Struggling

Yes, this is what I experience. Sadly, I don't think there are groups aimed at people suffering mutism, it's very frustrating.

yeah I totally get that, the group I meet up with is a mixed group and I remember the first time I met them for a walk, I was so nervous but even the introductions felt different, first of all I was asked if I wanted to introduce myself, which I didn't want to, so I didn't which felt great. Then if I'm honest it felt a bit surreal because there was silence for long periods and only a bit of conversation that were factual in nature and not small talk. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders because there was no pressure to talk.

Thank you. I've been trying to search out support groups that would possibly take away the isolation im feeling, to meet other people who also suffer from mutism, but as of yet I've not been able to find any support groups that offer this. When I'm in a group of people who are able to speak freely, even if they are aware of my condition, I feel left behind and always thought it would be helpful to meet others who suffer from similar, as I think thst would help.

HiRyan_1985 and welcome.

I get that too, I speak when I feel safe.

Hopefully you will safe enough to speak to us.

️

Hi Ryan.

Sorry to hear you are struggling.

I’m relatively new to my own diagnosis, so I’m still trying to understand myself and how autism affects me too. One thing I’m starting to realise is that there isn’t necessarily a need to suddenly push yourself into doing everything that feels impossible. Sometimes even very small steps can be meaningful. The fact that you’re here, reaching out and talking about what you’re experiencing is already something. If speaking to people feels difficult, perhaps starting with online conversations where you feel safer could be a way of slowly building that connection without putting too much pressure on yourself.

I really hope you find this forum helpful. There are people here who understand what it’s like to feel isolated and overwhelmed, so hopefully you’ll be able to find some connection and support here. You definitely don’t have to figure everything out at once.

Hi, Ryan, welcome to the forum. I personally find that reading some of the posts here helps me look forward to something.

Often it is also nice to help others or write my opinion on some topic.

We also have the 3 Good Things post which is quite nice, where one can write 3 good things that happened in the day or week.

I hope you enjoy it here.

Thank you Oscar for your kind reply. Yes that is a good idea. I am particularly scared of living my whole life in isolation, and as I get older the more scarier that becomes. On the hobbies, I love old black and white movies from the 1930s and 1940s, a collector of old radios, telephones, camera, clothing and other props from the same era. I also like computers from the 1980s such as commodore, ZX spectrum, Atari 2600...

Hello Ryan_1985, and welcome, 

I am a newcomer to this site too. I find it an invaluable source of information about being autistic.

It sounds like you are having a difficult time. However, although you don't speak much to other people, you have taken the opportunity to make contact on this site. 

I not very good with social chit-chat whether it face-to-face or online. I was only diagnosed this year and this site was recommended by one of my assessors. I find it does me good to communicate with people here because it doesn't feel forced or artificial. By that, I mean you do not have to send messages, respond to or even read messages. So, there absolutely no pressure!

Autistic people seem very keen on what are called hobbies. To me making things is a fundamental part of who I am and gives me the downtime I seem to require. So, as a starter, if you do jigsaws, paint, read books, play trains, play with Lego, etc. then why not seek out other people on the site by simply asking a question about your hobby/hobbies.

Hope you enjoy your time here,
Oscar