Adults On The Autism Spectrum

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

I suffer from Hypercussia which is the condition description which miss jane was describing of unable to deal with very loud and repetitive noises like banging and I hate rap and heavy metal my ears cant cope .I am also hypersentive and an empath so I have to recharge and need structure and order cant change stream mid stream and hate sudden changes and taste and sensitive to food types and will often only eat certain food typoees

@sirgalahad Like you and @mamacita I am so sensitive to sounds, textures, tastes, smells, etc. Funny that in my last full-time job, I was walking down a hallway and saw that a framed document was off-square. This was a large piece, about 3'x5'. I told the CEO and facilities manager they should get the framer to redo it, as it was representational of the values of the organization. They argued it was square, until we took a straight edge and found it was off 1/4" horizontally. And it bothered me to the day I retired. Us auties are in a class to ourselves.
Ginger

@sirgalahad Like you and @mamacita I am so sensitive to sounds, textures, tastes, smells, etc. Funny that in my last full-time job, I was walking down a hallway and saw that a framed document was off-square. This was a large piece, about 3'x5'. I told the CEO and facilities manager they should get the framer to redo it, as it was representational of the values of the organization. They argued it was square, until we took a straight edge and found it was off 1/4" horizontally. And it bothered me to the day I retired. Us auties are in a class to ourselves.
Ginger

Is that characteristic reserved for you auties? As a gallery owner I drove my staff crazy because 1/4 inch was enough for me to insist that they rehang the piece. I noticed the level being left out more often as they had decided it was easier to get it right than to have to redo it. My framer, fortunately, had the same affliction...OCDish! Thanks. Chris

Is that characteristic reserved for you auties? As a gallery owner I drove my staff crazy because 1/4 inch was enough for me to insist that they rehang the piece. I noticed the level being left out more often as they had decided it was easier to get it right than to have to redo it. My framer, fortunately, had the same affliction...OCDish! Thanks. Chris

Dear @Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor,@artscaping, no, this trait is not found exclusively in Neurodiverse people. How joyful we are when we find others like us who understand the fine detailing of this aspect of our personalities. I am deliriously happy when a character in a television show or movie displays these and other characteristics that run rampant in our Spectrum Community!

I think it is extremely important that we value our differences and build upon them. Especially as it concerns our children and how they are raised. Children need to see their differences reflected in the arts, literature, and all other aspects of their education. They need to be able to look and say "That's just like me!"

I can tell you from my experience as a child growing up, I would have benefited greatly in having that philosophy of teaching in my educational experience. As the Grandparent of an Autistic little 6 year old, I can tell you that I am a Mama Bear for him. I love him with all my heart. There is nothing I would not do for him.

I remain closely connected to him, even though we are miles apart for now. His mother and I are very close. She may not agree with everything I try to share with her. ( She can be quite skeptical, actually, but that just makes me proud of her.) But she understands that like her, I only want the best for him. I don't want him to struggle like I did.

So happy to meet you here on Mayo Clinic Connect!!! Your gifts and talents, your areas of expertise, are warmly welcomed here! Keep adjusting those picture frames...I know I will! Ha!

Love and light to you, my new friend....
Mamacita Jane

that's cool about spelling as an autistic ,I am dyslexic and have atrocious spelling and grammar as Mammacita and Colleen and Lisa Lucier can attest .but its no drama I is too old managed to write a doctorate for my PHD and obtain a PHD .way cooler than my sisters and late parents ever thought I would