AS and birthdays

As my birthday is coming up soon again I was just wondering if anybody else has difficulties with their birthdays. With each passing year I find my birthday more of a struggle. 

It’s not the day per se or the fact that I’m getting older, but I find all the attention I get on my birthday rather overwhelming and sooner or later I wish that everybody just leaves me alone. I also don’t like getting presents and surprises in general. I hate having phone calls and usually everybody phones on that day and that just stresses me out a lot. It makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious and I generally just feel very, very exhausted in the end. 

However, people just don’t seem to understand why I’d rather be on my own on that day and they think I’m just being a diva when I tell them not to come round or not to phone. I don’t mean to hurt or reject anyone by doing this, but I just cannot handle this situation very well. 

Does anybody else feel like this?

Parents
  • I feel the same, I'm autisitc and because my fifteenth birthday was spent in lockdown we didn't have anyone over at our house which (I dont mean to be mean about) I actually enjoyed because i hate social situations and everyone is eagerly waiting for me to see what they got me when i open it which is creepy, like just let me open it when i feel comfortable please not striaght away, or for example when you recieve a present you don't know what to properly say when you rceieve it so i just say thank you, because it seems so awkward, Tips for birthdays are: Have a quiet space (your bedroom) at the end of the day where you can turn on relaxing music and do things you enjoy to relax, keep a bag of fidget toys next to you at all times especially a Chewigem they are really helpful when at birthday parties or when im at hospitals getting stressed and finally just know in your head that at least the day after your birthday will be more relaxing and you can actually enjoy your presents without feeling anxious or strange. Hope this helped

Reply
  • I feel the same, I'm autisitc and because my fifteenth birthday was spent in lockdown we didn't have anyone over at our house which (I dont mean to be mean about) I actually enjoyed because i hate social situations and everyone is eagerly waiting for me to see what they got me when i open it which is creepy, like just let me open it when i feel comfortable please not striaght away, or for example when you recieve a present you don't know what to properly say when you rceieve it so i just say thank you, because it seems so awkward, Tips for birthdays are: Have a quiet space (your bedroom) at the end of the day where you can turn on relaxing music and do things you enjoy to relax, keep a bag of fidget toys next to you at all times especially a Chewigem they are really helpful when at birthday parties or when im at hospitals getting stressed and finally just know in your head that at least the day after your birthday will be more relaxing and you can actually enjoy your presents without feeling anxious or strange. Hope this helped

Children
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