Question For Those With AUTISM LFA MFA HFA

Post Reply New Topic

So familiar! But 10 minutes? That's decisive! I've spent an hour walking around a neighborhood just because I couldn't decide on, or got distracted from deciding on, which of two or three restaurants to eat at. Or I've simply missed a meal because, by the time I actually committed to eating, it was too late and I had to be somewhere.

Oh, my! Me too!

I am an Aspie or HFA and have overcome most of the difficulties faced by Aspies.

I make lists, especially when I want to not forget something to pick up at the stores.

At work I used write boards to break down tasks into subtask and prioritize the subtask and identify potential roadblocks. It allowed me to multitask efficiently.

One tool I found very useful was using clear plastic envelopes to hold individual projects. Refer to Premium Envelope Wiekyze Poly Envelope 12 Pcs Plastic Document Envelopes with Snap Button Quality Clear Document Folder for A4 Size as an example.

So I generally would store all the material for a project within one plastic envelope. It was see-through so I could easily figure out which envelope I needed to access. Thus a mountain of papers on my desk would condense down to a pile of easily sorted envelopes. Everything I needed was right at my fingertips and I could find the proper envelope in seconds. This was really a most excellent organizational tool.

At work, many people began copying this approach.

I have middle functioning autism and I do struggle with daily life stuff that my non autistic siblings dont. I also have a younger brother with high functioning autism. He struggles with different things than I do though.

I dislike showering but I like how my hair feels afterward. I have sensory issues with it. The sound of the water is loud. I sometimes get stuff in my eyes and it upsets me.

Getting dressed is something I like because I like being able to choose what I wear. I struggle with buttons, belts and shoe laces though. My parents get frustrated when I wear button down shirts because it means one of them has to help me with it, or pants with belts because I need help with doing the belt up and then I sometimes want to change my outfit afterwards. My parents or aide tie my shoes because its faster that way. I practice but its hard for my fingers. People think Im lazy.

I wish I could cook. I can only cook microwaveable stuff. Im not allowed to be in the kitchen unsupervised because I am not always aware of my surroundings or I lose focus. I have cooked pasta and baked cookies though with some help.

My other siblings sometimes have more freedom than I do. I wish I could have more freedom. 2 of them moved out. I go out in public alot. I like the library. I have went shopping before at the grocery store for my parents. I struggle with that because I get overwhelmed and the social part of it is scary. I go with my older sister. She wants to help me. Ordering at restaurants is tricky for me, it takes me a while to say stuff and sometimes other people take over because they want me to hurry up so they can order.

I dont know how I will ever gain the independence I want.

Enclsoed is a (LINK at the bottom of this post) to an agency which seems "ahead of the curve" regrading the concerns of adults on the Autism Spectrum (AANE).

This agency (outside of Boston) holds seminars on such issues as 'executive functioning' (as discussed in the original post on scheduling, prioritizing tasks, etc.), seminars on navigating, and finding the right public, non-profit, and private resources for services, as well as seminars on concerns for older adults over age-55.

By signing-up for AANE, they will send emails on upcoming seminars. Many of us concerned with the Autism spectrum hope that Autism resource providers can learn best practices from AANE.

LINK: AANE https://www.aane.org/

I manage alright.

The stuff that only happens once in a while I struggle with. Like getting haircuts, but daily stuff is fine.

Bumping-up discussion thread; as many discussions relate to executive functioning.

I have HFA. If something changes in what I have as a plan it can freak me out. I have to get certain things done at times to feel good like brush my teeth or have my clothes a certain way. If I miss something, I may get very anxious.
But, right now, I am smelling smoke in my apartment. Something like this affects me so bad. I taped over every vent with duct tape and put a fan in the window blowing out. But, I also get sucidial/homicidal over things like this.
Thus, me trying desperately not to loose my 3 and a half month old son.
I may be without an apartment soon. My case managers screwed up in the process of trying to move me to another. I may have to go to a shelter. I hope my son and I get the help we need soon. I've been contacting people like crazy. Even DCS.

To clear the air, you need a source of fresh air to come in as the smoke is blown out. If the smoke is not outside, opening a second window far from the fan will move fresh air in. However, if the smoke is inside, it might be better to leave with a few essentials.