#AutChat
Clear communication and it has to be okay when I can’t keep the routine up, I need to be able to try again and again and again
2
0
0
0
Hashtag
#AutChat
Advertisement · 728 × 90
#AutChat
I’ve become okay with my routines falling apart, it’s just hard to plan with my health
1
0
0
0
#AutChat
I haven’t figured out how to build helpful routines yet
1
0
0
0
#AutChat
My autism and ADHD together make routines very difficult for me. I have a really hard time establishing one myself but I also need routines
My sleep issues add another layer of difficulty
What works best for me are non-strict routines made by others
My work is a good example
2
0
1
0
We might also stop dishing out social capital to “big ideas” people while deducting social capital from “detail oriented grunts”.
This is very Autistic coded discrimination even if you don’t see or admit that.
#AutChat
3
0
0
0
Allow Autistics to settle into monotropic focus and amazing things can happen.
High schools (everything about them), open plan offices, unnecessary in-person meetings, spur of the moment changes to accommodate the easily bored, noisy/bright environments… counterproductive and painful.
#AutChat
16
4
1
1
The world is set up for sports car brains but I’m more like a road train. If the majority were like me, the sports cars would get very bored and be unable to concentrate on their designated tasks and long term projects.
Respecting all neurotypes is key, as usual.
#AutChat
4
0
2
0
Sometimes I can manage one-time shifts because of emergencies or unavoidable interruptions.
But it doesn't mean I can manage sustaining that as a new normal or anything like that.
I need there to be understanding that routines have to work with the way my brain works, not against it. #AutChat A4
1
0
0
0
The mental processes needed in order to make sure that routines happen successfully aren't really optional.
I need people to understand that when changes happen, it might take me extra time to work around it.
#AutChat A4
1
0
1
0
Here's a good example.
Let's say that I need to submit a monthly report to my supervisor.
So I decided that the way I remember to do this is to submit the report when I also submit my monthly timesheets.
If my supervisor says they're due a week before?
The tie is lost; routine fails. #AutChat A4
1
0
1
0
But also, understanding the nature of how my routines are associated is super important.
Because, for example, anything that's part of "get ready for work" might not consistently happen if I don't have to go to work on a specific day.
#AutChat A4
1
0
1
0
If I say "What time do we need to leave" and you say "we need to be there at this time," that's not helpful.
If I ask again "What time do we need to leave" and you tell me how long it takes to get there, that's not helpful.
What time do I need to be ready to leave?!?
#AutChat A4
1
0
1
0
If I'm in a multiplayer environment (why can't I come up with a better term for this), clear communication really needs to be there.
If I'm supposed to get ready to go somewhere, I just need to know exactly what time I should be ready to leave.
#AutChat A4
1
0
1
0
A lot of this depends on whether or not other people are involved in the situation.
Because if I'm talking about routines while I'm living alone, there's nobody to negotiate with. So communication isn't a factor.
#AutChat A4
1
0
1
0
Feel free to suggest ideas for #AutChat topics (or offer to help write questions)! For scheduled topics, see autchat.com
Every topic we've ever run: autchat.com/all-topics/ We're happy to rerun past chats we haven't revisited in a while, especially now that we’re on a new platform!
0
0
0
0
Reminder: We don’t currently create transcripts of #AutChat.
We’ll update these intro/outro posts if that changes in the future.
0
0
0
0
Next Sunday’s #AutChat is on self-harm. April 5, 1pm Pacific / 4pm Eastern / 20:00 UTC / 9pm BST on BlueSky. autchat.com/self-harm/
If you know anyone who might be interested and is autistic or similarly neurodivergent, we encourage you to invite them.
0
0
0
0
The scheduled #AutChat is wrapping up. It's fine to keep chatting, join in late, or use the tag at other times!
0
0
0
0
I guess, in a lot of ways, my backpack is the thing that helps me to keep my routines, despite interruptions.
But I also feel like those interruptions were completely avoidable with better communication.
#AutChat A3
1
0
0
0
I also feel like, if my shoes are in my room, and I have to go to my room to get there, it also gives me time to shut the door and give myself a moment to adjust myself to the sudden routine shift.
It also lets me collect myself and check my list to see if I have everything I need.
#AutChat A3
1
0
1
0
If I leave my shoes in my room next to my backpack...
I physically can't leave home without shoes on, right?!?
if mom says "we need to go right now" and I don't have my shoes on... my shoes aren't optional.
I have to go to my room and get my shoes, and the rest of my things.
#AutChat A3
1
0
1
0
Making sure I can handle interruptions in my routine required me to keep everything ready in my backpack, prepared the night before.
Plus, phone is plugged into the charger, and the phone is resting on top of my backpack.
But that's kinda half of the plan...
#AutChat A3
1
0
1
0
There's things I tend to need to have when I go places, like my keys and my phone and my wallet and my glasses.
If mom says "we need to go right now" that usually doesn't involve time to find those things.
So if I need those things, I need them assembled in one spot - my backpack.
#AutChat A3
1
0
1
0
Whenever we needed to go somewhere, I'd make sure that I knew exactly what time we'd have to leave, so I could budget my time carefully.
And just about every time, mom would announce, at least ten minutes early, "Come on, let's go. We have to be there in 15 minutes."
#AutChat A3
1
0
1
0
If I'm running late and don't have time for breakfast, I make sure that I have some bagels in the fridge so I can grab a couple and eat them on the way to the bus.
But I feel like before I moved out on my own, that's when the most interruptions happened.
#AutChat A3
1
0
1
0
This is bringing back so many memories.
I feel like, to a large extent, my routines tend to be built around being able to allow for slight adjustments to make sure that all the various parts of my routine still happen.
#AutChat A3
1
0
1
0
Snap into gear and then take an extended amount of recovery time.
This is invisible to others.
Note that as you enter middle age, you’ll notice this more because you may not have realised the extent to which you were expending energy over and above the norm.
#AutChat
7
1
0
1
Q4: What kinds of support would be helpful to you with respect to routines (increasing helpful ones or negotiating better ones)? #AutChat
2
1
1
3
Can I have a very busy day, or week, and get everything done? Yes.
But the weekend will be a write off.
I’ve previously done a job full of constant interruptions and thinking on my feet. I burned out after 4 and a bit years.
#AutChat
3
0
0
0
See, this is where I consider myself somewhat disabled in a world which requires adaptability.
If I have an appointment on a day, good luck to me getting anything else done until it’s over.
Schedule early in the day? Yeah, if I can.
#AutChat
3
0
1
0