3 ms·

I've been relatively ok (I have an anxiety disorder), but it's been pretty hard on my son who's on the spectrum. He used to love going to parks and playing, but

by throwaway201010 6y ago

I've been relatively ok (I have an anxiety disorder), but it's been pretty hard on my son who's on the spectrum. He used to love going to parks and playing, but after a few months of lockdown he is afraid of stepping out anywhere. Anxiety is now up through the roof. He taught himself to read (with basic comprehension) during the lockdown (just before his 3rd birthday) - but that's a good thing and a bad thing (hyperlexia). Considering therapy now for him, which we weren't entirely for earlier since many people in the spectrum have highlighted some important issues. In short, it's been pretty hard on the family. I decided to go back to my anxiety medication which I hadn't needed for quite some time.

jlokier 6y ago
Thanks! I learned a new word - "hyperlexia" - which I now think applied to me in some form when I was very young. It's been interesting reading about it. I picked up reading when I was very young, much faster and earlier than people expected, and reading things people thought a young child wouldn't be able to. I don't remember it being a problem, just unusual. But now I think about it, as an older adult I don't just enjoy reading, I'm addicted to reading, to the extent it stops me getting as much work or other things done as I'd like. It's strange to admit that, but it's true. It's intriguing to consider that might have roots in a neurological structure associated with what is now a named disorder, rather than just a habit. Though I wouldn't say I remember lacking comprehension skills, perhaps I did have some aspect of that when I was very young, it's hard to be sure. I completely lacked the ability to write creatively though (stories etc), until about age 13 when a single insight while stuck transformed that from 0% to 100% in moments.
- mleonhard 6y ago
  What was the insight that boosted your ability to write creatively?

jlokier 6y ago

Thanks! I learned a new word - "hyperlexia" - which I now think applied to me in some form when I was very young. It's been interesting reading about it. I picked up reading when I was very young, much faster and earlier than people expected, and reading things people thought a young child wouldn't be able to. I don't remember it being a problem, just unusual. But now I think about it, as an older adult I don't just enjoy reading, I'm addicted to reading, to the extent it stops me getting as much work or other things done as I'd like. It's strange to admit that, but it's true. It's intriguing to consider that might have roots in a neurological structure associated with what is now a named disorder, rather than just a habit. Though I wouldn't say I remember lacking comprehension skills, perhaps I did have some aspect of that when I was very young, it's hard to be sure. I completely lacked the ability to write creatively though (stories etc), until about age 13 when a single insight while stuck transformed that from 0% to 100% in moments.

mleonhard 6y ago
What was the insight that boosted your ability to write creatively?