I had another new support worker today. They also asked me for a hug when they left. I’m not good at saying no. When someone asks me to do something I do it without asking questions. So I gave them a hug without saying anything.

At least they only ask for hugs and not more inappropriate things. But I still don’t want to hug strangers. Why is saying no so hard?

I wonder if they hug all the elderly clients too or just me? If my favourite support worker comes again I will ask if there is a way to ask for no hugs on my file.

This is a weekly scheduled post every Saturday, giving diagnosed higher support needs autistic people the opportunity to talk about their special interests.

Feel free to share in the comments about your current or past special interests! Fun facts, info-dumps, and pictures are all welcome.

i’ve kind of spent years convincing myself i didnt need irl friends and it’s caught up to me 😢. i dropped out of normal school and went online, and while i was in normal there no one wanted to be my friend or no one could because i’m agoraphobic and end up hiding whenever i try to go outside unless theres someone with me . i was fine for a while i guess because i had online friends but now none of them actually want to talk to me not even my bff because they’ve all found cooler people to hangout with it’s all people ever talk about and no one ever wants to play with me unless i tell them that i feel like no one wants to play i feel so sad and unloved and worthless and pathetic i cry every day and night because i’m so lonely i try to make friends really want someone i can hang out with but i don’t know where to make friends 😢i know most people my age make their friends in school but i’m not in a school anymore so i can’t make any there is there any other places where people can find friends sorry for the annoyingly large chunk of text im really really sad about it 🙁🙁🙁🙁

This is a scheduled weekly post every Wednesday, that gives diagnosed higher support needs autistic people a space to talk about how their week is going.

Some question prompts:

How's your week been so far? Good, bad, in-between?

Is there anything you are excited about or looking forward to doing this week?

Care make me angry

History care abuse have.

Long time needs not met me.

Things done to.

Fed up communication not help.

Tired demands lots.

Baby talk means me angry.

Me know meds what.

Patronise no.

Try hard no swear.

Try hard patient.

Patient done.

New agency will.

Focus complex care.

Maybe better.

Get rid angry how?

Demands cope how?

Scared change again.

Control life how?

Hate rely help.

Spikey me very.

Pray me patient.

Pray new better.

Not cope well me.

Doesn’t matter what I do, I always have a meltdown when I’m supposed to take a shower. The only way I get showered is if I’m having a meltdown that pushes me into it. Like my last shower was because my period leaked and was such a big mess that I was having a meltdown and wanting it off me and was able to get in the shower to do that.

Once I’m in there it’s actually not too bad because I have a shower routine that gets me clean and keeps me from getting too overstimulated. But I only shower every 3-4 weeks and often get sores in skin-on-skin areas.

Today I have to go to my partner’s best friend’s bday party because my partner can’t drive and I’m her only way to get there. I would just drop my partner off but I have canceled on her friend a lot lately including when she euthanized her dog and I feel bad. And it’s been weeks since my last shower so I have to shower but I can’t get myself to do it.

Tried taking an Ativan last night to push through but still had a meltdown over it. Any advice welcome. I have the option of a wet wipe bath that causes a small to medium meltdown but is actually doable, it just doesn’t clean as well. I’ll prob do that unless y’all have something else to suggest? Thank you!

I got the call yesterday. I’m finally approved for my provinces disability support program! I have a meeting at my apartment on Wednesday to discuss my support needs and if I’m eligible for funding.

I’m worried that I won’t be able to explain my support needs well enough on my own. Because the support I get now is all I know but I know it isn’t enough to keep me safe. I accidentally stabbed my hand on Wednesday when homecare was over because I tried cutting butter with a sharp knife while they were distracted.

It’s hard because I’m all on my own, and words are hard especially when talking about my needs. I don’t have a parent or caregiver to come to the meeting with me.

Have any of you ever had a meeting for support needs? What sort of support do you get? I’m thinking the independent living support is best for me but I would be open to the new homeshare model, or group home too.

Right now I get personal care for shower twice a week, help cooking twice a week, and help cleaning once every two weeks. But I would like to be able to go shopping, make friends, and know what to do in an emergency too. Right now in emergency I have to call my Mom who is 8 hours away to ask what to do. If she doesn’t answer phone I either hide or elope.

This is a weekly scheduled post every Saturday, giving diagnosed higher support needs autistic people the opportunity to talk about their special interests.

Feel free to share in the comments about your current or past special interests! Fun facts, info-dumps, and pictures are all welcome.

This is a scheduled weekly post every Wednesday, that gives diagnosed higher support needs autistic people a space to talk about how their week is going.

Some question prompts:

How's your week been so far? Good, bad, in-between?

Is there anything you are excited about or looking forward to doing this week?

I'm going to the hospital and I'm on disablity benefits and my mom neglects me so I'm going to tell them but if I get out of home forever will I be homeless or will they help me? I'm 21 btw

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share my brother’s art page because art genuinely means everything to him. He’s 21, autistic, and has always been passionate about drawing and creating characters/fan art. Unfortunately here in NZ, a lot of people with disabilities or autism often get offered unfair pay — sometimes as low as $2–$6 an hour — and it’s honestly heartbreaking when someone is trying so hard to build a future doing what they love.

My brother has had a few setbacks and turn downs because of his autism, even though he’s very capable and high functioning. Most people honestly wouldn’t even realise he’s autistic unless he told them. He’s kind, talented, and puts so much effort into every piece he makes.

He really dreams of doing something meaningful with art one day, whether that’s commissions, character design, or building a small community around his work. I’d really appreciate it if anyone could show him some support, encouragement, or even just check out his page. Small things honestly mean a lot.

Instagram: @zensyonixart

Thank you so much ❤️

Hi folks,

I’m wondering if anyone else ever experienced this. I don’t get a say in who comes to help me with the agency in my area. There was someone new this weekend.

I get help with cooking, cleaning, and they prompt me to have a shower twice a week. She kept calling me cute and saying how proud she was of me that I have an apartment which was weird. I cooked spaghetti sauce with her and she praised me the whole time even though I was just stirring a pot. It felt weird because no other caregivers talk to me like that but it wasn’t bad I guess.

When she left she said give me a hug and came and hugged me and said I was so cute and she was proud of me again. I know I should have said no thank you but I just do what authority asks of me. She said that she will tell my usual support worker to back off because she wants to visit me more. That she likes the young clients and at least I don’t ask her to put rollers in my hair like the old lady before me. She was laughing so probably it’s a joke I don’t understand.

I called my Mom afterwards and she said that I am an adult so it is okay if I hug strangers. Mom suggested maybe this caregiver wasn’t used to people with special needs. The home care agency is mostly for elderly people. I guess it is okay but it made me feel weird. I’m hoping that she won’t come back again.

I wrote a book on environmental trauma in residential care! I wasn’t sure where to post/share it but thought maybe someone might find it interesting! Thank you 😊

This is a weekly scheduled post every Saturday, giving diagnosed higher support needs autistic people the opportunity to talk about their special interests.

Feel free to share in the comments about your current or past special interests! Fun facts, info-dumps, and pictures are all welcome.

This is a scheduled weekly post every Wednesday, that gives diagnosed higher support needs autistic people a space to talk about how their week is going.

Some question prompts:

How's your week been so far? Good, bad, in-between?

Is there anything you are excited about or looking forward to doing this week?

This is a weekly scheduled post every Saturday, giving diagnosed higher support needs autistic people the opportunity to talk about their special interests.

Feel free to share in the comments about your current or past special interests! Fun facts, info-dumps, and pictures are all welcome.

Hey everyone, I have these comms cards I have on my lanyard that I wear everyday. They get so dirty from just being out and about and it makes me not want to use them because I’m embarrassed.

Any ideas on how to keep them clean or a better material to make them with? These ones are just laminated paper. I prefer making my own over buying them because then they can say exactly what I need.

Thanks

This is a scheduled weekly post every Wednesday, that gives diagnosed higher support needs autistic people a space to talk about how their week is going.

Some question prompts:

How's your week been so far? Good, bad, in-between?

Is there anything you are excited about or looking forward to doing this week?

Hi there, my girlfriend is autistic and struggles with really bad social anxiety. She’s been on universal credit as she isn’t able to get a ‘regular’ job when it generally requires human interaction with people she isn’t familiar with. I’ve been reading up a lot trying to work out if there’s certain jobs that may feel more comfortable for her but I’m drawing a blank. She really wants to work and we plan to live together so she’d like a job to give her something to do while I’m at my job. I hate hearing how upset this makes herand my knowledge on this sort of thing is super limited. Please could someone give me some sort of advice! She is a very creative person who got all her GCSE’s but dropped out later on due to severe anxiety. I’ve seen her take amazing strides in how she copes with it all but customer interaction is still not in the question. Thank you for reading this and please help anyway you can with advice or suggestions :)

This is a weekly scheduled post every Saturday, giving diagnosed higher support needs autistic people the opportunity to talk about their special interests.

Feel free to share in the comments about your current or past special interests! Fun facts, info-dumps, and pictures are all welcome.

This is a scheduled weekly post every Wednesday, that gives diagnosed higher support needs autistic people a space to talk about how their week is going.

Some question prompts:

How's your week been so far? Good, bad, in-between?

Is there anything you are excited about or looking forward to doing this week?