Hello @actuallyautistic friends! My next article is about managing autistic meltdowns: how autistic people can manage our meltdowns safely, and affirming ways our loved ones can support us.) If you're comfortable, please drop quotes here, and indicate how I should refer to you in the piece if I use your quote. You can also drop them on my contact form (resiliencymentalhealth.com/contact/) if you want to share but prefer not to post it on the internet connected to your account. #ActuallyAutistic
@dramypsyd@actuallyautistic I'm still learning how this looks for me, usually it takes the form of crying, overwhelm+difficulty communicating. I noticed I need people to not be in my face with talking/questions & not touch me/rub my arm or back or hug me unless I am calm enough to consent (& want that). I usually can't communicate this in the situation best would be if they can remove me from the situation, leave people/noise/smells, lay me down in a darkened room, shield me from other people.
@dramypsyd@actuallyautistic
I think one of the most important things, is actually recognising the signs of a meltdown. You may not be able to stop it entirely, but you might be able to mitigate it somewhat.
As a child my meltdowns were almost entirely missed, because the stress of them would trigger a massive asthma attack. The asthma was obviously remembered, especially the ones where I ended up being hospitalised, but not what caused it. But it did make my parents vigilant to the signs that I was getting stressed out, or overwhelmed and act accordingly
@Susan60@dramypsyd@actuallyautistic
Asthma was just something I've always known. It is simply a fact of my life. When it's all you've known, well I wouldn't say it's nice, but you learn to adapt.
That it concealed the meltdowns, even from me, is something I've had to realise. It's the reason why, when I first realised I could be autistic I didn't think I had meltdowns at all. Only looking back did I see it and realuse why I am able to, if not control them entirely, at least be able to shut them down so quickly. Because I basically shut myself down.
It's amazing what you can learn to do when the choice is otherwise perhaps dying.
Add comment