Seeking Autism Support

Hi, I'm new here! 

Before I start I would like to mention that I am a 22 year old Nonbinary person.

A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with autism and I have a severe sensitivity to noise which has affected my life daily to the point that I overanalyse doors incase they slam and I anxiously worry about high winds that could cause doors or gates to rattle in their hinges. This has affected me even before I was diagnosed and I feel like it's ruining my life and may ruin my relationship with my partner. They know I have autism and severe anxiety, and they are trying to be more supportive which I'm grateful for. 

I've improved a lot over the years with anxiety, I can ask others for help and sometimes confidently speak confidently to others using eye contact.

My only barrier now is the noise issue, I have gone to counselling to help but my anxiety is getting worse again less than a week after having my last counselling session. I'm so exhausted by this issue. 

Parents
  • Good morning from America, Georgia4444!

    Wow, it sounds like what you experience is pretty brutal when it comes to noise sensitivity. I just want to applaud you on trying your best to ease it and find solutions. It is great that you have already sought out counseling, as that would be my first advice.

    Now, I’m not sure if I can help, but this did make me think of something. Maybe you could create a “sensory diet”? So every time you experience a sound that upsets you, perhaps you could stop and allow yourself to experience something you enjoy? Example, maybe you like the scent of a certain perfume, or the sound of a dove cooing, or ect. Maybe granting yourself access to a pleasant sensory experience after or during an unpleasant experience could help with giving you a bit of relief. So keep on hand recordings, scents, videos, etc that you like when you go out and about.

  • Have you tried putting elastic bands around the hasps or bars of gates to stop them rattling, it should stop them being opened or closed, just dampen the sound?

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