Life skills

[grommet]

I wish there was a basic life skills program I could ask questions, like Siri for aspies.

I have to go out later and take the bus, something I have avoided for more than a year. Then I have to go to two different pharmacies and a store.

There is so much I don't understand and I can't take it anymore being teased for it. It's not anybody in my life, it's the people I ask, like bus drivers and store clerks. They sometimes laugh at me. I think they think I am making a joke. That only makes me feel dumber.

Today the bus driver will ask me where I want to get off (I use a wheelchair so they always ask). I don't know the exact name of the bus stop. I tried using the system's web page but it totally confused me. I hope I get the fare amount right, I looked that up too.

I can do so many things that regular people find difficult or impossible. I have technical skills and knowledge that seems to surprise people. But I can't manage money or time. I don't know my own feelings, including whether I am hungry or injured. I do know when I am happy about something but the other feelings I have started saying about them - I do not like them. That covers a large number of other feelings I can have. Sometimes someone else will tell me what it probably is.

I hate the bus. Not the bus itself - I like machines. But the driver is going to talk to me. The other passengers will do so many things and the whole time I will be hoping I am not getting myself lost or missing my stop. I once boarded a bus and told the driver what stop I wanted. He told me the bus didn't go there. I had walked up to the wrong bus line and tried to board.

I think it might be easy for an aspie to get in real trouble without meaning to at all.

 

[The Penguin]

I'm not sure if your area uses Google Transit or some type of similar system with an app? You can always call the bus company if they know if such thing exist.

If you do own a smartphone, you can use the GPS to help find the location you are going to. Then when the GPS shows your close to your destination, you will know when to get off the bus.

 

[Mia]

Well Grommet, I often run into people on a regular basis who treat me that way. Likely because I live in another language, and although I speak it fluently, I don't understand when they speak rapidly or in a patois. So, this happens to me on a regular basis. I have even responded with "How about we speak my language?" And they lose their snotty reply, because very often they can't. Although this is not very much like your situation, it's your response to these interactions that matter.

When you wrote about your challenges, one of the things that came to mind, was writing out different types of replies to these people. Putting them on cards and giving them to people who have treated you in such a way. To make them think, after the transaction is over of course. Of course they would have to be carefully worded, so as not to insult the people, because you will have to go back.

As far as the statements on the cards:

Thank you for your help, perhaps in our next encounter you might be less rude?

I have difficulty following rapid interchanges, as I process language differently. It does not mean that I'm an imbecile, so please don't treat me in such an insulting manner in future.

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Perhaps Grommet, getting the manager or owner's name and their email address might help. That way you could take your time in writing a response to their treatment. I've found letters and email do generate an official response as well as some sort of action.

 

[grommet]

Well Grommet, I often run into people on a regular basis who treat me that way. Likely because I live in another language, and although I speak it fluently, I don't understand when they speak rapidly or in a patois. So, this happens to me on a regular basis. I have even responded with "How about we speak my language?" And they lose their snotty reply, because very often they can't. Although this is not very much like your situation, it's your response to these interactions that matter.

When you wrote about your challenges, one of the things that came to mind, was writing out different types of replies to these people. Putting them on cards and giving them to people who have treated you in such a way. To make them think, after the transaction is over of course.

I am thinking about what you said.

 

[grommet]

I'm not sure if your area uses Google Transit or some type of similar system with an app? You can always call the bus company if they know if such thing exist.

If you do own a smartphone, you can use the GPS to help find the location you are going to. Then when the GPS shows your close to your destination, you will know when to get off the bus.

Thank you Penguin. I do not own a Smart Phone. Or well, I have one but I do not have service because I cannot pay for it. I carry the phone in case I am near WiFi and I need internet. I did try using the transit website but it didn't make sense at all.

When I was in pre-press graphics (the work the goes in to a project to be printed before it goes to the printer) I always made sure things were clear. The subject of the piece being the most obvious, then the date and location. Very clear.

I do not encounter that when I go to websites for help. They say "click here" for more information on "x" but when I click that it does not tell me about "x", it tells me many many things and "x" is one small thing there and not explained. I do not understand that.

(anology) If I went up to a man selling produce at his store and asked him if he sold apples, I would want him to tell me yes or no. When I went to the apples I would want to know the price. It seems simple to me and I cannot think of a reason to do it in another way but every day I see how things are not like that and I cannot get the information I need. Frustrated.

 

[garnetflower13]

I find that most websites are very confusing, or at best poorly constructed. Confusing doesn't begin to describe them! I have often left comments on these sites, telling them why they were confusing, but I doubt that the web page designer reads these comments. I feel your pain!