Autistic Artist

Todd's Visit

Todd Jacobs made a presentation regarding autism service dogs last week at the U.C. Davis M.I.N.D. Institute. He visited Sacramento with his friend Pamela (photo at left) and service dog Glindy (photo below left). My husband and I were the lucky ones to escort them, including taking them out to dinner. I very much enjoyed their company and speaking with Todd and Pamela.

What interested me most, personally, was when Todd mentioned to me that with his dog he was able to go out socially, shopping with his loved ones for half a day. To me that would be a major accomplishment. Like Todd, an hour or two in such an environment is so taxing that I’d be exhausted the rest of the day. In fact, were I to go to another town to make a presentation such as Todd’s, I’d be so tired, I’d have to rest an entire week afterward! But Todd said that his dog provides feedback and a focus that greatly reduces the over-stimulation.

See my review of Todd's presentation at my dog blog.

Gluten Free

Guess what? I have coffee back in my diet! YAY!

I was desperate not to feel so sick anymore. So I've started a new way of eating.

I've gone gluten free.

In 2007

Moping around is not an exaggeration. This was by far one of the most difficult holiday seasons I've ever experienced.

I've had too many changes in the past year. I think the enormity of all has finally hit me. I feel like I've been knocked down.

I Miss My Coffee

My favorite way to improve my life is to find a book or article or website which details how someone else improved theirs, then try to adapt their method to meet my needs.

Unfortunately, there is very little written for adults with Asperger Syndrome.

Reducing Fatigue

So yesterday, I took a small break every half hour. It seemed excessive, but I was actually able to get two things done instead of just one (some physical work and a meeting at night). Plus, I had plenty of energy after I got home -- at least for an hour. Plus, I am actually up early this morning.

It is difficult to stop myself from working and give myself forced breaks. Today I am doing research, so we will see how it works out with a different kind of task.

Fatigue

Right now I'm working with my fatigue.

I say "working with" because, as far as I can tell, daily life for me creates enough fatigue that I must figure out a way to schedule it in, or minimize it enough that its impact on my schedule is manageable. I think this might be true of many autistic people who have issues with sensory integration.