-
> 1) Acute senses or a need for a high amount of sensory input.
> Probably experiences defensive reactions to sensory stimuli that are
> not noxious or are mildly offending to most people. An individual
> commonly experiences both defensive reactions and a need for input
> depending on the situation.
> 2) Lack of social intuition. Experience in one social situation
> doesn't not translate to a different, but similar, situation. Thinks
> in terms of sensory experiences (e.g. thinking in pictures) or in
> literal language.

Very good points. I have noticed my experiences leaning more towards
the 2nd point than the first - I have little or no social intuition, and
just like you said, an experience in one social situation doesn't
translate the way it should.

> Then there are the secondary characteristics. Here's my list of what
> to look for in adults who may blend into society, i.e. are not
> obviously autistic. Of course, with these, one has to look at the
> pattern and not just one or two (or three or four) charactertistics:
>
> Doesn't not make small talk or chitchat (Very True).
> Monologues instead of dialogues (Oh, yeah)
> Patiently listens to others who monologue or is easily bored with
> listening to others
> Appears to "lack common sense"; "Social Intelligence" doesn't appear
> to match "rote intelligence"(I definitely agree with this one - my
common sense is nowhere near as developed as my "rote intelligence")
> Does not make much eye contact or does not break eye contact
(Yep...or, nope...as the case may be).
> Good memory (Yep - I can quote entire scenes [and sometimes, entire
movies], completely from memory).
> Detail oriented
> Does not care about social hierarchy or following trends (That's me
all over!)
> Enjoys tasks that require intense concentration but has difficulty
> multi-tasking (Yep - that's me, too).
> Does not catch onto subtle social signals; does not understand tone
> of voice (including sarcasm) or body language (Nope - I don't).
> Does not know how to answer general questions, such as "What did you
> think of [blank]?" (Yeah, I have this problem, too).
> Avoids new social situations or groups of people (OH, YEAH)
> Avoids large gathering of people (See above).
> Enjoys being around people, but prefers to (or appears to prefer)
> listening to conversation rather jumping into conversation (yep).
> Fakes "normal" socialization but is exhausted afterwards (and
sometimes, in my case, during).
> Fakes "normal" socialization by adopting a personality (Yep).
> Needs structure and routines (definitely).
> Difficulty making changes and transitions, especially when unexpected
(Oh, yeah).
> Experiences a constant background state of anxiety (That's me)!
> Logical and very practical (That's me too!)
> Does not express much emotion (regardless of how the person is
> actually feeling) (God, this is scary).
> Speaks in a monotone voice or with repetitive or syncopated speech
(not so much)
> Appears to under-react or over-react to other people's emotions (YES)
> If overwhelmed, may "snap" or meltdown with no preceding signals
(Definitely)
> or "saves up" frustration for when alone (Yes!)
> Needs a lot of downtime (Yep)
> Appears to be obsessed with one or several topics (let's
see...military weapons, space exploration, NASCAR, IRL...yep, that's me,
too)!
> Engages in self-stimulatory behavior when excited (whether happy or
> agitated), such as hand-flapping, spinning, or rocking (or tapping my
foot constantly).
> Intellectually understand social rules but thinks they are ridiculous
(Yep).
> Prefers to communicate via e-mail (Oh, yeah).
> Understands animals, computers, or machines better than people
(Definitely)!
> Enjoys watching Monty Python (yep).
> Has a strength in one of the three "Ms": math, music, and mechanics
(Music - piano & guitar).

God, that was scary - reading that, it was almost like you knew me, even
though we've never met.....(My responses to your comments are in the
parentheses, in case you wondered). Reading that list convinces me more
than ever that, although the psychologist who evaluated me says I don't,
I do have Asperger's Syndrome.

Bob



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