Poetry, writings and art blog

Learning disability and Mental health awareness

Saturday, 10 October 2020

looking at the difference between Autism, Autism Spectrum, Asperger’s Syndrome and High functioning.

 


According to my research on the internet we are looking at three forms of Autism but then we are not, which I know is confusing.

Explaining the difference between Asperger Syndrome and Autism is not an easy one. The research about Autism Spectrum keeps on changing.

 

How did Asperger Syndrome come about?

 

n 1944, Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician, published the first scientific study of children with autism. He also described some of his patients to have similar symptoms. His patients had normal to high intelligence, but they lacked social skills. Their interests were limited.


In 1981, British psychiatrist Lorna Wing published a series of case studies where she coined the term “Asperger Syndrome.”

In 1994, Asperger’s Syndrome was included in the fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

In 2003, the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP) was formed to be an organization run by people with Asperger’s Syndrome and ASD.

In 2013, Asperger’s Syndrome and certain other separate types of autism were gathered under the umbrella diagnosis of “Autism Spectrum Disorder” in the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).



Friday, 9 October 2020

Support people with Autism and other problems

 Autism is not just a condition on its own there are other problems linked to it but that can vary to person to person there is not saying you can or cannot face Autism on its own but mostly what read on the internet is linked to other problems, there's nothing to say the research is right or wrong.

Examples of jobs for Autism. Autism, web developer, data officer, policy Adviser, Copywriter.

That does not mean everyone you come across is going to know about those jobs or all about them. There could be certain problems that affect them from some, one or all of those jobs. However' you need to be looking into whether or not they need the right support, capabilities, strengths, training, qualifications, etc. 

Also, you need to be looking at what the person is good at and what they enjoy. Are there careers in what the person enjoys? 

By doing this you need to speaking and listening to the person, finding out what they want and need. 

For example, web developer Having such strong attention to detail, as well as the capability to retain information well, makes web development a great career path for someone with autism. With the job frequently touching on set rules and sequences, this also matches well to the efficiency associated with autism.  https://exceptionalindividuals.com/jobs-for-people-with-autism/



Sunday, 4 October 2020

ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress.

  

All these conditions are not easy to write about even if you may have the conditions yourself.

I would say ADHD is a learning difficulty, disability and mental health condition rolled into one.

Anxiety is a feeling of anger and fear, where people get anxious and worry about things more so than other people. It is hard to understand people can feel anxious and worried with or without a reason. 

The same with Depression where it is a feeling of sadness whether there is a reason or not. 

 This can cause them a lot of anxiety, worry, and fear whether or not they will say and do things that others will think they are someone they are not really.

 Although they may not be aware of what they may do or say to defend people without meaning to they will be aware that they may do in something and it is likely causing them a lot of anxiety frustration if they are not understanding or awareness of what they have done or and said.

 They find it hard to cope with loneliness as well. Once they have gone through these things though, slowly they get used to it but then find it hard for a while if or and when change happens again.

People with most forms of Autism struggle to understand awareness of how things look and sound to other people without meaning to upset anyone, not that we do not have our crosses to bear as we are human-like everyone, there is good and bad in everyone, but without being aware or understanding we are likely to do and say things we do not mean.

That does not mean we expect to be treated as if nothing has happened, but we just need people to be aware that we may do or and say things unintentionally. 

Autism like other conditions is not a disease or illness and it cannot be cured but it is possible for us to maybe overcome some problems we faced during childhood in adulthood.

 Some of us face other problems as well which may need more support than others.

This could be learning difficulties, disabilities, mental other problems, one, some, or all of them. However, with the right support, it is possible for us to live an equal life as possible. 

I would say stress covers all the conditions I am writing about. Most of us with Autism can sensitive to the slightest things but not all same things, which is where sensory comes in which  may cause our Anxiety, stress, depression, which may show in meltdowns, which if always there may well change in life say from having a temper paddy in Marks and Spencer’s when you about five to well I find now more so when I am anxious etc I tend to cope with it quietly if I am alone or whoever I am with, if something worrying me one won’t hear the end of it till whatever it is, is sorted. Hard to explain really because sometimes I may be feeling down or anxious without a reason, which is silly, and not sure what happens, but it does.

Why are we feeling down or and Anxious etc? Strangely for something really do not know the answers to there could be a lot of answers, which could be not enough or too much of things for example sleep, food /diet, medication etc.


Each type of Autism is different, professionals say that people with Asperger Syndrome can pretty much look after themselves and it is just really social skills, they struggle with but if you face other problems as well you may need support. 

Autism Spectrum disorder is the most common form of Autism to be misunderstood, this can lose the person a lot if not all relationships in people. Everyone has their Crosses to bear, we are human, we all have negative and positive in us, including those of Autism.

 Autism is misunderstood anyway because we find it hard to express how we sound to people and do not really understand how we seem and sound to everyone.

Do not get me wrong when I say this, but this can vary person to person depending on how major or mild their condition is. In fact, for some people, they can over things compared to how they were when they were younger say. This can depend on what is done and said, there can be a lack of understanding of the person's half, your half, or both. For example, most people with major forms of Autism, may not understand how the phase break a leg may sound for example. 

 

Yet some people may think it but in fear whether not they should say it mainly if they are with people they do not know, with some things people may say, some may take it hard and others may not. Others may not have awareness or understanding of how it may sound to most people, therefore it becomes a huge shock to them if someone does get angry. 


Unless the person tells them how that sounds and even then, depending on the person's condition they may or may not understand but if they are aware, they will feel bad about and say sorry. In fact, you may find most of them getting angry and upset with themselves. That does not necessarily mean that that is okay, and they are likely to gain a lot of friendships, etc.

 They are human-like everyone and have their crosses to bear but they may slip the mark more often. That does necessarily mean you should treat them any different to anyone else but be mindful, that you may need to react slightly differently if they do not seem to be aware of how something they do or say, sounds, and or looks. 

I am guessing the chances are they become aware when you tell them something sounds or looks bad to you and your not they have done and said whatever, chances are they will say sorry but feeling cross with themselves they said or did whatever.

 

 

 They are likely to have Asperger Syndrome but if they do not become aware or seem to understand, they just may get upset, walk away wondering why all this happening but still not been aware or understand anyone whose trying to tell them, which some cases hard to know whether they face the condition or not, you will only know that if they are with someone they know, which it's likely will likely do their best to see that the person does not embassy themselves, compared to if you just see the person on their own.


 Even anything is done or and said and they are with someone they know; it is likely they will try to keep things at bay. 

With Autism you do get some forms that are hidden, and others are not. Although no one wishes anyone to face a shown physical condition etc, the hidden ones are hard to see. 

Most people who have hidden conditions tend to look as if there is not anything wrong with them only, when or and if they say do things it may show or if not can be misunderstood but that does not mean they are certain of attention either but if it does become aware you still need to be careful how you react with them, mainly if they are aware of how something looks or and sounds to you or and others. 

 They may have little or eye contact towards or may stare without realizing they are.

 They may find it hard to listen, look, and understand people.


  They may tend to be quiet if there's a big crowd of you, fearing they may do or say things that have nothing to do with what you are talking or those that do they are likely to Autism Spectrum may be unaware of what you are doing and what you are talking about and may try to bring something you don't want to the chat without meaning to, I know is a hard one to react to. A tip for that is you do not necessarily have to listen to their topic every time see them but allow it now and then, so the a person is not feeling left out of the company.

 If that is not working, then chances are they have a major form of Autism Spectrum. If they are not with anyone who supports them, rather than get angry with them say they for eg, you are in a pub, etc maybe speak to the manager or staff of the pub raise the concern to them.

 They also may have difficulty sharing things, feelings, etc.

 They may be slow at someone calling their name for example.

 May have difficulty coming backward and forwards in the chat, even not aware of and understand when you have changed the subject, etc 

 They may struggle with facial expressions, gestures, movement, etc.

 Some people have major forms of Autism, Autism spectrum, their speech may not sound clear, they may make screaming laughing or and even crying, baa noises whereas some such as Asperger may sound clearer and stutter. I myself have a stutter.

 They may struggle to understand people's point of view.

 They may repeat things, have odd behaviors, etc.

 They might find it hard to understand people's actions.  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml

  https://www.autismdontpanic.co.uk/aspergers_symptons.html

On this handout, I want to try and focus on the positives of Autism.

It may not apply to everyone who faces the condition does not mean they face the same positives and same with negatives too.

This may be because in some people's cases that they face other conditions too. For example, according to my research, it says people with Autism have a good sense of direction, I have not but that does not mean the person does not necessarily mean the person is not Autism.

In my case I have Dyspraxia and with that condition, you have a poor sense of direction according to what the research says and in my case it is true.

·                     We tend to remember things from a long time ago rather than a short time ago.

·                     Direct communication, that can vary, some people may be the opposite due to possibly having other conditions as well, but it is not necessarily always the case.

·                     Maths, computers, music, or and art can be their strong areas but again that can vary from person, some may be good at one, some or all.

·                     For me poetry, story writing, drawing, painting, colouring, and pretty much some areas of IT.  I am not good at maths at all because I have Dyscalia that is linked to Dyspraxia.

·                     We tend to be visual thinkers but again that can vary.

 

 

I learned to read at a young age but struggle with certain words, reading and pronouncing but not comprehend what we are reading about, but we may learn to read sooner even that a child with no problems even.

Again, this can vary from person to person. Always except the unexcepted.

 The reason for me saying this is because as a child I loved reading, even though I struggled with certain words, which the teacher had to help me, and I used meltdown soon as the reading session was over.

Bearing in mind I was a child long before the internet etc, the layout and print of books, etc weren't easy for a person with problems for us to understand what the story is about, etc.

I was telling the time when I was three but the way I was saying it wasn’t the same form in the way people understand say 10 past 10 for example would 2 past 10 because read it as the numbers said on the clock.

 

 No one in my family could not understand why could not read all a book unless there were clearer print and even pictures.

 My Gran used to go to the library a lot and try and encourage me. All this can vary because this could be to do with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia as well as Autism.

 However,' this is a positive as well as a negative because it is possible to be a positive if the person is able to have the right support aids. At the same time a shame that the person faces those difficulties when they can read probably sooner than most people who do not face difficulties, they just struggle to comprehend what they are reading about but with accessible materials, etc it is possible for the person to overcome but expect this to vary from person to person as everyone's needs are difficult. 

 

 


·                     Good time management again do not except that in everyone.

·                     Honesty

·                     Bright but difficulties along with it.

·                     Independent thinking, that can vary mainly if they face other conditions as well as Autism, and also it may depend on the topic, skill, etc if and how much they may know. If something new to them they may need a lot of support so except anything off them really. 

·                     They are less concerned with what others think, again something can vary depending on their condition, other conditions they may have, experiences they have had with other teachers, people who support, family, etc and whether or not the skill, task, etc is new to them, how much they do and don't, etc. 

Loyal, no matter their positives and negatives they are likely to try things more so without knocking anyone than most people without problems but again except anything from anyone in how they do and do not cope 

·                     with things.

·                     This neither positive and negative, I cannot speak for others similar if not the same as me but I tend to work on the things I know rather than what I do not, it takes me quite a bit of confidence to try something new if I do but if I do if it comes familiar to me and if I do get to know the skill then I am okay. 

·                     They understand rules, yes mostly true but for most people, if the rules are accessible and not confusing. 

·                     They are nonjudgement, it is probably unlikely that is untrue because of the experience of their own problems, they are likely to treat others as equals.

Once they have a topic that they are good at and what they are interested in they are on the ball, but some may find it hard to focus on anything else. This may because take my case for example: as a child, did not learn anything in school from been on extraordinarily strong 

·                     tablet. The only skill I had back then was swimming. When I left school and learned stable management, it took me a long time to have the confidence to try something new which was a care course, English literature, and language, drawing painting, then IT. 



 

About Autism

 


I forgot what I said in my last book on Autism but if you have read my last book and if I am repeated what I have said already I am sorry.

Most people find Autism to understand because of it being a hidden disability, which is hard to see. I have not been diagnosed due to the time period I was born in. Although some years I asked my GP about the diagnosis of either Autism or Dyspraxia I forget which and she said there is not the funding at the time. If it was Autism, it explains why I find it hard to explain myself. Therefore, I am speaking for those who if not the same others similar to me.

I may well have said before we lack communication and understanding. We can easily misunderstand, which can give people the wrong impression of ourselves.

It can make us feel as if we have not got any choices and control over our lives needs a balance of support and independence.

 

As far as I am aware there are not many services and charities in the Uk for Autism, finding and even now I guess the Coronavirus lockdown may affect the support people need and get for such issues in the life of health, education, employment, help in the home, shopping, housing, personal care, benefits, social lives, etc.

 

 Autism is a developmental disability, and it is there for life.  At least 700’000 people face Autism in the UK and at least a 100 of us have Autism Spectrum.

They say there are 3 forms of Autism but I have tried to research on the interest what the difference is between the three and I may be wrong but for my understanding or misunderstand because I face Autism myself there does not seem to be a great difference between the three, which makes me wonder why there are three forms. These forms are or should be Autism Spectrum, Asperger’s syndrome, and high functioning.   https://www.autism.org.uk/

I am sorry if I confuse the issues, but it is possible that the 3 forms of Autism rolled into 

one according to some of the sites I have researched. I guess we are uncertain, which is correct, which is confusing to everyone.

According to the National Autistic Society website Autism is a spectrum condition. Most people face a number of difficulties link to Autism in different ways.

Some people with Asperger Syndrome have Mental health issues and each person needs different levels of support.

We see the world differently to other people and it is a lifetime condition.

People with Asperger Syndrome face more so Specific learning difficulties than just learning difficulties and have fewer problems with speech but find it hard to understand processing language.


The good news is that there is more awareness of Autism than there used to be. There was handy any Autism awareness in the UK when I was a lot younger and I felt a lot more misunderstood then than I do now but I still feel we have a long way to go in a lot of ways until people with Autism feel equal to everyone else and I am not just saying it for the UK but everywhere.

In all honesty I would guess for those who are diagnosed, which I am not, it helps not only the people who face but others in their lives know what support they need for example, families, parents, teachers, friends, health professional, other processionals etc.


Communication difficulties could be.

v     Facial expressions

v     Tone of voice

v     Joke and Sarcasm

v     Difficultly working out if people are serious or not.

v     Vague or abstract concepts.

 

This could mean they respect what you or and someone says but misunderstood. This could cause misunderstanding on both or either sides. Mainly if you or and someone does not know the person has Autism. However,’ we are all human, we don’t expect people to see everything down to our Autism but having Autism does not help us understand things either. Do not be wrong, every wrongdoing is not caused by Autism or other problems, it is just working out for is and is not. However,’ a lot of us do struggle to how certain things sound and look to others.

 For example, the phase breaks a leg. Which may be misunderstood on either or both sides whether they say it, you say, or if someone else says it.

We are very often misunderstood as the centre of attention which is certainly do not what we expect to be. The way it is known if there has been an understanding if we are not aware of how what they have done and said seems and sounds until someone tell them, which it does click and learn about something may seem and sound to you or someone else, we cannot be sorry enough. 

just working out for is and is not. However,’ a lot of us do struggle to how certain things sound and look to others.

 For example, the phase breaks a leg. Which may be misunderstood on either or both sides whether they say it, you say, or if someone else says it.

We are very often misunderstood as the center of attention which is certainly do not what we expect to be. The way it is known if there has been an understanding if we are not aware of how what they have done and said seems and sounds until someone tell them, which it does click and learn about something may seem and sound to you or someone else, we cannot be sorry enough.

Without making to you think we are the only ones in the world that matters, which is not the case and we wouldn’t like to be seen in that way because we don’t want to be seen as selfish people but yes I admit, the word we could be is thoughtless and not aware of some of our actions etc.

 The point I am trying to make is that a lot of we are sensitive and we will feel bad for not been and not been able to understand to others with otherwise we wouldn’t have said or and done whatever it may be.

However,’ with Autism being hidden your not likely to know who faces it and who does not but we yes, we are all human, we all have good and bad in us and we all have our crosses to bear. 

It affects how the person interacts with people and the world. Life and the world seem and feel different around us than other people, it can be big and confusing to us.

 As well as seeing and feeling different, it is possible we can hear differently too.

 What seems rather small you seem huge to us, which most things may not turn out as big and as bad as what we think. For example say a busy city with a lot of people, where we can get lost if mainly if we haven't been there before but even after that it could take us along time to find our way around but with the right support it is possible for us to get through this. 

Thursday, 1 October 2020

Careers for people with Autism, other special needs, disabilities etc.

 


 

Just like you, people with Autism, other special needs, disabilities, etc have strengths and weaknesses. Pretty much what we can and can’t do at home and elsewhere, which may well be the same if not similar in a career.

Over the years I have read hear things about people saying that people with disabilities, Autism, special needs, etc find it hard to learn new skills. In my mind it’s neither true nor not, which I know doesn’t make sense. For me, I discovered skills I didn’t know I had like my writing, poetry, disability, mental health awareness, PowerPoint, mentoring advocacy, etc.


Before I discovered those skills I got misunderstood for not wanting to do anything at all when I was younger, which was fustigating and I would never anyone to face what I faced from the Job Centre let alone anyone who faces disabilities etc. I remember when I was in my twenties the job Centre calling any job out on their computer and me trying to explain why I couldn’t do those job, which can’t remember what jobs they were. They basify said I don’t want to work, which when I think about it now, it is the wrong way to try and support anyone let alone someone the same if not like me. 


What do I see as the right way?  Well it’s not just what I see as the right way but others the same if not much different such as my Mentor and role model who has been around longer than me and she’s faced Autism longer than me. Temple Grandin but some is from my experience as well.

Look at the things people are good and maybe skills that they discovered they have got, which they may not think they had before.

Before you do this, listen to the person, and see what they have to say about their career. Ask them what they have done so far and what they want to do now.

By what you hear, you just may feel you need to tap into the search engine, for example, jobs for people with Autism.

*                   Does anything come up to what the person says they can do, what they want to do and what they enjoy?

*                   At the same time do they say they want to learn or and discover a new skill, which they may not have been aware of they have?

What type of thinkers are they?

 

*                   Visual thinkers, creative, writing, poetry, short stories, art, crafts, drawing, painting, etc.

*                   Abstract thinking, internet, email, search engine, imagine.

*                   Pattern thinker’s maths, science etc.

 

These skills may vary from person some may have a bit each of these skills, some may have some, and others may have just one.  Just a bit advise it may well be worth trying this tip on people with other disabilities or and other problems as well as people with Autism. It’s highly likely it will possibly work for some but not for others. Also, it will be worth using this tip for courses as well.

 


Managing Autism, Anxiety, stress, and Depression.

 

Most people if not all face Anxiety, Stress and Depression, which is what can cause meltdowns, self-harm from depression, and stress from Anxiety. We know it’s possible this can be the case in people without Autism. Such issues as relationship breaks and deaths of people, we know it can affect all humans in a bad way. We do not get over it necessary, but we learn to live with and even move on to positive things in our lives.

 

This doesn’t mean people without disabilities and other peoples do get over things but those of who do face disabilities other problems, it tends to affect us even more so even though we well move on, we will just most likely take longer to do so than other people.

Other things that may make people with Autism anxious maybe things like atmospheres with too many people about noise etc. They find it hard to socialize and interact with people mainly those they do not know.

It is important to investigate what is stressing a person out and why.

Counseling and therapy. Advising people to see their GP get refereed  to counseling or and therapy, emotional support, mental health websites, etc.

Try to advise or and encourage keeping minds or and bodies busy exercise walks, poetry, writing, arts, crafts, hobbies, interests, careers, puzzles word searches, etc, anything they may enjoy. May be look for sites etc that may keep them focused or and may support, advise, or encourage them to do it for themselves.

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/anxiety/professionals

Not all these thing may help everyone, but you need to encourage them to try different things they like until something does help. Things they do not like will not naturally help. However’ I do agree on they need to help you to help themselves but there are times Anxiety, Depression, etc can come on without or with a reason, It is not helpful if there’s no reason for it but you can suggest for them to keep their minds or and bodies busy if needs are whether there is a reason why they are feeling how they feel or not. However private law policies etc are some people do not feel confident about saying what’s on their minds to people they don’t know but it’s not in everyone, maybe why some people not want to say but never try to force anything out of anyone, even though it may be concerning. Not that I am saying that everyone bottle things up but we need to respect their privacy at the same time. All you can say to them is if you need help let’s know, if we can’t help we can find somewhere or and someone who can be depended on the situation and what is.