Tips for Traveling Without Usual Caregiver?
I'm on the more severe end of the spectrum and rarely go anywhere without my mother even though I'm in my mid-twenties. Next week, I'm traveling 2 hours by medical transportation with my dad to go to his surgery and will be waiting for him in the hospital for several more. I'm very nervous because:
1) Going places without my mom and using medical transportation are both unfamiliar and thus scary.
2) Buses trigger my PTSD.
3) My dad is a jerk. (Fortunately, the ride is very early in the morning and he'll probably be asleep.)
4) Even so, I still don't like the idea of him being cut open.
5) I find it difficult to keep from going off into my own world, and the hospital is in a pretty bad neighborhood.
6) I'm very small, look about a decade younger than I am, and get leered at by men occasionally.
Here's what I plan on doing:
1) Bring my laptop, a book, and a video game so I don't get bored.
2) Bring my cell phone so I can call my mom if I need to and one of those personal alarms for safety.
3) Wear my pressure vest and keep a stuffed animal in my bag for comfort, and bring emergency tranquilizers in case I really have a fit.
4) Get up and walk around frequently to keep myself aware of my surroundings.
5) Bring extra money for food and coffee.
6) Maybe either dress less fancily than usual, or wear a suit so people will think I'm a drug rep?
Does anyone have any more advice? For those of you on the more severe end, is there anything you've learned from going out under unusual circumstances that you wish you had known beforehand? Thanks.
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I'm female; my username is a pun on "nickname."
Last edited by NicholasName on 15 Aug 2014, 5:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It seems that you have a great, well thought-out plan. Good luck and let us know how things go for you.
By the way, thanks for the tip about your screenname. Hehe. Nick Name.
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Diagnosed in 2015 with ASD Level 1 by the University of Utah Health Care Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic using the ADOS-2 Module 4 assessment instrument [11/30] -- Screened in 2014 with ASD by using the University of Cambridge Autism Research Centre AQ (Adult) [43/50]; EQ-60 for adults [11/80]; FQ [43/135]; SQ (Adult) [130/150] self-reported screening inventories -- Assessed since 1978 with an estimated IQ [≈145] by several clinicians -- Contact on WrongPlanet.net by private message (PM)
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am guessing are refering to severe aspergers as opposed to the actual end of the spectrum which needs accomodating differently /comes with very different needs and challenges.
am not sure if these are much use to adult aspies/HFAs but woud recommend the use of visual timelines on a PECS board or if have got a iphone/android phone/ipad/android tablet install autiplan; http://www.autiplan.com/ which is completely free [am a user of it but relie on a lo fi timeline currently until have got wifi set up to be able to sync the tablet] -with autiplan woud be able to plan a visual schedule for the day of his op which will give predictibility,routine and comfort.
bring a charger with the laptop if that wasnt in plans already,itll probably run down quickly if gaming,perhaps put some films or tv programs on it to keep self busy.
bring drinks/snacks from a cheap/value store,hospital food sucks including the prices.
get as much sleep as possible before the day because that will go towards helping anxiety.
bring ear plugs/ear defenders/headphones & music if have got hearing sensitivity because hospitals are very noisy places despite being for the sick/injured.
if have to come home early because are unable to cope theres nothing wrong with that,no point in staying there to long & becoming highly stressed-that coud also have an impact on his recovery to.
bringing some distracting sensory toys along might also help;koosh balls, glitter tubes etc.
what about jigsaws,are a fan of them? they coud help pass the time.
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Thank you to everyone who said my plan is good.
Keeping in mind why I'm going will definitely help. I think I'll write down some Bible verses about parents and psychology stuff about what compels me to be supportive and kind to people who won't necessarily appreciate it.
Researching the surgery will help, too. I'll print out and bring some information on it.
Eeeee, thank you so much! That AutiPlan looks amazing! I was indeed referring to severe Asperger's, but I'm one of those unusual cases with a lot of classic-autism-like traits that's probably part of why the DSM people lumped them all into autism spectrum disorder. Even though I have very advanced verbal skills, having pictures as well makes things seem more "real." Listing every step of a task in excruciating detail also helps me immensely even though I usually end up ignoring most of it. Just knowing it's there if I need it is very comforting. I'll definitely be getting a lot of use out of that program.
I was already planning on bringing chargers. A jigsaw puzzle might be good, but I think it would make my bag too heavy. I'll bring some sensory toys, too. I love glitter tubes.
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I'm female; my username is a pun on "nickname."
Last edited by NicholasName on 15 Aug 2014, 7:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.