Autistic brains 'never daydream'

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I always have the impression of being an entire world within myself, and having so much going on inside my head that there's simply no need for any stimulation from other people; almost no *room* for it. It seems to me that NTs don't experience that, and are constantly looking for stimulation from outside to 'fill them up'.

Yes, always busy in here. When I'm quiet I'm thinking fast and furious. I don't always want to stop to talk with someone.

Perhaps they should consider talking to the person they're researching and ask them what goes on in their head, rather than guessing at it based on brain-waves.

I daydream far too much for my own good. It takes up too much of my time!

I was going to say "no"

Because I day dream.. but do I really?

I tend to just think or fantisise about situations, but still am totally aware of what's going on around me. But I would like to answer that I do daydream, but i'm not sure whether this is different to just glazing over.

Big fat BS! I daydream a lot!

The percentages in this poll at present only add up to 99%.

Rounding error.

I daydream more than necessary. I can't help it in math class when I allow myself not to care about the what the subject matter is. I'll day dream about a story that I want to write most of the time. Also I have this thing in all my classes when an idea for a poem or a chapter in a book i want to write comes to my head. This never happens when i'm at home and normally I need to think of what I'll write. It's hard to write down my thoughts at school because most teachers get annoyed when you're writing something off subject.

Last edited by tinky on 20 Aug 2006, 10:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I live by daydream that just doesn't make sence.

See, I didn't take this to mean that we don't daydream, but rather we never "switch off and relax". Or am I wrong to see it from that point of view?

"The researchers used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans to monitor brain activity in 15 people with autistic spectrum disorders and 15 healthy people.

While in the scanner, each person carried out a counting task on the computer.

There were 12 30-second test periods interspersed with three 21-second rest periods, where participants were simply asked to look at a fixed image of a cross.

It was found that the activity during rest periods seen in people who did not have autism was absent in those with the condition."

First of all, I'd like to call into question this groups understanding of autism itself, because of one sentence: "The researchers used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans to monitor brain activity in 15 people with autistic spectrum disorders and 15 healthy people."

Notice how they imply that we are not healthy? This is all 3 strikes against this study in one mighty swing. Now, let's see the test itself. Count numbers, simple enough. Then show cross, alrighty. Sure, an NT would just look, get bored, and go off into la-la land; but that's not how Autistics work. Here's my theories on why autistic brains showed different results:
1. Different parts of brain active when daydreaming.
2. Person's was busy thinking about and analyzing the previous tests, wondering exactly what it was for, and thinking about what was to come.
3. They biasdly used people who were just on the Low-Functioning end of the Spectrum.
4. Person was wondering why they were staring at a cross, and not something more interesting.


The entire study was probably designed with NT's in mind, not considering the differences in thought processes in autistics.

"Such findings will add to our understanding of this spectrum of conditions and it is hoped may also be utilised in the development of effective treatments and other approaches."
Hmph, treatments. When will they realize that most of don't want to be "treated" for some "disease", and would much rather be accepted and treated as humans.


And as per daydreaming, I daydream all the time. In fact, some of my best ideas have come from it (The Passion of the Smurfs...). I can enter a meditative state (or, enhanced daydreaming), either due to empty mindedness or intense focus (I entered into a 5 hour daydrea/meditation while playing Tetris. TETRIS!).

This study is garbage.

Yes, and i don't think im autistic. i think what i really have is a NVLD. although my "official diagnosis" is As.

I am both permanantly daydreaming and permanantly cogniant at the same time--always.

It's why other people are always saying weird things to me, for instance, at work.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm not, why?"

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing. why?"

"Because your staring off into space"

"so....??? must there be an answer? What are YOU thinking about?"

.......... that was then.

Now I've learned to change the topic quickly back to the speaker.
I have a right to mental privacy.

I daydream all the time

Example:
*sitting in class*

Me,Thinking:oh man it would be so cool if I had robot arms

Teacher:please stop making those weird robot noises,I'm trying to teach a class

*I lower my head and get back to work*

That is a bunch of bull crap. I daydream all the time and I have talkd to others in IM who were autistic and they said they day dream too.