Aspies are Awesome!

[Rescued One]

I just want you to know that. We could try to learn from you.

 

[Elixir]

I have Asperger's Syndrome (but also schizoaffective disorder, which was once borne of psychosis but is basically for me mostly hypo-mania with some intermittent depression) .

I'm 30 years old now, but now dependent on family for finances and transportation since my latest psychosis back in 2016. Still, it's a wonderful life especially with the internet, books, and e-book / software. Despite never being able to recall to satisfaction, I love reading and learning a lot, and posting here has become a bit of a new hobby because I feel like I can make a positive difference by participating here.

I love reading about religion and spirituality in general, but with that I've had to pick and choose what to believe in and ended up being called to Christ (well, again, and again, and again to be honest, but maybe this time finally for good). My other reading interests are in psychology and reading about anatomy and physiology of the various organ systems and brain. I want to self-actualize best I can given my disability, and so I am quite interested in mindfulness and mind of matter kind of stuff too.

Along with the Asperger's Syndrome, I've developed visual snow a lot more noticeably back in December (also in my variant known as visual tinnitus), and I think that in part has to do with my disability. But along with that, becoming a bit more hypo-manic and energized overall since then, I've almost become characteristic of having short-sleep syndrome, needing 3-5 hours per night every night (but my anti-psychotics, especially the stronger Olanzapine when needed, can fudge that a bit).

Edit: This'd make good "about me" profile information !

If there's anything else you'd like to know, ask away !

 

[GodLovesCats]

I have similar interests, but also love to learn about many fields of science, especially biology. Of course I also am very interested in pet anatomy and psychology. Unfortunately I get addicted to chatting online or reading about professional football instead, even though they are not really my favorite activities. So I do not spend much time wisely because of my Asperger's syndrome. I want to get better at that.

 

[Rescued One]

I met someone with Asperger's in the sixties (I'm old). The crowd at church avoided him and I thought that was mean, so I said, "Hi." Whoa! I have a little trouble with math and science. I haven't been diagnosed with anything, but I think I could self-diagnose: social anxiety. Anyway the guy I said "Hi," to started a long speech about physics. He lost me! Afterwards people asked me if he was my brother. Hello, I can talk to people with disabilities without being related. There are umpteen disabilities among my relatives!

My sister's first child has Down Syndrome, some grandchildren are autistic, one is in speech therapy, my oldest grandchild is completely blind, etc.

I met someone this year who told me he has Asperger's. I talked to him for about a half hour. I liked him. He's a friend of my son.

 

[Rescued One]

I have similar interests, but also love to learn about many fields of science, especially biology. Of course I also am very interested in pet anatomy and psychology. Unfortunately I get addicted to chatting online or reading about professional football instead, even though they are not really my favorite activities. So I do not spend much time wisely because of my Asperger's syndrome. I want to get better at that.

My granddaughter, who is autistic, is fascinated by insects. She takes photos with her cell phone and then researches to identify them. She graduated from high school a little over a year ago.

I'm usually sidetracked, especially if I get online. I'd better get up and do something else now! Take care!

 

[GodLovesCats]

Well, your daughter would certainly hate my cat because she eats insects that get inside!

 

[Rescued One]

I have Asperger's Syndrome (but also schizoaffective disorder, which was once borne of psychosis but is basically for me mostly hypo-mania with some intermittent depression) .

I'm 30 years old now, but now dependent on family for finances and transportation since my latest psychosis back in 2016. Still, it's a wonderful life especially with the internet, books, and e-book / software. Despite never being able to recall to satisfaction, I love reading and learning a lot, and posting here has become a bit of a new hobby because I feel like I can make a positive difference by participating here.

I love reading about religion and spirituality in general, but with that I've had to pick and choose what to believe in and ended up being called to Christ (well, again, and again, and again to be honest, but maybe this time finally for good). My other reading interests are in psychology and reading about anatomy and physiology of the various organ systems and brain. I want to self-actualize best I can given my disability, and so I am quite interested in mindfulness and mind of matter kind of stuff too.

Along with the Asperger's Syndrome, I've developed visual snow a lot more noticeably back in December (also in my variant known as visual tinnitus), and I think that in part has to do with my disability. But along with that, becoming a bit more hypo-manic and energized overall since then, I've almost become characteristic of having short-sleep syndrome, needing 3-5 hours per night every night (but my anti-psychotics, especially the stronger Olanzapine when needed, can fudge that a bit).

Edit: This'd make good "about me" profile information !

If there's anything else you'd like to know, ask away !

I'm going to look up visual snow --- maybe tomorrow.

 

[Rescued One]

Well, your daughter would certainly hate my cat because she eats insects that get inside!

They have 2 cats: Calvin and Reepicheep. Reepicheep is antisocial. Calvin is adorable, but I'm allergic to cats. Their rabbit is named Mr. McGregor. They also have a tortoise and a guinea pig. Help!

 

[GodLovesCats]

LOL Take Claritin or Allegra so you won't react to her cats.

 

[Elixir]

I met someone with Asperger's in the sixties (I'm old). The crowd at church avoided him and I thought that was mean, so I said, "Hi." Whoa! I have a little trouble with math and science. I haven't been diagnosed with anything, but I think I could self-diagnose: social anxiety. Anyway the guy I said "Hi," to started a long speech about physics. He lost me! Afterwards people asked me if he was my brother. Hello, I can talk to people with disabilities without being related. There are umpteen disabilities among my relatives!

My sister's first child has Down Syndrome, some grandchildren are autistic, one is in speech therapy, my oldest grandchild is completely blind, etc.

I met someone this year who told me he has Asperger's. I talked to him for about a half hour. I liked him. He's a friend of my son.

Definitely suffer from social anxiety here too, quite possibly to the extent of avoidant personality disorder. Internet chat for me is a lot easier. I just have no idea how to meet strangers and become friends most of the time, can't figure out a precedent / way to break the ice. When I do make friends, it's difficult for me to keep them anyway .

My granddaughter, who is autistic, is fascinated by insects. She takes photos with her cell phone and then researches to identify them. She graduated from high school a little over a year ago.

I'm usually sidetracked, especially if I get online. I'd better get up and do something else now! Take care!

I love insects too! We live out in nature here and some of my favorites that like to visit me at times are sweat bees, spiders, and dragonflies.

I'm going to look up visual snow --- maybe tomorrow.

Nice ! I don't know the rarity of it, there's even a couple of topics on it here, but it's becoming more common I think. I made a post about my experience with it in a thread here !


Blessings !

 

[GodLovesCats]

I just have no idea how to meet strangers and become friends most of the time, can't figure out a precedent / way to break the ice. When I do make friends, it's difficult for me to keep them anyway

For a long time I was like, "After saying hi, what next?" I did not know how to start a conversation. But it does not take me long enough to join one that sounds interesting!

What makes chatting online much eaiser is people don't have to hear my loud voice (which I was told is a symptom of Asperger's) and I also have hearing loss, so there is no problem understanding what people say. That is, unless they are trying to be sarcastic or funny and come out lying instead.

 

[grandvizier1006]

Thank you. I often feel like a freak, even in church settings. But it’s gotten much better.

 

[Elixir]

For a long time I was like, "After saying hi, what next?" I did not know how to start a conversation. But it does not take me long enough to join one that sounds interesting!

What makes chatting online much eaiser is people don't have to hear my loud voice (which I was told is a symptom of Asperger's) and I also have hearing loss, so there is no preoblem understanding what people say. That is, unless they are trying to be sarcastic or funny and come out lying instead.

Definitely, I feel that I can relate ! Interest is a prerequisite for me joining a conversation, though often times I'm afraid of being rude for eavesdropping if its with strangers. I probably chalk it up to lack of opportunities though because I don't have any hangouts or second-spaces now; wherever I'm at most of the time where there's other people (e.g. Dr. visits and grocery trips) people seem keep to their own circles anyway. Something I've started to notice (at least I think, it's hypothetical) as of recent, it's incredible how everybody seems to react/respond/exhibit behavioral processes in accord to basically everything happening around them. Most of the time I'm uncomfortable even letting my brain take note of and process other people's conversations, much less telegraphing any interest, for fear or evoking negative or strange reactions with my own non-verbal processes.

I'm very self-conscious of the non-verbal aspects of my voice in social settings. It feels like no matter what I say, because of how I sound people will think that I just don't really care. Whenever I say something that is especially a textbook example of having non-verbal meaning in social situations, e.g. "I love you too," or "Thanks," spoken flatly and unemphatic-ally because of self-consciousness, it's often disastrous for keeping friendships going.

I wonder if I have some kind of sensory-processing issue with hearing too. I have trouble parsing speech I think, especially if there's a lot of background noise (especially when parsing the lyrics to songs!), and easily, conversations just fall flat and end because of this. I think though some of this is from trying to tune out sensory information because of the above. Even my peripheral vision seems to suffer, because I tune it out trying to respect not to make special note of people in my peripheral vision.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Don't worry about your peripheral vision. You can't focus from the outside of your eyes anyway. We have it for a reason.

People think I am mad because of my voice even though the words alone should prove I am not. That's a very frustrating part of chatting in person. Another issue is I can easily interrupt people. Not so here with the requirement to click on Post Reply!