Correlations between odd abilities and experiences, and NT/ASD?

[tfwo]

Does anyone know if there have been any studies done on this?

I put together list of "odd" abilities and experiences that I've had, and wonder which ones might be related to ASD, my own personal weirdness, or something else.

1 - There is a degree of difficulty in speaking my thoughts, and understanding others. If I begin speaking off the top of my head, I get repeatedly sidetracked by additional information that amends and sometimes contradicts what I've already spoken.

2 - I tend to wig out from the feeling of freshly clipped fingernails dragging against fabric.

3 - I do have feelings, but I'm unable to know or truthfully say if I love anyone.

4 - I occasionally stop breathing and/or don't breath enough.

5 - Sometimes when I focus my thought very deeply on something, I find my perspective of though oscillate between two states, accompanied with REM.

6 - I Drink about a gallon of water a day. I get panicky if I need water.

7 - I can sometimes voluntarily cause a chill to run down my spine, or send a wave of tingling sensation through my body.

8 - I've been told, sometimes when I get deep into thought, my pupils can dilate.

9 - Sometimes when I can close my eyes I go straight into a dream sequence.

If you have similar experiences, please share.

 

[Mr. Cat]

All of them apply to me. Wow!

 

[Nao]

I have quite a few of those. I also have another really weird one which I'm not sure is asd related or not. I sneeze when I have thoughts about sex or even if I just think about someone I like! I've never told anyone so don't know if I'm on my own with that one!

 

[On the Inside]

The first three apply to me, as well as #7 (I think it's voluntarily releasing adrenaline, but not sure).

When I am deep in thought it is much like my deep dream state, with a strange path of association. If I get far off track, I like to try to work backwards to try and link the associations logically. This used to be pretty out of control for me, I mean long daydream states, until I started meditation. While I still day dream, (it is how I deal with being overwhelmed) I am better able to focus on what I want/need to think about. Communicating those thoughts is another matter (see your #1).

I don't sneeze, but I do get the shivers a lot.

 

[Nao]

I have to be careful not to let my daydreams get out of control. I can become way too absorbed in them and prioritise them over real life. It is often a nicer place in my head though!

 

[On the Inside]

It is often a nicer place in my head though!

That has been a large problem for me. I used to believe it was one of my strengths; having a vigorous, active and creative mind. As I have aged and my executive functioning problems have become more and more evident, it has become somewhat of a curse. I do wish that I could realize, bring into reality, some of the things I've imagined. Most of the time they get no further than sketches.

 

[Tom]

I think that it is pretty much a given you will have odd abilities and experiences, in the sense they will be different from typical NT.

 

[Nao]

I suppose it's a question of channeling it in a positive manner but I know that I often need to be in quite a structured environment to do that.

 

[tfwo]

I suppose it's a question of channeling it in a positive manner but I know that I often need to be in quite a structured environment to do that.

I stay up most nights, after everyone has gone to bed, to collect my thoughts and unwind. I've often been criticized for it by my NT wife, but what else am I to do? :/

 

[On the Inside]

That is what I've always done. It really helps to sit in a quiet, dark space. I've gotten the same criticism. Saying that I'm meditating helps, seems more productive.

 

[AsperDragon]

I have quite a few of those. I also have another really weird one which I'm not sure is asd related or not. I sneeze when I have thoughts about sex or even if I just think about someone I like! I've never told anyone so don't know if I'm on my own with that one!

Sneezing provides a similiar (in some ways only) release to that of an orgasm...at least according to the hit tv drama, "Code Black," where a teacher was having uncontrollable orgasms continuously throughout the episode and no doctor can help her until the head nurse "mama" goes to take care of it....he solved the problem with pepper....forcing a sneeze from her and ending the issue. He said sneezes and orgasms affect similar muscles inside the body.....

Of course, this is completely anecdotal via pop tv so, i might just be spouting hot air.

 

[Nao]

I'm quite lucky that I get a lot of time to myself. I don't have to work but choose to because I'm better if I have some structure to my week so I just do 8 hrs per week. I just love being at home by myself cleaning and listening to music. I force myself to meet with friends a couple of times a week but as embarrassing as it sounds I just love my own company and the smell of bleach!

 

[Nao]

[emoji1] AsperDragon I've got that on series link so will have to get round to watching it!

 

[Nao]

I stay up most nights, after everyone has gone to bed, to collect my thoughts and unwind. I've often been criticized for it by my NT wife, but what else am I to do? :/

Maybe your wife thinks you're avoiding being intimate with her?

 

[tfwo]

Maybe your wife thinks you're avoiding being intimate with her?

Yes, that is her concern. I do make provisions for alone time together. But unfortunately it probably is a mute point, as things seem to be falling apart with are relationship, apparently due to the typical NT/ASD issues. I feel like I have given everything, almost my very existence, and she feels as if it's still not enough.

 

[Beverly]

A lot of those things sound like me, not the water drinking though. I don't drink plain water at all, ever, can't handle plain water. I drink sugar few fruit flavored water, or water with a hit of lemon juice in it but, never plain water - one of my sensory things, can't stand the lack of taste in plain water.

Every partner I have had has accused me of being distant, standoffish and/or, cold. I just don't get too attached to anyone but, I don't attribute my dismissive-avoidant attachment style to ASD. That is a result of my very dysfunctional, abusive father and my professional ignorer of a mother.

My career which happens to also be my primary obsession always takes precedence over any relationship I might be in so, that contributes to my partner feeling neglected at times. Yes I could make a relationship my priority but, I choose not to, my career is more important, it's my livelihood, my life and, my first love. Anyone that wants to be with me has got to understand and accept that.

I "accidentally" do lucid dreaming quite often. I can do it intentionally but, it happens way more than I actually plan for it to happen. Good and bad, yes that means I can control my dreams quite often but, it also means I remember all of them, even horrid nightmares that are out of my control.

I've learned that my attachment style combine with my choice to put my career first is not conducive to a long term relationship lasting. Sure I'd like not to die single but, I don't see that happening. I will likely die single but, that's better than putting my career second, and thus not doing my best, giving my all to it. People deserve my best and, my bandmates need me "in it" and not with my head up in the clouds over some guy.

 

[Nao]

Yes, that is her concern. I do make provisions for alone time together. But unfortunately it probably is a mute point, as things seem to be falling apart with are relationship, apparently due to the typical NT/ASD issues. I feel like I have given everything, almost my very existence, and she feels as if it's still not enough.

I think it must be very difficult. My husband and I can struggle with our differences sometimes. I don't behave how his friend's wives do in the way that I'm fine when he's working overseas frequently, I don't get jealous, I'm not overly emotional, which he sees as me not caring. On the plus side he can go out with friends, pursue his hobbies etc and I'm not going to complain that he's not giving me attention.
I think things are far more complex with NT women. They are generally more demanding than NT men. I often find they speak in riddles and expect the rest of us to guess the point they are trying to make, they also seem to need an awful lot of attention. My parents had an absolute car crash of a relationship. My dad was asd (not diagnosed but people rarely were then) and my mum was VERY emotional and needy. In a desperate attempt to prompt a reaction from him, she became increasingly dramatic which of course made him withdraw even further. It was a horrible environment to be in.

 

[tfwo]

I think things are far more complex with NT women. They are generally more demanding than NT men. I often find they speak in riddles and expect the rest of us to guess the point they are trying to make, they also seem to need an awful lot of attention. My parents had an absolute car crash of a relationship. My dad was asd (not diagnosed but people rarely were then) and my mum was VERY emotional and needy. In a desperate attempt to prompt a reaction from him, she became increasingly dramatic which of course made him withdraw even further.

Thank you for pointing that out. It's sometimes difficult for me in these situations to not feel like a failure. I know that I'm not perfect, and I'm obviously not the only one at fault. But the persistent message from the NT world places the blame on us, simply because we are the minority.

 

[Nao]

I'm a bit the other way. I think "well I'm saying it how it is, it's not my fault if you have to speak in these ridiculous riddles"! [emoji1]

 

[On the Inside]

I think "well I'm saying it how it is, it's not my fault if you have to speak in these ridiculous riddles"!

I am finally coming around to this manner of handling the difficulties. I've done a lot of work to understand how I work, in the interest of being the most real and effective ME I can be. I am learning that will sometimes chafe those who want me to be a different way.