| How to Help Your Child Make Friends Posted: 02 Apr 2016 05:00 PM PDT Some kids are naturally good at making friends, while other kids may struggle to strike up a conversation with another child. If your child has been struggling to make friends, you may be concerned and want to know what you can do to help. There are many different ways that you can support your child's socialization efforts, help your child to develop good social skills, and increase your child's opportunities for socializing. EditImproving Your Child's Social Skills - Model good behavior for your child. Children look to their parents for guidance about how to behave in social situations. Modeling good social behavior when you interact with acquaintances, friends, family members, and other parents can help your children develop positive social skills.[1]
- Look for similarities in your likes and dislikes. If you are just getting to know someone, pay attention to what the other person says he or she likes and point out similarities when appropriate. For example, if the person mentions that he or she enjoys swimming and you also like to swim, you might point this out.
- Be a good listener. Demonstrate active listening skills for your child by facing the person when he or she is speaking, making eye contact, not interrupting, and acknowledging what the other person has said by making neutral statements, such as "Yes," "I see," and "Uh-huh."
- Foster empathy in your child. Empathy allows us to take the perspective of someone else and consider how that person might be feeling. This is an important skill for healthy friendships because it can help us to be more sensitive to our friends' feelings and to respond in helpful ways.[2][3]
- For example, having empathy can help your child to understand that a classmate who has just lost a pet must be feeling sad. This can help your child to know that she should be extra kind to the person to make her feel a bit better.
- You can help your child to develop empathy by asking her questions that encourage her to take the perspective of others. For example, if your child tells you that a classmate was not in school today because her dog died, then you might say, "That's really sad. How do you think Susie must feel right now?"
- Talk to your child about good friend qualities. You can also help your child develop good friend qualities by discussing those qualities with your child. Try asking your child questions to help her think about what he wants from his friends.[4] For example, you might ask your child:
- What do you look for in a friend?
- What traits should a good friend have?
- What kind of behavior makes you want to be friends with someone?
- Teach your child about good conversation skills. Good conversation skills can help your child to make and keep friends, so you may want to spend some time coaching your child about how to talk to other kids.[5] Some things you may want to teach your child about good conversation skills include:[6]
- Starting a conversation. Give your child some tips on how to introduce himself to other kids. For example, you might advise your child to pay another child a compliment to break the ice, such as "I like your sneakers." Or, "You're really good at tetherball!"
- Asking questions to get to know someone. Explain to your child that sometimes you have to ask questions to get a conversation going. For example, you might advise your child to ask getting-to-know-you questions, such as, "What's your name?" "What games do you like to play?" "What's your favorite subject?"
- Finding similarities. Advise your child to listen and watch for similarities to make it easier to connect with other kids. For example, your child might notice that another child is wearing a t-shirt with a picture of his favorite cartoon character on it. Then, you child could approach the child, compliment the shirt, and mention that he also likes the character.
- Give your child advice about social interactions. Giving your child advice about how to handle certain social situations can help your child to have better social interactions.[7] If your child struggles to approach other kids or join in games, then she might benefit from some advice about how to join in and what to do if she is rejected.[8]
- For example, if your child wants to join some other kids who are playing, you can advise your child to watch for a few minutes to see what the other kids are doing. Then, when she feels sure that she knows what is going on, she can go over and try to do something along the same lines as what the other kids are doing.
- You might also make sure that your child knows not to try to change or stop the game. Just try to join in with the game the other kids are playing.
- Tell your child that if the other kids don't want her to play that she should just leave and find something else to do. Let your child know that trying to force yourself into a group will not work.
- Allow your child to go it alone sometimes. It is great to offer advice and to try to help your child, but keep in mind that sometimes your child will need to be left alone to try things our and learn from her own mistakes. Although it may be hard for you to see this happening, keep in mind that you can use these experiences as learning opportunities.[9]
- For example, if your child has a negative social experience, you might say, "I noticed that the other kids got upset while you were playing with them. Do you know what they were upset about?" Or, "You did a really great job of sharing your toys with your friends, but I noticed that you did not let them play the way they wanted to play. Do you think that might have upset them a little?"
EditSupporting Your Child at Home - Encourage your child to share his or her emotions. Kids who are encouraged to share their emotions tend to have better social skills than those who are not encouraged to share their emotions.[10] It is important to be sympathetic and to be willing to listen when your child has a bad experience trying to fit in with other kids. If your child says she had a bad day at school, ask what happened. Let your child tell you about everything that happened and offer your support.
- For example, after your child has finished telling you the story, you can say something like, "I'm sorry you had such a bad experience today. It can be really hard to make new friends."
- After your child finishes telling you what happened, it might be a good idea to find something fun for your child to do to help her feel better. For example, you might ask your child if she would like to go to the park for a while or color in a coloring book.
- Help your child prepare before a friend comes to visit. Kids sometimes invite school acquaintances over to play and this can help to form a new friendship. To ensure that your kids have the best chance of making a new friend, you may want to spend a little time coaching your child about polite ways to play with someone who is visiting.[11]
- For example, you might remind your child to be a good host by asking what the guest wants to do first. You might also encourage your child to pay attention to clues that the guest is having fun, such as smiling and laughing.
- You can also help your child prepare for a guest by putting out some games or toys that the guest might enjoy. Ask your child to think about what her guest likes to play and choose games and toys based on this knowledge.
- Acknowledge your child's successes. When your child has a successful interaction with another child, make sure that you acknowledge the success and the positive behavior that led to that success. This will help your child to make a connection between the behavior and the social success.
- For example, you might say something like, "Your friend has such a good time playing with you today and you did such a good job of sharing your toys!"
- You can also acknowledge good behavior to help your child see what might lead to socials success.[12] For example, you might say something like, "You are so good at listening to your sister when she tells you her stories. Do you listen to kids at school with that much patience too?"
- Practice authoritative parenting. Authoritative parenting is a style of parenting where parents set firm rules and boundaries for their kids and offer explanations why those rules are in place. This is different from authoritarian parenting, which is a style of parenting where parents set harsh rules and expect perfect obedience but do not offer any explanation for the rules or punishments. Kids who are raised by authoritative parents tend to have fewer behavioral issues and better relationships with their peers.[13][14]
- Consider your parenting style to determine if there are opportunities to become more authoritative rather than authoritarian. For example, you could make sure that your kids know the reasons behind the rules by sitting down and explaining them. If your kids ask questions, be willing to answer their questions and explain your rules more fully.
EditIncreasing Your Child's Social Opportunities - Arrange play dates for your child. Arranging play dates for your child can help to provide your child with more chances to socialize and make friends. This may be especially helpful if your child is shy and has a hard time asking other kids to play.[15]
- Try asking the parent of a child that your child likes to play with at school if you can arrange a play date for your kids. While talking to the other parent, you might say something like, "Susie and Jenny often play together at recess. Susie wanted to know if Jenny would like to come over and play after school on Friday."
- Encourage your child to participate in an after school activity. After school activities can provide your child with more chances to make friends and your child will have the added benefit of already having something in common with the other kids. If your child is interested in an after school activity, encourage him to participate.[16]
- After school activities can include sports, music, dance, and other activities.
- Consider meeting with your child's teacher. If your child still has a hard time making friends despite your efforts to help, then you may need to speak with your child's teacher to find out more about what is going on. Your child's teacher may be able to work with you to increase your child's confidence and to encourage her to socialize with her classmates more.[17]
- Try setting up a meeting with your child's teacher to discuss your concerns.
- Ask about how your child interacts with other kids in school and look for ways to improve your child's social connections.
- Put a stop to bullying. If your child is being bullied, then you will have to intervene and ask for support from your child's teacher as well. Bullying can cause severe emotional distress that may last into adulthood, so it is important to put a stop to it as soon as possible.[18]
- Call your child's teacher right away if you suspect that your child is being bullied in school.
- Find ways to keep bullies away from your child outside of school as well. For example, if your child is being bullied on her walk to school, you may want to walk with her for a while or alert the crossing guard.
- If your child makes one or two good friends, this may be enough for her. Don't worry if your child is not the most popular kid in her class. It is more important for her to have one or two good friends than lots of friends with whom she does not have a close relationship.
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| How to Get Treatment for Hepatitis C Posted: 02 Apr 2016 09:00 AM PDT Hepatitis C is a viral infection that attacks the liver and triggers chronic inflammation.[1] Most people who have hepatitis C don't notice any symptoms until it damages their liver — typically after many years. Due to it's destructive nature over time, hepatitis C is often considered more serious than hepatitis A or B infections. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is usually passed between people via contaminated blood, commonly from sharing needles during illegal drug use. Antiviral drugs are the main treatment for HCV, although prevention and lifestyle changes are important also. EditGetting Medical Treatment for HCV - Consult with your doctor. Symptoms of hepatitis C infection don't often show up for about 3 months or later, and typically include: fatigue, mild fever, nausea, muscle and joints aches, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine and yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes.[2] If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if you're an illicit drug user or have received blood products in the past, then make an appointment with your doctor for an examination and testing.
- More advanced symptoms of HCV infection include: fluid accumulation in your abdomen (called ascites), swelling on your legs (called edema), itchy skin, spider veins on skin, bruising, reduced clotting ability of blood, unexplained weight loss, drowsiness, confusion and slurred speech.
- Your doctor will order urine and blood tests that look for HCV and high levels of liver enzymes, which indicate liver damage.
- In more advanced cases, your doctor may recommend a liver biopsy — taking a small sample of liver tissue (via a long, thin needle) and looking at it under a microscope for evidence of injury.
- Be honest about your drug use. When consulting with your doctor, it's important to be honest about a past or current history of injecting illicit drugs, such as heroin, because it's the biggest risk factor for catching hepatitis C and many other types of infections.[3] Doctor-patient confidentiality will typically prevent you from getting in trouble with the law, unless you're putting your child or other people in direct harm from using or selling.
- Depending on your family situation and history of drug use, social services may be informed and have to get involved.
- If you're pregnant and using illicit drugs, your doctor may feel compelled ethically or forced by law (depending on the state) to force addiction treatment on you so your baby is not harmed any further.[4]
- Getting treatment for your drug addiction is just as important, if not more so, than dealing with hepatitis C infection. Seek addiction treatment immediately.
- Talk to your doctor about antiviral drugs. Once it's established that you have hepatitis C, the primary (and only) medical treatment is with antiviral medications that are meant to clear the HCV from your body.[5] Commonly used older antivirals for hepatitis include: pegylated interferon (Roferon-A, Intron-A, Rebetron, Alferon-N, Peg-Intron), ribavirin (Rebetol), lamivudine (Epivir-HBV), adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera) and entecavir (Baraclude).[6]
- Newer types of antivirals tailored specifically for HCV are classified as either protease inhibitors or polymerase inhibitors and include: boceprevir (VictrelisI), telaprevir (Incivek), simeprevir (Olysio), sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) and daclatasvir (Daklinza).[7]
- The goal of antiviral treatment is to have no HCV detected in your body at least 3 months after you finish the medication(s).
- Although drugs to treat hepatitis C have gradually improved over the decades, they still have serious side effects, such as flu-like symptoms, debilitating fatigue, hair loss, depression and destruction of healthy red and/or white blood cells.[8]
- Take the antivirals as directed. Older antiviral medications were typically taken daily and for up to 72 weeks to be able to rid the body of HCV, but side effects were a common concern due to toxicity. Newer antiviral drugs tend to be more effective at killing HCV, so they can be taken for shorter periods of time (daily for between 12-24 weeks) and consequently lead to less serious side effects.[9] As such, follow your doctor's instructions very closely to avoid unwanted side effects.
- Sometimes combining newer anti-viral medications with existing ones (ribavirin with interferon, for example) can be more effective than solo drug therapy.
- Interferon therapy is given by injection by tour doctor, but most other antivirals are taken orally as pills at home. It's best to always take antivirals pills with food or after meals.
- Regimens and dosages of antivirals vary depending on the hepatitis C genotype, extent of liver damage and other medical conditions.
- Consider a liver transplant as a last resort. If your liver is severely damaged and it's not functioning properly, then a liver transplant becomes a possible option.[10] During a transplant, the surgeon removes as much of your damaged liver as possible and replaces it with a healthier liver from a deceased donor or a portion of healthy liver tissue from a living donor. Liver tissue actually grows relatively quickly and can regenerate itself better than other organs.
- Realize that a liver transplant is often not a cure for hepatitis C, as treatment with antiviral drugs typically must continue.
- In approximately 50% of the patients with chronic hepatitis who get a liver transplant, the HCV infection recurs and causes liver injury again.[11]
- The 5-year survival rate after a liver transplant is between 60-80%, depending on the surgical expertise, health of the new liver tissue and lifestyle of the patient.
EditTrying Alternative Therapies for HCV - Talk to a herbalist or naturopath. Taking herbal remedies and/or supplements for infections and other diseases is often confusing and difficult to understand their potential effectiveness. Your doctor is not likely to know much about herbs / supplements and medical websites don't often mention them, so you need to seek out a knowledgeable health professional. Licensed herbalists, naturopaths or even chiropractors might be a great way to start.
- Spend quality time online researching various herbs / supplements that can positively impact hepatitis C. Unfortunately, specific dosage information is rare to come by because so many variables are involved.
- Always tell your medical doctor if you're taking or thinking of taking herbs / supplements because some may interact dangerously with medications.[12] In most cases, herbs and medications can be taken concurrently.
- As a general guideline, you can use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas) or tinctures (alcohol extracts).[13]
- Unless otherwise indicated, make herbal teas with 1 tsp. of dried plant material per cup of very warm water.
- Steep covered for up to 20 minutes, especially if you're using the roots of a plant.
- Drink between 2-4 cups of the herbal tea per day.
- Take milk thistle supplements. Milk thistle extract has been used to treat liver problems for many centuries. The most helpful compound in milk thistle is called silymarin, which has been shown to protect the liver from various viruses, toxins, alcohol and many drugs. The studies are mixed, but milk thistle (silymarin) seems to have the potential to reduce the symptoms of chronic hepatitis and improve quality of life, although it may not always improve liver function tests or reduce HCV levels in the blood.[14]
- Look for standard silymarin extracts that contain 70% silybin for best results, as they seem to be the most effective.
- Silybin is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can stimulate the immune system, which is why it's helpful for all causes of hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- People with ragweed allergies should be cautious with milk thistle products. Milk thistle can also have estrogen-like effects, so people with hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, for example) should be careful too.
- The effective dose to help with hepatitis C is not known, so some experimentation is needed.
- Consider taking SNMC (Stronger Neominophagen C). SNMC is a liquid supplement that contains glycine, glycyrrhizin and cysteine in a 20:2:1 ratio all mixed in a saline solution.[15] SNMC is helpful for reducing hepatitis symptoms, improving liver function (based on enzymes in the blood) and healing liver tissue, but it doesn't directly kill HCV.[16]
- SNMC solution is often administered via daily intravenous (IV) injections, although some recent studies suggest that oral forms (drinking it) may be just as effective for chronic hepatitis.
- Typical formulations of SNMC are 2,000mg of glycine, 200mg of glycyrrhizin and 100mg of cysteine all mixed in a 100cc IV bag of saline solution.
- Glycyrrhizin is the main active compound in licorice root, which has also been used to treat liver disease for centuries.
- Try Cordyceps mushrooms. Cordyceps are types of mushrooms commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat liver diseases. Some studies show Cordyceps mushroom can stimulate immune function and improve liver function in patients with hepatitis B, so it may be worth a try also for hepatitis C.[17] Cordyceps mushroom supplements typically come in capsules, but also liquid extracts. An ideal dosage for hepatitis C is not known, so some experimentation is needed.
- Cordyceps may slow down blood's ability to clot, so be cautious if you're on blood-thinning medications. Always tell your doctor about all supplements you're taking so there's less risk of a negative reactions with drugs.
- Another type of mushroom that helps with chronic hepatitis B infection and may also be helpful for hepatitis C is Reishi mushroom.[18]
- Experiment with high doses of vitamin C. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) isn't a direct treatment for hepatitis C infection, but high doses can help stimulate the immune response to eliminate viruses from the bloodstream.[19] Vitamin C is also a strong antioxidant that has some antiviral abilities, so it might be worth experimenting with for HCV due to its relative safety and lack of expense.
- High dosages of vitamin C range from 3,000mg to 10,000mg daily, spread out over the day. The vitamin can be taken as capsules, muscle injections or IV bags.
- The effective dose to help with hepatitis C is not known, so some experimentation is needed.
- It's best to build up to higher daily doses and not take more than 1,000mg at a time because it can trigger loose bowels and short-term diarrhea.
- High doses of vitamin C has not actually been proven to increase the risk of kidney stones, despite its reputation for doing so.
- Learn about SBEL1. A newly discovered and tested Chinese herbal compound called SBEL1 seems to have the ability to inhibit and kill HCV by about 90%, at least in lab studies on human liver cells.[20] Research on patients with HCV is next, so learn more about SBEL1 and remember it for potential future use against hepatitis.
- SBEL1 is extracted from a medicinal herb found in Taiwan and Southern China normally used by local populations to treat sore throats and inflammation.
- Scientists are excited that SBEL1 can make a big impact on hepatitis C worldwide, as it's estimated to affect 150-200 million people and cause more than 350,000 deaths each year.[21]
EditPreventing Hepatitis C - Don't share needles. Hepatitis C (and B) are transmitted through contact with infected blood, so illicit drug users who share needles to inject are at greatest risk.[22] As such, either stop the drug use altogether (ideally) or always use clean, unused needles for injecting.
- In addition to needles, don't share any drug paraphernalia, such as syringes, containers or any preparation equipment — they can all be contaminated with infected blood.
- Heroin users are particularly at risk due to the greater likelihood of using needles and syringes to deliver the drug directly into the bloodstream.
- Practice safe sex. Having unprotected sex with someone who is infected can also pass on hepatitis causing viruses, although it's much more common with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) than HCV for reasons that are not entirely understood.[23] Regardless, always use condoms for sexual activities, even with people you think you know well.
- Unprotected anal sex has the highest risk of transmitting STDs and other blood-born viruses such as HCV.
- Up to 40% of HCV infections are of unknown cause, although a good percentage of those cases are due to secretive drug behavior from spouses and significant others.
- Be cautious with tattoos and piercing. Although they are not common methods of spreading viral infections, there still is risk with piercing and tattooing because they use needles to puncture the skin. As such, be cautious about body piercing and tattooing and always choose a reputable shop that's been there for a while.[24] Ask the service provider how they go about cleaning their equipment and preventing the transfer of contaminated blood.
- If the shop or beauty parlor seem evasive or hostile to your polite questioning, go somewhere else.
- Make sure the service providers always use sterile or new needles. Consider buying your own sterile tools and giving them to the employee to use on you..
- Cut back on alcohol. Reducing your alcohol consumption (or stopping completely) is not a method for directly preventing hepatitis C infection, but alcohol (ethanol) is toxic to the liver and speeds up the progression of every liver disease.[25] As such, limit your consumption to no more than 1-2 drinks daily if you're healthy, but stop immediately if you have any infection that impacts your liver.
- Binge drinking (more than 3 or 4 drinks in an evening) is especially damaging to your liver, particularly if you have any type of hepatitis.
- Grain-based alcohol (vodka, whiskey) is much worse for your liver than red wine, which contains some health benefits due to the antioxidant content. Beer is between the two in terms being damaging.
- Follow up your antiviral treatment with regular blood tests to monitor HCV in order to help your doctor know whether you need to continue on drug therapy.
- Blood and blood products used for transmission are tested for both hepatitis B and C, but some recipients still get infected, so the safety process is not perfect.
- Healthcare workers need to practice precautions when handling blood and other body fluids. Always wearing gloves is a must.
- Contrary to any rumors, there have been no reports of hepatitis infection passed on from acupuncture therapy in the U.S.[26]
- Just to be on the safe side, don't share personal items, such as toothbrushes and razors, with other people.
- No vaccine is currently available to protect you against HCV.
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| How to Accept Your Autism Posted: 02 Apr 2016 01:00 AM PDT Being autistic can be rough. People tell you that you're embarrassing, that you're rude or insensitive, or that you're a puzzle that needs to be completed to be whole. But that doesn't mean that they're right. This article will help you come to terms with your autism so you can focus on being the wonderful human being that you are. EditLearning About Autistic Strengths Autism is a disability, and being disabled can be hard. That doesn't mean it's all bad. Autism comes with its own strengths and endearing quirks, and it contributes to your successes as well as your struggles. - Learn about autism from the autistic people. Too often, non-autistic people write about autism without consulting real autistic people. They may come up with inaccuracies, laughable misconceptions, or extremely negative viewpoints on differences that don't hurt anyone. Thus, not all the bad things you read about autism are correct.
- The autistic community often describes autism in a neutral or positive light. This may help you feel better about being autistic.
- Read about the strengths that come along with autism. Autism is a complex neurological condition that comes with several blessings along with its impairments. You may experience some or all of the following:
 - Deeply passionate interests. These can lead to tremendous expertise, and possibly a very successful career or fun hobby.[1]
- Helpfulness. Autistic people, in general, have a high sense of social responsibility, or the desire to solve problems and help others.[2]
- Precision. Autism is often noted to lead to focusing on small parts, rather than the big picture. This can lead to remarkable detail-oriented work, where a neurotypical might be unable to focus so clearly on individual aspects of something.[3]
- Visual intelligence. Autistic people have tested higher on visual and nonverbal intelligence tests.[4][5]
- Sincerity. Autistic people tend to mean what they say, and act as a "voice of reason" without becoming mired in social complexities.[6] Your honesty and genuine spirit can feel refreshing to others.
- Creativity and a unique perspective. Autistic people can learn in unusual ways.[7] This provides insights that neurotypicals may never realize, and can become a great asset in collaboration.[8]
- Read about successful autistic people. Plenty of famous people have been diagnosed or thought to be autistic. Strong special interests, focus, and a unique perspective can lead to innovation and creativity.
- Historically, Einstein,[9] Thomas Jefferson, Emily Dickinson,[10] Mozart,[11], Temple Grandin, and more people were thought to be autistic.[12]
- Famous autistic people today include Tim Burton,[13] Susan Boyle,[14] Adam Young (from Owl City),[15] Jerry Seinfeld,[16] and more.[17]
- Consider your special interests. Special interests are a clear upside of autism: you have an incredible memory about these facts, intense focus, and the ability to act like a walking encyclopedia of information whenever you want. You also get to have a lot of fun doing the things you love.
- Most non-autistic people would be jealous of the way you can recall and discuss information.
- Read about the social model of disability. The social model holds that disability is not caused by defects in the brain or body, but by society's failure to accommodate and accept a certain variation.[18][19]
- For example, most nearsighted people are not disabled: they are fully accommodated within society (glasses, contacts), and have the same opportunities that non-nearsighted people have. Their body can't do the same things, but technology makes up for that, so it is not an issue.
EditHelping Yourself - Remember that it's okay to be different. If everyone were just like everyone else, the world would be boring. Your quirks are part of what makes you memorable, and you don't need to censor yourself or try to look "normal." It is absolutely okay to be disabled and to look disabled in public.
- Find therapies and treatments that work for you. A good therapy will leave you better off than you were before, and you will gain skills and be happier. You can also learn coping mechanisms, alternative methods of doing difficult tasks, and how to capitalize on your strengths.
- Options include sensory integration therapy, talk therapy, occupational therapy, special diets, behavior therapy, and seeing a psychologist for emotional issues.
- Always check with a doctor before altering your diet or attempting an alternative treatment.
- Be careful about behavior therapies. Some therapies are based on compliance and may hurt more than helping.[20] If your therapist's goal is to make you more normal (rather than more comfortable or more competent), or if you feel upset and anxious about seeing them, then find a better therapist.
- Stop trying to do things that are too hard. With the media constantly encouraging people to "do your best," sometimes people forget that it's okay to quit. You do not have to put forth 110% effort all the time—this can lead to burnout. If something is draining your energy or adding a lot of stress to your life, consider not doing it anymore. Sometimes saying "I quit" is freeing.
- Disability doesn't just mean that there are some things you can't do. It can also mean that some things are painful or extremely draining.[21] Give yourself permission to quit or find an alternative way.
- Focus on your skills and character strengths. This will help you spend less energy mourning your disability, and more energy on doing positive things and enjoying your life.
- Spend time on your hobbies and things that you're good at. Enjoy the feeling of competence and expertise.
- Make a list of your positive traits. Consider both personality traits and skills. Place the list somewhere where it'll be easy to see when you're feeling sad about yourself.
- Help other people. Prepare food for the hungry, raise awareness for important causes, or write about your special interest on wikiHow. Effecting a positive change in the world will distract you, help others, and make you feel happier about yourself.
- Practice self-care. Being disabled can be difficult, and it's important to treat yourself well. Cut out energy drains from your life so you can focus on what matters most to you.
- Pushing yourself to meet non-autistic standards will only take a toll on your health. It is okay to ask for academic accommodations, take extra breaks, or quit doing things that are too stressful to achieve.
- Pay extra attention to general health advice: sleep for at least 8 hours, eat fruits and vegetables, limit junk food, minimize stress, and exercise regularly (taking walks counts). Self-care is extra important for you, to mitigate stress and help with meltdowns.
- If you have trouble with self-care, it's okay to ask for help. Assisted living, a group home, or living with family might be better for you. Talk with a doctor, social worker, or therapist if you're struggling. There's no shame in meeting your needs, and it'll free up time for things you love.
- Get a mentor (or two). Look for people in your life whose judgment you trust: parents, older siblings, relatives, counselors, clergy members, friends, et cetera. Living in a neurotypical world can be confusing, so it's useful to have people to ask for advice. You can ask questions from "Is this outfit good for an awards ceremony?" to "This person makes me feel awful; what do I do?"
- Stop apologizing for being autistic. You have the right to ask for accommodations, stim in public, and do what you need to do in order to function. Toning down your behavior is your choice—not something to be pushed or coerced out of you. You are not required to act more neurotypical just because everyone else is used to it.
- Recognize that autism is just one piece of who you are—a kind, thoughtful, and lovable human being. People can love you and your autism. You can love yourself and your autism. You are not a lesser person.
- Talk to someone if you are overwhelmed by self hatred. Anxiety, depression, and self esteem issues are unfortunately common in autistic people.[22][23][24] Identify someone you trust and explain to them how awful you feel.
- If you think you may have anxiety and/or depression, schedule or ask for a doctor appointment. The doctor can give you a screening.
- You are not being selfish or burdensome by sharing negative feelings. People can probably tell if you are feeling awful, they just don't know why or what to do. If you tell them, this is helpful to them, because then they can know what to do and worry less.
- Surround yourself with positive people. Look for the people in your life who build you up and leave you feeling better than you did before. Make an effort to spend more time with them. Ask if they'd like to get lunch with you, or if you could get together this weekend.
- If you usually feel bad about yourself after spending time with someone, that's an important pattern to be aware of. Figure out why you feel that way, and whether the relationship is worth maintaining.
- Meet the autistic community. This can be done by contacting a friendly support group, or through a search online. Learn what autistic people have to say about themselves, their symptoms, and the way they interact with the world. Autistic people, in general, are very welcoming to newly-diagnosed or self-diagnosed people.
- Autistic people can offer advice and tips to those in need (and often do so, especially online)
- The general positivity of the autistic community can help you feel better when you are feeling sad or have low self-esteem.
- Avoid people and organizations that dehumanize you. You are not broken or lesser. People like you do not deserve to be abused, coerced, silenced, or eugenically aborted.
- It is okay to cut toxic people out of your life. You don't need their negativity, and you're much better off without them. You are not required to argue that your existence is worthwhile, and it's okay to decide not to waste your time and energy on them.
- If you're stuck with these people, you have two main choices: to educate them, or to avoid them. Educating them can be done by showing them an article, and making an appeal to their desire to be a good person. If you try this and fail, or if you know that they won't respond to reason, it's better to avoid spending time with them and avoid autism-related conversations. You don't deserve to listen to toxic ideas about your existence.
- Get involved with positive autism-related organizations. They will help you understand yourself better and make a positive contribution to the world.
- Many autism self-advocacy groups have a large online presence. You do not need to physically go somewhere to get involved.
- If you can't find in-person autism organizations that are any good, try general disability groups. It can be tremendously relieving to spend time with a group where being disabled is normal.
- Make autistic friends. Along with the usual benefits of friendship, you can share coping strategies, discuss autism together, and be yourselves without any fear.
- Look for autistic people in autism acceptance advocacy groups, Special Ed (if you go there), or disability/autism clubs.
- If you struggle with persistent feelings of sadness related to your diagnosis, tell someone. Talk to someone you trust, or a doctor or therapist.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations - Valerie L. Gaus, PhD. Living Well on the Spectrum.
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