MoCoffee- Hail and well met! I am in southern BC and it snowed today. I was thrilled. If you're from the east coast, you might laugh at me and that is to be encouraged.
Now, onto the Serious Business. *ahem*.
As for women- yes, that seems true. In much of the literature that I've come across, women are far less prone to receive diagnosis, when we do it is late in life (mine started with the eye contact thing), and we do present at least a bit differently than men do (as far as I've read). Most of the study seems to have been male centred. There are many good blogs for women out there. I just wish the world would get on board and get current. It hasn't been easy.
I have heard the term 'mirroring' mentioned a lot with respect to female aspies, and that is exactly what my entire life has been- I only called it 'when in Rome' syndrome before I had investigated Asperger syndrome. I literally cannot comprehend how most NT people conduct their social activities and behaviour. I'm just blank. So the only option I could use to function in these social situations, was to do what everyone else was doing, act how everyone else was acting. And when bits of actual me still came out, it didn't usually go over very well. It hurt. The bewilderment was probably the worst part.
But yes, my diagnosis was a relief as well. It took the onus for my being 'out of step' off of my shoulders, in a way. The diagnosis set me free, free from trying to force myself into the confining expectations of NT 'being', and consistently failing to do so. Bit like teaching a fish to ride a moped. Now, I can be more myself (hoping, anyway) and swim the depths. Strength in numbers.
I have not been able to perform since choir as a teenager. Too much performance anxiety. I have generalized anxiety as well, and have a bad case of 'impostor syndrome' meaning that I am unable to internalize my talents or accomplishments (few though they are) which doesn't tend to facilitate confidence when performing in front of people. Lifelong struggle. I keep trying. I literally could not self-assess if I was any good at singing, it sounded pleasant to my own ears but I know that other people hear things differently. I needed other people to give me an objective assessment and they seemed to like it, so that worked out.
I love a lot of different music in a wide range (I just made a pretty lengthy post in a music thread a few minutes ago, eek) but I like electronic music the best. That's what I sing for. But I am also very fond of certain types of jazz, classical, 50s-70s era (but not the pop songs, more tunes that were underappreciated in their time) and many, many others.
What do you like musically?
