Lyrielle
New Member
Hello, I recently stumbled upon a youtube channel about autism which sparked my interest in learning more, and as I've looked further there is a lot I can relate to although I don't think I would fit the official diagnosis requirements. I just feel a lot of understanding and good will towards others who have felt like they don't belong in society or who struggle with similar issues that I do and I want to learn more about others experiences and offer whatever encouragement and understanding I can. It is such a relief when you discover you're not the only person who does something seen as peculiar, or who experiences something in what seems to be a different way.
I'm sure I'm "Highly Sensitive", and I'm definitely an introvert, it's likely I'm ADD, although I haven't pursued diagnoses, I certainly relate to so much about that as well. I also found myself really relating to a video about 'pathological demand avoidance'. And I nearly cried when I heard someone else ask 'what in the world are you supposed to do with your hands' because all my life I've felt super self conscious about my hands in social situations. While I feel like I am very perceptive of people's emotions and non-verbal cues, I do find it very hard and exhausting to socialize with most people and have always felt like a 'changeling' or 'alien'. I know a big part of my trouble is simply being so very out of touch with popular culture, I'm so uninterested in being a part of it. I have long had a great interest in personality theories because it's always been so clear how diferent people can be and that there seem to be patterns of different characteristics that often go together. People are so fascinating, but also baffling sometimes.
Anyway, I guess I just want to say I'm here to share in that wonderful experience of 'wow I can actually relate!' with others in various ways, whether or not I'm actually autistic. I have an aunt and cousins who recently mentioned being on the spectrum and someone suggested my daughter might be. Who knows, maybe I am too, and maybe I'm not, but I want to learn more and be an encouragement wherever I can.
I'm sure I'm "Highly Sensitive", and I'm definitely an introvert, it's likely I'm ADD, although I haven't pursued diagnoses, I certainly relate to so much about that as well. I also found myself really relating to a video about 'pathological demand avoidance'. And I nearly cried when I heard someone else ask 'what in the world are you supposed to do with your hands' because all my life I've felt super self conscious about my hands in social situations. While I feel like I am very perceptive of people's emotions and non-verbal cues, I do find it very hard and exhausting to socialize with most people and have always felt like a 'changeling' or 'alien'. I know a big part of my trouble is simply being so very out of touch with popular culture, I'm so uninterested in being a part of it. I have long had a great interest in personality theories because it's always been so clear how diferent people can be and that there seem to be patterns of different characteristics that often go together. People are so fascinating, but also baffling sometimes.
Anyway, I guess I just want to say I'm here to share in that wonderful experience of 'wow I can actually relate!' with others in various ways, whether or not I'm actually autistic. I have an aunt and cousins who recently mentioned being on the spectrum and someone suggested my daughter might be. Who knows, maybe I am too, and maybe I'm not, but I want to learn more and be an encouragement wherever I can.