Random ADLs that I can’t do or struggle with as a person with medium support needs ( Generally, not just relating to autism. Low-Medium support needs in relation to autism ). Also, tips!
[ note: I’m not a professional nor claim to be. I’m just your local transmasc trying to let some other folks know about things that have helped me ]
Ambulating — not much to say about this one, honestly mobility aids help with this one a lot from what I’ve heard ( can’t get them yet but I will eventually )
Dressing — find a fabric and your comfy with if it’s a sensory issues thing, sit down if you need to and if you do try to only stand when necessary, try getting adaptive clothing ( clothing that is made to be easier to wear for disabled folks who have trouble dressing ), and lastly; don’t be ashamed of needing assistance
Personal hygiene — do it when you can like when you’re having a better day and use alternative methods:
For tooth brushing; mouth wash, floss, use a damp cloth or wash cloth to get rid of food and plaque, use an extra soft toothbrush ( this will be labeled on the package usually ), use unflavored toothpaste or brush without toothpaste, sit down while you’re brushing if you need to. ( fun fact: you don’t need to do this one in the bathroom )
For showering; baths are the obvious ones, wet wipes, dry shampoo for hair, damp cloth or wash cloth even to just get the essential areas with, unscented deodorant, swapping out scented products for unscented products in general for sensory issues, shower chairs if you struggle standing up for that long, just wash your hair if you can, and there are a ton more alternatives and adaptation for mobility issues or sensory issues ( Here’s 10 for mobility issues from this article I found https://equip2adapt.com/blog/bathing-alternatives/ )
[ Remember that a lot of these alternatives can’t entirely replace any of these or are as good, they just keep you clean in between or keep you as clean as you can be ]
Continence ( in this case I’m talking mostly about incontinence ) — pads, liners, period underwear, diapers if you need them. If you have trouble telling when you need to go then I’d recommend scheduling bathroom breaks however often they fit into your schedule. ( I don’t have many tips for this one, sorry )
Shopping — headphones, fidgets, stims, sunglasses ( if you wear regular glasses then there are special frames that can have an attachment that is just sunglasses so you can have your regular glasses then on top is sunglasses ). If you can’t stand for too long or have pots or anemia — especially if the anemia is chronic — then a wheelchair or a rollator might help ( some can convert to wheelchairs but they aren’t self-propelled ). I know target has an app that gives you directions in stores ( If other stores have this then please tell me ) which might help if you can’t ask a staff member or don’t have the spoons to wander around looking. Make a list in advance so you know what you’re getting and can pick a place that has all of it so you don’t need to be going to multiple stores or getting there and realising they don’t have it . Plan the route you’re using to get there.
You can also don’t need to go in stores, order in groceries/get them for delivery if you can
I might do a part 2 to this post cause it’s taken me an hour and I’m not even done
