Autism

It was suggested to us that we appeared to have Autistic traits. There are a few obvious ones - Being awkward socially at the best of times, we always had trouble when carrying out conversations wih more than one person. How do you know when to speak? Do you just interrupt when you have something to say? Would interrupting be rude? One-to-One conversations are so much easier. You simply speak when the other person stops! If they do not stop then it is not a conversation, it is a monologue or a lecture.

We stuggle with change. Anything that changes our routine, can be distressing for us. From something silly like going to bed late to a major change in our life such as starting a new job. So many times we have missed out on the end of a good film becuse it was bedtime and we *had* to go to bed. Even a positive experience like going on holiday can be daunting, just because it represents a huge change to our daily routine.

Meltdowns, which may appear like a tantrum to someone who does not understand what is going on, are something that we sometimes have to cope with. It is a situation where we get to a point where we simply cannot cope and lose control. There may be an aspect of being multiple here and with one individual in particular. We are not sure whether they are having the meltdown or provoking it. The aftermath is usually a lot of feelings of depression, anguish and guilt.

These are just a few 'headline' things to ponder as we begin to reflect and consider the issue. There is more to it than the above and it is something that we are lookin deeper into. Understanding the what, how and why can help us to cope better.

April 2024