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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Could shyness be just a way to "mask" autism? |
SharonB |
Posted: 04 Aug 2024, 3:32 pm
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Replies: 11 Views: 1,663
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Yes. At 50 I was surprised when a new friend observed --- you were so quiet at first, but you're a firecracker. Ah, yes. I must have been shelling out "doses" of myself so I figure out who can "tolerate" it (ableism) and then when I find that person or group, I'm free(r)! !! ! |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Having Lots of Kids as Autistic Parent? |
SharonB |
Posted: 04 Aug 2024, 3:30 pm
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Replies: 9 Views: 942
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I have two children and that is sufficient for me and I needed my spouse to be a full co-parent. In fact, he's now primary parent because I took a new job and it's using my energy. Could we have had more children? Yes, but we'd need to have systems and allocate our limited energy accordingly. It was... |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Have you managed autistic traits successfully? |
SharonB |
Posted: 04 Aug 2024, 3:19 pm
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Replies: 11 Views: 861
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Stage of life thing. I developed skills, I masked, I burnt out. Now I am "unmasking" - what a relief. Like everything - mask enough to make others comfortable enough and -new to me- unmask enough so that I am comfortable. Like the PP, I was working so very hard (masking). Can I "manag... |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Taking Breaks |
SharonB |
Posted: 31 Jul 2024, 10:36 pm
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Replies: 3 Views: 497
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I am a "successful" professional in my 50s. That said, I also see that most others "do more" than me in terms of regular tasks. I attribute that in part to the fact that I am processing large amounts of data (sensory and informational) that they don't have to. My happy place is a... |
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Forum: Women's Discussion Topic: Dumb Blonde Jokes |
SharonB |
Posted: 31 Jul 2024, 10:06 pm
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Replies: 13 Views: 1,056
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I was strawberry blonde and now dark blonde - no blonde jokes for me. That said, a good friend of mine is bleach blonde and I printed off the only blonde joke I found funny and she put it up in her office. I wish I remembered what it was. It was a blonde joke making fun of blonde jokes. ![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif) |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Do you think autistic people constantly need reminders? |
SharonB |
Posted: 31 Mar 2024, 12:22 pm
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Replies: 12 Views: 5,583
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I'm ASD/ADHD and so not sure how much is which. I "live in the moment" and can forget something in an instant. I'll agree to do something and within 5 seconds see something and forget what I was wholeheartedly intent on doing. My kids are nice about it: "Mom, did you...?" Me: &qu... |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Clueless on what to do |
SharonB |
Posted: 31 Mar 2024, 12:15 pm
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Replies: 6 Views: 896
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My BFF and I didn't hit our stride until our 30s and we've done well since then. At your age I was homeless - it was my birthday and I cried so hard. Fast forward 20 years and it's a world of difference better. Hang in there. Wishing you find the job/situation that fits you and/or that it finds you!... |
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Forum: Women's Discussion Topic: Trauma from Existence of Menstruation |
SharonB |
Posted: 29 Mar 2024, 8:55 pm
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Replies: 7 Views: 4,376
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I'm constantly telling my spouse: I have Autism and periods!! !! !! !! !! !! ! And frankly the periods are worse. I don't have contempt for them, but I really, really, really don't like the pain, uncertainty and complications that go along with them. Life is hard enough to manage and throw in monthl... |
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Forum: Women's Discussion Topic: A really weird menopause symptom? |
SharonB |
Posted: 29 Mar 2024, 8:44 pm
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Replies: 13 Views: 4,629
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I have been having internal tremors for 20 months now. Mine were triggered by COVID, which also disrupted my menstrual cycle for six months. Relevant for me, I read studies that confirm that Long COVID (or boosters) and internal tremors are a thing and disproportionately affect women ages 40-60. My ... |
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Forum: Women's Discussion Topic: Do you hide your gender? |
SharonB |
Posted: 29 Mar 2024, 8:32 pm
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Replies: 11 Views: 4,905
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I'm what one called a "tomboy" back in the day. In college I avoided feminine clothing. I still do to some degree, but I think it's mostly protective (don't want to attract negative attention). That said, I don't meet the slew of female standards. I consider myself female but don't "f... |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: I got a medical alert bracelet disclosing my diagnosis |
SharonB |
Posted: 01 Feb 2024, 10:35 pm
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Replies: 18 Views: 5,739
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The most discombobulated I have ever been was on the subway in Washington DC. I began to get very, extremely overloaded by all the motions and lights, etc. I was still in a state for like 20 minutes after getting off! I remember thinking people probably thought I was on drugs cuz that was the most ... |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: I got a medical alert bracelet disclosing my diagnosis |
SharonB |
Posted: 31 Jan 2024, 12:58 pm
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Replies: 18 Views: 5,739
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If I'm ever questioned about it by a medical professional, I guess I will just tell them that it means I need direct communication (no beating around the bush) and that I am prone to sensory overload and that some medical equipment may affect that Like this. :!: I have difficulty paring it all down... |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Early autism diagnosis=no personality |
SharonB |
Posted: 27 Jan 2024, 9:21 pm
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Replies: 13 Views: 5,112
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Oh, I was thinking about my DNA testing. I'm an American "mutt" (as they say here). A person can look at me and see the Swedish and western European (but probably not the eastern European too much, my sister manifested that, as well as OCD). My point being that I have traits from all these... |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Early autism diagnosis=no personality |
SharonB |
Posted: 27 Jan 2024, 6:44 am
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Replies: 13 Views: 5,112
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I get it. I am told I was happy and energetic as a child then when I started school (socializing) that changed. So as an adult I am still by default happy, energetic and loud and then relative to social misunderstandings I am quiet, anxious and depressed. I am ASD/ADHD. My ADHD son and I are express... |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Autism ID/Car Insurance Issues |
SharonB |
Posted: 27 Jan 2024, 6:29 am
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Replies: 4 Views: 4,514
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I don't have answers, but I am appalled if this is so. I saw the option in my state (to the west) and liked the theory but am also concerned about the practice. Let us know what you find out. |
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Forum: General Autism Discussion Topic: Autism & Adoption link? and other questions |
SharonB |
Posted: 24 Jan 2024, 2:46 pm
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Replies: 7 Views: 3,920
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Welcome to WP. Kudos to you for posting. My Autistic mother was in foster care until she emancipated. I think one link could be that neurodiverse (ND) parents didn't/don't have sufficient awareness nor support. My likely Autistic grandmother wanted to work but was told to forget (1930s) and her ment... |
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