Most recent clinic visit and dealing with sensory overload

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Last week I went to the clinic I go to for the monthly procedure I have to have done, and ahead of time explained things to the nurse about my sensory issues and how it makes talking difficult. She told me whatever works to make things easier for me, would work fine.

So I went to the appointment already feeling overloaded and unable to really talk, but the nurse escorted me to the exam room and asked if I was non-verbal or could talk a little. I tried to talk but she quickly told me not to force it, and went ahead with the procedure explaining everything in simple terms I could process, and she and her assistant did an excellent job of sort of figuring out quickly what I needed or was trying to express simply from the gestures and sounds I was making.

It was a strange experience- I've always had the sensory issues but many times I've gone the other direction and ended up talking a lot and ending up not making sense and being really exhausted when dealing with being overloaded or not talking but also feeling very drained from the anxiety of hoping I wasn't going to have to talk.

This time though, I was able to just let the meltdown happen, and despite feeling like a toddler trying to talk, I actually processed things better and felt more comfortable because I wasn't having to focus on small talk or trying to pretend I wasn't having any problems.

I'm still trying to decide if the sounds and gestures are going to work later on or if I need to perhaps at least try to say simple words, but I feel a lot better knowing at least those appointments will be easier to deal with later on.

Congratulations on finding such a supportive medical professional. That is awesome!

I know how much easier that makes the whole process. I use American Sign Language and always have an interpreter at doctor's appointments. I can speak but the additional stress means that I can not communicate using speech in these situations.

You could try Sign Language or a text-to-speech app for your future appointments. Good luck, Simon01.

I have some minor dexterity problems but actually I've been thinking about sign language being something to at least look into, as well as using a text to speech app. How hard is it learning sign language? I'm not sure about having someone with me, but I was also thinking that I at least could have some simple gestures that let the nurses know if I'm ok or if I need something. At the last appointment, just the sounds I made and gesturing worked well. I might try just using simple words rather than trying to have a conversation. They're ok with whatever works for me

What I found interesting was that I felt less helpless and stressed out despite not being able to talk. I felt "back to normal" within an hour or so after the appointment, just wheeling outside and putting on my headset and listening to the podcasts I had loaded on my phone.

Well, it is a complete language with its own alphabet, vocabulary, grammar, facial expression and body language, history, and tradition. So, if you have difficulty with vastly different languages or facial expression and body language, then it might be difficult. But some people find the visual-spatial aspects and the close relationship between the signs (the handshape or hand movement) and their meanings (the object or action you are describing) make it easier to learn.

That might be another option. It might be easier for you and them to just learn a few relevant words.

I know what you mean! It seems illogical but I have felt the same thing!