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Hello

LateToTheAlphaQuadrant

Hello everone, I'm glad I found this part of the forum and the explanation about your posts being moderated as newbie. I dived in earlier and replied to a post where I though the OP was really struggling. When I got a message to say my post was being moderated I worried a bit. I thought I'd said something wrong and was too autistic for a autistic forum! Sweat smile

Anyway, I got AI to help me choose a username, it suggested it after I told tem a few interests including liking watching Star Trek: Voyager. Loved the suggestion so went with it. 

I'm 52 years old and female. I wasn't diagnosed autistic until a couple of years ago. It was actually being on another forum where there was lots of 'Am I autistic?' type posts that I kept thinking, 'Hang on a minute, I do that! and that, and that!' I was just sent a letter after the two assessments to say I was autistic, a link to a website and that was it. I didn't do much about the diagnosis since then as I have lived my life so long I didn't realise a lot of my day is actually taken up by being autistic! I discovered this a day or so ago by having a convesation with google about sleep. I learned I wasn't lazy, I have sleep inertia, that I can't sleep earlier as autistiic people have an later circadian rhythm, that the need to stretch my legs in the night that wakes me when I do sleep is restless legs and a lot of autistic people have it. That I get 'stuck' mentally and physically, task changng problems, relaxing problem...etc 

I went a bit nuts on Amazon and have ordered a book, weighted blanket, a visual progress bar timer and a Ono roller. I already had one weighted blanket and a squeazy/stress ball to all try and help. 

I have agoraphobia (Panic attacks away from home.) so don''t go out. I spend some of my time (And I have discovered it's a form of stimming.) knitting. I make Christmmas decorations, chocolate orange covers, dragons, I knitted my sibling a 2 ft gargoyle for their birthday. Laughing (They loved it, haven't come up with a name for it yet though.) Robins, snowmen, elves...I would say I've never knitted a scarf but that would be a lie, my sister in law asked me to make her three dogs a scarf with our local teams football colours when our team was in some cup or other. No, I don't follow football. Stuck out tongue winking eye 

I think Ive waffled on enough for now. Joy I look forward to 'meeting' fellow forum users and engaging with some chat. 

  • Hello and welcome from America, LateToTheAlphaQuadrant!

    I like lists, so I’ll list my replies:

    1. Totally understand being freaked out by the moderation thing. I’m glad that didn’t scare you away! For some context, we had a pretty gnarly bit of time where the site was getting blasted with scams, but the moderation of new accounts has completely stopped that.
    2. I LOVE my weighted blanket. I think mine is a 20 lbs? It’s hard to sleep without it now lol.
    3. I also discovered my Autism by comparing my experiences with another individual online. Unfortunately, the person who made me consider it is infamous and not a very upstanding person, but… Hey, at least I know now, right?
    4. I feel like agoraphobia is immensely common on here to different degrees, so you are in good company.
    5. One note on AI: That can be a bit of a sensitive subject on this forum. A lot of us (not me) utilize AI for personal reasons, but in general the community doesn’t really like it when AI content is directly put onto here. In short: We want to hear from you personally, not you through a robot! It sounds like the mods are working on an official rule on how AI can be used on here. I’m not trying to scare you out of ever using AI, just be aware that some people are sensitive to interacting with AI directly.
    6. As an FYI, we have loads of females around your age on here! Actually, strangely, I feel like that is the strongest demographic on here lol. I’m a weirdo because not only am I American, I’m also one of very few males in their 30’s to poke their head in here.

    Best wishes!

  • in reply to Vardaguyn

    Hi, I just did a quick google about the pebbles and it's called 'The Kindness Rocks Project.' 

    What do you do with Christmas wreaths? I love Christmas, it's my most favourite time of year.Funny thing is a I'm a vegetarian, so no turkey, do not like Christmas pudding/cake or mince pies. Joy I do however love the decorations, tv and mostly finding really appropriate presents for people I love.

    It sounds lovely that you share your cards. 

    If I don't reply for a while I've got to get ready for a online therapy session I'm having at 1pm so please don't think I'm ignoring you.

  • in reply to LateToTheAlphaQuadrant

    Good afternoon 

    The ceramics and the pebbles, I usually keep as can be useful. That's a good idea to hide the pebbles for people to find. Same with the Christmas wreaths. 

    The cards I send to friends and give some to local people.

    During the easter card making session, I'd put the cards in the book exchange and people taken them.

  • in reply to Vardaguyn

    Hello Vardaguyn, thanks so much for your reply. Grinning It's nice to meet you. I'm in England too. It sounds like you enjoy your crafts. Do you sell what you make or keep them, give them to family/friends? I like the sound of the painting ceramics and pebbles. I've seen some online and they look lovely. Do you do that thing where people paint pebbles and leave them places for others to find? 

    I've been agoraphobic since 1997. I say these days thank goodness for the internet! I do all my food, clothes and entertainment shopping online. I'm really sorry you were forced out to do shopping whilst agoraphobic, I can imagine how terrifying that must have been, made all the worse by the bullying. Disappointed relieved

    The womens only group sounds great, and well done for managing the local events! Don't listen to those who don't understand if you can. I know it's hard not to and you want to try and justify yourself but some poeple for whatever reason just want to bring you down.

  • Hello

    welcome to the community forum.

    I'm 42 female from England.

    Enjoy crafts especially making cards, bookmarks, painting ceramics and pebbles. Also reading, puzzle books and lego.

    I don't follow football.

    During the covid I had agoraphobia, where found leaving the house difficult. Had to do all the food shopping, bullied by wearing a face covering as couldn't speak and I was doing hand signals.

    My life was turned upside down.

    Since June 2022 I been going to a group which is women's only. We meet occasionally to get on with tasks, listening to talks and have refreshments. They do an annual afternoon tea, barbecue, and Xmas meal. Bargain prices. The reason I go because didn't know what's happening with the library volunteers.

    Also on the back up list for delivering the community magazine.

    Plus go to local events.

    Some people don't understand that I'm helping with the community and making up excuses. 

    Without the covid outbreak, I would gone back to my former workplace to saiy I'd tried something new and went wrong (casual work); 

    Up to me what I want to do. 

  • Hello LateToTheAlphaQuadrant, 

    Welcome to the online community and thank you for sharing your experiences and your hobbies. 

    Best wishes, 

    Alice Mod