Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?

[furtheringeducation]

Once my youngest goes to school full time in September?

Im thinking about a OU course but is it worth it if it’s just for me and not towards a qualification specifically for a job but just something I enjoy ? Do they ever make you go in person or a it all done from home ?
Im also wondering about some DIY projects as I really enjoy this type of thing and the house does need a lot of work.

I don’t really leave the house much but can get into the garden although I know nothing about gardening at all. I just don’t want to do nothing I’d like to find some things to keep my mind active

The pale pink ones are roses, no peonies here. They’re called Olivia Rose Austin. The tulips, I have no idea - sorry! I plonked them in the ground 3 or 4 years ago. I’m a nightmare for not labelling what I stick in the garden. Did I mention that I’m not good at gardening? 🤣

Those are roses?! Wow!!!

Yes pleeeease make a roses thread and tag me in it and disclose this information on how I get that in my garden!!

I mean I love peonies but they flower once and gone for a year. A rose that looks like that? I need this in my life. You need to help me!! (Please) 😆

<Googles "Olivia Rose Austin">

(Still does not go to sleep)

Now scrolling back trying to find the David Austin discount code someone posted earlier. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Ha, get you with the shit sleep thing. Will definitely do a roses thread and I promise I’ll tag you. Will try to do it in the next couple of days - David Austin have 15% off for a couple of weeks, so could give you time to choose a new one.

That was me, it’s PILGRIM.

Thank you so much! I am sooo tempted to order the one in your photo but will hold off and wait for your thread (no pressure obviously! I have so much to dk in the garden and haven't been out there because I hate wind and cold and cloud and grey skies and... 😆 so no pressure but when you dl it will be so glad to have the expertise) and also thank you for the code!! I had been scrolling back just now and couldn't find it. So lovely to talk to someone nice with a shared interest, has cheered me up no end and hope this thread will end up like that for the OP too.

And yes, curse Orpheus and the Oneiroi.

Even melatonin cannot defeat them.

*Morpheus!

Bloody hell. 🤣🤣

I'm doing an OU course.

The amount of contact depends on the subject. I'm doing maths so I have all the books delivered to me, they are also online.

There are online tutorials but you do not have to attend and if you do you do not need to say anything and there is no camera use, you just see the white board and some text at the side.

There are some free courses if you want to try them out.

Some courses have summer schools and some you have examinations, the exams are online at the moment, more like a timed assessment.

They are very supportive of special needs / disability and if/when exams return I will have an examiner visit my home, would you be OK with that?

@memesndmoreme Under the Equality Act, mental health conditions such as agoraphobia are considered a disability if it has a substantial and long term impact on day to day life.

Op I'd like to recommend crochet. It's a large part of what keeps me sane. There are so many online resources it's a matter of finding the person who teaches in a way you appreciate and understand.

I'm going through an obsession with making hats at the minute.

I have that Olivia Austin rose. 😊It really is gorgeous and easy to look after but my favourite is Generous Gardener we have growing up our pergola. You need both. 🤣The David Austin catalogue is a thing of beauty but needs to come with a health warning.Ditto the new Chiltern seeds one and Sarah Raven.😍We’ve just been digging a wildlife pond so about to fall down that plant rabbit hole .

The thing about gardening that is good for autism is that it has scope for loads of research, collecting and fresh air but it’s very rewarding too and good for the environment. It helps with the anxiety and you have more control over it than real life. It’s like your own little world you’re creating.I love dahlias and have quite a few pollinating varieties. Grew a few for the first time last year,didn’t lift and they’ve survived but worried about slug munching as they poke their heads up so currently have a few additions on pots incase. May lift all this year.

I started off with this bookhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Brilliant-Wild-Garden-Scratch-Year/dp/1910258636/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?crid=2CE9GSCEI9OSK&keywords=garden+from+scratch&qid=1680500520&sprefix=garden+from+scratch%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-17

I nick a lot of ideas from Sarah Raven, try to grow from seed as much as I can or buy from cheaper places. Wilko has an amazing seed and gardening section.

Then Dh built me a raised bed for veg and use this book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veg-One-Bed-New-Abundance/dp/0241614805/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3NOTQXHVBALB0&keywords=veg+in+one+bed&qid=1680500834&sprefix=veg+in+one+bed%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1

The Sarah Raven podcast is fab and Gardeners World. I love cottage gardens and upcycling and follow several on Instagram.

These are beautiful, I’m really inspired now about gardening I had a feeling it was something I’d enjoy and this has made me sure so I’m definitely going to give it a try. I really really appreciate you posting

I second crochet and knitting. It really keeps me sane. I do it in the evening in front of the TV, then I dont feel I've wasted my life watching rubbish TV because I got a nice woolly thing, too!

I love knitting little animals and flowers, and have crocheted interesting jumpers and hats!

DN who is also ND is doing an online baking course currently and a DF has done a virtual Millinery course.

There does seem to be a wealth of things to try

Fair play if you can crochet while watching TV, I've tried that too many times and ended up making a mess from all the mistakes the only thing I can manage if I'm watching TV is knitting socks as it's so repetitive and I don't have to lok unless I'm doing the heel or toe.

Used to love crocheting little animals though, mini things are very gratifying as they work up so quickly.

Why can't you work ? So many jobs are working from home now

Urgh.

Not your business to dismiss someone's disability

Off you pop, it's been done to death in this thread.

Just as it's finally going well you come along with your ableist shite.

What on earth does working from home have to do with the ability of an autistic person (or someone with other disabilities) to hold down a job?

I work from home. I'm NT and cope pretty well with stress but my god there are days I wonder how on earth I can deal with so many conflicting deadlines and priorities and being pulled in multiple directions. The only difference is that I'm stressed at home rather than stressed in the office. WFH =/= easy.

Nothing ^ it's just stuck to beat someone with.

People take deep joy in being nasty to disabled people. This thread has been a string example.

Haha, yes, sometimes I make mistakes, but mostly fine if the programme is in English; but knitting/crochet whilst watching a programme with subtitles is a recipe for disaster!

The little things are indeed gratifying. I do things that are relevant as gifts... knitting tulips for DD in Amsterdam, a kiwi for DD in NZ, a dog like our dog, etc.
It is very calming.

These are beautiful, I’m really inspired now about gardening I had a feeling it was something I’d enjoy and this has made me sure so I’m definitely going to give it a try. I really really appreciate you posting

Thank you. And it's made me so happy to read this! I hope you'll post updates!

I have that Olivia Austin rose. 😊It really is gorgeous and easy to look after but my favourite is Generous Gardener we have growing up our pergola. You need both. 🤣The David Austin catalogue is a thing of beauty but needs to come with a health warning.Ditto the new Chiltern seeds one and Sarah Raven.😍We’ve just been digging a wildlife pond so about to fall down that plant rabbit hole .

Ooooh that is gorgeous, too! I am trying to hold off purchasing until @Furries does the rose thread. 🫣🤣

The thing about gardening that is good for autism is that it has scope for loads of research, collecting and fresh air but it’s very rewarding too and good for the environment. It helps with the anxiety and you have more control over it than real life. It’s like your own little world you’re creating.I love dahlias and have quite a few pollinating varieties. Grew a few for the first time last year,didn’t lift and they’ve survived but worried about slug munching as they poke their heads up so currently have a few additions on pots incase. May lift all this year.

This is so true, all reasons why it is so appealing. And finally today, sunshine!! ☀️

I found a place in France with some really unusual dahlias:

www.ernest-turc.com

My little girl loves the pompom ones especially. They are the ones she sings to. 🥰

I grew mine mostly in pots last year to keep slugs off more easily but that meant lifting all the spring bulbs which was a PITA. This year I'm going to try leaving spring bulbs in situ in the pots and planting begonias on top for summer as they are planted so shallowly (this worked well in some pots I experimented on last summer) and put the dahlias in the ground. Mentally preparing myself for the slug war!!

Uuuuugh. Another one?

Read the thread!!!!!