How has autism impacted me?
Today I’m going to talk with Autism expert Tara Philips for her podcast. Tara is a speech/language pathologist with more than twenty years working with kids with Autism. I’m excited and a little nervous to share my experience in this way. I’m nervous because it’s personal, you know – putting myself out there. But I’m excited because hopefully my experience can help more people.
I was 53 when I was told I had Autism. If you follow my blog, you got to experience it right along with me. How did I get here?
A little over two years ago, I had a traumatic experience happen.
Anxiety has been a constant companion throughout my life.
I experience hyper-fixation, often becoming deeply engrossed in specific topics or activities.
Poor decisions have been a challenge, exacerbated by attempts to self-medicate with alcohol to alleviate anxiety.
Nostalgia frequently consumes me as I reflect on both positive and negative aspects of the past.
Stimming is a coping mechanism; my brain craves constant stimulation, making it difficult to focus solely on one task, even when watching a movie.
While initially believing I had attention deficit disorder, I’ve come to understand that my autism can manifest similarly, affecting my ability to maintain attention and focus.
Maintaining eye contact during conversations is a struggle for me.
Understanding humor can be elusive, often requiring explanations from my wife to grasp the punchline.
Social situations provoke significant anxiety for me.
Despite good intentions, I may come across as blunt, rude, or disinterested due to difficulties in social interaction.
Expressing my emotions verbally is challenging.
Literal interpretation is common; idioms and sarcasm can be confusing, and phrases like “break a leg” may puzzle me.
Routine is essential for me, and deviations from it can cause considerable distress.
Sleep disturbances are a frequent occurrence.
I possess a keen awareness of small details, patterns, smells, or sounds that often go unnoticed by others.