I'm reluctant to post stuff in my blog here because I stupidly created my account with the same username as the one I use on another website. I'm quite uneasy with the possibility of someone conducting Internet searches on my username and finding the content I've created here (not that this is a terribly likely occurrence). I also don't want to delete that other account and start over, but I'm considering it. I don't like the feeling of destroying my virtual creations.
Nevertheless, I have something that I think might be helpful to others. To the undiagnosed adults who are considering diagnosis and have the means: get diagnosed. Especially if you are in early adulthood (and thus cannot know for sure what the future will bring) or your "independence" is somewhat unstable.
I have no place to stay right now, and I cannot bear to stay in a shelter. The main problem is my sound sensitivity, but I also shy away from the social aspect of the people-warehousing that occurs in such places because it makes me quite angry, anxious, and psychologically tired to have people trying to engage me in (virtually always) unwanted conversation, or giving me looks because I'm weird.
I've been calling various agencies in search of housing that can accommodate my "disability." Perhaps this is a minor issue, but I find it unpleasant to have to explain sound sensitivity to people. It doesn't "sound" like a "real" disability, and most people aren't familiar with it. It would be so much easier if I could just say that I have autism or Asperger's Syndrome. I don't even attempt to try to explain the social issues. I've no hope that anyone would understand how serious social fatigue can be. But perhaps I would get more understanding if I simply said that I was autistic.
I called the number for autismsource.org. I told the phone rep. that I was undiagnosed, and was relieved that she was still helpful and accepting that I truly needed help. Most agencies I found online seem to require a diagnosis. On the other hand, many are contracted through the state Regional Centers, and only help severely autistic people anyhow. I wonder if the collapse of Asperger's Syndrome into Autism Syndrome Disorders would help people with AS get services through some of the non-contracted organizations.
I'll have to add more later. I started typing without planning out precisely what I wanted to say, and my typing speed is slowed waaaaay down by the unfamiliar keyboard layout on this library computer, and my daily alloted computer time is running out.
Nevertheless, I have something that I think might be helpful to others. To the undiagnosed adults who are considering diagnosis and have the means: get diagnosed. Especially if you are in early adulthood (and thus cannot know for sure what the future will bring) or your "independence" is somewhat unstable.
I have no place to stay right now, and I cannot bear to stay in a shelter. The main problem is my sound sensitivity, but I also shy away from the social aspect of the people-warehousing that occurs in such places because it makes me quite angry, anxious, and psychologically tired to have people trying to engage me in (virtually always) unwanted conversation, or giving me looks because I'm weird.
I've been calling various agencies in search of housing that can accommodate my "disability." Perhaps this is a minor issue, but I find it unpleasant to have to explain sound sensitivity to people. It doesn't "sound" like a "real" disability, and most people aren't familiar with it. It would be so much easier if I could just say that I have autism or Asperger's Syndrome. I don't even attempt to try to explain the social issues. I've no hope that anyone would understand how serious social fatigue can be. But perhaps I would get more understanding if I simply said that I was autistic.
I called the number for autismsource.org. I told the phone rep. that I was undiagnosed, and was relieved that she was still helpful and accepting that I truly needed help. Most agencies I found online seem to require a diagnosis. On the other hand, many are contracted through the state Regional Centers, and only help severely autistic people anyhow. I wonder if the collapse of Asperger's Syndrome into Autism Syndrome Disorders would help people with AS get services through some of the non-contracted organizations.
I'll have to add more later. I started typing without planning out precisely what I wanted to say, and my typing speed is slowed waaaaay down by the unfamiliar keyboard layout on this library computer, and my daily alloted computer time is running out.
