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Discovering how autism affects you - strategy needed

kayaker

Hello, I am struggling with my identity as I don’t know where to start and how to record the information.  Do I take a book and write it down how it affects me using their chapters? That will work for the first book but further books the chapters will have different names. I need to keep it simple from the start, I feel overwhelmed and anxious before I’ve even started.

I would be keen to understand what strategies people have tried and what's worked for you please? I do have a personalised report with suggested reading but when it comes to exploring how autism affects me I'm struggling to know how to organise the information. I am quite old school so using word was going to be my first option.

Thank you in advance

Parents

  • Everyone is different.

    Just write down what you like and don't like as you think of them. It will takes weeks. E.g.

    1. Soft clothes feel nice
    2. Don't like getting wet
    3. Walk on toes when barefoot
    4. Playing with tassels/bears/pen feels good, standing outside in the sun feels good/bad
    5. Am too hot/ cold in bed and can't sleep
    6. Overhead light is too bright, lamps are ok.
    7. I like to spend 30 mins alone after getting home.
    8. I don't like my shoes.

    Then note down things that cause feelings. E.g.

    1. Got asked to do something new at work, heart rate went up,
    2. Loud noise makes mafe me feel stressed
    3. Caffeine makes me have more negative thoughts 
    4. A glass of wine makes me feel calm
    5. I feel anxious, I didn't sleep well last night.
    6. It's hard to pay the bills

    Then you can start thinking about how to mitigate them. So avoid loud noises, wear earplugs, take 2 minutes to calm yourself afterwards -step outside, take 5 deep breathes, think of something nice.

    Have decaffeinated coffee, have a glass of wine a few times each week, try to get better sleep.

    Have a fidget toy. Plan each day in advance, ask for better notice instructions. Give yourself more time or leeway. Use leave smarter. Make more time for yourself. 

    Set up direct debits. Have better sleep hygiene.

    You can also search on YouTube for videos about autism or autistic accommodations. There are quite a few to get you started.

    The things you like or don't like will come out of this. E.g. like reading, don't like cinema, like ice skating, don't like pub, like walks in country, like tea shop, like knitting, like flowers, don't like cycling.

    Only you know what causes you anxiety and problems and what you like.

    The main thing is to show yourself some compassion if you struggle with something, and to vote how you feel. Anxious, heart rate up, sleepy, happy, calm, etc. It takes time. 

  • in reply to Stuart333

    Thank you. In essence I need to come up with a list of the different areas of autism I think so I can then start filling in each area how it affects me. I'm finding it very over whelming to start

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