Coping skills for young teen.

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Hi,

I’m not autistic but I’m in a situation where knowing this would be really helpful. What coping skills helped you as young teen? Meditation? Breathing exercises? Splashing cold water on your face as a reset? Disability accommodations-anything.

Also is there a way that is less stressful for you to talk about your current state instead of someone asking “how do you feel?”

Any experience and insight would be very much appreciated.

Didn't knew I was with Asperger's as a kid, but my coping mechanism was to get into manual activities. At first, it was building complex structures out of LEGO, then I had a phase with origami, drawing, as a teenager I've been making boomerangs out of plywood (with a hacksaw, file and sandpaper, no power tools). I was even doing stuff like making models out of modelling clay, I've once made a neat zombie from Half-Life. Focusing on manual tasks always gave me peace of mind other activities didn't.

I've never enjoyed sports and cannot understand what the hell people are talking about when they say that endorphin kick in and makes you happy while running. I hate running, it is wasteful (energy-wise) and inefficient way of movement. I do love inline skating, though. Living in big city, I have a huge area to explore. When I was younger I've put skates on almost every evening and did 20-30km rides. Nowadays, it is rarer, but I still do this from time to time. There's something calming in it for me.

I very much do not like being in the crowds and yet, when I am on skates this goes away, because I move (much) faster than everyone else who is walking. It feels a bit like invincibility spell, giving me a soothing feeling that I can outrun anybody, that I am in contact with others just for a blink of an eye, that no one can stop me and start talking to me (which I dislike). Skating allows me to be among people without really getting into contact with them. Plus, I just love how lights play on buildings, the atmosphere of city at night. By far, for me this is the best way to "fix my head" if I am dealing with some issues. It always brings me clarity of thoughts.

There was one time when I got my skates on for 13 hours straight. Been riding around city, collecting some stuff, had a meeting with someone, organising stuff, goofing around with a group of skaters I've maintained a loose contact with. Got back home at 3 AM, was super energised even though, overall, I was in a pretty bad situation when it came to my finances, relationship, studies and employment. Everything was falling apart, I had nightmares and trouble sleeping, but that night I've slept like a baby.

Next day, my muscles ached so much, I couldn't bend my legs in knees