Sensory Problems - Tumblr Posts

hey y'all!!! my last spur of the moment review did really well and people seemed to enjoy it, so here's a review of my second order I did from Stimtastic! (I got this stuff only a few days after the last order, it's been a while oops)

This is the order! I also got a reversible sequin bag and another of the brushes, which I gave to some friends. Overall I enjoy the things from this order much more than the first (tho I like both) since I had a better idea of what type of stim toys I liked.

The brush is AMAZING. It's so stimmy!! The texture is phenomenal and it also makes a really satisfying noise when you quickly run your hands over it! It's also very fun to flap with; In my next order I definitely want to get a second one so I can flap with both hands at once with it. The only downside is that it gets dirty quite easily, especially with hair. It can be washed pretty easily though, after all it is a brush!! This thing is definitely a 9.5/10, the half point taken off because of dirtyness.

Wacky tracks! You can get these from other places too, but I still included it in my order on a whim. I'm glad I did! It's one of my favorite stim toys I own by far, mostly because of the noise it makes. I also got lucky and got one in my two favorite colors lol. It started a bit stiff and hard to move, but after a few days of playing with it I no longer needed to use so much force. 10/10, I'll probably get another one in the same colors to make it longer.

Silicone straw! I got this because I have a bad habit of chewing up plastic straws, and hey it helps reduce waste! I like that it came with a brush (not in the pic) and a nice little case! The main downside of the straw is it has a chemical taste to it that hasn't gone away with washing. It's pretty noticable when chewing :/. Still, for only a dollar, it's pretty good! 5/10

Finally, the soft chewelry bundle! I loved how cheap this bundle is; It's only 12 dollars! The tag is my favorite, since it's so soft and flexible I can chew on it without any fatigue and it's nice to suck on. The dulcimer is very nice for molar chewing, though mine has a slight defect on the underside that gives it a bad texture so I don't use it as much as the tag. The tube is very springy and makes a nice sound, though it's hard to chew on without getting spit all over you due to its shape!! Overall these are very nice chewies for soft chewers like me, 8/10 (the tag is a 10/10 though!)

Overall this purchase was very good! I highly recommend Stimtastic, their items are high quality and very well priced!

Tip for anyone with sensory sensitivities regarding face masks: Mask Brackets!

Hey everyone! I haven't seen any mention of these things regarding sensory processing issues, and they help me a lot so I figured I'd make a post about them!

These are mask brackets! They're worn inside face masks, and their intended purpose is to keep the fabric of the mask away from the nose and mouth (similarly to how a N95 mask is molded).

I personally struggle with face masks because the feeling of fabric on my face irritates me a lot (I can't wear hats or scarves either) and it often feels unsanitary because the irritation makes my nose very runny. I also encounter the common problem of my brain tricking itself into thinking I can't breathe (even though the mask doesn't inhibit breathing at all) and as a result I get out of breath and nauseous. I've seen a few articles aimed at helping neurodivergent people wear masks, but most of them are aimed at children and are more aimed at the discomfort of wearing them over ears (which I get as well, but I've found much easier solutions for that).

But recently, I discovered mask brackets! Since they keep the fabric away from your nose and mouth, and they're pretty darn cheap off of Amazon, I decided to try them out after a bit of research, and I'm glad I did! They've improved my sensory issues a lot!

This is what mine look like. I ordered ten off of Amazon for around ten U.S. dollars. There are a few different styles available, the most common being the ones like these, with a cross in the middle

I chose the style I did because I was worried about the other styles like the one above coming too far of the face. If the bracket causes the edge of the mask to have gaps and not touch the face, it could defeat the purpose of the mask, which isn't what I want. I don't know if the deeper brackets would actually do that, but I got the more shallow type just in case.

The brackets themselves are made out of a thick, but still mildly flexible plastic. They say they're made out of silicone but I'm pretty sure it's actually a blend of silicone and something else because it's not as soft and flexible as silicone. They don't scratch my face, though you can definitely feel that's it's there. It's much better of a feeling than the mask, though!

The benefits- It keeps the mask from irritating my nose, so it doesn't get runny and gross ten minutes into wearing it. Since it stays away from my mouth, it's much easier to talk, and my voice is much less muffled which is good for when I'm in school. I haven't felt nauseous while wearing it either, which was a common problem for me without it for some reason.

The downsides- They often need to be adjusted since they can move around in the mask; Mine tend to slide down into my chin, especially if I yawn or sneeze. I believe they are meant more for pleated face masks unlike the Olsen style I usually wear, so this could be part of the problem. They also could irritate your face if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to the plastic, so I'd recommend you test them out at home before you go out wearing one. The last downside is that the only places I can find them for a good price is on Amazon, and I haven't seen any in physical stores at all.

Overall, these really help me! I'm going to keep looking for other styles and maybe try to figure out a DIY version that does the same thing. If you want to try these out, make sure you do your research and look at different styles to find one that doesn't make the mask defective and works for you!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH

MY SPINE IS TINGLING

Anyone else with sensory processing issues will know the hell that is being stuck in a noisy, crowded restaurant, being forced by your parents to either pause your music or take your earbuds out entirely to talk to your family, except nobody even talks to you.

I was not warned the planes would be so loud. it was alright, I had all my ear protection. the west of America is beautiful.

If my silverware drawer isn't chock full of tiny utensils so that I can eat looking like this—

— then me and my sensory problems ain't having it.