Asperger's & Autism Forum

Hi, Fam.
The other day, I had a chance encounter with a MH Caseworker from the local community center.
I asked whether there was a social/support group for those with Autism/Asperger's.
She said no, but quickly expressed enthusiasm for the idea, suggesting that if I were to form such a group, that I would have the full financial, material, logistic, and moral support of the organization that she represents, as well as relative autonomy, essentially giving me carte blanche to do... whatever!
After (over)thinking about this, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I should make the attempt.
I can't get around the idea that it is an interesting, if not wonderful, opportunity, for any number of reasons.

My goal would be to create a safe, comfortable, friendly, relaxing but interesting, pressure-free and self-directing social outlet for those(of us) that would avoid or shun outlets that are normal for "regular" people, but might be a bit much, or too demanding, for those on the...

I really hate wearing clothes. I prefer to be naked. I hate wearing jeans, especially since Levi and other companies who make jeans tend to make them either too tight, and I feel like somebody is constantly squeezing my wastes, or just barely tight enough, and I end up not being able to wear them with a belt on. Jeans also seem to make a ton of noise when I walk and the legs rub up against each other even if they only do so just slightly. Even shorts without zippers, belt loops, or buttons seem to bother me.

Sitting down in certain ways kinda feels like whatever shirts or jackets I'm wearing always irritate me. The seams on the clothing are worse. Every time I try to move a seem into a more comfortable position, it seems like it resets itself back to an irritating half a second later.

I just wish being naked all the time was socially acceptable everywhere, with the only exceptions being hazardous jobs such as construction and combat. I don't like wearing clothes. While most...

“And now I know it is perfectly natural for me not to look at someone when I talk. Those of us with Asperger’s are just not comfortable doing it. In fact, I don’t really understand why it’s considered normal to stare at someone’s eyeballs,” John Elder Robison

What do you think about this quote?

I have had a bit of an: ahhh haa moment lol

Had some visitors and was discussing aspergers with the lady.

As they were going and she said it was nice seeing me, I had the urge to ask if I had bored her? Going on etc, but refrained and then thought: oh, now I get it!

I can't read basic facial expressions.

So, confusion hits when some one says that I am not boring them. Yep, I ask. And others say: well, you are talking a lot!

I cannot tell if one is bored or not and so feel really disjointed and get scared to talk, because I cannot regulate how long or short I am talking for.

This came up in a test and I am sure I said that I can tell when someone is bored. But I can't!

Ever since I was a child, I get bored really easily. I always wanted to be doing something, making something, reading something, new things and experiences, I was always complaining of boredom. I was bored, bored, bored and wanted more! I always need to constantly have a high level of stimulation, something going on all the time. Then, other times, I use to experiment a lot as a child, and like to invent or make things, or take things apart to see how they worked. I was very restless, but could focus on something for hours if it interested me. I got chronically bored at school, too.

This had often caused me to be conflicted: one the one hand, I want to do new things, new experiences, but on the other hand, I can't cope with some aspects of a new activity, such as the social aspects, or an aspect of the environment. So I'd be super-stimulated and charged up by something, and then suddenly crash and melt down, sometimes without warning (though I'm better at detecting the signs now....

Following forums and autistic info I am continually confused by how many of us set ourselves up for failure.

If you know certain things send you over the edge why do you do them?

I know for myself I can’t work around many people in fake environments (office,retail etc)
I go to eat if I do at off peak hours, shop early or late etc? Im 41 and know what I can tolerate . Is it an age thing? If you know something will cause overload or meltdown, why can’t you adjust to another method? Just wondering ?

Just curious. I have never been able to sleep on the floor though it never seemed to bother other people I knew. My granddaughter (autistic) mentioned she can not sleep on the floor. I was just wondering if this could be an Autie thing?

I nearly had a meltdown in Walmart. I was stuck there for HOURS because of an oil change! People were staring, and it was the worst torture ever! The kids, the loud screeching and banging of the tools, I can't stand it! At first my phone was playing music to keep the noises from torturing me, but the phone died! I just wanna go deaf! I thought I'd never get out of there! I don't care if I'll never be able to hear even what I like again, I just can't keep living through torture! I can't drive without being tortured by the motor, I can't go to class without being tortured by the noises there, and I can't even relax at home without the roaring engines outside torturing me! I have no ear defenders that everyone says work, and it might be impossible for me to get them. Therapy might not help. Earplugs didn't help. THERE'S NO ENDING THE PAIN EXCEPT FOR DEATH!

I am writing out of pure desperation to gain some kind of understanding of my situation. I think about it constantly and fear I may drive myself insane trying to get an answer.

I met my boyfriend a few months ago, we had an undeniable connection from the moment we started speaking. It felt comfortable and like I was in a dream. He was so caring and honest and we would talk all day, facetiming at least 4 times a day. We both travel for work but had agreed that we would spend our monthly time off together whenever possible. He flew to wherever I was and vice versa. He had explained that he was married previously and had 2 young boys. I had never dated anyone with children but this man made me feel so comfortable about it. His marriage ended a year prior due to infidelity on his wives side. He also explained that he was diagnosed with Aspergers many years ago but he was able to function normally just crowds and certain noises,textures are difficult for him and sometimes needs alone...

I've been thinking and wondering if I should get an alert bracelet for autism? I know I seem normal in public, but because I'm have very sensitive hearing, I'm worried that I might end up going into a meltdown in public one day, and people will be staring or calling the police on me. At least, if I get pulled over or something happens, I'll have a bracelet to let them know. But I'm not sure. I mean, is reccomended for even a mild to moderate autistic like me to get a medical alert bracelet? What do you think? Should I get one? Do I need one?