Is it true that people with autism can solve puzzles better than others? Or it's only in movies?

Sound overload is often talked about as a personal problem, but I strongly believe that society can make changes to make the world a more sensory-safe place for everyone. Sound overload can occur from: Sudden sounds Repeating sounds High-pitched whines Consistent buzzing Too much time listening to music After I received my Autism diagnosis, I realized how much sound overstimulation was affecting my daily quality of life. My special interests and hyperfixations almost always focus on music, and I had this music on all day, everyday. I wanted to scream when people scraped their teeth on their forks as they ate. When someone snored at night, I wound up in tears. Most people address sound overload by focusing on symptom reduction, i.e. noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, & white noise machines. When possible, I prefer to adjust the environment I am in. This way, my body feels safe; I can refresh myself sensory-wise. Steps I’ve taken to reduce sound overload: Using rugs to absorb sound Playing gentle, ambient music Wearing noise-canceling earbuds Checking in with my body when I’m watching/listening to special interests for long periods of time While sound stimulation can be overwhelming, I am also a sensory seeker. When it comes to my special interests, I can go to loud concerts and listen to music almost all day long. I’ve noticed that afterward, I need a period of silence, or else I’m more susceptible to meltdowns.

Autistic Affirmations💛 . My needs matter. I am me and that's enough. All autistic people are different. I respect my boundaries. It's ok not to be ok. I'm learning how to unmask. No self-gaslighting anymore. My special interests are amazing. Keep stimming. Comfort items are not childish. My struggles are real. Asking for help is good. I deserve to be happy. .

According to a yet unpublished study, half of autistic women and girls live with pain on a daily basis. Around two thirds (60%) of them report having missed work or school due to pain in the past year. . About one third of autistic men report living with daily pain, and report missing work and school due to their pain experiences. Although less frequent and disabling than in women and girls, pain affects many autistic men. . These data were reported by a new study, which has not been published yet. It has been presented at the annual meeting of 2021 International Society for Autism Research

Autism can be a gift because it can help give you that extra will-power and you can get into things a lot more than many non-autistic people

For autistic people, equally adults and children, having comfort items is common, natural and healthy. They can be really anything, plushies, toys, blankets, or everyday objects. . Whatever they are,many autistic people need their comfort items also when going outside. They can be a great help in overwhelming situations. I think they are calming, they make me feel safe, happy, and they are great for stimming too. . Even though, in the neurotipical world, they are usually associated with children, they are not something to be ashamed of, and I think that they are amazing! . When I see others with their comfort items in public, I feel someone finally understands me, and I just feel less alone. It also encourages me that it's OK to be myself. . I have several comfort items, mainly plushies, blankets and small pieces of fabrics, and they are usually for different occasions. . Yay for comfort items!

Change is hard for a lot of people, especially autistic people. We come to rely so heavily on certain people, places, things, routines, and even ideas, that when that thing is changed in some way, it can create massive meltdowns. My whole life, I have always jumped in head first for hobbies, friendships, and other ventures. And when something goes wrong or someone leaves or something changes, it throws my entire existence for a loop. Most people tell me, just don't get so attached. It's very difficult for me to do that. And I'm going to make another post later about attachments. But when things change without my approval or initiation, I lose focus on everything. I am swarmed with uncertainty. There could be 100 things unchanged in my life, but 1 thing could change without my approval and I would have breakdowns for a week. Coping with change is something I need to work more on, and it's something that I hope will get better with time and therapy. If you're struggling with change right now, know that I see you and I hear you. Try to focus on one small stable thing in your life. Even if it's the fact that you can brush your teeth at a specific time each night. Giving ourselves stability in a time of change is very important to keep ourselves grounded. Change can be scary and overwhelming, but you've got this.

My son is already 3 years old and he is only able to say some words. I think maybe he has autism. How can I know it?