The daily essentials
So i wanted to go over a couple of items we take for granted and the effect they can have on neurodivergent people. So Anyone who knows me a long time knows i love my large noise cancelling earphone-these ones by JBL are fantastic- I wore them everyday coming and going from the office but also when I was in there just to give me some sensory piece. In the last while I have started using these other in earbuds by Mixx the mini charge 2- again not huge money but a little more discreet and do the job I need. And I find you get less awkward looks in certain arenas with smaller earbuds. Earphones are an everyday essential for me and as my daughter wears hers when we are out I find its taken a stigma away there too.
My wedding ring- here is wear I count myself very lucky to have a supportive and understanding wife all these years. I wear it occasionally, and to do that I am making a very conscious decision and I know its masking. I love my wedding ring but I find it just is something else to fidget at that I don't need.
Along with that is my watch, another thing that has developed over time, I will wear it occasionally and maybe for a week running but then something in my head clicks and says leave it off for 3 months. I have lots of watches but they are now in a jewelry graveyard in my bedroom.
Most importantly is my dog tag that has each of my kids birthdays inscribed on it. So il wear this if i know I'm filling out forms or going to a doctors appointment as i struggle to remember dates, not all dates but some so my wife got me this. Its a godsend at times.
I have to say I have seen some traits get worse when I'm stressed and sometimes I will use any of these items as a centering. I have a very understanding wife and kids and they always seen things as my quirks but now it has a label. When I got diagnosed someone I respect a lot told me me that its good to be armed with the understanding of what's going on. And that resonates massively but it has changed some things and I'll get into that again