Google Calendar for many things. I also use Waze, a navigation program that is linked to my Google calendar and Facebook. When I enter a location at the appointment, keep an eye on Waze for me when it’s time to leave for the appointment. Ideal!
Through my Google calendar I also make appointments with my ex about the children. Things like the ten-minute conversation at school or appointments with the hospital. Things where both of us are always present. In the beginning it took my ex to get used to the way things went, but nowadays it is often the case that I get the appointment from her earlier than I have read the mail from school for example. Also because she has planned the appointments for the interviews.
It works perfectly. It helps me so much to maintain my structure. It helps me to function better.
When I’m not feeling well or when the stress increases, my structure is the first thing that goes on. I get out of my rhythm and can hardly come to my normal things. The lack of structure means that everything goes out of context. It is then very difficult for me to get back on my feet. Luckily that’s much better nowadays. It certainly helps that my network is aware of this. They know that I will certainly keep to the agreements I have made, although sometimes I need a reminder. If I’m doing well, keeping the structure is always a point of attention. But then it’s not an immediate problem.
In my opinion it is. One of the other things mentioned in connection with autism is being inflexible. And I am sure of that in some respects (opinions, sequences of actions) but in terms of planning I have that much less. I don’t mind adjusting my structure. Especially because I don’t have it myself
This allows me to switch quite quickly if necessary. If a schedule is changed, I can adapt to that quite quickly. I’m also pretty easy to do things outside of my rhythm. Although I have to be careful not to lose my structure. Since I don’t have an internal structure of my own, maintaining the structure that I do have is very important to me.
But there are not many other advantages to it. I get home counselling nowadays. And not really because I am “too stupid” or because I couldn’t do things, but rather to ensure that I actually do the necessary things. The guidance provides the necessary structure in my life. Going to the day care is also such a necessity for me. If that guidance disappears for me, I lose my structure. And when I lose my structure it goes downhill with me.
So yes, structure is very important for me as an autistic person. But I don’t have it for myself (unfortunately).