[Name], you’ve made it to the last day of new actions! Congrats! Let’s see what’s in store for you today.
Today’s activity is based on acupressure points or reflexology points. While everything up until now is more Western science-based, I think it’s also important to consider other options, especially when they are no-or-low cost, easy to do, don’t have a large time commitment, and very little downside.
This activity is only suitable if fingernails are short and there is reasonable finger dexterity. Also, some autistics are very sound-sensitive. Doing this would be torture for them.
Location #1:
Tragus – The flap at the front of your ear that you could push in to cover the ear canal if you wanted to block sound. I found the easiest way was to sandwich my tragus between my index finger and thumb and then make small circular movements on the tragus. I tried with my thumb on the outside of the tragus and my index finger on the outside. Both worked.
Location #2:
Concha. The concha can be found if you have your finger on your tragus and then move your finger back. The tragus covers the ear canal. The dip that is next as you move your finger back is the concha. Using whichever finger works best for you, move your finger in small circles in that dip. Be careful not to go into the ear canal.
Location #3:
Triangular Fossa: The final area that is supposed to have specific points related to relaxation is found if your finger is in your concha, and you move your finger back and up slightly, following the groove. The most forward point of that grove is the triangular fossa (it’s close to where the front of your ear attaches to your head). Using whichever finger works best for you, move your finger in small circles.
Tomorrow: Day 14: Celebrating Steps Toward Success: Your Child's Journey to Better Sleep