Enthusiast II
Overlanding with ASD and POTS
- Thread starter ravend3
- Start date
bear_den_overland
Rank III
Off-Road Ranger I
HighVoltOverland
Rank IX
Builder III
- 13,487
- First Name
- Gus
- Last Name
- Caller
- Member #
-
31666
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- GMRS - WRVW409
- Service Branch
- Army
For POTS I’ve found preparation and prevention are the biggest things to keep in mind
If tolerated compression clothing/ layers can help
I’ve found a bike bib can help a lot with a good pair of socks
Have a comfy chair handy
I like the gci recliners as they are not as upright as standard chairs and not as finnicky as the hammock type like the Nemo stargazer or the Costco clone
Hydrate well before departure
Having some salts to add can help if they end up over exerting
Use things like hiking sticks to make walking easier if it’s on the itinerary
Have water everywhere
If in hot climates consider getting a cheap cooler for ice sheets
A water spray system can help with overheating as well
Waterport/ pvc pipe/ road shower , I made a DIY Jerry can sprayer that works well and helps with errant temperature regulation
An awning or tent for shade (or sitting in the rig with AC) can also be helpful
A secondary short sleeping pad (or wedge) cN be good to help keep a slight incline when sleeping
If tolerated compression clothing/ layers can help
I’ve found a bike bib can help a lot with a good pair of socks
Have a comfy chair handy
I like the gci recliners as they are not as upright as standard chairs and not as finnicky as the hammock type like the Nemo stargazer or the Costco clone
Hydrate well before departure
Having some salts to add can help if they end up over exerting
Use things like hiking sticks to make walking easier if it’s on the itinerary
Have water everywhere
If in hot climates consider getting a cheap cooler for ice sheets
A water spray system can help with overheating as well
Waterport/ pvc pipe/ road shower , I made a DIY Jerry can sprayer that works well and helps with errant temperature regulation
An awning or tent for shade (or sitting in the rig with AC) can also be helpful
A secondary short sleeping pad (or wedge) cN be good to help keep a slight incline when sleeping
Enthusiast II
Mainly for my son he is on the high end of the spectrum and I just want to know how others keep their children/spouses/friends safe or entertained. I'm honestly learning more about POTS myself because my wife was diagnosed with it. Sorry for the late response been busy with work and replacing parts on all of my vehicles. Everything decided to break at once lol.
Enthusiast II
This helps a lot! Thank you for the input I will definitely looking into more water and ways to keep people cooler.
With ASD, the most important thing I have found for myself is to keep motivated and have some kind of goal or target.
I took a trip up to Scotland recently which I popped the video into the "Introduction" part of the forum and uploaded some pics to the photography part just now.
Everyone is different *but* I can say sleep is so important so that one doesn't suffer "burn out" like I did on the way back and ended up with a panic attack driving solo after 3 hours sleep and 7.5 hours on the road.
Also, keep things relaxed - though targets might be good for some people. I found that I felt too pushed or compressed for time; but then the first part I was kind of assisting a professional photographer so it was tagging along with his project. Recalling as a child now we did have some day trips to places with my family and it was fine. I think it was because we were all together that I felt safe but at the same time I had people to talk to so my ADHD didn't get so erratic either.
It really does depend a lot on individuality though as ASD is a really broad spectrum and actually I am quite high in certain places but then not others which makes me fall through the cracks and no one would realize immediately that there was anything there.....
If like me you're child suffers from heightened anxiety then figuring out certain triggers and mitigating those will be a good start. I also suggest a dark room with very little sound to prevent "sensory overload" situations additionally.....
One of my biggest issues is that I struggle with hordes of people and over-population which is the theme for my little island and especially down here in the south east of England. Having so many people and cars around really does stress me out a lot and it is so important to try to keep from getting depressed too. Once things go off the deep end the anxiety goes through the roof and the brain just cries for help.... I guess my best metaphor here is Idaho! Somewhere on a trail away from anyone that my mind feels comfortable being in.
Environment basically is important.
If you have any directed questions or anything I will do my best to answer as I have seen and been around many people on the spectrum, some with other issues like learning and developmental problems and others with mental disabilities etc... so I have some experience in the field outside of myself ;-)
I took a trip up to Scotland recently which I popped the video into the "Introduction" part of the forum and uploaded some pics to the photography part just now.
Everyone is different *but* I can say sleep is so important so that one doesn't suffer "burn out" like I did on the way back and ended up with a panic attack driving solo after 3 hours sleep and 7.5 hours on the road.
Also, keep things relaxed - though targets might be good for some people. I found that I felt too pushed or compressed for time; but then the first part I was kind of assisting a professional photographer so it was tagging along with his project. Recalling as a child now we did have some day trips to places with my family and it was fine. I think it was because we were all together that I felt safe but at the same time I had people to talk to so my ADHD didn't get so erratic either.
It really does depend a lot on individuality though as ASD is a really broad spectrum and actually I am quite high in certain places but then not others which makes me fall through the cracks and no one would realize immediately that there was anything there.....
If like me you're child suffers from heightened anxiety then figuring out certain triggers and mitigating those will be a good start. I also suggest a dark room with very little sound to prevent "sensory overload" situations additionally.....
One of my biggest issues is that I struggle with hordes of people and over-population which is the theme for my little island and especially down here in the south east of England. Having so many people and cars around really does stress me out a lot and it is so important to try to keep from getting depressed too. Once things go off the deep end the anxiety goes through the roof and the brain just cries for help.... I guess my best metaphor here is Idaho! Somewhere on a trail away from anyone that my mind feels comfortable being in.
Environment basically is important.
If you have any directed questions or anything I will do my best to answer as I have seen and been around many people on the spectrum, some with other issues like learning and developmental problems and others with mental disabilities etc... so I have some experience in the field outside of myself ;-)
