As we often know, being autistic is not always easy. The brain is always working to find something to entertain our minds whether it is healthy for us or not. Sometimes it is getting to that one point in the day where we have been overwhelmed to the limit. There are times we fall astray from our own kind of normal and it can be hard to get back to where we left when we were distracted by the thought of distraction.

It is always best when we can to be honest when we are not ourselves to be open with those that support us, especially if we as autistic people feel that they need a little more extra support. Most of the time, I can bounce back a little bit if I do an overall evaluation of myself to see what I need to do to take care of myself so I can get through the rest of the day without any further issue.

One of the most important things is to do an overall evaluation of your body. When was the last time that you ate or drank anything? When did you use the restroom? Are you well rested? These were all the things that I needed to do. Oftentimes, autistic adults have difficulty recognizing these internal signals, and this is called interoception. Sometimes we put off the need to do these simple things because we feel ashamed that we must make who is with us make an extra stop to let us do things like get a drink, a snack or use the restroom. There have been times when I have felt ashamed, especially with family. I do understand that sometimes this is not always possible, but for me meeting my needs and getting nourished can be the thing that makes the difference in many things such as my mood regulation and many other things.

Earlier, I discussed the fact that there are benefits that napping can provide to helping us get back on track. But the hardest part is when that nap is over and there is a necessity to get back on track, I can want to retreat to where I was taking a nap because that is easier than fighting the desires to sleep, but I also know that sleeping at length during the day can cause me to not want to sleep.

So, if you have not eaten a meal and can eat, make a meal, and enjoy it. It can be something as easy or as hard as you want to make it. The most important thing is that it is something that you can enjoy and feel nourished after its consumption. Making sure that you eat is one of the most important things that you can do because it can be so easy to get involved in something you are deeply involved in or that you just go and do because you are with someone and may feel ashamed or embarrassed to say that you need do something to take care of yourself. You should always be your priority. If not, your body will make it a priority when it could be the most inconvenient time for you and then you will be forced to do more care.

In the end, it is important to take care of what you need to do to stay well regulated and not be ashamed about it. No one else must live your life other than yourself, yet it is important to remain calm while advocating for your needs to ensure that you get what you need in a healthy compromised way.