Sharing what helps with Autism

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Im not saying it doesn t help some people - just that it can be damaging and Ive not really came across much before now to suggest that there is a favourable benefit/risk profile for using it in any condition.

I really appreciate the response, there may be some role for it in the medical treatment of some conditions though smoked cannabis isn't the way forward -

NTs get in trouble with the law frequently, suppose its worse for someone with Asperger's or another autistic spectrum disorder to be interrogated by police. it could invoke a lot of stress, meltdown in some people etc and the police probably have little or no training in helping people on the spectrum.

I'm still not settled down totally by the question, does having a diagnosis (or knowing you have AS) help when you are an adult? I guess it does, in the long term, but I'm not convinced right now, I feel I've lost my faith in myself quite seriously.

I think that there are so many people on the autistic spectrum that society has no idea how common Autism is - it may be beneficial for society to know how common autism really is.

Regarding an autism diagnosis, and it being helpful - there isnt a lot of help available from what I understand to people with Asperger's or other Autistic Spectrum Disorders unless they are profoundly affected.

I think the most important thing is to have knowledge about you and how any impairment in social interaction affects you [autism or not] - so you can make consious efforts to compensate such as in social communication with others, asking people to be as specific as possible and thinking ahead to what information would be helpful for someone to know in advance, such as a change in plans.

My registration with the professional body which I need to practice as a healthcare professional got delayed by say 2 or 3 months because I declared Asperger's syndrome to the professional body - yet Im minimally affected and the uncertainty of not knowing if the registration would go through was horrible.

Other thing is dont be rude - Ive met some people with Autism and they have been rude eg talking behind my back and making inappropriate comments, others have been some of the nicest and most genuine people I know.

Society stigmatises mental health conditions,

Two things that help me keep anxiety at bay as much as possible in social situations included my tinted glasses (they need to be on before the anxiety kicks in, not after) and a belt round the chest (this is usually deployed or tightened when anxiety increases).

The reason for the belt is that it provides strong pressure, pressure that I don't habituate to because breathing causes it to perpetually tighten and loosen, and pressure that I am in full control of (deep breath = very tight, and the belt itself can be tightened or loosened accordingly too).

Acceptance helps me out a lot. If I know that I'm accepted, than I feel more welcome by the general population. If another person isn't willing to accept me as I am, well it's goodbye and have a good life, to them.

Things that have helped me with aspergers. May or may not be helpful for autism.

1. Rehearsing situations in my head: Thinking about what will happen and having expected outcomes really helps me to calm down and do things that I would otherwise avoid. However this comes with a warning: Nothing ever turns out quite as expected, so try not to stress out when it doesn't turn out "right" A great general once said "plans are nothing, but planning is everything" Thinking through situations before they arise may help you to deal with other things that happen, even if it wasn't at the expected time.

2. Knowing my boundaries, yet getting out of my comfort zone: Not doing something because you are scared or anxious about it is not a good reason. Give something a few tries before you knock it, even if you don't like it at first. I dislike *everything* new, but there are some things that I didn't like at first which I have come to enjoy immensely. That being said, if I am getting too stressed in a situation, then I know I need to go somewhere where I can relax. Repeating a bit of memorized poetry in my head also helps.

3. Write things down: Conversations, rants about yourself, explanations... write them down. I know for me, for about three or four months when I was first trying to be social, I didn't say anything that I hadn't written down first. This is partially because I am naturally nonverbal so don't have anything to say, and partially because if I had already written something down I could say it with ease and didn't have to spend time thinking about how it would sound or if it would be ok to say, ect. However, just like #1, remember that things don't always go as planned. I still wrote down everything about myself and used it when I thought it was applicable in conversations.

4. Don't be afraid to stim: It makes things so much better. However, figuring out creative ways to do it with no one noticing can help if you are self conscious. I usually scratch my arm if I am uncomfortable, or something like that.

5. Figure out creative ways to be more comfortable in a situation: Pillows are a favorite for me, I've noticed. And I don't mean for sleeping on. If there is a couch with pillows near by, I will always have a pillow in my lap and "hide" behind it. Having a barrier helps me, and probably helps for the compression thing too. Sitting or standing in corners or with my back to a wall also helps in crazy situations because I know nothing is going on behind me so it eliminates that source of confusing stimulation. Doodling also helps me concentrate, so I do that a lot, especially when I'm not keen on looking anyone in the eye.

6. Observe: I pretty much spent a semester just observing people at my social group and coming up with a list in my mind of what they did and didn't do. Observation of people's actions and reactions in all sorts of situations has helped me. I usually "parrot" their responses if something similar happens to me.

7. Down time: Always have time set aside to go hide from everyone and just do your thing.

About marijuana:

1. It seems to me that the increase in the risk of depression would be more worrisome to autistics than the development of schizophrenia, since autistics are already at high risk of depression. (Edit: This also applies, on both sides, to anxiety)

2. NTs can talk themselves out of trouble much more easily than autistics.

As to what helps with autism?

Don't hate yourself for who you are. That's where 90% of the problem lies.

Pushing my boundaries, gently. I'll second that, strongly. I adopted a new definition for success: Success is doing what I said I would do, with ease. I take care with what I say I will do, but go ahead and do it even if I have to overcome some discomfort.

Cannabis giveth and it taketh away. I wouldn't recommend nor condemn it, but I would caution against using it obsessively or robotically. Right now, I've stopped using it, and I'm really enjoying the contrast. I've also enjoyed the contrast when I'd previously stopped, then picked it up again. Never invoke anything you can't banish.

A comment on shyness. I decided for a while that I was a superior being, and came off as an arrogant jerk. Regaining a little shyness has made me easier to handle for the NT-ish.

As I said, for some people, it may have the opposite effect. For the majority, though, it would increase depression when not high.

(And, while I'm not saying this is what is happening, I can't help but wondering if the addictive effects is just producing an illusion of lessened depression. You'd be surprised how easy it is to be fooled by addictive effects, which is another reason to use caution when approaching cannabis)

Personally, I have issues with most drugs. I don't even like taking aspirin. I only will if the pain absolutely stops me from doing anything and I can't get rid of it any other way (self-massage, energy focus, etc).

Edit: This has nothing to do with side effects or anything. The reason is ineffable, so don't even bother trying.