Chris Memmott

I work as an Autistic Associate for Ndti where I am involved in multiple Autism programmes and projects. Love books, computer games, rugby, animals and family.

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

Thinking about my life experience.
I rarely put myself into a situation where I overload anymore so honestly, my sensory troubles are closest to a fatigue condition. Never aweful, but never really fully recover. Never start a task or day with anything but a sigh and exhaustion.

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

@Saraheboon Under covers, no noise, book to read and full stomach.

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

Chatting with friends made me realise how hard it is for me to recommend an autism charity.

Fact of the matter is that autism as a sensory condition is a fairly new discovery and most big orgs just havnt had the time, or inclination, to adapt away from behavioural focus. Tough.

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

One of the most powerful messages I have ever heard, or given to someone, is a simple one, "It makes sense, your experience makes sense"

So often people think they are irrational, broken, wrong for what they feel, or how they react to a situation.

Acknowledge, reassure, heal.

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

@joqatana So often I find outbursts or "autistic behaviours" are simply frustration and pain due to the inability to escape the situation.

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

Been pondering.

My reactions to sensory overload are actually more based on frustration than anything else.

Frustration that my thought process has been interupted, that I cant focus past the overload, that i cant process anything but the stimulus.

Frustration, not anger.

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

I come across a lot of different approaches to autistic care, good and bad.

For me it breaks down to three basics.

Quiet / Appropriate sensory environment.
Focus and encouragement on special interests.
Person centered approach.

Simple and neutral at the core, adapt as needed

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

@au_pis_aller @thinkingautism Its variable but there are some common themes. Less reliance on eye contact, facial expressions, small talk.
Focus on specialist subjects, more subtle body language and so on. This touches on the subject, but lots more research to be done!
https://t.co/eYicTbGqOK

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

Its a fact that autistic folk have to learn to mimic non autistic social behaviours or else be seen by the non autistic masses as either odd, angry, distant or a threat.

Its just a shame that so few ever try to learn our autistic communication system, why is it on us to adapt?

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

@maryfisk007 @AnnMemmott A good way of thinking of it; the brain is a series of roads and information is traffic. A lot of autism = managing those roads, reducing traffic and using biggest and best roads (special interests) as they can handle most traffic.
The better traffic flow the more processing!

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

@maryfisk007 @AnnMemmott Fair questions!
Our communication does not have reliance on; eye contact, facial expression or small talk. We engage best with our special interests and our body language system is far more subtle, NT body language is like shouting.
A good resource is:
https://t.co/eYicTbGqOK

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

@JonxeHart @mykola I learnt this at the age of 15! Asked my mom why no one liked me and she told me to try it, it worked a treat!
Social routines are integral, they keep people from seeing you as a threat! Amazing how quickly they become unsettled if you dont follow the script!

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

@writingautistic Fairly sure the point of the poll is to show how ridiculous the question is and draw attention to the issue. Its not meant to be anything more

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

@AnnMemmott @GreenRoc @Roslynbooks @BiggMattWeaford The idea of changing someone because others have bullied them is... how is the aim not to stop the bullying instead? Make that unacceptable, focus on the abuser rather than changing the victim?

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

https://t.co/J2D0sLaQ0Q

One of the best videos ive ever seen to visually describe a sensory overload / meltdown. Used for years in training sessions, uncertain who the origional creator may be

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

A blog written with the wonderful Ann Memmott a while back, a metaphor I regularly use to explain what is a truly frustrating everyday experience! https://t.co/0pvCNanoBL

[Chris Memmott @C_Memmott]

Hello to all you dedicated tweeters!