As someone on the autism spectrum, I need support workers to help me get things organized, not just keep them that way. A blog reader asked me to explain this further, and today I want to talk about the difference between setting up an organization system and maintaining it.
Understanding the Need for Structure
My reader made a great point – creating order isn’t the same as keeping it. It’s not enough to just have a shelf and put things on it. A support worker needs to help me figure out that I need a shelf, what kind would be best, and where to put it. I’m not naturally good at visualizing how to rearrange things. Then they need to help me decide what goes on the shelf, and exactly where. Stacking things randomly just leads to clutter, and I quickly lose track of everything. The system needs to be organized and logical, and I need to understand how it works.
Keeping Things from Falling Apart
A lot of support workers have noticed I tend to have things scattered around. When they tidy up, some just stuff everything into the closet, thinking it’s a quick fix. But that doesn’t actually solve the problem! Then I can’t find anything, and I get stressed. Before long, everything ends up on the floor again, because I’m searching for things I can’t locate. That’s what happens when there isn’t a clear system in place. But if a system is established and I understand it, things stay much better.
Why I Can’t Plan It Myself
A big challenge is that not all support workers understand this distinction. When I’ve tried to explain it, some have told me to come up with my own ideas. And if I did have a fully worked-out organization plan, I wouldn’t need support in the first place! It’s like asking me to tell them exactly what I need help with – if I knew that, I could handle it myself.
Purchased Glass Jars
My regular support worker, who’s currently on leave, is really good at getting things organized. She’s always been skilled, and I’ve really appreciated her help. She noticed my pantry was a mess – I was storing opened bags of lentils, pasta, rice, and oats in plastic bags. I thought it was okay, but it meant things often spilled and the pantry got dirty. She suggested we get some glass jars from IKEA. I was skeptical at first, not sure how they’d help. But she convinced me, and we bought them.
Like Magic
When we got home, she arranged the jars, putting lentils in one, pasta in another, and so on. It was amazing! The pantry suddenly looked so much better. I never would have thought of that solution myself, and I still don’t fully understand why it works so well, but it does!
A Solution for Foraging
I also have a strong interest in foraging for natural foods – I gather things like blueberries, rose hips, nettles, and dandelions. I used to rinse them and then spread them out on plates and trays on the floor to dry. But my support worker suggested we get a drying rack at IKEA. I was hesitant again, because I thought the plates on the floor were working fine. But once we had the rack, I realized how much of a difference it made! It kept the floors cleaner and I didn’t have to worry about tripping. I wouldn’t have come up with that idea on my own.
Adapting to My Needs
Other support workers have tried to encourage me to stop foraging, because it creates clutter in my apartment. But this support worker understands how important it is for me to pursue my interests. She believed we could create an organized space while still allowing me to follow my passions, and she was right! Organization needs to be tailored to an individual’s needs.
I Wouldn’t Need Support Otherwise
Right now, I’m really struggling to keep things organized, which means we need to start from scratch. My regular support worker was great at preventing these situations, but she’s been on leave for a while now, and I need that level of support again. I’m hoping my new support worker will be able to help! After my regular support worker took a break, the issue has been that many support workers want clear instructions on how I want things, but I can’t give them those instructions.
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