20 Practical Accommodations to Check Off and Transform Your World

As a late-diagnosed autistic occupational therapist, I’ve spent a significant part of my life learning how to make the world around me as accommodating as possible. This experience has deeply influenced my practice, where I help my clients—whether neurodiverse or neurotypical—achieve the same goal.

This list of 20 low-cost, practical accommodations is more than just a set of ideas; it’s a tool you can use flexibly in sessions with clients. You can:

• Check off strategies that have worked in the past and continue to use them.
• Identify new strategies to try in the future.
• Reflect on what hasn’t worked and refine your approach.

This tool also doubles as a quick survey to assess what’s already in place and as a jumping-off point for goal setting. Each of these accommodations can expand into an entire area of focus, offering opportunities to create meaningful, achievable goals.

Sensory & Environmental: Building a Calmer Space

1. Earbuds or Noise-Canceling Headphones Affordable brands from AliExpress or Temu can provide significant relief from sensory overload without the hefty price tag of premium options.
2. Meeting in Sensory-Friendly Places Suggest alternatives like sitting in a garden instead of a tea room or using outdoor spaces at restaurants to reduce sensory stress while staying social.
3. Researching Locations Before Visiting Checking menus, parking, or seating arrangements online can eliminate uncertainty, making outings feel safer and less overwhelming.
4. Leaving Overwhelming Situations Encourage clients to develop a “graceful exit plan” for social events, empowering them to step away when necessary without guilt.
5. Weighted and Compression Clothing Items like weighted blankets or stuffed animals can provide comfort. For children, consult an OT before introducing weighted items to ensure they’re safe and appropriate.

Communication & Social: Creating Better Interactions

1. Taking Time to Process Before Responding A simple phrase like, “Let me think about that and get back to you,” models patience and self-awareness while reducing pressure in conversations.
2. Asking for Clearly Outlined Expectations This works well in school, work, or social settings. For instance, asking for specific deadlines or a detailed assignment rubric can alleviate ambiguity.
3. Communicating Non-Verbally For clients who find verbal communication taxing, explore tools like text-based messaging, GIFs, or curated music to express emotions and ideas. Speech therapists and OTs can support the development of these tools.
4. Having Difficult Conversations While Walking or Gaming Pair challenging conversations with low-stakes activities, such as walking or playing a casual game. This reduces tension and makes discussions feel more approachable.

Emotional & Mental Health: Prioritizing Well-Being

1. Engaging in Stimming Behaviors Whether it’s repetitive actions like pacing, listening to nostalgic music, or completing a favorite activity, stimming helps regulate emotions and focus.
2. Validating Your Own Emotions Encourage self-compassion through journaling or verbal affirmations like, “It’s okay to feel this way.” These small steps create space for emotional growth.
3. Using Body Doubling Leveraging the observer effect—where having someone nearby increases focus—can transform productivity. This might involve a coworker, friend, or support worker simply being present.
4. Buying Multiples of Comfortable Clothes Simplify decision-making by stocking up on items that feel good. Reliable, comfortable clothing reduces cognitive load during daily routines.
5. Allowing Yourself to Cry When Needed Normalize crying as a natural way to release emotions. Sometimes, a good cry is the reset you or your client need.

Lifestyle & Practical: Simplifying Daily Life

1. Automating Processes Use tools like grocery delivery, recurring bill payments, or scheduling apps. While there’s a cost to convenience, the mental space it frees up is often worth it.
2. Using Finances to Support Your Needs Investing in conveniences like cleaning services or meal prep isn’t just about time—it’s about creating space for activities that matter more to you.
3. Occupational Therapy Work with an OT to design tailored strategies for sensory, emotional, and executive functioning needs. Personalized support can be a game-changer.
4. Accepting Your Patterns Embrace neuro-affirming practices. Instead of trying to “fit in,” focus on adjusting your environment to work with your unique needs and rhythms.

Connection & Tools: Finding Support in Everyday Life

1. Spending Time with Animals If you don’t own a pet, consider alternatives like visiting a zoo, volunteering at a shelter, or spending time with a friend’s dog to enjoy the calming benefits of animal connection.
2. Using "Goblin Tools" for Organization Goblin Tools and other AI-based platforms are excellent for executive functioning. Encourage clients to use voice-to-text for drafting thoughts, which AI can organize into manageable tasks.

Your Checklist for Progress

This isn’t just a list of accommodations—it’s a tool for exploration, reflection, and growth. Use it with your clients to identify what’s working, what’s not, and what could be tried next. Each item is an opportunity for deeper goal setting and meaningful progress.

As someone who has navigated this journey myself, I’m passionate about helping others build accommodations that work for them. What strategies have you used? How do you make your world more accommodating?