Asperger's & Autism Forum

I've heard that meditation is especially useful to people on the spectrum because of our need to be out of the constant chatter we have in our heads, among other things.
At the same time, there are many reasons why we struggle with it.
What is it for you?

How did you react? Was it a relief? Did you feel despair that it meant you would never be normal?

What did you do?

I was 19 when it was suggested I might be autistic. It was 1998. There was no information for women on the spectrum back then. It was seen as a thing only boys had. Women didn't have it. Adults didn't have it.

In 2008 the internet became a more useful place for learning about autism in women, but even then there wasn't much. I devoured everything I could on the subject.

I enjoyed learning about the subject and finding out more about how my brain works.

We have so much more information available now, written by adults on the spectrum for adults on the spectrum.

I feel like I've adapted well to the world around me. I've been fortunate enough to study and get qualifications in a subject I enjoyed and have found employment amongst other spevtrumy people who just get me.

What's your experience?

For those of us in the workforce, do you think your Aspergers makes it much more difficult to handle out-of-the-norm work conditions like toxic co-workers? Does your blood boil faster? Are you quicker to want to jump all over them? Do they cause a physical reaction in you?

I currently work with someone who is loud, lazy, in-your-face, borderline inept in her occupation and plays the 'racist' card. Our manager is afraid of her. It's a unionized environment. This coworker is very social and talks to EVERYONE so really, how could anyone expect her to get her work done? (sarcasm)

My reaction to her: I get noticeable tremors when I deal with people who put me over the edge. It's embarrassing. I don't want her to keep getting away with her nonsense. I don't respect her. Our manager is aware and she's spoken to this person and yet offers NO enforcement. Even when this person caused a shoving match with another coworker. I get these tremors a lot AND my brain disengages with...

Over the last year and a half I have had a journey that I never though I'd have. I decided to share my story here in the hopes that someone facing my same situation might gain some insight into their own. I was working very happily with a manager with whom I had a good relationship. The work was good but had started to slack off. I was told that the team would be splitting and was asked whether I would prefer to go with the back end services team or the front end user interface team. I of course chose the first since that is where the bulk of my experience lies and where I feel the most comfortable.

On joining the services team I was assigned to a new manager. He seemed a decent sort right off and we got along well. The problem came in the way he "ran" his team. Work was basically put into a pile and the team instructed to "get it done". Tasks were to be pulled off the pile and worked in no particular order or priority. In my mind the result was chaos. Anytime I chose a...

I was with my boyfriend for a year and a quarter and I really do love him he’s a bit on the spectrum.I spent the week with him last week and we were fine till Thursday until I got worried about the coronavirus and what that would mean for us. I asked him could I see him still he told me no cause it means me travelling to him. I told him I didn’t mind and wanted to see him I thought he didn’t want to be with me.

So in the heat of the moment I looked at him and asked is there any point in us being together. I didn’t realize how hurt he was by this we carried on as normal he told me he loved me was intimate with me still until I left him Saturday and even telling me he’s see me soon.

I thought he was off with me when I messaged him Saturday night and asked wether he wanted to be with me something i often ask he said I’m going bed night. I apologised he said it’s fine and he wernt mad at me and that he’s talk later on Sunday.

I messaged him in the night and he said he wasn’t...

I live with this parent because I don't feel like delivering pizzas or washing dishes to stay alive and I don't want to be a cam girl. I am stressed out and I legitimately need help. It's totally toxic and I don't trust a word they say. How in god's name do I get out of this?!?! I have untold amounts of emotional pain because of this garbage.

Is it part of being on the spectrum? There is a occasional friend- and l have always felt very emotionally pulled and pushed. He maybe on the spectrum also. Yes, l really like him, and yes, l try to emotionally pull back but it has zero effect for me.

It was like this even before we met face to face. I was already somehow dialed into him. I have even left my car door open, after seeing him. We don't discuss much about this but l finally told him to please talk in gentle way because my plate is full of too many not great feelings about where l live.

Guess l feel stung, like how can someone have such an effect? I am a very logical human being.

Do you deal with someone who leaves you in this state? Is it a good relationship? Are relationships on the spectrum wrought with emotional landmines because of so much sensitivity between the two? It's like the very good of it is also the very bad of it sometimes.

I never did well in school. I use to study for hours and still fail tests. This was even with tutoring. I did poorly in reading comprehension and math tests.

I was told by teachers that I had a learning disability in middle school and High School but never got the help.

I did pass high school with mostly C average with a few D in math, English. What made me get a C in classes like Science was failing most of the tests but doing much extra credit. I even cheated on my midterms my junior year which was easy taking the make up tests by myself using my notes, textbooks and felt no guilt.

In college with D's, F's. Even in an world music class which I loved, took again in the summer, teacher had pity on my and gave me a D. I also had a bunch of incompletes I was told again I had a learning disability and was recommended by the dean to drop out After dropping out that was the end of my higher education.

Many years now with not working I still have much difficulty comprehension. I...

I live in an apartment and have enjoyed it for the most part, but there is one issue with the person who lives below me. The person is mostly quiet but once a day, there is a slam that is so loud I almost think it is intentional. I am unsure if this would qualify as something where I could file a noise complaint with management as it is only once, but extremely loud. I do not wish to confront the person as I have left a note asking politely not to make such a loud slam and that worked for a week. What are some suggestions others may have to deal with noise issues?

I personally like to be alone or in crowds..seems contrary huh?
& very rarely, the few close friends I've had since childhood.

But in a way, being in crowds is like being alone with the extra perk of anonymous company when I need a bit more, without the hassle of my friends expectations.

So what's kinds of situations do you find most agreeable?
(Family excluded)