Why do autistic people go off on a tangent?

[Ronald Zeeman]

Was it due to her going on a tangent?

I just pictured calculus diagram in my minds eye.

 

[Neri]

I think it more likely that Autists will direct the conversation to their "special interest" of the moment. It strikes me that it's more of an ADHD thing to go off on all sorts of tangents. The confusion could be that many, many autists are also ADHDers (me included). Current stats (not sure how they are obtained, myself, however) are putting the percentage of autists also comorb with ADHD at 50 to 70%.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

I'll talk about almost anything at a gathering once I feel comfortable, not into small talk no comorbidities. once I get going able to become centre of attention.

 

[Jonn]

I go off on tangents very often, and another thing is that I have to overexplain everything, when talking about something, I have to provide much more context to every little detail than anyone would ever want, but that's just how my mind works.

In other words, you are a garden variety of Aspie.

 

[Jonn]

I think it more likely that Autists will direct the conversation to their "special interest" of the moment. It strikes me that it's more of an ADHD thing to go off on all sorts of tangents.

With me, one tangent inspires another tangent.

I have ADD rather than ADHD.
Add a good degree of caffeine, and THEN I act as though I have ADHD.

 

[thejuice]

Is ADD the more inattentive type?

 

[thejuice]

It's called small talk or keep the conversation going talk.

I wish we were more comfortable with being quiet. Its so threatening to some.

Quiet = scheming predator to reptile brain maybe

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

When I start talking you cannot shut me up rarely talk about special interests.

 

[thejuice]

I'm a good listener

 

[Jonn]

Is ADD the more inattentive type?

I have great difficulty focusing on most things I do.
I have gotten into the habit of shutting my eyes when I am reading, and turning off the sound when listening, to cope.

I have gotten into the habit of turning off the sound when I am reading and closing my eyes when listening to reduce information overload.
No, I don't do that when in face-to-face conversations.

 

[Jonn]

I wish we were more comfortable with being quiet. Its so threatening to some.

Quiet = scheming predator to reptile brain maybe

Before I met Mr Coca-Cola, I was very quiet in most situations.
I was even called "The wise old owl who sat quietly in the corner".
After, you couldn't shut me up.

 

[thejuice]

I have great difficulty focusing on most things I do.
I have gotten into the habit of shutting my eyes when I am reading, and turning off the sound when listening, to cope.

I have gotten into the habit of turning off the sound when I am reading and closing my eyes when listening to reduce information overload.
No, I don't do that when in face-to-face conversations.

It has to be dead silent when you read? I do both of those.

 

[Jonn]

It has to be dead silent when you read?

Preferably, but not it is not essential.

 

[stevens]

I had that with a housemate. I thought she was interested in me talking about poker. I had a phase of being really into it. Turns out she told all the other housemates how boring I was!

Here's the real trap: In the concept of Minnesota Nice and other passive-aggressive styles, people avoid confrontation wherever possible. Therefore, sometimes if a person you're talking to thinks your idea or concept is not that great, the response will be "That's interesting..." And so, just imagine the reaction of autistic people like me when I hear that and the topic is something from which I've filled up with knowledge. They'll for sure go right to their friends and tell them what a weirdo I am.

 

[thejuice]

Preferably, but not it is not essential.

I used to like silence. Now with tinnitus I usually like some kind of noise in background

 

[thejuice]

Here's the real trap: In the concept of Minnesota Nice and other passive-aggressive styles, people avoid confrontation wherever possible. Therefore, sometimes if a person you're talking to thinks your idea or concept is not that great, the response will be "That's interesting..." And so, just imagine the reaction of autistic people like me when I hear that and the topic is something from which I've filled up with knowledge. They'll for sure go right to their friends and tell them what a weirdo I am.

She's the weirdo tbh

 

[thejuice]

I was default hated and bullied by the young women I house shared with because I kept myself to myself mostly due to sensory processing disorders and chronic pain. Men were more indifferent.

I should have made more effort to be honest but I had my issues and I was young and defensive and self protective around young women due to some bad experiences

I remember when I did tag along to something when I tried to make an effort the girls would pull a stank face in the pictures in my direction

 

[thejuice]

Another houseshare the first thing the two young women did was complain to a new housemate about me before I'd even seen him. They also piled.pots and pans in my cupboard that weren't mine

Another time a couple went into my room and dumped kitchen crumbs and food onto my pillow. Again they didn't bother checking who it was, as an outsider you are the scapegoat

 

[thejuice]

A lot of it will be down to immaturity

 

[Jonn]

Another houseshare the first thing the two young women did was complain to a new housemate about me before I'd even seen him. They also piled.pots and pans in my cupboard that weren't mine

Another time a couple went into my room and dumped kitchen crumbs and food onto my pillow. Again they didn't bother checking who it was, as an outsider you are the scapegoat

Women are yucky!
Avoid at all costs!