Thick with the ‘tism – ASD Social Space

[Shaz51]

It would be awesome if there was an Autistic/ADH group in the Sane Group Hub.

It would be awesome if there was an online monthly Sane group for Autistic/ADH with specific topic - an example autistic burnout and mental health, etc. 

I think they are wonderful suggestions @Apricot 

what do you think @tyme , @espressologic , @RachSANECEO , @Jynx 

[Shaz51]

Hello @tyme , 

I think it is a good idea but after reading @_PixieSolstice_ comments , I agree because my husband now has ASD / ADHD and he found the peer chats overwhelming half way through 

[tyme]

Oh! I never knew Mr Shaz has ASD/ADHD. I can see why the PGCs could be so overwhelming. I guess it an option for those it works well for. There are other options for other people. There's the range that people can choose from @Shaz51 Hopefully we can capture everyone.

What do you think Mr Shaz would work for Mr Shaz?

[Shaz51]

@tyme , I still think it is a good idea 

What do you think Mr Shaz would work for Mr Shaz?---  Through me , I have been researching and learning about everything which has been helping because then I can explain it to him for him to understand and then he  can understand more about it all 

The MH Team this year has added ASD to the list , which I can see now that he has and his 3 adults have this too added to their ADHD 

[Apricot]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for welcoming me.

Thank you for your encouragement and comments about the suggestions 

'It would be awesome if there was an Autistic/ADH group in the Sane Group Hub.

It would be awesome if there was an online monthly Sane group for Autistic/ADH with specific topic - an example autistic burnout and mental health, etc.'

Really encouraging and exciting RachSANECEO said can do.

All comments about the suggestions welcome.

@RachSANECEO  please how can Autistic/ADH people give input about the suggestions and ongoing about the group and monthly online sessions? How can people be kept informed of progress to provide them and ongoing?

I agree the peer chats can be overwhelming.

Maybe could share what would help improve the peer chats. I put couple suggestions in this thread that would help me.

I think I have accidentally missed some people, sorry.

Thank you

Kind regards and Best wishes

@Jynx  @Ru-bee  @ArraDreaming  @Shaz51  @tyme  @Appleblossom  @RachSANECEO  @JollyRogers   @Snaffle-Admin 

[Shaz51]

Hello @Apricot , @Jynx 

Learning more about autistic breakdown would be great 👍 

Hey @Jynx does adhd and ASD blend in with each other 

[Jynx]

Hiya @Shaz51 😊

Yeah meltdowns/breakdowns/burnout, can get confusing hey! I think there's definitely some differing definitions that might just depend on who is using them! My autistic friends and I have chatted a little about this before, and I also decided to have a quick look over on the Autism Subreddit for some insights! 

One redditor said, "To me, the difference is the intent. A meltdown occurs when standard, daily tasks become too much over time. A breakdown occurs with one major, drastic event. I’ll have a meltdown if I feel overwhelmed by daily tasks without taking time to rest and recharge. I’ll have a breakdown if my car stops working when I have an appointment I need to keep, and no other mode of transportation. I’m sure it’s different for everyone, but this is my experience."

I decided to paste the comment cos I think it sums it up pretty well, and definitely resonates with how my friends and I conceptualise it too. I think for me, meltdowns are often all about overwhelm, and usually require a nice dark, quiet, safe space to recover from. Breakdowns are often a lot more emotionally turbulent (though that's not to say meltdowns are devoid of emotional intensity), and usually in response to a particularly triggering or traumatising event. That's me though! And others may have different definitions based on their own personal experiences too, so it's always worth asking, and can be super helpful to also ask what their support needs are like during those times. Like I would be a-ok to recover from a meltdown on my own, whereas a breakdown usually means I gotta reach out to my supports, not be alone n stuff. 

As for them blending in with each other... well, there is DEFINITELY a lot of overlap, and the two 'disorders' are often comorbid, i.e. are diagnosed together. From here: "An estimated 30 to 80 percent of children with autism also meet the criteria for ADHD and, conversely, 20 to 50 percent of children with ADHD for autism." That article also goes a bit more into the different debates and research going on, if you're curious!

And I also found this:

[Shaz51]

@femmeb0t

this is the thread 

@Jynx , @Apricot , @tyme , @f0x , @ArraDreaming 

[tyme]

Welcome @femmeb0t !

[femmeb0t]

Hi everyone! Thanks for having me here. It’s been a particularly hard week, especially today. Depression is feeling like it’s coming back in full force. Nothing feels like it’s helping, my thoughts are just going in circles and I’m struggling to even leave the house without getting overstimulated by everything. 

I wanted to ask anyone without an official diagnosis, were you ever able to start to come to some level of acceptance about yourself and experience without the validation of a diagnosis? I’m trying to accept my experience as just part of myself, but it’s just feeling so intensely difficult, especially recently. It’s almost as if the more I feel like an ASD diagnosis makes sense of almost everything I’ve ever gone through, the worse I feel, because I’m still so confused.

For those who have a “formal” diagnosis, how did you feel once you received this? How were certain symptoms, like meltdowns, depression, anxiety, affected by this? Would love to just hear some stories, if anyone’s up to sharing 🙂