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eleventhirtytwo
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25 Aug 2015, 10:11 am

Is it possible for your Autism to "regress" as a result of isolation (as an adult)? I've not had the same contact as I used to with other people (such as friends) for about 2-3 years and I feel like my Autism has been getting worse as a result?

This includes a decline in social skills/language, decline in executive function, increased frequency of sensory overload as well as a noticeable increase in stimming (I thought I had left rocking in the past... I always feel like people are going to think I'm crazy if they see me rocking).

Is this some sort of regression or is it a result of my old coping mechanisms breaking down as a result of increased anxiety/stress from life events (including the transition into adulthood)?



Kiriae
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25 Aug 2015, 10:48 am

You forget/lose skills which you don't use. Thats true for both NT and ASD people.

But it can be related to the transition to adulthood as well. We can experience regression during times of change.

http://archive.autistics.org/library/more-autistic.html



Crazyfool
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25 Aug 2015, 10:55 am

eleventhirtytwo wrote:
Is it possible for your Autism to "regress" as a result of isolation (as an adult)? I've not had the same contact as I used to with other people (such as friends) for about 2-3 years and I feel like my Autism has been getting worse as a result?

This includes a decline in social skills/language, decline in executive function, increased frequency of sensory overload as well as a noticeable increase in stimming (I thought I had left rocking in the past... I always feel like people are going to think I'm crazy if they see me rocking).

Is this some sort of regression or is it a result of my old coping mechanisms breaking down as a result of increased anxiety/stress from life events (including the transition into adulthood)?


Yes from what I have experienced at least. I've been caught in a rut the last few months and been isolating a lot more then usual and I've noticed my sensory problems are WAY more troubling.



SocOfAutism
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25 Aug 2015, 11:52 am

I can imagine going to a mall would be terrifying if I hadn't gone for years. And I'm NT. We get used to things and don't notice how stressful they would be if we hadn't gotten used to them.

You might want to work your way up to things that you know you're going to have to do, like baby step it. Do a little one day, then a little more the next, until it's tolerable.

Keep working at the things you want to be able to do/tolerate. Just let go of the things you're not interested in and don't need to do. Like for example I mentioned a mall. You probably wouldn't need to go to big place with many stores. Just work up to going to a small store and order things online so you won't be overwhelmed. Just have one or two human relationships, not 10. Get a cat or a dog. Just small stuff.



Anachron
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25 Aug 2015, 2:19 pm

Kiriae wrote:
http://archive.autistics.org/library/more-autistic.html
This was good.
Thank you.



TheCoolStoryBro
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25 Aug 2015, 10:51 pm

My Autism seems to have most likely "regressed" from what I can tell. I've been extremely isolated for about 6 years. My social skills are absolutely not as good as they used to be, and my language skills are sinking a lot also. I have zero executive functioning from what I can tell, everything is automatic. I get sensory overloads very easily and more often than before. I suppose I'm probably stimming more since I only stim when I'm alone. My anxiety and stress is higher than it has ever been in my life.



Dantac
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25 Aug 2015, 10:57 pm

eleventhirtytwo wrote:
Is it possible for your Autism to "regress" as a result of isolation (as an adult)? I've not had the same contact as I used to with other people (such as friends) for about 2-3 years and I feel like my Autism has been getting worse as a result?

This includes a decline in social skills/language, decline in executive function, increased frequency of sensory overload as well as a noticeable increase in stimming (I thought I had left rocking in the past... I always feel like people are going to think I'm crazy if they see me rocking).

Is this some sort of regression or is it a result of my old coping mechanisms breaking down as a result of increased anxiety/stress from life events (including the transition into adulthood)?


I've found isolation decreases my tolerance for BS and stupidity. That apparently makes it harder to deal with other people.