Hello from an autistic autism scientist.

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Hello all. I'm a 22 year old professional writer and psychology PhD student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) who studies autism spectrum disorder. And not just as a topic of fascination -- as my actual day job! I myself was professionally diagnosed with Asperger's/PDD-NOS (I've been given both labels, so take your pick I suppose) when I was seven years old. I'm also diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

I've recently published a book -- a memoir called On Being Insane. It can be found on Amazon, if you desire to see it. (I believe it has Look Inside enabled, as well.) As far as my scientific research goes, I'm primarily interested in issues faced by autistic adults. Some of my work to date has studied the relationship between perseverative thinking and depression symptoms.

My other interests and hobbies include Pokemon; board games (Catan, D&D, etc); card games (Pokemon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, etc); and swinging on swings. I've selected "male" for my profile because I am transmasculine, but I'm actually agender.

I'm naturally somewhat reclusive in an online environment like this, but feel free to ask me questions. About autism research or anything scientific about autism, or about writing a book, or about my career in general... Indeed, I would enjoy answering your questions, and (as always) I will try to give accurate and complete information.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome! Your book sounds really interesting. I'll have to look it up.

I have just ordered a copy of your book as a present for a very good friend who is a psychotherapist

Thanks for the welcomes!

Hi I'm a clinical psychologist who was diagnosed with autism 4 years ago. I also have a PhD in psychology, but have mainly worked clinically since gaining it. I just joined this forum and it's good to find an autism scientist here. Congratulations on your book. It looks interesting. I wrote a short memoir about my experience. I put in the url but I've just been told I can't, so I'll see what of this message gets through.

Hello! I am not a scientist like you guys. But I study Linguistics American Sign Language. I always been fascinated with communication. I found ASL is a better outlet for me than rather spoken language. I am hearing and speak english. but if I had a choice I rather be with the Deaf community than the hearing community. I am not going to destroy my hearing to become deaf. I feel more at home with them. And surprisingly i learned ASL faster then any another subject I have tried to learn. My doctors are astounded.