preferring to play with objects rather than people
developing a highly specific interest in particular subjects or activities
preferring to have a familiar routine and getting very upset if there are changes to their normal routine
having a strong like or dislike of certain foods based on the texture or color of the food as much as the taste
Possible signs of autism in adults
The signs given here do not necessarily mean an adult is autistic. And autistic adults may not show all the signs.
Interacting with others
not always understanding social "rules"
understanding "personal space" differently
feeling anxious or stressed in social situations
finding it hard to judge "appropriate" interactions, such as being either too formal or too familiar
finding it difficult to make friends and keep them
lack of eye contact or too much
Communication
speech may have a different stress or pitch
use of repetition
asking questions that other people might find inappropriate
Unusual or repetitive behaviour
preferring or being reliant on routine
feeling anxious or stressed at changes that may seem minor to other people
having particular or very focused interests
finding rituals helpful
finding it hard to understand abstract concepts, such as time and choice
Autistic adults are more likely to have had problems staying in education or finding and staying in work.
A Little Bit About Me
Hi, my name is Jeremy Tolmie I am 38 years old and have Autism spectrum disorder Level 1.
I am a certified computer technician having graduated from Academy of Learning with my Computer Service Technician Diploma with honors.
I used to work for Literacy Central Vancouver Island as a computer technician. I refurbished donated computers that go to families with kids on welfare.
I used to live with my parents in a 500 SQF bachelor pad. They converted the carport into a living space for me. It has a walk-in closet and a full bathroom. I just share the laundry room. kitchen, and dining room.
As a result of my DX of ASD 1 I was able to get on Disability assistance at 19, got the disability bus pass, the disability ferry pass, the disability entertainment pass, the disability tax credit, and in 2010 I got the Disability savings plan. Way back then the disability assistance was only $745 a month. Now it is $1183 a month. Back then you could only make $100 a month before they cut back your disability assistance check. Now you can make $12000 a year before they cut back your check.
With the disability tax credit, I don’t have to pay taxes till I make over $20000 a year in taxable income.
With the disability savings plan the government puts in $1000 a year for 20 years of bonds which comes to $20000 that I do not have to pay back. Plus, they put in 3 times the amount of money that I put in up to $70000 total in grants that I do not have to pay back. So that means that I get $90000 towards my retirement. I have to wait till I am 59 years old before I can start to take money out of the plan. Plus, you have to wait 10 years from the time you get the bonds and grants before you can take money out and not pay them back. I have another 20 and a half years to go before I can start taking money out of the plan. I live in BC Canada that is why I get such good options.
I now live with a support worker who takes care of me and cooks my suppers. He also is an advocate for me helping when I need it. Like taking me to dr appointments and things like that. The government pays him $716 a month room and board. I get $467 from the government after paying the support worker. So, my total disability assistance check is $1183 a month.
I am working at the library part time putting books away. I work 4 hours a day 4 days a week at the library. I make minimum wage which is at $13.85 an hour which gives me $437 every 2 weeks doing that job. I get paid 4 hours for stat holidays so that is just a bonus. They take deductions for Canada pension plan, employment insurance, and workers compensation. That is why my check is only $437 instead of $443. I have been doing it for over 4 years now.
At the end of the year I put whatever is left into a tax-free savings account which is invested in mutual funds. My disability savings plan is also invested in mutual funds, so I earn lots of interest and reinvestment into the funds.
I love computers, hockey, star trek, video games, alternative music, crime tv shows, most movies except romantic comedies, lord of the rings, harry potter, most fantasy and sifi books movies and games, Netflix, apple products, reading, writing and blogging, Facebook, cartoons, comics, and so much more.
I am always up to making new friends on FB and getting new followers for my blogs. I am also always up to talking to people about what it has been like for me. Or about anything that they want to talk about. I am way more social on FB then I am in person that is why I love FB and am glad that it is around so that I can feel good about being social and giving me the time, I need to make conversations.
I am 18 months older than my brother but have not spoken to him in 18 years. I was adopted at 18 months and did not find out about him till 18 years ago. we met once and he is so much like me it is amazing. he does not look like me, but his mannerisms are so similar you would atomically know that we were brothers.
He got to grow up with my birth mother till she died when he was 14. I never got to meet her so all I have is what my
brother said about her and what my blood grandmother said and what was in her medical file. she died from a brain tumour so that is how I found out about them at all. My biological grandmother got in touch with my parents to get me tested when I was 16. the docs first DX was OCD at 16 a year later they said ASD 2 PDD-NOS then 6 months later said ASD 1 Asperger’s syndrome.
It is just so frustrating to feel like you should be able to do all the normal stuff that everybody else does and that it should not be this hard or difficult. That there is no rhyme or reason for how much anxiety you feel all the time. That it should not be this hard to talk to people and keep friends. It really is hard to deal with sometimes. I just wish the good days would out way the bad days once in a while.
I hate when people ask how I feel. I have no freaking idea how I feel so stop asking me this please and thank you. I could not tell you or anyone how I am felling at any given time. I might
