Near INABILITY to start assignment?

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Anyone else ever feel like they PHYSICALLY can't start an assignment. Like every large assignment you've ever been given? Like your focus can't stay on the subject and when it does it's almost painful? I feel like AS and ASD go steps beyond your average case of procrastination, this feels like a brick wall. Has anyone else gone through this and prevailed? Any tips, or shared experiences?

I don't think this is exclusively an AS issue though my psychologist has explained that people with AS generally need more motivation to function so it could play a part?

That being said, I've been terrible with homework and assignments my entire life. As a kid I used to shove the majority of my homework under my mattress- no idea why- but unfortunately I didn't receive any serious repercussions and was usually top of my class. As I got older I continued to get away doing the bare minimum- because I had natural ability- which likely reinforced the behaviours. As an adult I'm now 100% responsible for myself and my work but I find it extremely difficult. For having an ASD diagnosis I'm probably the most unorganised person you could meet! Mine might be a completely different situation to yours but it feel like what you described- it's very physical in feeling!

A tutor recently gave me some good advice and said to aim to do at least one hour of work per day. Make it a commitment or a rule if those work for you. That way, once the hour is up you are free to either stop or keep going if you feel into the task. I find it builds self esteem and helps you feel less panicked about the assignment.

Also, planning! I like bullet lists but there's also mind mapping software, digital recorders, and probably more out there to try.

Other than that I'd say eat well, keep hydrated, try to keep to a healthy sleep schedule as much as possible, and aim to do something active during the day. Very standard advice and it's easier said than done but there is a lot of sense in it

Yes, all the time! Sometimes I sit down and try to work on the same thing for like a week straight before I manage to do it. It's the worst!

Right? It's like it doesn't matter how well you plan, you need to set aside 10x the time you actually spend on it just to move your focus to the task, if I'm lucky! Then it feels not exactly painful, but almost wrong or unnatural to be doing whatever you're supposed to do. I guess kind of like you're a spring that's been pushed to the side and is just waiting to spring back!

The only technique that comes anywhere close to working for me is to promise myself that once I count to 10 I'll get to work for as long as I can, it helps if I make it very specific. I manage to always stick to it by telling myself that if I keep sticking to it it will be an instinct, and if I ignore it it will break my only chance of forming this habit. Sounds weird but it works! Although only when I'm able to make myself count.

Are there any techniques that have worked for you?

I have similar problems myself, it got a name: executive dysfunctions, and it's quite frequent among ADHD/aspies/auties.

Interesting, I've never heard of this before, but googling it now it does make sense. How have you addressed this in your life?

I can clearly understand what do you mean. I'm not really good at writing. That's why I used to ask specialists like Supreme essay to help me. They usually both proofread and edit my papers. And, you know, they do a good job. So if you want you can give them a try. Best of luck!

Yeah, I've had problems like this. Not just that it takes a long time to get started but that I only go for a few minutes until I get distracted by something and then it takes me a long time to get started again.

This type of thing makes me feel weak and infereor to people who are good students and can sustain study for a long time.

I'm typing this in the middle of what is supposed to be a study session right now.

YES! I totally have this problem! I am NT, but it seems like every time I try to write anything, I end up just surfing the internet until 4 in the morning, ugh! I'm literally sitting here right now NOT doing a research paper that is due in 4 days...and I've known about for over 2 months.

I'll bet all the successful people don't have this problem

^Success isn't everything; that's just what society wants you to believe.

^ It is difficult for me to believe that. I just spent the weekend with my rich uncle and his rich sons, all of whom are engineers.

It's not just that they're rich and successful, they seem to have unlimited energy. After working 12 hour days Uncle John spends his weekend sailing in his sloop, after 8 hour days I spend my weekend resting.

Instead of procrastinating they wake up early and go swimming before work every day.

They're all far more intelligent then I am. I was unable to converse at their level. All graduates of course.

They're all extremely happy. Compared to them I feel like I've failed in life.