Autism and Homelessnes

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Sorry I overreacted, I just got upset. That is how important my security is for me. If I was to lose my securities, I would literally die of fright. I'm just hoping that if there was to come a time where I might become homeless there would be professional people to talk to and support me and make sure I have a home. I'm not some hardy man who somehow survives the cold living on the streets and is happy getting high on drugs or drunk on alcohol to escape. I am a timid wimpy female who wouldn't last 5 minutes living out on the streets, especially in the city where I live. Literally the thought of that really panics me.

I was waiting for kraftiekortie to post in this thread, as he's always understanding and tells me things aren't as bad as they seem, which does reassure me.
I suppose I do have family that will take me in should things get that bad, but I'm worrying more about me becoming homeless when I'm in my fifties or sixties, and by then I won't have many family members left and I'm scared I'll be all alone and uncared about. I suppose I shouldn't spend my happy days worrying about my life in 30-40 years time because you never know what's around the corner. I could win millions on the lottery tomorrow. Who knows?

I believe, once you turn 60 in the UK, that you're pretty much guaranteed a home. Even when one is younger, a home is much more guaranteed for a person in the UK than in the US. I also believe you get free transport on local trains and buses, too, at age 60. And discounts on the railways.

There's lots of things I over react to and get paranoid of to the point where I'm physically ill.

Krafti always knows just the right thing to say.

Definitely a different story here in the States. We are so wrapped up in rugged individualism....we often forget the help we got along the way.

Homeless people can easily be the same families that lived on your street. This can and does happen to respectable folks.

We of all people should know that.

From my own personal experience, I've found that about 1/3rd of the homeless people I've encountered have a touch of autism, some more so than others. Also, amongst us, there were schizophrenics and people with all different kinds of mental health issues. These problems, combined with drunk and alcohol abuse, have kept a lot of us on the streets.


One interesting condition I've recognized many times on the streets is anosognosia - someone being unaware of their own mental health condition. This prevents them from seeking help, reinforcing the condition that their living situation is okay.


That said, there are many reasons why people end up homeless and just as many reasons why some stay that way forever. I didn't think my last bout of homelessness would last for five years, but it did. If anyone wants to come in here on their high horse and say I was a fool or stupid or whatever for being homeless, or would have done things differently, that's their prerogative. They haven't walked in my shoes and they should be glad they didn't.

Fnord, sometimes s**t happens to nice people....so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Doesn't surprise me. In order to not become homeless as an autistic person is to be privileged. Have middle class parents or high class parents and have parents who are understanding and will support you financially if you ever hit hard times. And you will have a place to live or have parents who will send you money for your bills until you get a new job or get your Social Security sorted out.

Realistic planning to stay housed is good, but worry is like praying for something bad to happen. We can't see better possibilities without some optimism. There is still luck in the world - a guy who I thought was headed for a disaster was offered a new place when I wasn't, but I got lucky with an inheritance around then.
BTW, a landlady who lives on-site can be anything from a major asset to an impossible problem, and can flip if you make new friends. You become a surrogate child if she knows you at all.