How am I?

Originally posted 19th October 2023 on my NeuroDiversity University Facebook page.

Hard to tell how I am feeling, often. Or if I'm physically well, or not.

It's an Autistic Thing, for some.

To help me know if I'm ok, please alert me (kindly) when you notice (more than normal) that:

1. I'm a bit grumpy.

2. I'm a bit blank.

3. I've not been laughing.

4. I seem extra tired.

5. I tell you my vision is blurred.

6. I can't be ar#sed (more than normal) to cook.

7. I can't be ars#d to shower.

8. The house is a tip.

Why?

Because my interoception is not great and I realise (afterwards) that these things above happen when I'm not ok.

Y'see, I struggle to recognise body cues.

Last night I realised my jaw was aching and I think it had been aching for a while. I sort of know but also sort of don't know. Its very hard to explain/describe.

So on a hunch I cancelled all today's Clients (sorry Clients) and hoped I'd get a dentist appointment today.

Guess what?

I have a fecking raging tooth infection.

Antibiotics now started and extraction booked in a few weeks.

Because I have Interoception issues, you can help me by looking out for me so I can figure some patterns and non-body clues that are indicators that I may not be ok. Like the list above.

Please don't expect us to always know what we need.

Sometimes we don't know something is wrong, to know we need something. And we might not know what may help.

Don't tell us 'we should have known sooner'.

Of course we'd like to know that something is wrong or that we need something, sooner.

I'll say it again. I can't know something is wrong if can't notice that something is wrong.

Please do:

Be kind. Not patronising.

Learn (and help us learn) to truly understand our differences and quirks.

Spread the word about Autistic/ADHD experience from people who are themselves Autistic/ADHD and Neurodivergent affirming.

Thank you.

Jill (who may tidy and may cook and may shower, at some point).

Pic Description. Messy bathroom window, fake plant (because I kill real plants), Bottle of Corsodyl, hair spray, toothbrushing yellow timer, mirror. Light outside showing through window.