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Can you help with advice for young people with Autism?

NAS82808
Hello,
My name is Jessie and I'm a speech and language therapist at a NHS mental health hospital in London. I work with young people and adults who have autism.
I am compiling a collection of advice that might be useful for young people to make sense of, or better understand their experiences. I also aim to dispel some of the common myths around autism, for example that people with autism lack empathy.

I want to ask if there is any advice that you wish you had been told as a child growing up, as a young adult or even now, or any experiences that you would like to share.

Please see below some of the questions from the young people I work with.

If you would like further information please feel free to contact me at: jessica.lee36@nhs.net

Many thanks,
Jessie

- Do you tell people / boss' that you have autism? How do you say it?
- Have you had any experiences with the emergency services? How was your experience and did you tell them that you have autism?
- Do you use public transport?
- Do you get annoyed when people say "I'm a bit autistic" or "everyone is on the spectrum" etc.
- Do you have repetitive thoughts and how do you deal with them?
- Do you have friends? Do you want friends?
Parents
  • - Do you tell people / boss' that you have autism? How do you say it?
    It seems most have difficulty understanding what this implies, how they need to respond and what to expect. How I might best function in society. I have tried as an adult to express various differences like dyslexia and have been met with "we feel you can try harder". All the while working to exhaustion. Knowledge is key for everyone. If I could express back in the moment, I would be able to say: It's like you're handing me an entire book of information in a 5 minute read and it's difficult to disseminate in a matter of minutes." When time is money, most of us need to be helped to work with out strengths so we don't end up in the wrong job. 
    - 
    - Have you had any experiences with the emergency services? How was your experience and did you tell them that you have autism?
    GPs and other medical situations seem unable to understand what this means. Perhaps this is where Autistic adults can help better explain within the medical systems how best to communicate. If we turn the clock back to a time when values were a bit more aligned with good principles, words were not symbolic beyond their meaning and individuals weren't quick to take offence, it might be much easier.
    -
    - Do you use public transport? yes. The LEDs are glaring at night & too much making it hard to read bus numbers, they're FAR too bright inside - far too much blue/UV light which is harmful, especially to small children. And all breaks/rails could use an oiling. I wear ear plugs. I keep meaning to bring sunglasses. Both are not human-friendly.
    -
    - Do you get annoyed when people say "I'm a bit autistic" or "everyone is on the spectrum" etc. Most don't know what they're talking about. There's far more annoying things. As Lacan said, "We're all a bit Neurotic". If you have a peel through the last 100 years of psychology/psychoanalysis, it seems individuals are either Neurotic OR Autistic. Both have good qualities. There was a divide which started to become apparent in the 60's and has widened to a gulf.
    -
    - Do you have repetitive thoughts and how do you deal with them? There is new research out on Gamma Waves and the Spectrum Ordered brain (Autism / ADHD). I believe this is the key to understanding our ability to negotiate patterns and make incredible connexions. I also think our "Power centre" doesn't get 'lit up" by power over others, but by Eureka moments. We are driven differently. Autistic individuals are most likely wired for Resolution. To problem solve. It doesn't mean we can, but I fear this is often overlooked and as with any innate 'talent', left unattended for many. Most repetitive thoughts are in need of troubleshooting. We can have a thirst for learning. Once resolved, repetition might be a form of indulgence. The neurotic brain might be a little different here as Rumination without Resolve is what I have found to be the practical and pragmatic definition of "overthinking". This is not something I have a problem with - things which have no resolve are not worth rumination or entertaining in the least. That's a form of resolve. But. Repetition is the manner of all Lifeforms. Of energy and forces, of physics, the laws of nature. From our revolutions around our star (the sun) to circadian and heart rhythms. It is how neuroconnexions and relationships are strengthened, it is how we assess when to prepare for winter or when to take note of change. Repetition is critical. 
    -
    - Do you have friends? Do you want friends? It is human nature to need / desire connexion. It is wisdom which helps us understand the difference between healthy connexions and unsafe ones. Without wisdom or a bit of knowledge, we may not know how to invest in friendships properly or the difference between abuse and boundaries. How to be a friend and how to create and nurture friendships is a learned skill. Some of us need a rule book and others, who perhaps aren't autistic, can learn through transmitted 'secret' codes. But almost everyone requires guidence and relationship advice, which can be found in any self-help section of a bookstore, library or newspaper. 
Reply
  • - Do you tell people / boss' that you have autism? How do you say it?
    It seems most have difficulty understanding what this implies, how they need to respond and what to expect. How I might best function in society. I have tried as an adult to express various differences like dyslexia and have been met with "we feel you can try harder". All the while working to exhaustion. Knowledge is key for everyone. If I could express back in the moment, I would be able to say: It's like you're handing me an entire book of information in a 5 minute read and it's difficult to disseminate in a matter of minutes." When time is money, most of us need to be helped to work with out strengths so we don't end up in the wrong job. 
    - 
    - Have you had any experiences with the emergency services? How was your experience and did you tell them that you have autism?
    GPs and other medical situations seem unable to understand what this means. Perhaps this is where Autistic adults can help better explain within the medical systems how best to communicate. If we turn the clock back to a time when values were a bit more aligned with good principles, words were not symbolic beyond their meaning and individuals weren't quick to take offence, it might be much easier.
    -
    - Do you use public transport? yes. The LEDs are glaring at night & too much making it hard to read bus numbers, they're FAR too bright inside - far too much blue/UV light which is harmful, especially to small children. And all breaks/rails could use an oiling. I wear ear plugs. I keep meaning to bring sunglasses. Both are not human-friendly.
    -
    - Do you get annoyed when people say "I'm a bit autistic" or "everyone is on the spectrum" etc. Most don't know what they're talking about. There's far more annoying things. As Lacan said, "We're all a bit Neurotic". If you have a peel through the last 100 years of psychology/psychoanalysis, it seems individuals are either Neurotic OR Autistic. Both have good qualities. There was a divide which started to become apparent in the 60's and has widened to a gulf.
    -
    - Do you have repetitive thoughts and how do you deal with them? There is new research out on Gamma Waves and the Spectrum Ordered brain (Autism / ADHD). I believe this is the key to understanding our ability to negotiate patterns and make incredible connexions. I also think our "Power centre" doesn't get 'lit up" by power over others, but by Eureka moments. We are driven differently. Autistic individuals are most likely wired for Resolution. To problem solve. It doesn't mean we can, but I fear this is often overlooked and as with any innate 'talent', left unattended for many. Most repetitive thoughts are in need of troubleshooting. We can have a thirst for learning. Once resolved, repetition might be a form of indulgence. The neurotic brain might be a little different here as Rumination without Resolve is what I have found to be the practical and pragmatic definition of "overthinking". This is not something I have a problem with - things which have no resolve are not worth rumination or entertaining in the least. That's a form of resolve. But. Repetition is the manner of all Lifeforms. Of energy and forces, of physics, the laws of nature. From our revolutions around our star (the sun) to circadian and heart rhythms. It is how neuroconnexions and relationships are strengthened, it is how we assess when to prepare for winter or when to take note of change. Repetition is critical. 
    -
    - Do you have friends? Do you want friends? It is human nature to need / desire connexion. It is wisdom which helps us understand the difference between healthy connexions and unsafe ones. Without wisdom or a bit of knowledge, we may not know how to invest in friendships properly or the difference between abuse and boundaries. How to be a friend and how to create and nurture friendships is a learned skill. Some of us need a rule book and others, who perhaps aren't autistic, can learn through transmitted 'secret' codes. But almost everyone requires guidence and relationship advice, which can be found in any self-help section of a bookstore, library or newspaper. 
Children
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