Tag: communication
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Is my mum hinting me?
Two days ago, when I visited mum for the first time in her new care home, she told me she wants to live in Poland, unless it’s impossible, then she’ll go back to mine again. It sounded to me like expectation Mind you, she didn’t say ‘In Smardzewice’, where our family home is, just ‘in…
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What I’m really worried about
I asked myself what it is that I’m so worried about and in response I saw my mum being dragged into a whirpool of something thick and sticky and I knew I won’t be able to get her out. I suppose it was a whirpool of care system and it meant she’ll never be able…
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The call
I wanted to call my mum and the nurse passed the phone to her but I guess she didn’t make sure my mum is fully awake (she likes her afternoon nap) and there was only silence there so I disconnected the call, slightly irritated and then I thought: that is what is going to happen…
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Never say that to psychiatric patient with Asperger’s
When I was in psychiatric hospital after my second psychotic episode I asked the staff what is going to happen with me if I don’t get better and he said ‘Just take your medication’. For me that sounded like if he was telling me to take an overdose. Of course I knew that’s not what…
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How to stop moaning when you talk to NTs
You know that feeling when you want to have a moan, but just a little one, like 3 minutes only, and then you want to move on? It’s not so easy when you talk to NTs. You need to know a special code. I discovered it in my early 30s by a total accident. It…
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The choice
One of the communication techniques I managed to work out by observing my diagnostician, is asking questions in form of, what I call, ‘statement with a void’. This one is very good for helping us make a choice. Let’s say you want to find out how the autistic person in your life would like to…
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I hope that helps
It has been brought to my attention that what I’m doing here – I mean, providing phrases neurotypical people use, is not going to be effective. Well, obviously, we can’t just learn all of them by heart (although I don’t really have that many for now, do I?) but I’m sure it’s better to do…
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I’m sure you’re going to handle everything beautifully
Imagine a situation when you have to leave work early and the only person staying in is much less experienced than you. What are you going to say? ‘I’m sure you’re going to handle everything beautifully’ is an example of a supportive and encouraging statement. If you’re both females, that is! Do not attempt to…
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Think about what you really want to do
When I first wanted to discuss starting this blog with my boyfriend, also autistic, he said: ‘Think about what you really want to do’ and it sounded really supportive, in a logical way, which is exactly what I appreciate him for. But then, after like two hours of exchanging ideas he said the same thing…
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That’s not good enough!
Another of my favourite sayings, that I picked up just a few weeks ago. You can use it to create powerful sarcastic message. Imaging that you tell your manager that sometimes, when it’s not busy, your colleagues start friendly banter and you don’t feel included. The response you’re getting is: why don’t you go to…
Autistic and me 