Adults On The Autism Spectrum
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.
@mamacita
As I read about all of the medications you have tried I see that you have worked hard as your own patient advocate! I really admire that. I'm sorry to hear of your "train wreck" days and I hope that they will end as you follow your dietary restrictions. You've given us a good reminder to pay attention to those foods that we know we should avoid!
@sirgalahad While you may not have biological children, I feel that your words have helped many people (both on and off the Spectrum) and you have created a family of choice! I'm glad that you are part of the Connect family. I've learned a lot from you!!
@mamacita Wow Wow you had a lot of meds. I know I cant eat the nightshade plants as it triggers my allergy,s and fibromyalgia. I'm to be on gluten free but am trying to not eat bread but I love it the gluten free bread is so expensive and taste isn't the greatest. Havent found a recipe for one or Id try baking myself. We all have our train wrecks don't we and learn from each other which is so great on this forum Take care of yourself. I'm going to try to go back on Lyrica the other 2 didn't help at all and I thought I was losing my mind on Cymbalta.
@lioness Take care of yourself as well. It sounds like you have a lot of dietary restrictions as well. Did an allergist determine your allergies or did you discover it yourself by trial and error?
@hopeful33250 I discovered these by trial and error . Also wheat doesn't settle with me to well so I stay away from this as much as I can . I usually go for Rye or Pumpernickle bread . I found also with my Tinnitus and dairy starts the ears to ring louder so I use Almond milk and almond yogurt that has extra calcium in them
That is great that you are so tuned in to your body, @lioness. Are Rye and Pumpernickle bread gluten-free or do they just have less gluten?
@hopeful33250 Yes the Rye has less gluten in it and you can make a gluten free pumpernickel with different flours and no wheat flour at all in it .
@teresa, my allergies got worse as I got older. Foods that did not ever bother me before reared their ugly heads and made life miserable. I did the blood testing for food allergies and environmental allergies as well. Trial and error works too.
Mamacita Jane
wow don't the quacks read the meds contraindications crap crap crap
Well, it's that time of the year again. Time to bring out the medium blue pumpkins. If anyone comes to my door dressed up for Halloween, they do not have to say "Trick or Treat. "
They do not have to say a word. Some of my brothers and sisters are nonverbal and do not communicate the way I attempt to. They might be on the Spectrum in some way. It is not my place to ask.. Or care.
What is important is that I make the effort to participate in a time honored event that allows little ones to have a bit of fun as they dress up in their favorite costumes. These events are memories that they will cherish forever. I want to encourage them to say whatever they want, if they are able to verbalize at all.
I am aware of these children who literally cannot speak for themselves. Extra encouragement on my part will not help them. Bur my smile, my offer of Halloween goodies, and my willingness to "ooh" and "ahh" over their costumes will help in ways only seen by the angels.
I love holidays. All of the Holidays. Let's think about ways we can help each other in large ways and small ways. To get through these times that arrive on time like clockwork, whether we are ready or not. If our health issues prevent us from engaging in things we used to do, perhaps we can enjoy a new tradition.
Love and light,
Mamacita Jane