I had meltdowns when I was a kid in elementary and junior high. Had fewer in high school, but still there. I meltdown A LOT, even now, but have usually been good at doing it in private. Lately though, I've been melting down EVERYWHERE including school (now in fourth year university). I've had buildups to meltdowns on campus before, but not the full thing. About a year ago I had a meltdown in my professor's office--not about grades or anything. I don't remember exactly. Had something to do with change (and he doesn't know I'm autistic, so I am sure that was even more awkward for him). In the last week or two I had two in class. I always sit in the back corner, so in one of my classes I meltdown ultimately because of loud, repetitive noises outside the classroom (things built up to the meltdown and that set it off). I ended up rocking hard in my chair, and I am pretty sure some people must have noticed. I was also silently crying. In another class, I could feel a meltdown building up all day (I melted down for 12 hours that day, ending in a several hour shutdown), and one guy sat in my chair when he knows I always sit there. I find it difficult to sit in the middle of the room because there is too much to process from all sides (and I ALWAYS sit in the back corner). I was pushed to the middle of the room, and it just set off the already building meltdown. I burst into tears and left the room without returning that lecture. He has not sat in my chair again....These meltdowns are becoming overbearing though. I hate having them at school, but I have very little control over where and when they strike.
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Diagnosed with classic Autism
AQ score= 48
PDD assessment score= 170 (severe PDD)
EQ=8 SQ=93 (Extreme Systemizer)
Alexithymia Quiz=164/185 (high)