NT here.. but can i have HFA?

[armedlove]

ok, so i recently had a date with a girl who IS diagnosed with HFA. coincidentally we had a lot of things in common (emotional and personality wise). i actually really like her and the first person in a VERY long time i feel a connection with. its made me reflect upon myself and things that i do now and how i was growing up:

-im very emotional and have outbursts on people if i feel hurt

-ive maintained little to no friends throughout my life. or have problems managing personal relationships. in school during breaks i would walk around in circles. even if people asked for me to join i felt more comfortable by myself

-i have a hard time looking at people when talking to them. the only time im able to is when im at work and i really have to concentrate to do it

- im socially inept. in social circles i just listen and dont contribute at all. or i think very hard whether to say something

- ive always been made fun of. occasionally to this day

- i feel that i have to try very hard to get anyone to like me. or i feel im being taken advantage of

- i pace around the house when thinking or bored, i also make random noises/talk to myself

- if someone says something that intrigues me and/or humorous ill keep repeating it

also about a year ago. i was with a group of people and one of them (who works with special needs kids) had thought i was autistic.

if someone can shed some light that would be great. or maybe im just being paranoid? Thank you!

 

[Harrison]

To be honest, outside of a professional diagnosis, the best person to answer that question is you.

Try some of the online tests...

The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R)

and good luck

 

[Suzanne]

Well, it certainly sounds like you are an aspie too. Your list matches my list, if I was to do one and so much more.

Funny because I do the EXACTLY same thing if I am inspired by something or find something amusing. I just want to keep repeating over and over again, in pure joy.

Not "professionally" diagnosed but ones who have people in their lives, who are aspies, recognise it in me.

 

[zurb]

Welcome to AC.
Nice to have another kindred spirit
If the online tests are confusing, that's a good sign. It means you struggle to understand NT assumptions, and are over analyzing the questions - a typical aspie trait.
I'd highly recommend reading Tony Attwood's "The Complete Guide To Aspergers".
Despite the title, I'd also recommend Rudy Simone's "Aspergirls". Lots of good stuff even for guys.

 

[Judge]

Unfortunately they're all apt to be inherently ambiguous. Try the Baron-Cohen AQ quotient test.

Wired 9.12: Take The AQ Test

 

[Balkan1996]

I think most of us can relate to what you've described. Consider yourself as one of us.

Meanwhile, you should solve some online tests. They aren't very accurate, but they show the 'big picture'.

 

[Datura]

I'm also questioning if I might be on the spectrum. Pretty much everything you say resonates with me, except that I think I have managed to learn passable social skills and no longer have trouble looking most people in the eye.

 

[Balkan1996]

I'm also questioning if I might be on the spectrum. Pretty much everything you say resonates with me, except that I think I have managed to learn passable social skills and no longer have trouble looking most people in the eye.

People with ASD usually learn most of the social cues and what-not as they age and gain experience. But autism isn't only about mild social 'retardation', it's about the way you think and perceive the world. If you think you have Asperger's - you probably do.

Have you tried solving online tests (suggested by this forum)?

 

[Datura]

I have. Most of my results turn up on the "neurodiverse" end of things. The main reason I question my self diagnosis is that I don't seem to exhibit the sensory hypersensitivity that is typical of autism. Also; I just tend to doubt myself in general, but that's a self esteem issue.

 

[Balkan1996]

I have. Most of my results turn up on the "neurodiverse" end of things. The main reason I question my self diagnosis is that I don't seem to exhibit the sensory hypersensitivity that is typical of autism. Also; I just tend to doubt myself in general, but that's a self esteem issue.

I didn't believe it either untill my psychologist said I'm autistic.

Now, about that sensory hypersensitivity... Believe me, there isn't a SINGLE PERSON IN THE WORLD who match 100% of symptoms. If you have 70% of symptoms, you ARE, indeed, an aspie.

 

[Progster]

If a person who is works with autistic people or has autistic kids says the you have autisit traits, then that is a good indication that you may be somewhere on the spectrum. I would try the tests suggested by others, read around the forum and if you can identify with the experiences related by others, you might want to look into it further.

I have. Most of my results turn up on the "neurodiverse" end of things. The main reason I question my self diagnosis is that I don't seem to exhibit the sensory hypersensitivity that is typical of autism. Also; I just tend to doubt myself in general, but that's a self esteem issue.

You don't need to have hypersensitivity to be diagnosed with AS, though the DSM V does have a requirement for it now. Sensory hypersensitivity varies a lot and is a spectrum in itself from mild to severe, and not all people have the full range of sensory issues. It can range from being disabilitating in severe cases to causing discomfort and stress in mild causes: from feeling pain when someone touches you lightly, to finding labels or seams in clothes irritating or itchy. Even avoiding certain clothes because they feel odd or wrong is a sensitivity. Some people experience visual fragmentation, where others can't bear bright lights, others find high pitched sounds unbearable, where others become overloaded very easily and need to wear noise cancelling headphones most of the time. I don't have the full range of them either, mostly I find noise, smells and textures, and some kinds of lighting irritating, uncomfortable or stressful, but my symptoms are fairly mild and can be managed. I think if you have one or two which affect your functioning in some way, you can be diagnosed with ASD.

 

[Datura]

Thanks guys. But I think I need to apologize to armedlove for inadvertently hijacking his thread. Hopefully he finds this information useful.