Autism Blog: Self-Care

Articles about self-care, written with lived experience and community insight.

Autism Self Acceptance: Learning to Be Kind to Yourself Without Forcing It
Self-acceptance isn’t a mindset you force. For many autistic adults, it starts with safety—less masking, more rest, and permission to meet your needs without apology. Read more...
Autistic Overwhelm: How to Recognize, Prevent & Recover from Sensory and Emotional Overload
Autistic overwhelm isn’t about overreacting — it’s a real, neurological response to too much input, too fast. This guide explores what it feels like, how to recognize the signs early,... Read more...
Grief and Autism: How Autistic People Experience Loss and Bereavement
Grief touches everyone, but for autistic adults the process often looks different. Misunderstanding these differences can leave people isolated. This guide explores autistic grief and how to support it with... Read more...
Clothes for Autism That Feel Good for Autistic Adults
Finding clothes that feel good shouldn’t be this hard. At HeyASD, we design sensory-friendly clothing with real autistic experience, not just clinical checklists. This guide breaks down what “autism-friendly” really... Read more...
Autism Calming Strategies for Adults: How to Self-Soothe Without Shame
Autistic adults often face sensory overload, stress, and emotional fatigue. This guide offers practical, empowering strategies to help you self-soothe, regulate, and reclaim calm, without shame. Read more...
Autism Awareness Merchandise That Uplifts, Includes & Respects the Community
Many awareness products miss the mark. We explore what meaningful autism merchandise looks like, designed for comfort, dignity, and real community support. Read more...
Designing an Autism-Friendly Home: Creating a Supportive and Sensory-Friendly Space
Your home should feel like a refuge — calm, predictable, and made for you. Discover how to design an autism-friendly space that supports peace and sensory wellbeing. Read more...
Dining Out with Autism: Sensory-Friendly Tips
Discover sensory-friendly tips for dining out with autism. Find autism-friendly restaurants and manage sensitivities. Read more...
Yoga & Sensory Integration: A Guide to Mindfulness and Balance
Yoga and mindfulness offer powerful tools for sensory integration. From calming poses to mindful breathing, these practices help reduce overload, improve body awareness, and create balance for autistic adults and... Read more...
Hydration and Autism: The Importance of Water
Autism Travel: A Practical Guide for Sensory-Friendly and Relaxing Trips
Traveling as an autistic adult doesn’t have to mean stress or sensory overload. This guide explores how to plan, pack, and experience trips that feel calm, predictable, and enjoyable —... Read more...
Autism Clocks: Visual Tools for Calm, Routine & Self-Regulation
Visual time tools like autism-friendly wall clocks can help reduce stress, improve executive function, and support a more predictable day — for all ages. Read more...
Sensory Overload in Adults: Tips to Calm the Senses
This article provides an overview of sensory overload in adults, including its causes, associated health conditions, symptoms, coping strategies, tips to calm your senses, creating a sensory-friendly environment, and the... Read more...
Autism + Savant Syndrome: What is the Connection?
A comprehensive overview of Savant syndrome, including its defining characteristics, the close association with autism, exceptional skills found in individuals, rarity and prevalence, the link between autism and Savant syndrome,... Read more...
Supporting Loved Ones with Sensory Overload: Practical Tips for Caregivers
This article provides tips and strategies for supporting individuals with sensory overload, including recognizing signs and symptoms, creating a supportive environment, utilizing sensory tools and techniques, and prioritizing caregiver self-care. Read more...
Sensory Overload: Coping Skills for a Calmer Life
Learn effective coping skills for sensory overload, including deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, creating a calm environment, using sensory tools and aids, and seeking support from others. Read more...
Sensory Seeking in Autistic Adults: What It Is, Examples & Supports
Autistic adults often engage in sensory seeking—craving movement, pressure, or sound to regulate and focus. This guide explores what sensory seeking is, how it differs from sensory avoiding, and practical... Read more...
Navigating Mental Health for Adults with High-Functioning Autism: Understanding, Support, and Strategies
This article provides an overview of mental health challenges in adults with high-functioning autism, including the unique challenges they face, prevalent mental health issues, strategies for anxiety and stress management,... Read more...
Autism and Expressive Writing: A Therapeutic Approach
Writing can be a powerful outlet for autistic voices. Explore how expressive writing supports communication, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy in everyday life. Read more...
Executive Functioning in Autism: Insights, Supports & Strategies
Gain insights into executive functioning in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Discover challenges, support strategies, and tips for promoting success. Read more...
Autism Repetitive Behaviors: What They Mean for Autistic Adults
What others dismiss as “strange habits” are often lifelines for autistic adults. Repetitive behaviors help us soothe our nervous systems, reclaim calm, and remind ourselves that we are not broken... Read more...
Autism-Friendly Date Ideas That Actually Work (For Autistic Adults)
Dating can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating sensory needs, anxiety, or social norms. This guide shares autism-friendly date ideas designed for comfort, clarity, and connection. Whether it’s your first date... Read more...
How Do You Comfort Someone with Autism? Tips & Strategies for Caregivers
Learn how to comfort someone with autism with these effective strategies. Create a safe and calming environment for your loved one with autism. Read more...
Autism and Stress: Understanding, Managing, and Finding Calm
Stress isn’t a personal failure, it’s a signal. This guide explains why stress for autistic adults feels different, common triggers like masking and sensory overload, and practical ways to find... Read more...
Mindfulness in Autism: Cultivating Inner Peace & Emotional Well-being
Discover the benefits of mindfulness for individuals with autism, promoting inner peace and well-being. Improve sensory regulation, emotional management, and social skills. Read more...
Transcendental Meditation & Autism: A Gentle Path to Calm and Connection
For many autistic adults, stillness can feel both healing and hard. Transcendental Meditation offers a gentle, sensory-friendly path to calm, self-connection, and relief from everyday overwhelm. Read more...
Social Skills for Adults with Autism: Building Confidence Through Connection
Navigating social interactions as an autistic adult isn’t about pretending to fit in—it’s about learning to connect authentically. This guide explores respectful, neuroaffirming strategies for building confidence, emotional well-being, and... Read more...
Guided Meditation for Sensory Overload
Find relief from sensory overload and autistic shutdown with this calming guided meditation. Relax, find inner balance, and experience tranquility. Read more...
Demand Avoidance in Autism: What It Is, Causes & Management
If you are a parent of a child with autism, chances are you have encountered the term "demand avoidance." But what exactly is it, and how does it affect individuals... Read more...
Sensory Overload FAQs: Your Guide to Managing Overstimulation
See Your Sensory Overload FAQs guide to learn more managing Sensory Overload, including prevention, management, and self-care tips. Read more...
30 Healthy Habits for Autism: Promoting Wellbeing & Development
Healthy habits for Autism: Promote well-being, communication and independence. Enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism. Read more...
Autism and Meditation: A Gentle Guide to Calm That Respects Your Sensory Needs
Meditation can help autistic adults find calm when it’s adapted to sensory needs. This guide offers gentle, flexible ways to build comfort and regulation — no pressure, no perfection, just... Read more...
Meditation for Sensory Overload
Meditation for sensory overload: Find calm and relieve stress as an individual with autism. Read more...
Autism Anxiety: Challenges & Effective Coping Strategies
Autism & Anxiety: Learn the struggles individuals with autism face when it comes to anxiety. Find effective coping strategies and discover ways to support individuals with anxiety. Read more...
Autism & Communication: Understanding, Impacts & Strategies to Improve
How does autism affect communication? Learn how autism affects communication and effective strategies for improving communication for adults with autism. Read more...
Sensory Triggers in Autism: What They Are, Impact & How to Manage
What are sensory triggers? Learn what sensory triggers are and how to support individuals with sensory needs. Learn how to manage sensory challenges and promote inclusivity. Read more...
Autism & Mental Health: What is the Connection?
Learn about the increased risk of mental health issues in individuals with autism, and how early intervention and treatment can help improve overall well-being. Read more...
Hand Flapping & Stimming: What it is, Why it Happens & How to Manage it
Learn about hand flapping stimming in individuals with autism. Understand the causes, management, and implications of hand flapping. Read more...
How to Recover from Autistic Burnout: Practical Tips for Sustainable Living
This article offers gentle guidance for navigating autistic burnout, with practical ways to reduce stress, honor your needs, and find renewal. Read more...
Autism Challenges in Everyday Life (And Why They’re Not Personal Failures)
Autism challenges are often framed as personal deficits. But for many autistic people, they come from navigating a world that wasn’t designed with their needs in mind. This article explores... Read more...
How Occupational Therapy Can Help Adults with Autism
Discover how occupational therapy can improve daily living skills, enhance social interactions, manage sensory issues, and support mental health in adults with autism. Read more...
Autism Treatment for Adults: Inclusive Approaches Beyond Labels
The phrase “high functioning autism” doesn’t capture who we are—it’s a leftover from another era. This guide challenges old labels, highlights real therapies and supports that matter, and centers autistic... Read more...
Best Resources for Adults with Autism to Thrive
Discover the top resources for adults with autism to live an independent and fulfilling life. From employment to mental health services, be supported here. Read more...
Visual Stimming in Autism: What It Is, Examples & Supportive Strategies
Visual stimming is more than a habit — it’s a sensory strategy. This guide explains what it is, why autistic people engage in it, real-life examples, and supportive ways to... Read more...
Autistic Meltdowns: Causes, Symptoms & How to Manage
What is an autistic meltdown? Learn what autistic meltdowns are, causes, symptoms and and how to effectively manage meltdowns. Read more...
Autism and Depression: When Misunderstanding Feels Like a Diagnosis
Many autistic adults are told they’re depressed when what they’re really feeling is exhaustion, grief, or burnout from trying to exist in a world that doesn’t understand them. This article... Read more...
When the World Feels Too Loud: Understanding and Calming Sensory Overload
Sensory overload happens when the world feels too loud, bright, or fast to process. This calm, autism-affirming guide explains what’s happening in your brain, how to recognize early signs, and... Read more...
How to Manage Caregiver Burnout When Caring For Adults with Autism
Learn how to recognize and prevent caregiver burnout when caring for an adult with autism, and find resources and support for caregivers. Read more...
Self-Care for Autistic Adults: A Compassionate Guide to Comfort and Balance
Self-care for autistic adults isn’t about doing more — it’s about finding comfort, peace, and authenticity. This guide explores practical, sensory-aware ways to care for yourself with compassion. Read more...
Stimming in Autism: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Repetitive Behaviors
Curious about stimming? Learn what stimming means, explore examples, and discover how autistic adults use stimming for regulation, expression, and well-being. Read more...

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