I can relate to Your story today, about recognizing the red flags that are flashing warnings about upcoming meltdowns. While I am not autistic myself , I do have Parkinson’s disease, which effects
so much more than the outwardly visible physical symptoms. So many not obvious internal effects , that nobody sees- cognitive changes, depression,malfunctioning inner disturbances in systems that are affected by the chemical imbalances in the brain . Some of the internal difficulties mesh with more discreet physical symptoms - constantly feeling fatigued , difficulties with swallowing ,constipation, feelings of weakness etc. But I too ignore the red flags that warn me about upcoming physical and mental “ breakdowns “ , which send me back to my bed , incapable of movement or rational thought. Which I treat with reading or watching something mindless , along with my usual medications , and eventually the symptoms pass.
When my sons are on the verge of meltdowns, they sometimes display warning signs- changes in tone of voice and the repetition of certain specific words or phrases , increasing anxiety, rudeness or obsession about something they don’t understand or are afraid of, which can sometimes be diverted before they lose control which results , in shouting, torrential tears, biting their fingers, or smacking their heads. They don’t seem able to understand or verbalize what their melting points are, which makes them unpredictable and sometimes impossible to control.
Your knowledge of yourself and of warning signs of a possible meltdown and your understanding of what may be your triggers,gives you a tremendous advantage, and will in time give you the increasingly ability to prevent and control those horrible and painful meltdowns.
So deep and true. Your words are powerful in the truth telling of it all. And you are brave. I pray that all the goodness you out out into the world comes back to you ten-fold.♥️Please know that your sharing about your autism helps me be braver for Cody.
I have such a hard time responding to your writing because I always doubt I can find the words to express my admiration for you - for your courage in sharing your story, for your empathy and compassion toward others, for your gifted writing. My list goes on. You feel so deeply and when you do its hard not to carry the burdens of others. But those burdens are not yours nor mine to carry. Yet I believe that by caring, you are lessening the load of those you care about. Keep caring and when you feel it becoming too much give yourself permission to say you cannot care more. You are a wise woman and I love you for being you.
I have so much respect for you as you put it all out on the page. This journey is a difficult one, but you are touching many in your path. Be gentle with you.
I can’t even imagine what that feels like but maybe you opened the doctor’s eyes to what her children could go through with the not knowing. Maybe she’ll have them tested so they will know and learn to adjust as you are doing and share with others that it’s ok to be neurodivergent, it’s ok to learn how to navigate differently than others through life. It doesn’t matter to many of us. You are still the person we gravitate toward, the person we admire. ❤️
You teach me so much. Thank you
I can relate to Your story today, about recognizing the red flags that are flashing warnings about upcoming meltdowns. While I am not autistic myself , I do have Parkinson’s disease, which effects
so much more than the outwardly visible physical symptoms. So many not obvious internal effects , that nobody sees- cognitive changes, depression,malfunctioning inner disturbances in systems that are affected by the chemical imbalances in the brain . Some of the internal difficulties mesh with more discreet physical symptoms - constantly feeling fatigued , difficulties with swallowing ,constipation, feelings of weakness etc. But I too ignore the red flags that warn me about upcoming physical and mental “ breakdowns “ , which send me back to my bed , incapable of movement or rational thought. Which I treat with reading or watching something mindless , along with my usual medications , and eventually the symptoms pass.
When my sons are on the verge of meltdowns, they sometimes display warning signs- changes in tone of voice and the repetition of certain specific words or phrases , increasing anxiety, rudeness or obsession about something they don’t understand or are afraid of, which can sometimes be diverted before they lose control which results , in shouting, torrential tears, biting their fingers, or smacking their heads. They don’t seem able to understand or verbalize what their melting points are, which makes them unpredictable and sometimes impossible to control.
Your knowledge of yourself and of warning signs of a possible meltdown and your understanding of what may be your triggers,gives you a tremendous advantage, and will in time give you the increasingly ability to prevent and control those horrible and painful meltdowns.
With love ,
Brigid
So deep and true. Your words are powerful in the truth telling of it all. And you are brave. I pray that all the goodness you out out into the world comes back to you ten-fold.♥️Please know that your sharing about your autism helps me be braver for Cody.
I have such a hard time responding to your writing because I always doubt I can find the words to express my admiration for you - for your courage in sharing your story, for your empathy and compassion toward others, for your gifted writing. My list goes on. You feel so deeply and when you do its hard not to carry the burdens of others. But those burdens are not yours nor mine to carry. Yet I believe that by caring, you are lessening the load of those you care about. Keep caring and when you feel it becoming too much give yourself permission to say you cannot care more. You are a wise woman and I love you for being you.
I have so much respect for you as you put it all out on the page. This journey is a difficult one, but you are touching many in your path. Be gentle with you.
I can’t even imagine what that feels like but maybe you opened the doctor’s eyes to what her children could go through with the not knowing. Maybe she’ll have them tested so they will know and learn to adjust as you are doing and share with others that it’s ok to be neurodivergent, it’s ok to learn how to navigate differently than others through life. It doesn’t matter to many of us. You are still the person we gravitate toward, the person we admire. ❤️