Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behaviour, Interests, or Activities and Autism

Personal Accounts

Luke Jackson

" I can only speak for myself when I say that if one subject is on my mind or I am fascinated by something, then literally everything else is insignificant. I suppose this can be seen as selfishness and I do try to think of others; sometimes it is very hard. If I am focussed on my fascination - I feel an overwhelming excitement in me that I cannot describe. I just have to talk about it and the irritation at being stopped can easily develop into raging fury."

Adult with Autism

"I quickly become overwhelmed [in social situations]. Is it surprising that I then feel like blocking the world out and literally putting my thoughts back in order? That I start to rock to tell myself which feelings are mine? That I start speaking to myself or groaning to block out other sounds and so that I know which thoughts are mine? I think anyone experiencing life this way would do the same."

Theres Joliffe

"Reality to an autistic person is a confusing, interacting mass of events, people, places, sounds and sights. There seem to be no clear boundaries, order or meaning to anything. A large part of my life is spent trying to work out the pattern behind everything. Set routines, times, particular routes and rituals all help to get order into an unbearably chaotic life. Trying to keep everything the same reduces some of the terrible fear."

Updated

16 Jun 2022