1. < Autism (ASD)
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How You Experience Autism

Posted by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw, Jan 8, 2020

I came across this article today, posted on The Mighty. I "get" it, as it is familiar to me. How do you react to her vision of the manifestation in her life?
https://themighty.com/2016/04/what-does-autism-feel-like/
Ginger

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

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 3, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@merpreb It just might. You won't know until you try it out. People may look at..." + (show)
@gingerw

@merpreb It just might. You won't know until you try it out. People may look at your calming actions as "just fiddling with" something, or "geez, can't you sit still?" Yep, I have heard those comment before.

Have you figured out what is triggering your panic attacks?
Ginger

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Ginger, I think so. I'll have to see what I can find.

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Mar 4, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@mamacita Good morning back to you. I dress for my comfort. Where I lived before, my..." + (show)
@gingerw

@mamacita Good morning back to you. I dress for my comfort. Where I lived before, my wardrobe was a mix of what-to-wear-to-fit-in-kinda, and what I was comfortable in. Here, in this little town, I have been able to ditch for the most part, those clothes that were not all that comfortable, and be "me" more. right now my favorite over jacket is a sherpa fleece lined plaid men's jacket. It appeals to my comfort of feeling the soft fleece embrace me.

On my left wrist I wear a braided silver bracelet, 24/7. There is a small silver loop near the catch that can be manipulated. If you watch, you will find me often automatically going to the little loop, rotating it over-and-over, creating that sense of calm I need when anxious, a tangible relief. I used to wear a cuff bracelet and constantly run my fingers over the pattern. When I wear my medical alert bracelet, I can use features of that to stim and calm me. Each autie person has a favorite way to stay grounded, as it were. At times when it's required to not have the bracelet, I feel very anxious and nervous. Should it be allowed? Absolutely, for me.
Ginger

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Perhaps there is something to the calming behaviors you mentioned as helpful to you and other auties, @gingerw, that neurotypicals can learn from to calm themselves in any given situation.

@merpreb - if you'd like, you might check out a couple of these Connect discussions on panic attacks:
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/panic-attack-or-something-more-serious

- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/panic-attack-excessively-gone-too-far

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 5, 2020

@lisalucier- Good morning! Thank you for these links. I will definitely look at these! It took me by complete surprise. I was out to dinner, first in a long time to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. I took my first sip of wine that I was tasting and all of a sudden I felt a cold sweat and gaggy feeling in my throat. My sister and brother-in-law are the safest 2 people in the world to me besides my husband. I just stayed quiet until it passed. But it did put a pall over the dinner.

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 5, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@lisalucier- Good morning! Thank you for these links. I will definitely look at these! It took..." + (show)
@merpreb

@lisalucier- Good morning! Thank you for these links. I will definitely look at these! It took me by complete surprise. I was out to dinner, first in a long time to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. I took my first sip of wine that I was tasting and all of a sudden I felt a cold sweat and gaggy feeling in my throat. My sister and brother-in-law are the safest 2 people in the world to me besides my husband. I just stayed quiet until it passed. But it did put a pall over the dinner.

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@merpreb Thank you for sharing with us. Anxiety or panic attacks are nothing to gloss over if you see someone experiencing one. I seem to have a sense for them in others, seeing they are not foreign to me. So I will step out of my own anxiety and figuratively reach out to that person. Sometimes just knowing there is someone who understands and will be in your corner, even for a few minutes, can make the difference. I hope you can repeat the dinner soon, and have a more positive experience.
Ginger

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@merpreb Thank you for sharing with us. Anxiety or panic attacks are nothing to gloss over..." + (show)
@gingerw

@merpreb Thank you for sharing with us. Anxiety or panic attacks are nothing to gloss over if you see someone experiencing one. I seem to have a sense for them in others, seeing they are not foreign to me. So I will step out of my own anxiety and figuratively reach out to that person. Sometimes just knowing there is someone who understands and will be in your corner, even for a few minutes, can make the difference. I hope you can repeat the dinner soon, and have a more positive experience.
Ginger

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@gingerw- As soon as this virus is under control around the country I will definitely venture out to dinner again. I got an email from my doctor saying to keep away from all crowded areas, and not super markets!

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 6, 2020

@merpreb Hey guys I get my food and meds delivered from Walmart food 35.00 free delivery

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@merpreb Hey guys I get my food and meds delivered from Walmart food 35.00 free delivery" + (show)
@lioness

@merpreb Hey guys I get my food and meds delivered from Walmart food 35.00 free delivery

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@lioness- Hi Linda. What is the $35.00 for?

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@lioness- Hi Linda. What is the $35.00 for?" + (show)
@merpreb

@lioness- Hi Linda. What is the $35.00 for?

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@merpreb Food then free delivery ,sorry should have explained better

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Mar 16, 2020
In reply to @auntieoakley "Being the person who is there always is certainly a mixed blessing isn’t it. I feel..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

Being the person who is there always is certainly a mixed blessing isn’t it. I feel you now. I am sending a prayer up now for you and your daughter.

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Hi, @auntieoakley - just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and wondering how you are doing lately?

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Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Mar 16, 2020

Thank you, just feeling exhausted and isolated. I lurk a little now and then, but question my own judgment for writing helpful comments at this time.

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