Autism

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Ness Sep 2023 7:21pm, 1 Sep 2023 33,991 posts	0 Ness Sorry you're having a bad day, jelly
JK chameleon Sep 2023 7:40pm, 21 Sep 2023 17,897 posts	0 JK chameleon Question, please! I'm undiagnosed but presumed on the spectrum (probably what used to be Asbergers). I've recently noticed that things that aggravate my senses (bright/flashing lights, strange smells, touch) have been a little chaotic - things that would normally aggravate me suddenly not doing, and at other times being more irked by things (especially smells) Is this a normal thing for there to be some ebb and flow with triggers? I've resolved to push again for some assessment next time I see my GP - I think having some clarity will help me both personally and professionally...
1step2far Sep 2023 8:48pm, 21 Sep 2023 7,463 posts	0 1step2far Yes certainly ebb and flow. For me depends how tired I am, what job I'm doing and what I've been doing recently. Some days I can move mountains. Some days the label in my shirt bugs me so much I can't get anything done.
RunnyBunny Sep 2023 9:09pm, 21 Sep 2023 1,394 posts	0 RunnyBunny Same here. If I'm tired or have been doing a lot of people-ing, it's worse. Too much sensory stuff makes me tired, then I cope less well with sensory stuff.
Raemond Sep 2023 9:16pm, 21 Sep 2023 10,882 posts	0 Raemond Classic spoon situation for me; when I'm low or out of spoons everything is too much. Then I have to use sporks, which are almost as useful as spoons but with extra stabbiness (and who gets stabbed is a lottery).
JK chameleon Sep 2023 9:55pm, 21 Sep 2023 17,899 posts	0 JK chameleon Thanks, that's really reassuring!
tulip Sep 2023 11:14pm, 22 Sep 2023 648 posts	0 tulip Yes. The busier life gets, the more things aggravate, irritate, or annoy me, and the more likely I am to go into 'flop and freeze' mode. But once I get going, I can do more work in 2 hours than some people do in 2 days! And it's always 'little' things like ticking clocks or high pitched ring tones or other noises that really get to me. Some days I manage to tune them out, other days I feel like destroying the clock or thing that rings!
halfpint Sep 2023 9:08am, 23 Sep 2023 40,063 posts	0 halfpint I bought some flare ear thingys recently to try and filter out the annoying noises a bit. I like that they take the edge off rather than block sound entirely.
Flatlander Sep 2023 10:27am, 23 Sep 2023 2,912 posts	0 Flatlander Do you mean these halfpint ? flareaudio.com I currently use DIY ear defenders e.g. screwfix.com to block out noises, but while they work, they are uncomfortable to wear for long periods and when I eventually take them off everything seems extremely loud because my brain has adjusted to the quieter environment, plus I can't wear them in bed. Thanks halfpint, I'll give them a go and see if they help with my particular sensory stimulating noises. It might be that just dulling the noise won't be enough for me, but hopefully they will.
Flatlander Sep 2023 10:29am, 23 Sep 2023 2,913 posts	0 Flatlander JamieKai I'd never really noticed any ebb and flow to my sensory stimulation, but thinking about it I probably am, although possibly not to the extent that others are - perhaps I'm just grateful for the relief when I'm not being badly affected.