Autism

Good morning here. Good afternoon there. And Goodnight over there.

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.

Going to just put my thoughts here throughout the day.

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.

Warning: ranting.

Like many, I was fobbed of with an anxiety disorder NOS diagnosis. I assumed that what I felt was anxiety. Last autumn I got to the top of the waiting list for anxiety therapy.

And it was useless. It got to the point where it felt like the therapist was trying to push low self esteem onto me so she could cure me of it, and thereby cure my anxiety.

I tried to explain to her that my anxiety wasn't based on irrational thoughts, but experience. If I have to go somewhere I'm not familiar with, I will get overloaded with all the new input. I will struggle to process it because I need to be alone to process. The same applies to my feelings. I can't deal with them when I need to, because I can't identify them. So all this makes me scared because I know it will exhaust me or make me shut down. I just see this void when I don't have any reference images. The more I can fill in that picture, the less anxious I feel. Because I can process this in advance (eg using streetview to memorise a route and save landmarks so I can navigate).

No, she says. It's because you have low self esteem. Now write down some bad statements about yourself and say them out loud.

In my quest to educate her, I came across this article and it makes so much sense why CBT wasn't working. The anxiety diagnosis doesn't fit.

Even after asking her to learn about autistic anxiety, she didn't bother. So next session I gave her a printout of that article. Something told me she wouldn't bother to learn anything from it, so I discharged myself.

Is what you're feeling anxiety or overwhelm? Does the anxiety come because you know from your own experience that something will cause you to struggle? Is the feeling more akin to dread?

Something about there being a record of what I said that can be checked and rechecked as many times as wanted gives me mad anxiety. Like they can analyse just how weird I talk. With a phonecall, all that remains is memory, and that makes people way more inclined to give me the benefit of the doubt.

Sometimes I take half a day considering just how to address and sign an email. There's such intricate expectations there and no cues from them that would allow me to adjust as needed. It's just guessing with zero clues. At least when I get an immediate response to anything I say I can adjust as I go and kind of match their tone.

Don't get me wrong, I find calls stressful too, but at least the stressing is over when it's done. It's more of a ripping the band-aid off kind of stress. The barrier of actually doing it is higher, but at least i can't really spend all day putting my energy into it as I do with an email.

I'll keep it going for now. But if you know what is good for ya, you'll start talking see. I don't know where that 1950s gangster came from!

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.

Only a limited amount of food is ready at one time so I can only eat a few bites and then have to wait for more to cook.

I have to flavor my food in sauces I'm not used to. If I don't, it's very bland.

There's a sharing aspect to ask the food. Nothing can claimed unless socializing a desire for it and everybody reaches into the middle of the food to grab what they want.

The lighting is terrible. This restaurant is lit like an office hallway.

The seating is uncomfortable. It's wooden benches with a grill that runs under the length of the table that my legs bump into. The seating is both too close and too far away at the same time.

The food is diy. I go to restaurants so I don't have to prepare food.

More food keeps getting ordered therefore prolonging my experience. I can't judge when the meal will be over like with typical restaurant experiences.

I've had a long day at work and my social energy is very low.

The food fluctuates in texture. The same food can taste very different.

Food was dropped on the table and then put on my plate.

The one dish I knew I liked and didn't have to fret over was dipped into by other people's spoons so I couldn't eat it anymore.

Exceptions:

I get to use chopsticks.

It made my gf happy.

Someone on Mastodon shared this link with me, and I thought you might find it as interesting as I do.

I really hate the misconception of the spectrum. It enables nasty people like Ellen degeneres to justify being a bully (in case you missed it, she tried to get diagnosed autistic. When that didn't work, she said, well it's a spectrum so we're all a little autistic, so I'm not a bully). And enables others to dismiss our struggles, cos hey, we're all on the spectrum!

Back to the article, I feel like I'm a mix of the three examples. I can see some that match from each example. How about you? When I stop feeling so lazy, I might do my own custom one.

I think I am going to stop posting these since no one is using it.

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.#

I hope you find joy

I have created a matrix space for autistic people. the invite link is here.

Please let me know if there are any problems with the invite link. Matrix is kind of like a de-centralised discord.

It's cold.

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.

This is a weekly thread for sharing any and all tips that help you get through life.

Good morning everyone.

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.

Looks like we got another influx of Reddit refugees. Welcome all. Have a good time.

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.

We made it! Woo!

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.

I think I posted my /successful/ diagnosis on here a few weeks ago. Subsequent to that I received a copy letter to my GP and a letter I could give to my employer r.e. adjustments etc. This triggered a full and frank exchange of views, which finally resolved to the offer that if I wrote the employer letter, he would look at it and sign it. A result I think. I intentionally kept it short - one page, quick to read. Made it relatively bland with only the necessary information as it'll be on my file. I also mentioned some of the benefits of autism in the workforce. (The original letter sent out to everyone he diagnosed basically said 'don't employ this person they will make life hard.'

As this is a potentially powerful tool (should I choose to deploy it) I'd appreciate any builds / suggestions before sending it off to be signed.

To Whom it may concern,

Re.: Autism Diagnosis

I would like to kindly inform you that further to a formal psychiatric evaluation I have performed on on , was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The diagnosis has been established using the DSM-5 criteria and included pre-assessment questionnaires as well as a clinical assessment lasting one hour, consisting of history taking and mental state examination.

Autism is a lifelong condition which can affect an individual in a variety of ways and cause some difficulties in daily life, particularly with communication and social interaction. Autistic people can have many significant strengths not limited to enhanced creativity, problem solving and analytical skills, systematizing, focus and lateral thinking. These strengths can provide great benefits to an employer who is willing to make suitable accommodations to the autistic person’s needs.

What accommodations are you likely to need to make? Every autistic person is different, and their needs can be context and task specific. For example, environmental factors, such as lighting and noise can have a greater effect on an autistic person than on someone who is neurotypical. As noted above, their communication style may be different to what you would expect. The best way to find out what accommodations should be made is to have an open discussion with the individual. Often only minor changes are needed.

Autism carries protection under the equality act 2010 and a diagnosis is classed as ‘special category data’ under GDPR it is therefore subject to a higher level of protection. The autistic person may not want their diagnosis shared widely within your organisation, alternatively they may want to be fully open with it. Please discuss this with them.

More information can be found on the National Autistic Society website: www.autism.org.uk

Kindest regards, etc.

I have not been professionally diagnosed as autistic, though I am awaiting the diagnostic process. I am wondering a bit about (what I think are) my autistic meltdowns, as they are almost the same as (what I think are) my panic attacks. People often call them panic attacks as well, also with no panic involved. In both cases I am shaking, hyperventilating, sweating more and some other things. As far as I remember my latest panic attack, I don't think I was really craving having as few stimuli as possible and wasn't crying either (both usually being the case with the autistic meltdowns).

So: how are your meltdowns like? How are they different from panic attacks for you?

There was so much posted from yesterday I got distracted and almost didn't make this post! MOAR POSTS!

This is a daily post for “casual” conversation. If you want to post or talk about something non autism related this is where to do it. For example if you want to info dump about your special interest but it doesn’t fall into “autism related” then you can post it here in the comments. All other rules are still active, be respectful to each other.

It's especially worser when it's complex wording

When I'm reading stuff or listening to someone say something sometimes I won't be able to think about it even though I can read fine or hear the person fine

My mind just goes empty and I can't really think or mentally process stuff and will just be stuck there with an empty mind