Overlanding with ASD and POTS

[ravend3]

Mainly looking for suggestions on how to make the overlanding experience friendlier to my wife and son. Background, both of them have ASD but, my wife has POTS. Any suggestions would be great and I will also post things that we do to help as well.

 

[bear_den_overland]

Hi there. Have any specifics? I don't know what POTS is but can help with ASD

 

[HighVoltOverland]

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

 

[ravend3]

Hi there. Have any specifics? I don't know what POTS is but can help with ASD

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.

 

[ravend3]

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

This helps a lot! Thank you for the input I will definitely looking into more water and ways to keep people cooler.

 

[kayasaman]

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 ;-)

 

[ravend3]

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 appreciate your input! Since I posted this we have found out that we are a family of neurospicy individuals with my wife's more recent ASD diagnosis. These are a lot of great pointers. I can't wait to get my jeep running again so I can explore some more of the UK.

Thank you for your comment!

 

[kayasaman]

I appreciate your input! Since I posted this we have found out that we are a family of neurospicy individuals with my wife's more recent ASD diagnosis. These are a lot of great pointers. I can't wait to get my jeep running again so I can explore some more of the UK.

Thank you for your comment!

No problem!

Don't be deterred by any diagnoses. All it does is just help you understand things a bit better or point you in the right direction....


Do you have a plan of where you would like to go?

Again this is very individual dependent but ask yourself questions about your needs.... do you guys need to stick to a set routine or is it more comfortable to leave things a little bit more relaxed?

So for example:

8am - breakfast
9am - point A
10am - point B
11am - point C
12pm - lunch

...or would something like:

around 8am - breakfast
by 11am - point A
.... etc

kind of work better?


Again these are types of triggers that cause stress or anxiety. Either too strict a routine like the 1st or leaving things too relaxed; but can be the opposite or converse too, if the routine actually stresses the individual out.


Somethings to also consider like I mentioned above would be sensory needs... especially for young children so your child effectively. Squidgy spiky balls to roll around in their hands, or Velcro like strips to run their fingers up and down on.
Noise canceling headphones or silicone ear buds for hearing attenuation (reduction)
Maybe even eye pads to block light out


Once you start doing this, you will learn a lot about what works for you and what doesn't. At least there will be mom and papa to drive and share duties and work together which is a big thing already.


Also one really important thing though is learn to read signs. If your child starts behaving in a certain way, it could mean that they are overloaded and need a break or to just stop for the day as they have had enough and can't tolerate any more.


There is a lot of information out there on Google from good websites that have people that know what they're talking about righting the articles. Even I was showing a lot of them to the health system trying to get them to understand my own issues post trip.


For ADHD these would be quite relevant:

ADHD Burnout: Causes, Signs, and Management

ADHD burnout results in the chronic stress that comes from managing ADHD symptoms. Left unmanaged, it can kick off a cycle of ongoing stress and burnout.

www.healthline.com

ADHD and Boredom: Is There a Link?

Research suggests that people with ADHD are more susceptible to feelings of boredom. Learn more.

www.healthline.com

ASD sensory overload:

Autism Sensory Overload & Overstimulation

Many children with autism are very sensitive to their environments and it can be challenging for them to filter out certain information that comes in.

www.crossrivertherapy.com

Understanding Autistic Overstimulation

Autistic overstimulation can be a challenging experience for both children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is important to understand what overstimulation feels like in order to recognize and prevent it.


For individuals with ASD, overstimulation can feel like an overwhelming flood of sensory input. This can manifest in a variety of ways, including physical discomfort, anxiety, irritability, or even physical pain.


Some common signs of autistic overstimulation include:

• Covering ears or eyes
• Rocking back and forth or other repetitive behaviors
• Clenching fists or tensing muscles
• Becoming agitated or upset without an obvious cause

It's important to note that everyone experiences overstimulation differently. Some individuals may become more withdrawn and shut down while others may become more hyperactive or impulsive.


By understanding the signs of autistic overstimulation, parents and caregivers can work to create a sensory-friendly environment that reduces the risk of sensory overload for children with ASD.




Why does sensory overload happen?

Autism overstimulation occurs when the brain has difficulty processing sensory information from the environment. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including differences in brain structure and function.


Research suggests that individuals with autism may have differences in how their brains process sensory input. For example, some studies have found that individuals with autism may have more connections between different areas of the brain, which can lead to increased sensitivity to sensory input.


Additionally, individuals with autism may have differences in the way they filter out irrelevant sensory information. This means that they may become overwhelmed by stimuli that neurotypical individuals would find unnoticeable or easy to ignore.


It's important to note that while researchers are still exploring the underlying causes of autism overstimulation, it is clear that it is a common experience for many individuals with ASD. By understanding the factors that contribute to overstimulation, parents and caregivers can work to create a supportive environment that reduces sensory overload and promotes well-being for children with autism.

Another link:

How can perseverative thoughts be lessened? - Autism Awareness

Perseveration is when a person has repetitive thoughts and dwells on negative incidents, causing them to become “stuck”. Perseverative thoughts can happen because a person may be trying to manage stress, process information, shift attention, can’t stop thinking about certain things, or can’t...

autismawarenesscentre.com

Perseveration is when a person has repetitive thoughts and dwells on negative incidents, causing them to become “stuck”. Perseverative thoughts can happen because a person may be trying to manage stress, process information, shift attention, can’t stop thinking about certain things, or can’t control behaviors. This kind of thinking, or looping thoughts, is not done consciously or on purpose. It can be a coping mechanism for someone when they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or not familiar with a situation (hence the need for autistic people to have predictability).

If there's any thing specific that you need or are thinking about feel free to get in touch or DM me any time. The most important thing should be to try and enjoy this experience and have a great time ;-)