yellow or bue or red tinted glasses allows you to see better inside places and people can see your eyes so they are less prone to ask you to take them off.

[@CisForTrans]

Stuff that helps me (almost 40yo mom): Blisterpatches, not just for your feet but for hangnails, scratchy backpacks and clothes etc. Then self-toning glasses - when you have to wear glasses anyway get those who instantly get darker when it‘s getting brighter. Coffeebeans in a tin - I noticed that it helps to reset your nose when you had to endure a bad smell without to shock your sense of smell entirely (like Vics inhaler or strong smelling essential oils). When you are unable to flee a bad smell (for instance you have to sit in a plane) use „nosa“ plugs. Those are designed for butchers, crime scene cleaners etc. and definitely keep bad odours even heavy usage of perfume, at bay, while you are still able to breathe through your nose. If you have to stay oriented noisewise try earplugs especially designed for musicians, they just tone down the volume. When everything fails and you have a meltdown in a public place have a laminated card or a wristband ready that states how people around you can help, who to call etc.

[@xXBarbDwireXx]

We don't have to try to be cool and hip because we already are 😁👊

[@IndieAndy]

Aww heck yes! Though having some things to help that isn't that bad to mention 👍

[@Aisha-721]

I love elastic laces. My shoes keep coming untied unless I double or even triple knot them. And sometimes I even trip on a lace because the shoe isn't completely tied. I want to go places with my friends but one of them heard me scream when tripping on one and wanted to be careful where she took me thinking I'm too much of an "old lady" and may fall. I told her I tripped on my lace so she suggested slip on shoes. My occupational therapist gave me some elastic laces when I had my surgery and I decided to get more of them.

[@IndieAndy]

They are honestly the best thing I bought! Actually as well I feel they help with the longevity of the shoe. Those pair of shoes I would normally wear out in about 6 months. But I've had them for over a year and they are only just starting to show issues.

[@functionifelse]

Sun glasses are good for eye contact too. Even yellow lenses help. I know they can still see my eyes but it feels less like they are killing me with their eyes.

[@l.ceciliaperazaa.8484]

I use yellow too. They help you see better in closed places and people can see your eyes

[@Torby4096]

I love the feeling of sunshine on my skin.

[@3rdeyevisions]

I enjoy the tips, though I don’t have autism, I feel that you are a very brave person and confident, I love this also love the channel also subscribed

[@IndieAndy]

Aww well I hope that this tips might help you and anyone else who can relate!

[@DavidJVMusic]

"People going, hu nu nu nu nununununa,"(1:30) lol Yes, I can't help overhearing other conversations, definitely need headphones. Yes, lotion feels and smells gross!! I have a hard time dealing with apps as I have to enter the info correctly which, dyslexic brain messes it up. Then comes anxiety and obsessive double checking, wasting lots of time. and then the one time i don't double check it, it's wrong. I let someone down, screwed everything up... augh! I have the laces! It's way better than tying them with a perfect bow.

[@Miss_Maddam]

SUNGLASSES are also not only good for blocking out the sun, but it can help making eye contact a bit easier.

[@rc3151]

I have noticed for snow and water flasses the polarized are well worth the extra cost. Will take all the glare off. Thanks for sharing

[@arturrrrrw]

This channel helps people literally

[@IndieAndy]

Ooh well I'm glad it does!

[@NickCombs]

White noise, like from a fan or wind and waves at the beach, is great for drowning out invasive sounds like cars, conversations, power tools, or bumpin' bass notes. Weirdly, I've never been a fan of actual white (or other colored) noise through my headphones, but nature soundscapes work quite well. Again, beach waves are good for this, but also forest birds or gentle thunder & rain. I found the best way to deal with smells if I know they're coming is to rub something with a better scent on the inside of my nostrils. I have a beard balm I like for this. It just has a gentle herbal scent. But the extra stuff in my nose seems to physically block some of the bad smell even though I can still breath just fine. So maybe an unscented balm would work too. These days we all have cloth masks, and those can also help to a degree. My last tip is to find a space that you can re-center yourself. For me, when I was working in the city I would take walks along the canal on my breaks. Or I'd go to a mostly empty park and sit under a big tree. Watching the birds and other critters also helps. These are just small ways to connect with nature, even when there's very little around.

[@vincedoherty5401]

You're not just IndyAndy you're AwesomeAndy - great tips - thanks!!

[@IndieAndy]

Awww thank you Vince!

[@trashykingdom5586]

I guess my life hack is i have 5$ blue tooth headphone that stopped working so i cut the wire that held them together and now i use them as noice cansoling bc in public people don't talk to me because they think I'm listening to music and its much better and less overwhelming going out

[@IndieAndy]

Awww gosh I have to say I've done this before... It's actually amazing 😍 I still get people coming up to me when they are trying to sell something... I walk past them alot of the time ☺️

[@wren4333]

thank you so much for all of your help

[@IndieAndy]

Aww not a problem Lauren ☺️

[@colleenc1993]

Hi, have them laces & i don’t like the feel of sand so if I do need to go on it I have to hoover my shoes out 5 times till I am sure the sand has gone, ear defenders r good too 😊

[@quizarorobzaqu8558]

Another tip. Have some paracord. You can put all types of knots in it. Calming to me

[@IndieAndy]

Aww didn't know those existed honestly! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Quantum_Cowboy]

Recently i got one of these fabric face masks thingys and i use it to block smells in places that have alot of overwhelming sents.

[@IndieAndy]

Ooh yeah I think I've seen them. They look very useful for sure.

[@mobbs6426]

Seems a lot of people have taken your advice on board

[@Quantum_Cowboy]

Mobbs haha Y u p

[@theeguy9022]

I think I'll try the sunglasses it just I hate the feeling that they have on your nose at first and i already use earbuds for noise cancellation but yea my eyes are very sensitive to light and I have a condition in my eye too so even once I'm out of bright light my eyes become inflamed and painful the elastic laces sound great I'll see if I can get some

[@l.ceciliaperazaa.8484]

Sometimes I find useful to wear a band-aid over my nose so my glasses don't hurt me, I wear prescription glasses and they can leave marks sometimes. I have coloured band aids and I place them right between my nose and the glasses. Hope this helps.

[@aja2993]

Hi! I am glad your channel was recommended. You mentioned people with Autism not liking to be touched. My son has this characteristic when it comes to wearing slacks. He will wear shorts all year round. Jean material, cotton and khaki are all out of the question. Golf pants are minimally tolerable but he walks in them without bending his knees. Any suggestions?

[@jessieduncan1461]

Ok. Ordering that sunscreen. I can't deal with the smell and thickness and stickiness of it ! I only recently learned I'm on the spectrum and it's actually so good to know this isn't a 'me' issue

[@goinwithkohen6441]

You forgot your end screens 😊

[@IndieAndy]

Aww goodness me, it's not my day today 😂 Put my end screens on now! Thank you very much Phil! 👍

[@grantlauzon5237]

Axe. Life hack. applaud.

[@Keyannakrazewolfie]

i dont burn so i dont use sunscreen especially because i hate how it feels but ik the sun still damages your skin even if you dont burn so it worrys me not using it

[@IndieAndy]

Hmm I think it's very odd...the sun I mean. I guess it's just a case of maybe applying if it's brightish out. But I get that's it's pretty tricky.

[@juliadixon4810]

The sun damages collagen, so guard against that.

[@renren9369]

You can use a sun umbrella which blocks UV rays. :)

[@drb073]

I use Time Timer and Tiimo (app).

[@IndieAndy]

Aww that's awesome.