Neurodiversity thread - for all MNetters who are neurodiverse - ASD, ADHD, Dyspraxia and more.

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Welcome one and all to the new thread. A safe haven for MNetters who identify as neurodiverse, diagnosis or not, and those waiting for assessment. Links available in recent threads. Newbies welcome. We just ask that you introduce yourself

As a child I always wanted a rat that would sit in my pocket and poke his head out every now and then for food/cuddles/conversation

Hoodies are very convenient for ratties - you can keep them up a sleeve, in the hood while it's down, or in an emergency bung them in the pouch on the front ("help here comes a member of staff and I'm not sure I can convince Tesco she's an assistance rat").

And if they're sitting on your shoulder you can put your hood up when you're not in the mood for having a whiskery nose poked in your ear.

I once completely buggered up my hip and coccyx for weeks because I fell over while two rats were inside my hoodie, and I had to prioritise making sure they wouldn't be hurt.

Well done Polt!

Oh god. You've reminded me, I need to be formulating some kind of research question around 19th century socialism in literature

Brilliant HRF!
The mince pies look lovely.

And well done Polter, proper notes sound good.

I have also done bugger all today. My husband is away which means i will probably stay in my nice, soft onesie all day. I dont like clothes and have often thought i should be a naturist. I just love being naked. Really dislike wearing tights and bras - they are so restrictive.

Would anyone share what they do in the way of self care? I need to practise some extreme self care but i will probably forget to do it.

Rural, my dad is a naturist. He's certainly autistic and says he reckons a high proportion of naturists are and prefer not to wear clothes for sensory reasons. He wears clothes around the house if anyone else is home (though, often just shorts or trousers) but he goes to a naturist club near my parents'.

That's so weird I was literally just sent that article by a friend!

Did anyone have to do puzzles in their assessment?

I usually wear jeans with either a hoody or a revolting frayed old shirt. Bras have to be right, my youngest is nearly 6 but I'm still wearing feeding bras as I found a style that is comfortable.
Does anyone else find they wear something longer than they should? If I'm going through an anxious stage I keep wearing the same stuff so it smells and feels right.

My personal care, similar to Polter's (learning to say no).
I listen to music through earphones when shopping, makes the whole thing easier (although I sometimes get carried away and conduct).
Long baths and reading in the bath
Time alone
Time alone
Time alone.

Albadross, I had a wooden puzzle type thing in my assessment, with pieces missing.

Ds3 made me a wooly beard today, which was very kind of him. I have a rather fetching photo of a bearded me which he's expecting me to put on FB.

Polter - i also have huge boobs so do wear a bra when out but it feels like a clamp.

BDH - i could well believe that about naturists. I just find clothes constantly feel restrictive and irritating.

Cloud - that tickled me about the conducting. I find myself singing at random times.

Alba - no puzzles for me but i did do lots of cognitive tests in the dyslexia test i had originally - even though they didnt think it was dyslexia the college still did one. I was able to tell her the results of that but i think this particular lady just asks questions and observes/ looks out for the more subtle traits. I was ticcing away rather dramatically, i thought i was being subtle on that front but clearly not

Oh and this lady and the psych that i will be seeing dont ask family members in as she believes that some parents can influence it in a negative way if they themselves have issues with their adult child having a diagnosis. That suited me down to the ground tbh as i didnt want them there anyway

Clothes are a big issue for me. I wear jeans a lot. I am seriously fussy about underwear. I was miffed today in Asda as all their undies bar 3 pairs were padded and I don't like pads. I can't wear anything lacey (itchy). I had to bin one bra because it itched at the back. Can't explain why! I'm most comfortable in joggers/pjs. I also like dresses and leggings (well the right leggings) because it looks smart but feels comfy. I'm glad I wear a uniform for work because it stops me having to debate about what to wear every day!

I did psychometric tests for dyslexia testing. I either did brilliantly or rubbish, very spoken profile - (if normal was 10-12, I got 14s or 8s, nothing in the 10 mark!). My ASD assessment was all talking. Some was from what I said, I just tried to be honest, some was based on presentation. (She noted my lack of eye contact - I couldn't maintain it for the 2 hour assessment! - and my monotone voice which I hadn't realised before but now notice all the time.

I love to crochet. It's really helped my mental health. I learn best from YouTube videos, especially JaydaInstitches and Bella Crochet. I started leaning two years ago. I'm working on a blanket, slow progress but I think it'll be nice! I'll attach a picture of my most recent square.

Cloud, that's prompted a memory of me in my bedroom as a teenager with music blasting out and me stood with a pen or something 'conducting'. It seems like such a weird thing for a teenager to spend time doing but it makes sense now. The music blasting out obstructed any other noise and the 'conducting' is a sort of stimmy thing, isn't it? I was always a bit embarrassed by it but really enjoyed it.

I love conducting too. I imagine myself in front of a big orchestra and i play alot of air Hammond organ too.

I used to spend hours listening to various pieces of music, and teaching myself to play along (badly).
If I wave my arms and hands around I feel like I'm part of the music and it really helps to control my anxiety.

Quick nip into town for emergency stationery (yes stationery can be an emergency), replacement loyalty card, solder, and an emery board; fancied stopping off for a quick coffee too. But town centre was full of stalls and lights and live music and happy children running everywhere screeching and jam-packed with people and so LOUD and it spilled over into the coffee shop too. Had to forego coffee and hightail it back to the car with my fingers in my ears :( DP reckons it might have been the Christmas lights switch-on. Why do people have to have fun, dammit? Don't they know I just wanted a quiet coffee?! My heart was thumping and I felt hot all over - have come for a coffee to local supermarket Starbucks but am still not back to normal. Hate my stupid brain.

Thanks Polter - Starbucks is noisy, but bearable IYSWIM. Also I've got my earflaps down so my head is being cuddled by fur