Are you an adult with High-Functioning Autism or Asperger's? Are you in a relationship with someone on the autism spectrum? Are you struggling emotionally, socially, spiritually or otherwise? Then you've come to the right place. We are here to help you in any way we can. Kick off your shoes and stay awhile...

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How to Be a Chronic Worrier: Asperger’s Guidelines to Increase Anxiety

As an adult with Asperger’s (high-functioning autism), you are probably an expert in experiencing anxiety. However, if you want to kick your game up a few notches, adopt the “beliefs” listed below. They are guaranteed to move your anxiety to an all new level. [NOTE: This post is meant to be sarcastic.]

Belief #1: You should spend copious amounts of time contemplating all the possible things that might go wrong in any particular situation, or else you won’t be adequately prepared. “What if ________ (fill in the blank) happens?” …should become your new mantra.

Belief #2: Make yourself adopt the notion that you are a “born worrier.” In other words, you “have to worry” because it’s a genetic trait, so there’s no sense in trying to change something that is totally out of your control.



Belief #3: Accept that you are unable to find solutions to most problems, and as such, worrying is the best option.

Belief #4: Adopt the idea that if you let other people know what they do that makes you anxious, they will change their behavior to accommodate your wishes. In other words, feel free to engage in “emotional blackmail” as needed.

Belief #5: Come to understand that if you worry about others, it will show that you care about them. You know how great it feels when you see that someone else is continually worrying about you – right? So, return the favor!

Belief #6: Realize that if you worry about something long and hard enough – it’s likely to happen. Thus, create as many “self-fulfilling prophecies” as possible.

Belief #7: If you “feel” really nervous about something, it must mean that it’s a real threat. Therefore, you SHOULD worry about it – because feelings make facts.

Belief #8: Spend a long time thinking through every aspect of an issue before making a decision, because “spur-of-the-moment” decisions are often deadly!

Belief #9: Be advised that just because something you worried about in the past didn’t happen, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future. As such, “jumping to conclusions” and creating “worst-case scenarios” is highly recommended.

Belief #10: If you unceasingly worry about something (e.g., all day, all night, into the next day, etc.), you may be able to prevent bad things from happening. Increased worry equals fewer unwanted outcomes.

These are all beliefs that will raise your stress-level so high that your nearest competitors will be absolutely blown away. So, go ahead – lead the pack.


==> Living With Aspergers: Help for Couples
 

23 Ways to Get Out of a Funk: Tips for Aspies




Here are some quick and effective ideas for improving your mood – quickly:


1. Achieve a small goal: Even little successes have big mood payoffs (e.g., getting the back yard mowed).

2. Be here now: The best way to stay cheerful is to stay centered in the present. In contrast, a wandering mind brings you down. 

3. Be mindful: Don’t dwell so much on the past and the future. Instead, tell yourself that nothing really changes regardless of how much you think about the past and, in most cases, the future.

4. Be nice: Holding the door for the person behind you or donating five bucks to a favorite charity improves your mood.

5. Breath: Belly breathing switches on the parasympathetic nervous system, helping calm mind and mood. 

6. Burn a candle: Flickering flames burn away stress and help you feel better all around.

7. Chew: The repetitive action of gnawing on gum or beef jerky promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety and stress.

8. Compliment someone: Complimenting people usually will improve their mood, and it also improves yours. 

9. Do something new: Even adding something small to a normal routine can brighten up a day. 

10. Drink green tea: It contains theanine, which has a calming effect on your body.

11. Eat dark chocolate: Eating chocolate makes you feel happy.

12. Get distracted: Step away from worries for a few minutes and get absorbed in something neutral (e.g., trimming a bush, drawing a picture). 

13. Get outside: A boost of vitamin D can keep the blues at bay.

14. Jump: Get endorphins pumping fast with some jumping jacks, jump rope, or random flailing around.

15. Masturbate: If you’re cranky at home (or somewhere else that’s private), orgasms can mellow you out.

16. Meditate: Just a few minutes of sitting quietly, focusing on the breath, and chanting a few Oms (silently or out loud) can snap you out of a funk.

17. Notice small miracles: Look around for small wonders (e.g., a butterfly).

18. Pet your pet: Cuddling, playing, or just chilling out with Sparky helps you feel happier and less stressed.

19. Rearrange the furniture: Changing an environment helps you feel refreshed, enabling you to bust out of a negative mood.

20. Sing: Sing along with a happy song (perfect pitch not required).

21. Smile: The act of smiling really does improve mood fast.

22. Sniff: Inhaling the scent of orange oil or lavender reduces anxiety and improves mood.

23. Snuggle: Climbing under a soft blanket for a few minutes makes you more relaxed and flexible.

Mood is determined by neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin, dopamine and GABA). Low levels of these natural chemicals are the reason for a low mood and other emotional issues. Try some of the ideas above – right now – to get out of your funk.

==> Living With Aspergers: Help for Couples
 

ASD and Difficulty in Understanding the Emotional and Social World

People with ASD have a tough time comprehending what’s going on in the social world. For example, they may pay attention to WHAT the other person is saying, but not HOW he or she is saying it (e.g., the term “thanks” may be a genuine expression of gratitude or a form of sarcasm, depending on the situation).

Many adults with ASD have a desire to interact, but they often do so in an odd way. Many of them long to form romantic relationships (as they understand them) but may have little idea how to make the relationship work.

They may have very little insight into how they are perceived by others due to the fact that they have problems reading social or emotional cues. Their approach is often awkward and one-sided and reflects a lack of understanding that the other people in the exchange have needs and desires that have to be taken into account. As a result, some of these people may come off as pushy, insensitive, or strange.



The person with ASD may be able to describe correctly (in a cognitive and formalistic way) the other person’s emotions and desires - but is often unable to act on this knowledge spontaneously and intuitively. As a result, the tempo of the interaction gets lost.

The lack of spontaneous adaptation and poor intuition is often accompanied by a significant reliance on rigid social conventions and formalistic rules of behavior. These traits are basically responsible for the impression of behavioral rigidity and social naiveté and that is often witnessed in the Aspie. Such social skills deficits may be somewhat masked in the early going of a romantic relationship - but may stand out in sharp relief once the individual begins to feel comfortable with his or her partner.

It is often said that the person with ASD “lacks empathy.” In fact, some “neurotypicals” (i.e., non-autistic people) go so far as to say that he is sociopathic (e.g., extremely intelligent, but has no feelings for others). While this view may be understandable (especially in the eyes of a hurt, embittered neurotypical spouse), it’s far from being the case. 

A real sociopath is a cruel exploiter with a creepy ability to read and use others’ emotions against them for his or her own gain. In sharp contrast, the person with ASD is simply clueless. For example, due to his social ineptitude and unawareness of social rules and expectations, he may make blunt requests of a sexual nature, or his intense “special interests” may lead him to commit strange acts associated with those interests.

Many people with ASD are also accused of being rude and critical. Why? Because they tend to say what they are is thinking without the “social filter” that neurotypical people make use of. The Aspie may make a comment on somebody’s appearance, level of intelligence, disability, race, or political affiliation without any awareness that such a comment is hurtful.

The unapproachable and aloof individual has often been likened to Mr. Spock of Star Trek (all logic and no emotion). The less aloof individual may resemble Mr. Data (also of Star Trek fame). He was an android who, like Pinocchio, wanted to be a “real” person, but had great difficulty understanding romance, emotion, and humor. Both of these characters offer an opportunity for insight into what it may be like to be a person on the spectrum– so smart in some ways, so lost in others.

What's The Best Therapy for Adults with Aspergers?

“My name is Josh and I’m a 24 y.o. recently diagnosed Aspie and was wondering what the best therapy would be. I have (and had for many years) anxiety issues, depression, difficulty connecting with some people, some sensory sensitivities, just to name a few.”

No “best” therapy exists since every person on the spectrum is different. What may be highly effective for someone else may not benefit you in the least. But, there are several standard courses of treatment that can address different issues, depending on the individual.

Here are some of the most prevalent options available:

1. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA): Although the majority of ABA is done with kids, experts are starting to work with adults, too. Basic living skills is a popular goal for this therapy (booking a flight, renting an apartment, preparing for a job interview, etc.).



2. Speech and Language Therapy: This therapy deals with social communication, and in some cases, social skills (e.g., how to get better and reading non-verbal cues and body language).

3. Social Skills Training: This therapy can help you learn how to relate better to others (e.g., details such as personal space and understanding slang, how to recognize social cues and gestures, making and keeping friends, etc.).

4. Sensory Integration Therapy: This therapy will help you get your sensory systems in synch.

5. Physical Therapy: This therapy addresses the physical clumsiness that sometimes comes with the disorder (e.g., problems with balance, awkward gait, etc.).

6. Occupational Therapy: This approach is basically used to teach independence (e.g., typing, handwriting, social skills, sports skills such as bowling, etc.).

7. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This method is used to treat the emotional side of Aspergers (e.g., obsessions, anxiety, depression, etc.). CBT will help you form the connections between emotions and behavior.

Best of luck Josh!

==> Living With Aspergers: Help for Couples
 

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