Coping with the hot weather
For children:
Avoid the afternoon sun if possible and always ensure little ones wear a hat and sun cream and spend time in the shade. I highly recommend Solar Buddies for applying sun cream (I am not commissioned by them, I just really like their products!). Using a Solar Buddy means you don’t have to touch the sun cream (which is brilliant as I hate touching sun cream but I hate being burnt even more). I have actually used it myself! I also read a Facebook post on a group for Autistic Women that someone had used a Solar Buddy for applying other products, e.g. body lotion which I haven’t personally tried but it sounds like a great idea.
Many neurodivergent children find it challenging to regulate their own body temperature. They may also have different tolerance levels to you. One of my children wants to wear long-sleeved clothes all year round and the other one rolls up her leggings in the middle of winter. There’s also often a lot of sensory sensitivities with clothing and your children aren’t always able to tell you: one of my children had meltdowns for months when she was younger and unable to tell me verbally until she was older that she hated zips and buttons! My advice regarding clothing is to “roll with it.” Comfort is the main consideration, always. Allow your child to wear what they feel comfortable in. Comfort is the basis for regulation, learning and engaging in all activities of daily living (sorry, as an occupational therapist, I had to get ADLs in!).
For adults:
Get yourself some fans, particularly electric ones to avoid hand strain from a manual one. If, like me, you hate having cold air blowing directly at you, try oscillating (movement) mode.
Buying a paddling pool and popping your feet into it is acceptable at any age! I like to chill with a book and a cold drink next to me to make it even better!
Try to drink more than you would normally do during the day. Sweating uses up electrolytes in the body which can make you feel unwell. If, like me, you are not a fan of Lucozade, try other drinks which have similar ingredients, or tablets and sachets which you dissolve in a glass of water.
It’s absolutely fine to feel angry and frustrated about the weather. Many neurodivergent people (including me) struggle with things which are outside our locus of control and the heat is a perfect example. Instead of getting angry with it, try to accept it for what it is (at least it’s not snowing; only five months until Christmas etc.) and that it will not last forever.
Final words:
This will pass. I promise.
Explore our free resources and learn more about temperature sensitivity in neurodivergent individuals:
https://www.neurodiversetraining.com/resources/thermoception