Motivated Monday PWYC

[lucylee]

Turns out she has impacted bowel, and distended bladder. May go home tonight but who knows? Currently— has had enema and Foley catheter. Sorry if this is TMI.
It sure is TMI for me (!) but looks like today, I’m “it.”
Ddil is celebrating her dmom’s birthday.

[lucylee]

And my phone is on 28% and I have no charger with me.

[Lady Maverick]

(((LucyLee & DMom))) If you can find a close waiting room they usually have fast chargers available for use (free).

CostumeLady - Welcome! I remember you from years ago. I'm glad you are here.

I am curious about masking and what it means in reference to neurodivergent.
DS16 has been tested several years ago and received a long list of diagnosis. OCD, ODD, ADHD, Tourette's are the ones I remember. We spent a couple years going to various doctors and trying various medications and doses. For him at that phase of his life, the side effects were worse than the help the meds provided. We have learned how to accept and incorporate his challenges into our regular life. The Tourette tics are the most difficult for him. The tics change over time with one tic disappearing and another one (or two) showing up. Now he has tics affecting his eyes where he rolls eyes back and blinks rapidly. We will do medication if/when the tics cause him bodily harm.

DD13 is most likely autistic on some scale according to her teachers and counselor. DD13 has taken several online tests and they all say yes. At her request, getting her tested is on my to-do list. Finding a testing site within a 4 hour drive is not easy. I've been told to expect a 14-18 month wait and $2K - $4k cost for a testing appointment.

[Ramblinrose]

LadyM… masking for an autistic person means trying to mirror what a “normal” person does to be accepted in their world that does not come naturally to them because it makes no sense

Example: looking into the eye when speaking to someone. Or not using social cues like when you greet someone and you say… how are you?

Many social cues that are expected for normal people make absolutely no sense to many Autistic people, but they mask these types of behavior because it’s expected by normal people.

Autistic people become exhausted trying to do these social cues that makes no sense to them. Autistic people like to hang out with other autistic people because they don’t have to mask these social cues with each other

[Lauralind]

I have done a lot of reading but not all the specific things like masking. That makes lots of sense. I will have to watch for it and see if ds does it. His biggest issue is social he just plain doesn't respond sometimes when he doesn't know someone. I'm really curious.

Other thing I have no idea if or when I should. Ds participated mostly willingly in testing to find some of his challenges that he has. I haven't defined it as autism yet. Not sure if or when I should. I don't want to affect his self image..

Phew busy day at the end. And our week is going to be set off cause freight is big and weirdly organized and just finished unloading. Will I have to finish Thursday?? Good question.

[Lady Maverick]

Autistic people become exhausted trying to do these social cues that makes no sense to them.

This! It is exactly what DD13 says. She is uncomfortable trying to remember acceptable responses in social situations. She loves talking on the phone because there are less social cues to ahere to (no need to look people in the eye when talking). DD13 is also sensitive to certain textures, loud noises and crowds.

I am so used to some behavior that I forget about it. DS16 has to touch the edge of everything he passes. As he walks through a room, he will reach out and touch a half dozen edges. I think that is an OCD thing. DS16 and I were just talking about things that drive him crazy - for example DH having his TV uncentered and tilted. I asked why DS16 wasn't OCD about keeping his bedroom clean. Let's put those OCD traits of keeping things neat to use in his bedroom (said with love). He informed me it doesn't work that way. He isn't bothered by a messy bedroom.

We got a letter from the school today informing us that DD13 will be receiving an award at the end of the school year ceremony. They didn't tell us what the award will be, but just encouraged us to attend the ceremony.

[Nancy]

Had a nice long enjoyable talk with dd & glad I asked for her help in moving a desk upstairs.
Got dishes done.
Cleared out shelf above the stove stuff in it I"d forgotten about
vases are washed. Tins are next. I could declutter some of these items.
Napped this afternoon.
I have been working on the kitchen even more sinks are clean yea!
We had a rain shower today.

[lucylee]

Dmom asked the doctor to release her; nothing they were doing helped at all. She is home now; took her own medicine, and having tomato soup.
The doctor told her to take Miralax at least 3-4, a day “until things start moving.”
She says I don’t have to spend the night, but I’m trying to stay awhile and see if she gets to the point she thinks she can sleep.

[lucylee]

Apparently, she does want me to spend the night.
She said, “I would tell you to go home, but there’s no reason for you to; there’s no one there.”
I said, “well, do you feel better if I stay?”
She said, “I don’t know.”
So… here I am. Sigh.

I fixed her some tomato soup but I haven’t eaten anything since a banana and pb crackers this morning. No tv in the bedrooms (except hers) and I do not want to sleep on the couch because that’s where she stays camped out at least 18 hours a day. So I’m in the side chair. It’s nice and big but I wish I was home in my bed.
I know I’m complaining but… I’m really tired. And hungry, and there is nothing I want to eat here.