Happy Tuesday everyone!!! I found the catalogue! Yay! Now, many of you can relate to what I am about to say.

With super sensitivies, Autistics find that they are in a state of constant anxiety. Not all, but many. We get so used to being anxious about everything that we don't even recognise anxiety until it is pointed out to us.

With superior, off the charts hearing, I routinely have to wear special ear plugs to drown out the constant noise of society around me. Some Auties wear special ear protectors, even to shop. I am entirely too observant, so I tend to wear sunglasses where ever I can get away with it. I sit towards the front at church, so I don't pick up information through body language from other parishioners.

My sense of smell is very strong. I am driven to have my house so clean that it smells really, really clean...all the time. Same thing with self care. I don't mind getting dirty, from working in the yard, or whatever. But you must know that I will be showering and using a ton of products to take care of this body. To keep it in top notch condition!

My clothing must be soft and comfortable. My style is rather bohemian, and I probably look like an anthropology professor. I used to worry about what I wore. Afraid I would be judged. I don't worry about that any more. There are much more interesting things to feel passionate about.

Anxiety untreated can kill you. Raise your blood pressure and make you have a stroke. This is why I want to talk about the subject of anxiety. The different ways it is expressed. How to recognize it. How to help someone with anxiety. How to help yourself realize when Burn out is on the horizon. Or shutdowns.

There is a new book out this year and it is called The Autism Discussion Page On Stress, Anxiety, Shutdowns and Meltdowns. By Bill Nason. I believe it will be an effective tool to help us understand how to navigate the special moments in life when we have challenges to understand and overcome

I plan to purchase this book and share my findings with you, my Autism and Allies Family. In the meantime, feel free to drop in to the Spectrum Cafe and relax awhile. Let's talk about our trips this summer, the good food we have prepared, the wonderful people we have met. Let's do life together! I'm glad you are here!

Mamacita Jane