#internal rules

These sound like internal rules, which are something a lot of us have.

April 23rd: Do you have any internal rules? What are they?

I had to think about this one, because I suppose my internal rules are things I do so automatically that I’m not aware of them unless they’re broken.

So:

Order of putting clothes on when getting dressed

Milk goes in the mug before the tea. But only because I use tea leaves in a teapot. If I’m using teabags, milk goes in last.

Order of food eaten on a plate

Socks have to be in pairs

If I’m using a spoon to eat it has to be a teaspoon

Do you have any internal rules? What are they?

I have a lot of internal rules. Having OCD and Autism makes it hard for me not to have a long list of rules that i must follow.

A few of my internal rules are:

Don't let anyone be behind you/not be able to see eveyone in a room.

Know your way out of a room/building.

Dont touch glitter or any sticky substance.

TV volume has to be even.

Always have your headphones with you when you go out.

If you go out eith friends, make sure you have enough money to get a bus or taxi home.

Only tell people you trust that you are autistic, unless its someone who needs to know (medical or education).

Be polite, the gentleman type. Hold doors, smile, say good morning or ask if someone needs help with something.

Don't feel bad for doing something that isn't normal. Stim, wear headphones, use your aac or sign language. Ask for accommodations.

Remove yourself from any situation that is upsetting you. Just leave. You would rather look ignorant than have a meltdown in front of people.

Stand up for yourself. No matter who it is.

Respect those who respect you. You don't owe respect to those who don't earn it.

With Covid-19 a few new rules have been added:

Stay at least 6 feet apart from anyone who doesnt live with you.

Wash your hands a lot (though ocd has me doing that anyway).

Wear gloves and a mask if you are going outside.

Do not visit your nana and grandad unless you stand in the garden.

Stay busy, as you go mad when just left to your thoughts.

I’ve never actually thught about it, so I can’t give you a definitive answer, but I have a feeling it would be. I went by many nicknames but what bugged me most was when people didn’t stick to them or used names I already said I didn’t like.

That sounds like an internal rule to me.

First, why do you want to be able to break this rule?  Is it because your family has been pressuring you about it, because “normal” people are able to swear, or because it’s something you think would be fun to do?  If it’s either of the first two reasons, I’d say it’s not a thing you need to do.  Your “no swearing” rule isn’t hurting anybody and isn’t keeping you from doing anything you need to do, so you’d be completely within your rights to just tell your family to back off.

That said, if it is a thing you want to be able to do, one good way to start might be with echolalia/scripting from memorable movie quotes.  I know for me personally, I was able to say “I have had it with these motherfucking snakes on this motherfucking plane” long before I was able to just casually incorporate “fuck” into my own sentences.  Snakes on a Plane probably isn’t culturally relevant for modern 19 year olds, but I am sure that you can find equally memorable things to quote.  I’d encourage our followers to make some fun suggestions on this post, as I am an Old Person with Old Person movie references.

-Liz

I like to say “this is horseshit!” which I think is a quote from something Will Ferrell was in. I’ve said it so much that I’ve forgotten where I got it but I totally back Liz up on the echolalia/cursing thing.