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Is Isolation easier due to our Autism?

Kit McDaydream

Don't know about anyone else but I always enjoyed my own company even as a child. Don't know if that's cos I never understood other kids or they usually ended up bullying me so playing with others was not enjoyable.

Did manage to have friends and go to college and work and stuff in my twenties but by thirties was suffering from severe burnout and really wanted my own space again, no social pressures to comply with 'normal' and just do my own thing so feel I'm really thriving in this 'pandemic' situation....  Had 2 months to myself don't have to be visited by people i really don't want to see but feel I have to  to comply with being seen as 'normal', cos now its more important that I'm not in contact with anyone who could give me covid19  (am in vulnerable group due to other medical issues thankfully!)

Glad I live rurally so I can slip out at 5am and have the fields/etc to myself t walk my dog and suddenly its perfectly acceptable to go out of your way to avoid someone coming the other way (not that I see anyone at that time) or to avoid going out at a time where more people would be about. Spend rest of day drawing, painting, playing video games and sitting in garden with the dog. Perfectly happy and no need for other humans.

Only problem I have is sunny weather bringing the neighbours and the noisy brats out so can't enjoy my garden at 'peak times' (when usually they'd be at school/work during the week) but finally decided on some noise cancelling headphones to solve that issue.

Dreading things going back to normal and 'social expectations' going back to normal so hoping this 'bubble' idea govt has takes off where you're limited to one or two households of close family which enables me to conveniently still avoid some social expectations whilst still been able to see close family for our birthdays over summer.

NT's are complaining of loneliness and boredom but I'm happiest I've been for a long while. Just wondered if other autistic's felt the same?  Obviously there's going to be some people who need other people as carers for physical/daily living tasks, but if you're autistic and live alone (and have done for years) do you find you're NOT experiencing self-isolation the same as NT's? 

or are you an autistic person who feels they need constant reassurance from NT's that what you're doing is acceptable and seen to be 'fitting in'?   ..and finding it difficult not having other people around you to give that constant reassurance? (ie through being at work daily).

Kit

Parents

  • It's mixed for me. I have no problem with the actual isolation. In fact it's a blessing to be removed from the normal social interactions that I find challenging. I feel better equipped to cope than my family and colleagues.

    However, I find going out harder than before, and as some have said fear getting the social distancing wrong, with the pressure that brings with it.

    I also have an obsessive hobby, and because I can't indulge in that, I'm finding it a challenge; especially as I see others who are either ignoring guidelines and still participating, or being lucky to live in a more favourable area that supports it, (birdwatching).

    I find I am also obsessing about people who are not complying with the guidelines, and am letting those thoughts of frustration overwhelm me.

    Working from home can also be challenging as I'm lacking structure and allowing my mind to wander too much.

    I do sometimes feel quite opressed on occasions as well.

    Having said that I'm liking the knowledge no-one will be unexpectedly knocking on the door, or family asking g me at short notice to call round. The general quieter pace and sounds are great.

    So it's a mixed bag.

  • in reply to NAS61891

    I love bird watching too. I've been getting up really early to take my dog to the park when no-one else is about (like 5am) loads of birds around then for the dawn chorus, had some lovely sunrise photo's and seen some birds I haven't usually seen when I used to be out even a couple of hours later when more people are about.  Can you not slip out really early when most are still in bed?  Maybe just see what birds are in your immediate area if you can't get to where you'd normally go to birdwatch?
    Our nature park is bliss cos car park is closed so people aren't driving there to walk their dogs literally have the place to ourselves and people are allowed to go out for exercise once a day!  Any parks nearby you could cycle to in early hours or something?

  • in reply to Kit McDaydream

    I'm an obsessive "twitcher" (as a birding term). I chase after rare birds up and down the country, and that's where I get my real buzz. I love seeing and photographing local birds, but the big "rares" are usually coastal, and especially on off-shore islands.

    I'm allowing the fact that some birders are posting reports of what they've seen with accompanying photographs to really get to me, especially when I know they will have driven to see the birds.

    No matter how rare the bird, I will follow the Govt. guidelines to the letter.

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  • in reply to Kit McDaydream

    I'm an obsessive "twitcher" (as a birding term). I chase after rare birds up and down the country, and that's where I get my real buzz. I love seeing and photographing local birds, but the big "rares" are usually coastal, and especially on off-shore islands.

    I'm allowing the fact that some birders are posting reports of what they've seen with accompanying photographs to really get to me, especially when I know they will have driven to see the birds.

    No matter how rare the bird, I will follow the Govt. guidelines to the letter.

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