Do You Think I'm An Aspie?

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Hi there, first of all let me say that I think I'm using the word Aspie right (I just joined today and learned of the word through reading other posts), but if not, please correct me. Also, thanks for reading my first post ever

Okay, so first of all - hi, I'm Carrie and I live in Florida, USA. I'm in the 8th grade, and for as long as I can remember (which isn't actually that long) I've hated socializing with all my heart. I started getting headaches in 6th grade, so I missed a lot of school. We moved in the December of 6th grade, and I went into some kind of homeschooling for kids with health issues. I went back to school in 7th grade. I did not want to socialize, and spent most of my time with crafts, music, and reading. I tried to get out of school every day just because I didn't want to deal with other people. I went into homeschooling in the 2nd semester of 7th grade, and have been doing that since (I love it).

My mom's family gets together every Easter for a family reunion, and this year it was in North Carolina. There were over 10 people in a 3 story house, for about a week. While there, I pretty much just sat and listened, and probably said less than 50 words the whole time. But the whole time I was thinking about how I would rather be alone by myself in the quiet with a good book or my cello. People tried to get me to socialize, but I just got mad at them and responded with 1 word answers.

When we got back, my mom insisted on taking me to a counselor because she was concerned about how quiet I was. She took me a week later, and the counselor (Marci) said I probably have social anxiety. I need to say this first - I loathe Marci just as much as socializing. I have absolutely no respect for her at all and every time I have to go see her it feels like I'm going to go be thrown in prison for not being social.

So then Marci insists that I see a psychologist, and when we see him he says I definitely have social anxiety. I looked that up and read about it for hours, but I just wasn't convinced. It doesn't fit my behavior or personality at all.

I started researching basically every disorder I could think of. I came across this website, and I found myself wanting to scream "YES!!" every time I read someone's post about Asperger's.

Now for my behavior. I find myself doing things very compulsively, ranging from picking my fingernails to cracking my knuckles to chewing food. The only people I can look in the eye for more than a few seconds are my parents and my brother, but even that is uncomfortable. When looking anyone else in the eye, I find it too uncomfortable and look away within seconds. I can go without socializing at all for weeks, and I never get lonely. I feel very constricted when in places with other people. If given the choice to do an activity with people, or to do the same exact thing by myself, I would always pick to do it by myself. Honestly, a big thing about socializing for me is that I really don't care what people are saying. I also cannot grasp why people think socializing is so important. In my opinion, it's just a waste of time that I am not willing to do. When someone does get me to talk about something I actually care about, I can go on and on and on (as you've seen from this post ) My mom is convinced that I don't like to socialize because I'm terrified of it, but I keep telling her (and Marci) that I just have no desire whatsoever. I don't have a facebook or a myspace or a twitter, and I like it that way. If I'm around anyone for more than 5 minutes, I get extremely aggravated, develop a bad mood, and if it's at night, I just get up and go to bed. I get more depressed when socializing than when not, whereas my mom is the exact opposite, so she doesn't really get it.

So do you think I'm an "Aspie"? Again, I'm assuming that means Asperger's, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Oh, and just an off topic question, what is a NT teen?

Thanks for reading all of this, answers are much appreciated.

Hi Carrie. Welcome!

I am an Aspie and you did use the term correctly.

I am 31 years old now but at age 13, I was very much like you only perhaps a little more severe. Of course, it sounds like your home life...other than being confusing...is pretty healthy i.e. parents that love you and a sibling that you like (most of the time anyway ).

It sounds like you could definitely be on the Asperger/autism spectrum.

I was not diagnosed as Aspie/autistic until I was 29 years old but it would have explain a lot of experiences during my younger years if I had known. The syndrome manifests in each individual slightly differently so like snowflakes, no two of us are exactly alike.

The nice thing about getting an official diagnosis is that you can finally have something to research to learn more about yourself and others like you. There is a large and ever-increasing amount of data/information about Asperger's available for consumption these days. You will likely enjoy researching it. Have fun with it and definitely have fun with this site. It has helped me a ton!

The diagnosis really helped me realize that I am not alone, just weird (in an awesome way if I do say so myself!).

So again, welcome.

P.S. "NT" = Neurotypical i.e. not autistic or Aspie

You sound really similar to me. I'm not sure if I have Asperger's-my therapist thinks I do but doesn't want to diagnose too quickly-but if I do have it, you probably do as well.^^

Thanks to both of you, I've looked more into Asperger's and told my parents I think I have it.

Ghostar - I'm sure a diagnosis would help a lot, thanks for giving your personal opinion

ardentauthor - Thanks, it's great to know I'm not the only one like this Definitely let me know when your therapist makes up his mind, I'm very interested.

You're looking for a direct answer. I'd hate to piss in your bowl of Cheerios, but it just doesn't work like that.

There are no absolutes when it comes to Aspie and NT. Don't obsess over this sort of labeling like I did several months ago. It's totally pointless, and it will drive you crazy.

What's important is that you realize you are yourself. Not aspie, but not NT. Something far more complex than either.

There aren't two types of people. There are over 6.8 billion types of people.