How to support someone on the spectrum

[sisselcakes]

Hi everyone. I have been looking for some way I can positively contribute. I am a mental health professional, I have been in a relationship with someone on the spectrum, and I enjoy writing. So I purchased a website with the idea of writing articles on different mental health issues, sort of as a public service.

I plan to have a category for neuro diversity issues. I hope to get some ideas on here.

I was hoping that you could share your perspective and experience on being supported by loved ones.

What has helped and what has been detrimental in terms of feeling supported and understood by others?

I don’t think there would be any objection to my plan to include this forum as a resource on my site.

 

[Wolfnox]

Actually it was mom who found out from my aunt about autism and aspergers. She researched it and took me to get tested. I was officially diagnosed with aspergers or high functing autism. They have been very patient. There was a good deal of apologies offered for not understanding once i was dignosed. Though i didnt accept it. There was no way they could have know and i dont hold grudges. On some things they dont understand. Accidents with communication or my ocassional memory lapse. But these are small things. They did help when i got seriously down after a really nasty sickness. It took months to recover mentally. I needed and got thearpy. Thanks to them.

Be patient and understanding. Dont always assume we can do what you can. Be there in times of crisis.

 

[Tom]

... I am a mental health professional,

I assume you mean your training and job is in the mental health field. What do you do?

 

[Crossbreed]

Be aware, there is a difference between ASD1 & ASD1.x+.

 

[sisselcakes]

Actually it was mom who found out from my aunt about autism and aspergers. She researched it and took me to get tested. I was officially diagnosed with aspergers or high functing autism. They have been very patient. There was a good deal of apologies offered for not understanding once i was dignosed. Though i didnt accept it. There was no way they could have know and i dont hold grudges. On some things they dont understand. Accidents with communication or my ocassional memory lapse. But these are small things. They did help when i got seriously down after a really nasty sickness. It took months to recover mentally. I needed and got thearpy. Thanks to them.

Be patient and understanding. Dont always assume we can do what you can. Be there in times of crisis.

Sorry for the delay in responding. I appreciate your feedback. I've been working diligently on my blog and neglected this particular subject, but it's the next one I'm going to tackle. I just finished a long article on my experience in relationship with someone with ASD.

Anyhow, I plan to use your feedback as part of my next entry.

 

[sisselcakes]

I assume you mean your training and job is in the mental health field. What do you do?

I'm a licensed clinical social worker. I no longer work directly in the field with clients. I audit behavioral health records for an insurance company.

 

[sisselcakes]

Be aware, there is a difference between ASD1 & ASD1.x+.

This is fascinating. I had no idea. Thanks so much.

 

[Crossbreed]

This is fascinating. I had no idea.

Here is a graph from California DDS

2014-CA DDS Autism Cases By Birth Year​

These are ASD2s & 3s only; not including ASD1s. This caseload did not previously exist under a different diagnosis. Also known as Millennial Autism. (Image taken from California's Autism Crisis)

 

[sisselcakes]

Thank you for the resource. I plan to peruse that site.