Published on 12, July, 2020
Today i just cant get my act together. Between walking my dog i am getting back into bed. I wouldnt say that i feel tired, but fatigued and a sense of overwhelm. In the past i would battle with this, but now knowing that i am autistic, i accept it and see it as a time for the need to rest. It feels a little like giving in, but i then realise it as a necessity to keep myself feeling just ok. I used to work full time. My ability has reduced. Do you think this is common for those of us over 50? I pick and plan my activities carefully in a wsy that i can manage, it seems essential to managing my life x
I do think this is more common for autists over 50, based purely upon my own experiences and anecdotal evidence here and elsewhere. There is so little research on the effects of aging in autistic adults.
I have commented on another thread today about the importance of listening to your body. If it is telling you to slow down and rest then that is what it needs. There is a time for acceptance and the realisation that pushing yourself is not always in your own best interests.
I have experienced burnout and regression and I look back in wonder at what I used to be able to achieve. My sensory sensitivities have increased in recent years too. There is an interesting section on page 25 of this document, asking if sensory issues change with age or do we tolerate them differently:
https://www.ndti.org.uk/assets/files/Its-not-rocket-science-V6.pdf
There is a graph showing lifetime sensory resilience trajectory peaking in adulthood and then declining as we age. The report states:
"Resilience is built during all childhood and diminishes in ageing in all people – irrespective of neurodivergence. The problem autistic people have is the difference in sensory input."
Thank you i will take a look at this. I do feel that my senses are affected including body/skin sensations. I have recognised that i rock my feet and tap my shoulder whilst i am resting. This would be stimming i assume? I also often feel the need to lie on the floor, but i dont always follow this through for obvious reasons, but i lay on the bed instead. Do you think these are signs of overwhelm that shold not be ignored? At 59, are these "symptoms" a sign that i really do need to take nitice and retreat more, x
Autonomistic said:There is an interesting section on page 25 of this document, asking if sensory issues change with age or do we tolerate them differently:
Thanks for sharing this document, it is very interesting!
I personally found page 34&35 very useful as it describes how long it takes for the nervous system to recover after overwhelm. Also the pictures of the brain scans of an autistic vs non autistic brain are very cool, they are just evidence of how much more information we process compared to non autistic people.