Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello again!
I have recently learned about autistic inertia thanks to Pete Wharmby's book Un-typicaI and have realised this is something I really struggle with but hadn't really given it any thought, until now.
Very briefly Autistic inertia, for anyone who doesn't know, is a difficulty switching tasks (even if you want to). Here's some light further reading - https://autismawarenesscentre.com/what-is-autistic-inertia/
The example Pete gave in his book so perfectly encapsulated my experience, reading a book but wanting a cup of tea. In this example, I can see myself getting up, making the tea, and then sitting and enjoying the tea while I continue to read. I am happy to get up and make the tea but I just...don't. I want to but something blocks me from switching my focus from reading to getting up and making tea.
Of course, this is just one example that doesn't have any major ramifications but it does impact other areas of my life. I wondered whether anyone had any tips or tricks for getting through this? If you also experience this, how do you switch tasks effectively?
Ffs, I've just typed a carefully crafted response, edited it twice for typos and its disappeared.
Hi thank you for commenting! I have one of your responses I can copy/paste in from my email notifications if you want?
That'd be lovely!
Indeed. It all goes by many names and by many differing theories. "Pervasive Demand for Autonomy" is another thing that links into this too. Some with PDA feel that these words describe their core feeling more accurately than as a "Pathological Demand Avoidance." I think both phrases are pretty short of the mark.
Like you say, all this stuff does make you think and re-examine = good, but taxing !
It's making me think again!
And you can't always put laziness down to inertia! "Blame it on the 'spergers". Sometimes it's like trying to push a big rock to get going, other times I want things done yesterday.
Thanks! It's certainly been a fascinating experience albeit a little draining. I get the 'burst open' thing if someone else is involved like, I want to do this thing NOW, I don't want to wait for them to slowly get themselves together. I'm very Clumsy so relate a lot to the accidental self- injury!
Laziness or mild PDA or autistic inertia problem. Those are three labels that are hard to unpick properly - and then even harder still to try and mitigate against.
To be fair, those wise words are worthy of a repeat entry. I think those are excellent suggestions and advice from out_of_step. I often need to "burst open" when I need to start the next thing. It can scare people when I jump up and REALLY just get the whole damn thing started with some gusto.
This doesn't always work - sometimes people run away and sometimes I sprain my ankle or bump my head - or both - or all three !
Exactly that. I'm finding that with so many things since realising that I'm Autistic. It's like it's this missing piece of the story which is pulling all my odd, unexplained experiences and quirks together in a way that finally makes sense. Inertia is just one of the examples.
It's a bit of an eye opener really isn't it. Until then it's another element swimming against the tide without realising it.