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what is the best way for an adult with autism to fill their day?

saint mick

I am a carer for my sister who is being assesed for autism/aspergers in the early stages as an adult having gone through the stages of psychosis and medication for a year and a half.  My sister also suffers with dyslexia.

The main question I would like to ask people who either have autism or who are in a similar situation to myself as a carer, is what is a way of structuring the persons day through activities and getting out of the house and interacting with people?

Obviously I can work out myself just through common sense finding something to do but the knack is making it so the person with autism feels ok with what is going on and without creating anxiety, my main aim is to fill her day and gain confidence and bring about a lighter mood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • To echo Scorpion0x17, it would be appropriate to ask her. Unless there are additional problems there's no reason to suppose she hasn't a will of her own. But she may be reluctant to go out or be active from having been hurt in the past.

    For example, do you feel she should be interacting with people because that's something you think is missing from her life? Which may be unfair. Either she may find interacting difficult, and not be comfortable in social situations, such that organising her to do so may not be pleasant for her. Or if she does want to interact socially you should ask what social situations are difficult for her, and how you might best help.

    Perhaps if you could form a picture of where she has difficulty, what are her aspirations, where she is comfortable etc., then build some daily structure around it.

    Walking I agree is good (if not affected physically) as it takes the mind off anxieties or obsessions, and is broadly beneficial.

    But does she need her day filling, or is she able to engage in special interests or occupations of her own? You may not think they are good ways to structure the day but they may be precious to her.

    Dyslexia in adults can merely be an issue of short term memory, losing track of a sentence for example, either written or spoken. It more often surfaces in regard to academic study, where it might pose a set-back, and in some jobs. But for people on the spoectrum who experience difficulties in social interaction, dyslexia is an added burden if it makes it hard to express oneself in writing, such as through email or discussion boards.

  • Speaking for myself I have to say that an active element would be a good idea.  A walk in the countryside or a park is kind of a necessity if you are to stay in shape.  Of course such things need to be led into slowly if your sis is busy at something indoors.  I probably would not have appreciated the interruption too much at a lot of points in my life but having spent periods of several years rarely leaving my bedroom I have unfortunately discovered that the negative effects on physical and mental health of staying cooped up can be an absolute disaster.  It was like some part of me was my own jailer.  

    What I have discovered is that photography and filming give a good reason to be outside.  If I am just 'outside' I kind of think 'ok, I'm outside, so what now?'  If I am taking photographs there seems to be some sort of reason for it.  It is also a lot easier to interact with the world when the world is through a camera view finder.  That is what has worked for me.  At least it has worked better than anything else.

    Doing things with the photos later also fills time.  Though to tell the truth my time just seems to disappear anyway.

  • Why don't you ask her?

    Oh, and by the way, people don't 'suffer' from dyslexia, just as we don't 'suffer' from autism.

    We, and they, may find things difficult, that neurotypicals find easy, but we, and they, often also find things simple, that neurotypicals find hard!

    Dyslexia and autism are not like having a broken arm, or an illness, they, in and of themselves, do not cause pain, or suffering.

    The environment, and the way society, and those around us, react to our difference, may cause physical and emotional pain, and suffering, however.