1. < Autism (ASD)

Adults On The Autism Spectrum

Posted by Mamacita, Alumna Mentor @mamacita, Apr 29, 2018

Maybe you were really shy as a child. Perhaps you took home a huge stack of books from the school library, read them, and returned them the next day. Or did your best friend find you crying in your closet, unable to answer the question "Why?" At any rate, your life could be traced to the Self-Help section of the local bookstore. Unfortunately, most of the books were not much help. ADHD seemed to fit, at times. Your shrink said you might be Bi-Polar, although she wasn't really certain. All you knew was that you rarely fit in, anywhere. One day at work, it hit you square in the face: I don't speak these people's language! Really, it was like you were all playing this game, and everyone knew the rules but you. You couldn't tell a joke, and you never "got" any joke your co-worker tried to tell you. People started getting annoyed with you, because you had a memory like a steel trap. They didn't appreciate it when you called them on the carpet. Who knew? This was my life, and worse. I finally aced several tests that pointed me to the answer to my questions. The Autism Spectrum. Guess what? Little kids with Autism grow up to be Adults with Autism. Diagnosed late in life? This is the place for you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autism (ASD) Support Group.

Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 30, 2019
In reply to @mamacita "I just want to thank everyone for the deep level of respect and honest caring that..." + (show)
@mamacita

I just want to thank everyone for the deep level of respect and honest caring that I feel from Auties and Neurotypicals alike. Please bear with me. I am trying my best to help my spouse who has just received a serious diagnosis, and my disabled daughter, who also may have some pulmonary issues which are evidenced by severe edema and pain. She is on oxygen 24/7. Both my daughter and my husband are on low salt, low carb diets. Appointments for them both this week and the next. Love and light to you all. Mamacita

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@mamacita So often we hear that phrase "we are not given more to bear than we can bear." But it doesn't help us when we hear diagnosis and news that is so hard for us. My heart goes out to you. Sending you cyber hugs and a shoulder to lean on.
Ginger

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 30, 2019
In reply to @mamacita "I just want to thank everyone for the deep level of respect and honest caring that..." + (show)
@mamacita

I just want to thank everyone for the deep level of respect and honest caring that I feel from Auties and Neurotypicals alike. Please bear with me. I am trying my best to help my spouse who has just received a serious diagnosis, and my disabled daughter, who also may have some pulmonary issues which are evidenced by severe edema and pain. She is on oxygen 24/7. Both my daughter and my husband are on low salt, low carb diets. Appointments for them both this week and the next. Love and light to you all. Mamacita

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Thinking of you @mamacita and the load you carry. May we offer a virtual shoulder to lean on when you need it.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 30, 2019

Hello @mamacita

I am so sorry to hear that both your husband and daughter are dealing with health issues. Be sure that we are here for you, in whatever way you need us to be. Sending a virtual hug of comfort and support.

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sirgalahad | @sirgalahad | Feb 13, 2019
In reply to @mamacita "That's the thing, I clearly do not think of myself that way. It is only when..." + (show)
@mamacita

That's the thing, I clearly do not think of myself that way. It is only when I understand better how neurotypicals think, believe, and behave, I see that I am a fish out of water. Most people would rather I not mention these things, because it is so clearly out of the norm. Some, like the school principal years ago, appreciated me and put me to work. That's what I like. To be put to work. I come in handy, as we say in the South.

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Mamacita dear friend sorries this is an off the track coment .I was just told by Colleen to contact you guys .I was travelling to Hospital this morning and a guy got on the train and squeezed his fat bum between the 2 of us very little room left .I asked can you stop sitting on me and pushing I cant move any where . I am also autistic and he started abusing me and when I said you are discriminating me as a disabled person .told to get off my high horse and to live as an ablebodied person and or you should wear a label seeing you are invisble disabled person and autistic just like the jews were made to do in the ww2 and in Nazi Germany Welcome to fascist Australia and no cares about each other and the supposed bullshit of mate ship has gone .Its alright to abuse a disabled person nowadays and he told to take my head out of my arse .my final reply why don't you try and live in this world as an autistic and see how you like it .I am sadly so bloody angry and upset and triggered and hate this world so much I would rather die again than continue .

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3 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Feb 13, 2019
In reply to @sirgalahad "Mamacita dear friend sorries this is an off the track coment .I was just told by..." + (show)
@sirgalahad

Mamacita dear friend sorries this is an off the track coment .I was just told by Colleen to contact you guys .I was travelling to Hospital this morning and a guy got on the train and squeezed his fat bum between the 2 of us very little room left .I asked can you stop sitting on me and pushing I cant move any where . I am also autistic and he started abusing me and when I said you are discriminating me as a disabled person .told to get off my high horse and to live as an ablebodied person and or you should wear a label seeing you are invisble disabled person and autistic just like the jews were made to do in the ww2 and in Nazi Germany Welcome to fascist Australia and no cares about each other and the supposed bullshit of mate ship has gone .Its alright to abuse a disabled person nowadays and he told to take my head out of my arse .my final reply why don't you try and live in this world as an autistic and see how you like it .I am sadly so bloody angry and upset and triggered and hate this world so much I would rather die again than continue .

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@sirgalahad You have a lot to teach this world. You have a lot to live for. There is so many comments like that from people who are fearful, and scared, and confused about how difficult is is for an autie to survive in an adverse world. I wish I could reach out and join you in a cuppa tea. Deep breaths, my cyber friend.
Ginger

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1 reply
sirgalahad | @sirgalahad | Feb 13, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@sirgalahad You have a lot to teach this world. You have a lot to live for...." + (show)
@gingerw

@sirgalahad You have a lot to teach this world. You have a lot to live for. There is so many comments like that from people who are fearful, and scared, and confused about how difficult is is for an autie to survive in an adverse world. I wish I could reach out and join you in a cuppa tea. Deep breaths, my cyber friend.
Ginger

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thanks dear and bear hugs

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 14, 2019
In reply to @sirgalahad "Mamacita dear friend sorries this is an off the track coment .I was just told by..." + (show)
@sirgalahad

Mamacita dear friend sorries this is an off the track coment .I was just told by Colleen to contact you guys .I was travelling to Hospital this morning and a guy got on the train and squeezed his fat bum between the 2 of us very little room left .I asked can you stop sitting on me and pushing I cant move any where . I am also autistic and he started abusing me and when I said you are discriminating me as a disabled person .told to get off my high horse and to live as an ablebodied person and or you should wear a label seeing you are invisble disabled person and autistic just like the jews were made to do in the ww2 and in Nazi Germany Welcome to fascist Australia and no cares about each other and the supposed bullshit of mate ship has gone .Its alright to abuse a disabled person nowadays and he told to take my head out of my arse .my final reply why don't you try and live in this world as an autistic and see how you like it .I am sadly so bloody angry and upset and triggered and hate this world so much I would rather die again than continue .

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@sirgalahad

I am so sorry that you encountered this rude, rude individual. It is obvious that his words triggered some profound hurts in your life and that is so unfortunate. You are a bright light to the world and you desire to help so many. As much as possible, try to put his words in perspective and understand that his words reflect his hurts and his needs to feel superior to others and they do not reflect who you are.

Our Connect community appreciates your goodness, your kindness and your heart for others! Be blessed today, @sirgalahad, we care about you and we feel your hurt.

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lioness | @lioness | Feb 14, 2019

@sirgalahad I'm knew to this community but that person was very rude I'm so sorry you had encountered her you are stronger then her words so shine your glory as you have been

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 14, 2019
In reply to @sirgalahad "Mamacita dear friend sorries this is an off the track coment .I was just told by..." + (show)
@sirgalahad

Mamacita dear friend sorries this is an off the track coment .I was just told by Colleen to contact you guys .I was travelling to Hospital this morning and a guy got on the train and squeezed his fat bum between the 2 of us very little room left .I asked can you stop sitting on me and pushing I cant move any where . I am also autistic and he started abusing me and when I said you are discriminating me as a disabled person .told to get off my high horse and to live as an ablebodied person and or you should wear a label seeing you are invisble disabled person and autistic just like the jews were made to do in the ww2 and in Nazi Germany Welcome to fascist Australia and no cares about each other and the supposed bullshit of mate ship has gone .Its alright to abuse a disabled person nowadays and he told to take my head out of my arse .my final reply why don't you try and live in this world as an autistic and see how you like it .I am sadly so bloody angry and upset and triggered and hate this world so much I would rather die again than continue .

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The person whom you encountered on the train was completely disrespectful and offensive in how he treated you. There is never a reason to treat anyone (autism or not) that way. I am sorry that you had to be subjet of his tirade.

I used to teach in middle school, and I have also taught several students with autism. I understand the importance of respecting their safe personal space, even in the best of circumstances.
One of my students liked to get under a big pillow that was in the classroom, it was his safe place. He said he was like a turtle, and he crawled inside his safe shell. Other teachers complained because, "He is not participating" Ha! He was participating! He listened and when he was ready he popped out and had not missed a word of the class lesson.

sirgalahad, I hope that you, too, have a place where you feel safe and can recover from this unfortunate confrontation.

I want you to know that I admire your participation on Connect. I have shared this discussion with some former students and their parents. I continue to hope to see one of them respond.
Across the miles, I want to send you a virtual hug and a thank you for what you are doing to reach out to others.

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1 reply
sirgalahad | @sirgalahad | Feb 14, 2019
In reply to @rosemarya "The person whom you encountered on the train was completely disrespectful and offensive in how he..." + (show)
@rosemarya

The person whom you encountered on the train was completely disrespectful and offensive in how he treated you. There is never a reason to treat anyone (autism or not) that way. I am sorry that you had to be subjet of his tirade.

I used to teach in middle school, and I have also taught several students with autism. I understand the importance of respecting their safe personal space, even in the best of circumstances.
One of my students liked to get under a big pillow that was in the classroom, it was his safe place. He said he was like a turtle, and he crawled inside his safe shell. Other teachers complained because, "He is not participating" Ha! He was participating! He listened and when he was ready he popped out and had not missed a word of the class lesson.

sirgalahad, I hope that you, too, have a place where you feel safe and can recover from this unfortunate confrontation.

I want you to know that I admire your participation on Connect. I have shared this discussion with some former students and their parents. I continue to hope to see one of them respond.
Across the miles, I want to send you a virtual hug and a thank you for what you are doing to reach out to others.

Jump to this post

thankyou every one lubs u all and deeply respect and thank all the wonderful and carrying and encouraging people in connect

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