(Untitled)

[voces]

I'm staying in a transitional housing program for youth in San Francisco, and I'm concerned about certain autistic-unfriendly things that they do there

Comments

[classical_wolf]

If I'm out of the house without something to do, it doesn't bode well for me. I'd say someone higher up or an advocate.
Everyone needs their alone time. Not being able to get it isn't fair.

What's stimming?

[voces]

Yeah. I think it's pretty screwed up that...in order for us to actually have some quiet, we have to put ourselves through more overload, when we need *less* overload to be successful in the first place.

Stimming is...well, there's a Wikipedia entry for it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimming -- basically, it's repetitive behaviour that regulates your sensory input. Examples of stimming are hand-flapping, hand-wringing and staring at spinning stuff.

[arkityp]

i am very surprised that someone in this community was unaware of what it was and the purpose of it.

[old_cutter_john]

I arrived here not knowing the word.

[sevenjades]

They told you that they didn't think your autism was reason enough to get around the out time rule? What reason specifically did they give?

It might be effective to go over their head, but that may be seen as an aggressive and hostile move. You'd be labeled a problem, and possibly treated worse for it. You need the staff on your side as much as possible, where possible. An advocate would be your best bet here.

I don't know much about half-way houses, so I can't help you much more. I can tell you that when I have been in situations that sound similar to yours, though, offering options tended to get me farther. Is there something else you want, maybe more help with getting a job that you can handle? Do you have skills the house could use in return for staying indoors (solving two problems)? Talk about it with your advocate.

Also, see what they know about autism (if you're out to them). You may need to do some educating, or more if you've already explained it to them.

[voces]

They didn't say that; they said that other clients would complain about it, and that people would spread rumours. In my opinion, that's not a good answer. It doesn't matter what they think, whether we live communally or not. A disability is a disability, and the others should learn to understand that.

I know an advocate who can help me. I wrote to him yesterday morning (if I recall correctly) but I haven't heard from him yet, probably because it's still the tail-end of the holiday season.

Definitely. I'd like more help in finding a feasible job, and...just more hands-on assistance in general. I feel as though I'm being left to fend for myself, and it's not something I'm necessarily good at.

Oh, yes, they do know about the autism; when I applied to live there, I gave them a list of 'needed services', and there was an extensive discussion of autism there.

[sevenjades]

Look at it from their perspective - they need to keep order in the place, and that means avoiding unnecessary problems. Can you approach this from a perspective that may help them avoid problems? Maybe saying that you don't mind if others know you have autism? Or being willing to talk to the other community members if necessary?

You may want to ask your advocate if they can get you help outside of this home too. They may have resources the staff doesn't.

[arkityp]

all i can say is "hang in there", as cliché as it sounds. transitioning is hard (i've done it at least 3 times in my life - from the street to living on my own), so i know how important it is to have your "safe place" and if you're not getting it, it drives you insane.

have you been out with having AS?

[voces]

Yeah, I'm out about being autistic -- in fact, when I applied, I attached a big packet about me that included that information.

[novanglus]

The public library is usually the most popular place in town for people who have to be out of their housing during the day. You can always find a quiet corner to sit and read or write, and be productive at the same time. (Assuming you have a library nearby.)

[albinowolf]

This. And I also found that if there's a nice quiet park nearby it's good too. I used to go to the park and open the car doors to let the breeze in and just read or write or do homework. I was lucky, when I was in college and had long hours between classes I would hate to hang around because it was always so noisy and crowded with all the students. So I'd drive to the nearby park and enjoy the peace and quiet.

[sevenjades]

I do this too sometimes. When I need to get out of my apartment because of the noisy neighbors, it helps to pick up some hot chocolate, drive to a quiet location, and read in my car. I find it works better than a library, some times. Inconsiderate people use the library a lot.

[azalynn]

That only works if you have a car / can drive, though. Not saying it's a bad idea - just that not everyone has access to that kind of portable personal space.

brainstroming

[faunna]

Perhaps someone has a night job and you could switch roommates so that when you're required to be out they are home sleeping and when you're allowed to be in they are at work

Re: brainstroming

[bigsockgrrl]

Another benefit of night shifts is that getting to work will be less stimulating if you are not traveling during commute hours. Though I can't work nights because I get depressed if I don't get enough sunlight, I prefer non-standard schedules for this reason. My best friend does, too. Work is easier if getting there isn't overstimulating. Sometimes night shifts require interaction with fewer co-workers as well.