What issues do you deal with?

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Okay, so this is a little similar to my other thread focusing on services for adults, but this thread isn't so much asking for suggestions for intervention but moreso asking what types of difficulties you have that you would want help with.

For instance, for myself I definitely have some immune system challenges. I would really love it if an autism center had immunologists who specialized in immune challenges more frequently associated with ASCs, rather than just a general allergist who treats a general population.

I also have learning disabilities; it'd be great if a local autism center had LD specialists who could help me better help myself in my job, figure out the accommodations I need, figure out ways I might be better able to accommodate myself, etc.

So anyways, those are my examples. What are some of the things you struggle with, medical, mental health, etc., that an autism center could possibly help with? You don't necessarily need to say how they could help (although don't be afraid to give suggestions!), but first and foremost we want to know what the needs of adult auties are.

Thanks for all the feedback!

What do immune system challenges have to do with autism?

I'm not an adult, but I'm in college, which is supposed to be part of the Adult World, even though it's apparently not part of the Real World...Anyway, I struggle with obsessive and compulsive tendencies, meltdowns, anxiety problems, and organization problems. All of these cause problems for me when I'm trying to excell in college.

I get really depressed in a way that is very painful but that won't necessarily lead to any lethal suicidal action. Unfortunately this depression burdens and as a result alienates even those closest to me and it's too big a deal to just go to a therapist twice a week for but too small an issue to be hospitalized for. And day treatment programs are just not specialized enough, I mean it causes extreme stress for me to have to meet a bunch of new people, all with their own issues that weigh on my own soul in addition to my own, and spend hours on end in windowless rooms under horrible artificial lights sitting uncomfortably listening to stuff that just doesn't convince me.

So I wish there was something more individually focussed and ASD-focused that was an intermediate support step for these times of depression when you just feel sick the way someone with pneumonia feels sick... feeling you have emotional support and are being "taken care of" by someone who understands your issues and has patience and genuine care at a time when you really need it in order to rebuild your emotional/psychic/physical reserves that have been depleted by depression/anixety/other issues is crucial but it's not easy to come by organically.

As with many with autism, I have sensory issues with bright lights, loud and/or repetitive noises, and touch. And like most here, I find socializing awkward. However I do not desire to socialize---I like my own world. I find eye contact challenging. I often get anxiety, and on occasion get a little depressed. I think in pictures, so I prefer directions (like putting something together) to have illustrations. I often get lost in a movie or book because of not getting things like sarcasm, figurative language, and other social clues. However, when I write a story, I often include figurative language. OCD is a comorbid I have with my autism. I also have executive dysfunction. There are other challenges/issues that I deal with, but these are the ones that came to mind tonight.

Now, I would like to add that I do not seek any help for these challenges at this time. I realize that this thread mentions things that we would want help for---but I do not want help for these. I have come to accept autism for its gifts to me along with its challenges. I accept autism in its complete package, and I do not want any changes at this time.

I should probably also clarify that "help" can also include teaching ways to better accommodate one's challenges. It doesn't necessarily need to mean "treatment" in the classic sense.

Anxiety, depression, executive planning, sensory issues and social skills.
I have had some help for some of the above -mental health and social stuff.
I am studying psychology as I am pretty independent and have always just worked stuff out myself rather than seeking formal help.
Executive planning issues are the next thing i am working on with myself and some sensory stuff.

Cool thread.

I'm not sure how common a problem these are, but some sort of assistance or help-line for things that normal adults seem to pick up by osmosis (or can use NT intuitions & abilities to help with, or have friends or others they can go to). So, if someone has no friends, siblings, etc., and/or have some learning disabilities, they'd have somewhere safe get information from.

* how to deal with complicated taxes
* understanding financial instruments
* how to plan and manage a funeral

(I never made much money before ending up on SSDI so my finances have always been very simple, but I will eventually inherit some financial stuff (middle-class level) from my parents. I've tried sitting down with my mother and having her explain it all very slowly, but the information just confuses me.)

* how to hire a contractor/plumber/mechanic and not get cheated (and also how to fire them)
* how to deal with a mechanic's lien
* how to take someone to small claims court
* how to find and hire (and fire) a lawyer

^ Things I could've used help with in the past.

AYEEE!

If I weren't so tired and in desperate need of going to bed, I would give you the list, but at least I can toss this into the mix:

It isn't what I deal with that's so much of a problem.

It's what I DON'T deal with. That's a pretty long list too. I'd list them, but as I said, I'm really tired....

and...

don't feel like dealing with it right now.

Heck, I just realized, that's probably the number one problem on the list!

1) Stuff I don't deal with...

(To be continued...









someday....


maybe...)

Sorry, I missed this before. There's a fair amount of research that suggests that some cases of ASC have co-occurrence of immune challenges, such as various autoimmune conditions, antibody deficiencies, abnormal T cell counts, not to mention the frequent GI disruption which may present with inflammation and various food intolerances.