To my fellow autistic individuals: What’s something that others don’t seem to understand about how we cope with our challenges?
As someone with high-functioning autism who struggles with anger issues stemming from past trauma, I’ve found that even minor outbursts can lead to major consequences. For instance, I once expressed my frustration by insulting someone who was kicking my leg, and as a result, I was removed from class and placed in a special needs program for a week. During that time, I missed out on the lessons my classmates were learning, which was really frustrating for me. I’d love to hear your experiences!
It sounds like you’re going through a really tough time navigating these challenges. It’s confusing and frustrating when you feel like your responses are misinterpreted, especially when it comes to expressing anger or frustration. The approach of isolating someone during an outburst can feel like punishment rather than support, which often doesn’t help in managing emotions effectively.
One thing that makes little sense in these situations is how the support systems in place often focus on punishment rather than understanding the underlying reasons for the behavior. Instead of working to teach coping strategies or providing appropriate outlets for anger, such as counseling or legitimate communication tools, you’re put in a situation that might exacerbate feelings of isolation and frustration.
It’s important for systems, whether in schools or elsewhere, to understand the nuances of how autism interacts with emotions like anger. Everyone deserves to learn in an environment that is supportive and accommodating to their needs. Have you found any strategies that do help you cope with these feelings, or do you feel like there’s a need for more understanding from those around you?