Healing in a Hostile World: My Journey as an Autistic Person

The Environment's Impact: The Impact of Environment on Autistic Minds and How Setting Affects Mental and Physical Well-being for ALL Living Creatures

I've been thinking a lot about the impact "setting" or "environment" can have on us. For example, when we feel trapped in spaces that are unsafe for us, the impacts on both mental health and physical health can be devastating.

Additionally, to engage most effectively in the various environments we enter, we must feel safe and secure (not stuck in a state of hypervigilance, waiting to be attacked at any moment) and have our basic needs met.

Humans are not unlike plants, which can only grow with the proper soil, moisture, nutrients, and sunlight.

Black and white illustration of a plant with roots going deep under ground.

We have needs (food, water, shelter, safety, community, and compassion), and if our needs are not met, it is very hard (if not impossible) for us to thrive in life.

It's no surprise that many of us are grappling with life. A significant number of us are deprived of our most fundamental needs. We're set up for failure and then blamed for not succeeding despite not being given the necessary tools.

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As an Autistic Person, many things in the environment can feel like an attack (to me).

The environment itself can be sensory hostile - hostile to my senses.

Our modern world isn't designed with my needs in mind. Many things in public spaces hinder my ability to safely and comfortably engage in many environments.

Sensory things, like fluorescent lighting, sudden noises, busy spaces with echoing voices, humming machinery, and cold rooms, can scramble my brain, overload me, and make me feel as if my life depends upon escaping them. It's not just discomfort. It's a full-blown assault on my senses.

Suddenly, my clothes feel itchy, every sound is amplified, and I'm sweating. My heart races as I struggle to catch my breath. I know that if I don't escape soon, the room will start spinning, and I may lose consciousness or, worse, start vomiting uncontrollably.

"Run!" "Get away!" "Make it stop!" - a primitive voice inside me screams without using words.

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I hope this helps,
- Lyric