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What do you struggle with and how do you overcome it?.

Bethy
over 5 years ago

I have meltdowns over lots of things. I find it difficult to choose what to eat, and even to think about what to eat, what to wear, which clothes to buy, which products to buy, which food to buy, etc. I also struggle with hygiene. I don't like it if my face gets wet in the shower, don't like the feeling of a toothbrush, the taste of toothpaste, I worry that I am not washing my hair, brushing my teeth, combing my hair properly because of my dexterity problems and sensory issues. I have a big phobia with brushing my teeth as I have issues with my gums. I worry about seeing them bleed when I brush or that the toothbrush might make my gums recede more. I have to see the dentist every three months and I am terrified of them. Everytime I go there, it't the same issues. Most of my teeth are fine, but I still have the bleeding gums and I still have the biggest build up of plaque and tartar on my lower front teeth. It ruins my confidence. I'm not sure if this is psychological and an irrational fear, and do other people with autism feel this way, and if so, how do you overcome it?. I feel like I am not having a normal life because I am constantly worrying and having overloads and meltdowns about things. I am in supported accommodation at the moment, but the staff don't take the time to help me with these issues.  

Parents
  • over 5 years ago

    Hi, you are not alone in this I am not autistic but have alot of the same issues as you especially with the teeth and hair (struggle with nerve damage in right arm and severe back problems causes extreme pain leaning over to wash hair and brushing it quite often ends with the brush being catapulted) I hate the taste of most toothpaste it makes me sick and hurts my gums I did not have a dentist for about 10 years so my teeth got to the point most of them broke and the rest just looked awful. Luckily I found a really nice dentist who didn't judge me I had most of my top ones removed and the bottom fixed she then started me on a prescription toothpaste that takes the sensitivity out of the teeth (and the best part is that it is not as strong in taste as the ones you buy!) it stopped me being sick and the pain when I brushed she also gave me a special mouthwash to treat the bleeding gums. Both of these helped alot and now I am not afraid to smile in case I show my teeth. Now if they could just fix my arm and back that would be great! 

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  • over 5 years ago

    Hi, you are not alone in this I am not autistic but have alot of the same issues as you especially with the teeth and hair (struggle with nerve damage in right arm and severe back problems causes extreme pain leaning over to wash hair and brushing it quite often ends with the brush being catapulted) I hate the taste of most toothpaste it makes me sick and hurts my gums I did not have a dentist for about 10 years so my teeth got to the point most of them broke and the rest just looked awful. Luckily I found a really nice dentist who didn't judge me I had most of my top ones removed and the bottom fixed she then started me on a prescription toothpaste that takes the sensitivity out of the teeth (and the best part is that it is not as strong in taste as the ones you buy!) it stopped me being sick and the pain when I brushed she also gave me a special mouthwash to treat the bleeding gums. Both of these helped alot and now I am not afraid to smile in case I show my teeth. Now if they could just fix my arm and back that would be great! 

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