Ideas, please.

[jackmt]

I am editing the OP because we now have a topic: sensory issues and aids. What do you do when you are in sensory overload? Can you identify it coming on? How? What are your sensory triggers? etc.

 

[dayhiker]

I mostly respond to posts, only occasionally do I start threads.

 

[LovedSparrow]

Hi Jackmt,
I've found that also to be true. It seems like we only comment on a few things and then I hear crickets chirping.

I think just a thread of how you live day to day would help me...

How you deal with being in the workforce...

How you learn life skills if you missed them growing up. (especially if you were just diagnosed).

Anything to talk about would be great. Why don't you start a thread on something you're interested in? We can see what we can do.

LovedSparrow

 

[jackmt]

Something that's been coming up frequently in my Aspie support group is sensory problems and what can be done about them. Let's try that.

I have found that when my system gets overloaded, if I lay down and put a heavy Memory-Foam pillow over my face for about 10 minutes, I reset my system for about 4 hours. My dog needs pressure contact as much as I do, it seems. And she knows when I need it. She leans against me and forgets to support herself and so collapses onto me. I think her name should be 'Eileen.' When I am tense and can't relax, she will often press her head against mine and force it down to the pillow. She even once pressed her cheek to my lips as if to shut me up once when I was about to get myself into trouble with my words. I think God sent her to me.

What difficulties do you have and how do you handle them?

 

[LovedSparrow]

"Eileen" Love it! She does sound like a gift to you! God knew exactly who you needed! How long has she been in your family? I swear, animals have 7 senses sometimes!!

I am a cashier, and when I am overloaded, I tend to smile. A LOT. Probably creepy-ish to others. I speak in a real high voice and can't think or process conversations. I can take them in, but I don't know what to say back so I smile and say, "Oh, ok," a lot. It's awkward. I get very frightened and just go on 'robot' mode to get through. I get very quiet.

When at home and I'm stressed, I rock. I don't know if anyone else has done this but since a kid, I would lay flat on my stomach and hit my head on the pillow, it was soothing since it is like rocking. I rock while listening to music. My cousin did it too.

I also like to sit and rock when I'm reading or watching t.v.

I also need to look at the ground when I'm overloaded, not make eye contact. I have PTSD so open places, when I'm overwhelmed, are very difficult.

Good post idea.

What does everyone else do? I'm curious to see what helps you.

 

[jackmt]

"Eileen" Love it! She does sound like a gift to you! God knew exactly who you needed! How long has she been in your family? I swear, animals have 7 senses sometimes!!

I am a cashier, and when I am overloaded, I tend to smile. A LOT. Probably creepy-ish to others. I speak in a real high voice and can't think or process conversations. I can take them in, but I don't know what to say back so I smile and say, "Oh, ok," a lot. It's awkward. I get very frightened and just go on 'robot' mode to get through. I get very quiet.

When at home and I'm stressed, I rock. I don't know if anyone else has done this but since a kid, I would lay flat on my stomach and hit my head on the pillow, it was soothing since it is like rocking. I rock while listening to music. My cousin did it too.

I also like to sit and rock when I'm reading or watching t.v.

I also need to look at the ground when I'm overloaded, not make eye contact. I have PTSD so open places, when I'm overwhelmed, are very difficult.

Good post idea.

What does everyone else do? I'm curious to see what helps you.

We adopted Sassy a couple months ago. She is a 7 yr. old boxer who lives up to her name. Our dog of 10 yrs had to be put down because of cancer earlier this year. She was a great one too.

Sounds a lot like me. Except I tend to rock my legs instead of my whole body. My parents probably wouldn't let me rock in public. Rocking to rock music: what a concept! Why didn't I think of that? Oh. I was into classical.

Anyway, this just demonstrates what everybody ought to know by now: "Autistic Kids Rock!"

 

[dayhiker]

Jack - What dog is a blessing from God for sure ... thanks for sharing.

 

[jackmt]

Moderator:

Can you change the title of this thread to "Sensory Issues" please? Thanks.

 

[Letter Never Sent]

When I get overwhelmed I get real quiet and have a strong desire to get away, but I've found from experience that I won't have any peace anywhere I go so I just stay put and try to deal with the situation.

 

[dayhiker]

I'm like you Letter ... I don't leave, I figure I got to stay and learn from the experience. But I do get quiet. I can't think of what to say .. if I do say something I get loader than I should be.

But by staying engaged as much as I can I have learned to deal with way more situations than when I was young. But I forget to ask some questions that I should ask. (I'm a landlord) So I find I have to enter back into the situation again and ask the questions I didn't remember to ask the 1st time.

 

[MediocrityInAction]

I tend to cope relatively well with situations of sensory overload. Loud social situations such as crowded bars (not my ideal haunt) are generally the only ones which set me off. My standard coping mechanism is usually to try and focus on a repetitive audio beat in the music for as long as I can. This is difficult, as my hearing is somewhat hypersensitive. Imagine the concentration overload from having to follow half a dozen conversations in a crowded environment without being able to dismiss them as white noise. Usually, I put up with it for an hour or so before being able to gracefully bow out and go home.