From the Compost Heap header. A pencil style illustration of a compost heap with flowers and plants growing around it. A bee buzzes by and a white rabbit hops by.

  • Support Tools for Autism, ADHD & Sensory Processing

    I’ve put together some of our favorite support tools for autism & neurodivergence: fidgets, timers, art supplies (art is so beneficial for self regulation), and books.

    Self Regulation Tools

    The remaining links point toward Amazon for now because it is the most accessible source for most people. Please consider that many autistic and neurodivergent people rely on Amazon for products they need.*

    We need to support our own nervous systems so we can make the changes we want to see in the world.

    If you prefer to shop elsewhere you are invited to do so. Simply use these product pages as jumping off points to find similar items in indie shops. If you purchase through these links I receive a very tiny referral fee.

    FIDGETS & FOCUS TOOLS
    calming regulation tools
    more

    Harkla Sensory Diet Workbook

    If you’re new to the idea of sensory regulation this is a great resource. It is geared toward kids, but much of it is also applicable to adults. Our needs don’t disappear – we just get older. (Affiliate Link)

    Watercolor cards with sensory supports and spread out on a table with art supplies

    Further Reading

    Check out my picture book How it Feels to Me.

    Illustration of individual wearing a checkered jacket standing in a sea breeze with eyes closed. Around their head is a blue halo with photographs of blue objects including seaweed, shells, and a ticket stub.

    Or browse below to shop more of my favorite books about autism, sensory processing, and neurodivergence.

    SHOP BOOKS

    FOOTNOTES

    * Reasons why autistic people rely on Amazon may include: overstimulation when shopping, chronic illness, under-employment, or rural locations where products are simply not available.

    Read more: Support Tools for Autism, ADHD & Sensory Processing

  • Autism 101 for Parents

    I’m an autistic adult and parent of an autistic child. After years of internalizing my neurodivergent traits as “flaws” my child’s diagnosis changed everything for me. Learning about how autistic brains are wired helped me begin to reframe autistic traits as differences and find ways to better support both of us.

    Here is what I wish I’d known about myself growing up.

    Drawing of brain with colorful paint splatters over the top
    WHAT IS NEURODIVERGENCE?
    Watercolor illustration of the autism spectrum. A rainbow of colors blending into one another like a color wheel.
    What is autism?
    Fish bowl with red and yellow ink creating swirls like Jupiter.
    What is overstimluation?
    Logos for each sense. Finger for touch. Tongue for taste. Transparent body with heart for interoception. Ear for hearing. Eye for sight. Trampoline for vestibular. Nose for smell. Hula hoop for proprioception
    SENSORY PROCESSING WORKSHOP

    “On the Spectrum”

    When we talk about autism or neurodivergence we often mention a spectrum. Sometimes this is misunderstood as a range of intensity from “more” to “less.” But you cannot be “more” or “less” autistic or neurodivergent.

    I made a zine to illustrate the complexity and nuance of being “on the spectrum.” You can read it here.

    Spectrum: a zine about neurodivergence. Paper zine with magazine cutout letters and a watercolor spectrum with a rainbow of colors blending into one another.

    Celebrating Autism

    On a personal note, I made this video to celebrate my child’s autism diagnosis and share the news with our family. I really recommend framing a diagnosis of autism or ADHD as a positive milestone and celebrating it as such. We celebrate the anniversary of our diagnosis each year as our Neurotype Day.*

    High Masking

    It’s really important that parents consider whether they might be neurodivergent themselves. Autism and other types of neurodivergence are genetic. If you child is on the spectrum there is high chance one or both parents are also.

    Even if you don’t have enough traits for a diagnosis recognizing and supporting your neurodivergent traits is really critical.

    Please stop calling yourself an HSP. 😫

    Neurodiversity Affirming Professionals

    Here are some neurodiversity affirming therapists I have enjoyed learning from.

    Support Tools & Further Reading

    Click here for links to my favorite fidgets, sensory reset tools, and books.

    Watercolor cards with sensory supports and spread out on a table with art supplies

    How it Feels to Me

    You may also be interested my picture book, How it Feels to Me – an introduction to sensory processing for readers of all ages.

    Cover design test for How it Feels to Me - a cream cover with swatches of colors: blues, greens, oranges, the title and a dark skinned human standing at the center surrounded by a halo of objects: tokens, leaves, a traffic cone, seashell, and more color swatches. Written by Sarah Shotts. Illustrated by Gracie Klumpp. Proof #1.

    Return to the

    Neurodiversity Affirming Resource Library

    FOOTNOTES

    * Shout out to my friend Hayley Dunlop for coining this.

    Read more: Autism 101 for Parents

  • Autistic Adults

    Do you identify with some autistic traits, and want to learn more?

    Here are some resources I’ve gathered specifically for you.

    Blog Posts

    Birds flying across a pale blue sky
    Please stop calling yourself an hsp
    Watercolor illustration of the autism spectrum. A rainbow of colors blending into one another like a color wheel.
    What is autism?
    Drawing of brain with colorful paint splatters over the top
    What is neurodivergence?
    White child sized t shirt on a silver clothes hanger covered in clothing tags of various brands and sizes.
    WHAT IS OVERSTIMLUATION?

    “On the Spectrum”

    When we talk about autism or neurodivergence we often mention a spectrum. Sometimes this is misunderstood as a range of intensity from “more” to “less.” But you cannot be “more” or “less” autistic or neurodivergent.

    I made a zine to illustrate the complexity and nuance of being “on the spectrum.” You can read it here.

    Spectrum: a zine about neurodivergence. Paper zine with magazine cutout letters and a watercolor spectrum with a rainbow of colors blending into one another.

    Podcasts

    Katherine May on Glennon Doyle’s podcast We Can Do Hard Things, Episode 220

    This is a great place to start breaking down stereotypes. Please remember when listening that every autistic experience is unique (…we don’t all see rainbows.) 🌈

    And a few more podcasts.

    Blogs & Websites

    Books & Support Tools

    I’ve collected some of our favorite fidgets, regulation tools, art supplies and books here.

    Screenshot of Amazon affiliate page with images of fidgets, timers, art supplies and books.

    How it Feels to Me

    You may also be interested my picture book, How it Feels to Me – an introduction to sensory processing for readers of all ages.

    Cover design test for How it Feels to Me - a cream cover with swatches of colors: blues, greens, oranges, the title and a dark skinned human standing at the center surrounded by a halo of objects: tokens, leaves, a traffic cone, seashell, and more color swatches. Written by Sarah Shotts. Illustrated by Gracie Klumpp. Proof #1.

    Return to the

    Neurodiversity Affirming Resource Library

    Read more: Autistic Adults

  • What is Overstimulation?

    I made this video to share my experience of overstimulation.

    I also find that my autistic traits are almost always rooted in sensory differences. So this a helpful place to start when discussing autism. Overstimulation can also be experienced by ADHDers.

    (There’s also a shorter 30 second version here.)

    Return to the

    Neurodiversity Affirming Resource Library

    Read more: What is Overstimulation?

  • How it Feels to Me

    How it Feels to Me is a picture book about neurodiversity for all ages. 

    This book explores the science behind how we each experience the world. Readers will learn about differences in sensory experiences and better understand themselves and others. This book is written and illustrated by two autistic creators making the book they wish they’d had growing up.

    Concept art for how it feels to me
    PREORDER OR DONATE A BOOK

    Learn more…

    This self published book is fully funded and in the proofing stage. If you’d like to know more about the inspiration behind this project you can watch our crowdfunding video here.

    Support the project by preordering a limited edition hardcover.

    Or choose to donate a copy to a school, library, or a neurodivergent family in financial hardship.

    PREORDER OR DONATE A COPY

    Meet Sarah & Gracie

    I am wearing overalls singing books. I'm sitting under a maple tree next to a pile of books on a quilt.

    Sarah Shotts (author) is an autistic interdisciplinary artist and author of Discover Your Creative Ecosystem. Their writing has also been published in Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture. Sarah earned a Masters degree in Applied Drama from Goldsmiths University of London and a bachelors in Fine and Performing Arts at Mississippi University for Women (MUW.)

    Gracie has short dark hair and glasses and is wearing a bandana and holding a paintbrush.

    Gracie Klumpp (illustrator) Gracie is an autistic illustrator and writer who lives in an old Airstream, and never runs out of stories. She’s not always the best at talking about them—but that’s why she’s always creating them. Gracie studied Digital Media Arts: Animation at Huntington University, and has used her animation chops to inform her illustration work since graduating. Gracie makes storytelling magic in all sorts of mediums, and doesn’t really mind which she uses so long as it serves the story best.

    Related Posts

    What is autism?
    Our first picture book proof!
    Read more: How it Feels to Me

  • What is neurodivergence?

    The word neurodivergence is made of two parts. Neuro meaning brain. And divergence meaning to differ. Neurodivergence means that your brain processes the world differently.

    Every human is unique, but most brains have certain things in common.

    Neurodivergent folks experience the world differently. Our brains are processing information in different ways. There are lots of types of neurodivergence including dyslexia, dyscalculia, synesthesia, OCD, dyspraxia, etc. Each with specific ways the brain differs from most people.

    Choose Your Adventure

    This is a micro post. Continue learning about neurodivergence below.

    What is autism?
    How it Feels to Me
    Neurodiversity Affirming Resource Library

    Or browse all of the posts I’ve written about neurodivergence.

    Read more: What is neurodivergence?