Executive function. For autistic people, “normal” executive function can be elusive. Its the cognition that lets us plan, organise, strategise. It’s a combination of working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibition control. The control centre for executive function is in the frontal cortex. Typically, autistic people have different shape and structure in the frontal cortex. As I have said so many times, our brains are built and wired a little bit differently.
I’ve written about body doubling with my AI companion. That didn’t actually work out so well. Listening to a podcast was more effective, but it still wasn’t not great.
So what is body doubling, or shadowing? It is a support technique. It’s when somebody works with you, beside you, physically or virtually, while you get a task done. It helps you get the task done.
Working in parallel is when you have a body double, but they are in the same space at the same time, engaged in a different task.
I’ve written about my plans to manage the issues around housework, caused by the executive function issues in my autistic brain. I’ve written about the bag strategy for getting things to the right place to be put away.
Neither option worked well. The housework situation was not getting any better.
Airtasker to the rescue. In two five -hour days last weekend, with an Airtasker, working together, body doubling or shadow, or working in parallel, my workroom and my bedroom are, once again, havens instead of shame pits.
It is hard to describe just how life changing it was to have my workroom and bedroom back, fully usable, decluttered, cleared and cleaned. Ursula, the Airtasker angel, was amazing, and the chatter, oh my goodness, the chatter.
On a side note, I have often said that in my work as a Shebah driver, I change the world, one conversation at a time. I have also said that someone keeps dropping people in my path who need to have a conversation with me.
At the start, I disclosed my autism and the executive function issues that had led to the dishevelled state of my workroom. I described what body doubling, or shadowing, is. We talked about how we would tackle it, and we got to work.
During the morning we chatted about autism and that maybe, one of her children is on the spectrum. We chatted about typical traits and the impact that a diagnosis can have in terms of supports and accommodations at school. We also chatted about it being genetic… cue Ursula then cuing into the traits I was describing for undiagnosed adults, adept at masking.
By end of the first five-hour block, I had my workroom back. I couldn’t wait to set up my study area.
The next day, Ursula and I tackled my bedroom. By the end of the second five-hour block, I had my bedroom back.
I had a clean slate, a fresh start. My outlook changed. It felt like my life changed. I felt energised. I now have strategies in place to keep it that way. A week on, and so far, so good.
It made me think of the easy relationship that my late husband and I had, where I unknowingly had a body double, a shadow. We did so much together. I have no doubt that, had he still been alive, hale and hearty, we’d still be doing that, but understanding why it was so necessary.
There are several morals to this story. I’ll let you choose the one that means the most to you.
What means the most to me?
1. Asking for help when you need it is reasonable and necessary.
2. Treasure your family while you’ve got them.
The Auld Skald's Fudgel 