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Hello. I just joined, but I've been reading the forums for a couple of weeks. I guess I should give a little background on myself...

I've always been socially awkward, though that has improved somewhat over time. I'm still uncomfortable in social situations when I meet new people. My biggest issue is with touching. I don't particularly mind being touched; in fact I enjoy hugging all my friends (all one of them!). However, I can never quite seem to initiate contact because I can't seem to make up my mind about the appropriateness of it (Do I put a hand on his shoulder? Is it OK to hug her? Etc.)...I just end up standing there. I have difficulty with small talk. I start with "How's it going?" or "How are you?" and then hope I can work off what the other person says. Sometimes I can say something witty (usually because I read it in a book or saw it in a movie). If it seems to work, I use it over and over again until it's been beaten to death...then I use it some more. I often rehearse possible conversation scenarios in my head to help, but if something comes up that isn't at least somewhat related to what I've rehearsed I freeze. I won't even start talking about my issues with calling people on the phone!

On the plus side, I'm usually pretty good at figuring things out. I often amaze my bosses (their words) with the analytical tools I come up with at work. They also praise me for the high level of attention to detail I apply to my work (to the point it's almost become a running joke in the office), as well as my memory. I'm an information addict. If someone mentions something, no matter how trivial, that I find interesting, I find it hard to resist looking it up, sometimes spending hours researching something. I also go through phases where I develop a strong interest in a subject and devote an inordinate amount of time to it. For example, confusion over what other people's nonverbal cues meant led me to read at least half-a-dozen different books on body language and peruse countless websites on the subject. I also have about a dozen books on useless information. For example, Panama hats originated in Ecuador. I find that interesting...most everyone else doesn't.

For a couple of years I've suspected I might have Asperger's, but I never seemed to fully meet all the criteria. Recently, however, I've had some issues that have negatively affected some important relationships (namely a few poorly-timed meltdowns due to frustration and my inability to know how to react to certain situations).

I researched Asperger's more, including personal accounts, and many times it was like a light bulb of recognition turning on in my head. I've taken the Autism-Spectrum Quotient online and scored 32. I also took the RDO test (I believe that's what it's called, please correct me if I'm wrong) and my results were: Aspie score of 137 of 200; NT score of 87 of 200; "You are very likely an Aspie."

I'm currently debating whether or not I should get an "official" diagnosis, but my lack of success in finding someone with experience diagnosing adults with ASD in my area may resolve that issue for me. Any insights would be appreciated.

I'm sorry for the novel I've just written, but I wasn't really sure how much to leave in or leave out. There's actually more I could write about, but I think this should cover the significant points. I will try to be more succinct in any future posts I may make.

P.S.: There have been many times where my spoken words sounded just like what I wrote above.

Welcome to the wrong planet , I hope that you find it is the "correct planet".

Please make yourself at home, and try and be a good citizen of the WP. You will find (or may have found already) that we have a range of very different people here. Most of them are nice. Some are experts in a range of different fields.

Please bear in mind that if you need the help of a mod then please PM sinsboldly, labpet or lau.

_________________
Health is a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity I am not a jigsaw, I am a free man !

Diagnosed under the DSM5 rules with autism spectrum disorder, under DSM4 psychologist said would have been AS (299.80) but I suspect that I am somewhere between 299.80 and 299.00 (Autism) under DSM4.

To WrongPlanet!! !

“Hello,” DarrylZero, and welcome to the Wrong Planet community.

Thanks for the welcomes.

Welcome to the Wrong Planet neighborhood.