Sixty and just diagnosed

Hi I'm nearly 60 currently in hospital because of my autism. I'm newly diagnosed and desperate for help advice coping strategies and mostly friends 

Parents
  • Hi  

    Autism per se won't I suspect have been what put you in hospital although I think I get what you mean based on how messed up I was at the time of diagnosis age 58.

    Are you able to say what it is that you need coping with?  e.g. what are other people telling you and what are you telling yourself...     Might help to target the strategies,

    Hehe, I've found people mostly friendly here!

    Best Wishes

  • At the moment I need with everything I had my first recognised meltdown three weeks ago. I don't know warnings triggers, coping strategies absolutely nothing that's what's so terrifying 

  • Thanks for your reply.

    At this stage of being in meltdown as  says the stress experienced might be taking you out of your range of capability to tolerate things.  The Jug analogy is a good one.  Another way of explaining this is the "window of tolerance" 

    this web page Window of Tolerance - Autism Understood  explains this.  

      is right to suggest getting out of situations that cause stress - your being in hospital at present is in in itself likely stressful -even tho' it is perhaps in some way also getting you away from the stressors 

    To help you get back into your "window" range wherever you are using what are called "grounding techniques" can help achieve calmness.

    Have you any techniques that you use to "ground" yourself back into the present moment to help get away from the intensity of the challenging emotions that you might be experiencing  ?

    The one about sensing how your body feels that  mentions is an example of this.  There are other strategies too.

    e.g. Grounding techniques to try today

    If this is a new idea to you perhaps you might ask the hospital staff about them? 

    Best Wishes

Reply
  • Thanks for your reply.

    At this stage of being in meltdown as  says the stress experienced might be taking you out of your range of capability to tolerate things.  The Jug analogy is a good one.  Another way of explaining this is the "window of tolerance" 

    this web page Window of Tolerance - Autism Understood  explains this.  

      is right to suggest getting out of situations that cause stress - your being in hospital at present is in in itself likely stressful -even tho' it is perhaps in some way also getting you away from the stressors 

    To help you get back into your "window" range wherever you are using what are called "grounding techniques" can help achieve calmness.

    Have you any techniques that you use to "ground" yourself back into the present moment to help get away from the intensity of the challenging emotions that you might be experiencing  ?

    The one about sensing how your body feels that  mentions is an example of this.  There are other strategies too.

    e.g. Grounding techniques to try today

    If this is a new idea to you perhaps you might ask the hospital staff about them? 

    Best Wishes

Children
  • At the moment I feel like a new born baby. Everything is new and very scary. I'm going to be getting help soon but I don't know yet. I'm just trying to get ahead of the game. To deal with what's happening now. 

    I many ways being here is a help. There's always a quiet spot, no screaming hyped up kids, and no cooking or even washing up. Lol. 

    But it's lonely and isolating. But no family rows. 

    I've heard of grounding but not tried it, so I'll look into it, thanks.

    It's also a bit overwhelming the shear volume of wonderful people replying. I expected one or two not this much. As a dyslexic as well it's a bit daunting but well worth it. Thanks again