Published on 12, July, 2020
Recently diagnosed with ASD. I am really bad at keeping track of my stuff. I am always losing things. I end up with two of something because I can't find the first one and then eventually find where I put it. It's so frustrating. I also don't get why people ask where is the last place you had it like if I knew that I could find it. I have a grounding tool that I really like but it's like it's vanished into thin air. Is this an autistic thing or just a me thing? Also any tips for stop losing things. routerlogin
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Definitely identify with this. Myself and my son, also with ASD can look in the same place and not see something the first time.
I have to have a place for things. If I go on holiday I need to decide where I will put my glasses when I go to bed as also poor sight without them.
Same - I have a workshop tidy once a month or when more than half the workbench is covered with various crap
I think I have a similar issue where if things are not exactly as I remember (eg because the packet/box design on a product has changed) then it's like it's invisible to me.
Always put the thing back ,have a place where it lives ,eg all hand woodwork tools in one draw ,all plumbing tools in another ,All power tools together.
The hard part is then putting them all back . that is the part i struggle with , putting them back , but every few weeks/months i spend a couple of hours sorting ,Them it is great for a while .
I often don't know where things are and find they are in my hand all the time.
I also often don't find things when they are on an empty table.
Apparently it is due to the brain not recognising the article in question, so you look straight through it, as if it is invisible. I am always losing things, and like you buying replacements which is the sure way of finding the lost article. At the moment I have lost my keys for a fortnight, and my wallet since August containing a few notes and my credit card. They will turn up I'm sure! I got in my home with something! (I do have a spare key fortunately, but there are other keys to things now inaccessible)
You can get a tag that links to your phone and sounds when you want to locate it, or when you get more than a distance away when using it ( useful for keys as long as you remember to set it and keep replacing the battery). Not so much use with things like screwdrivers and pens though!
Argh constant I try and be organised but I just loose everything I have myself my partner and daughters stuff I know where their things are
in therapy i was able to find out i had multiple sensitivities, learning disability, etc. once i had awareness of those issues, i think i was able to relieve the load on my system. then i learned i had soothing mechanisms i could use - weighted blanket, wear clothes that were not irritating. then i found out i sort of enjoy sorting things - to a point. basically, lots of learning about what my odd nervous system needs. fortunately, i'm not a hoarder - that would be a bigger issue.
i already had been having a good diet, did exercise, etc. you have to learn what helps you cope.
so - it's a longish road. but that's what worked for me.
NAS71682 said: I also don't get why people ask where is the last place you had it like if I knew that I could find it.
I have been annoyed by people saying that to me too.