Jijifranko wrote:
Shep wrote:
It's called "Auditory Processing Disorder" [
Wikipedia link], and is somewhat common with us Aspies. I have it too, and whenever someone jokingly mentions a hearing aid, I tell them it's not a problem with volume, but with distinction. One on one I do fine, but if there's too much background noise, I can't make out a single thing the person is saying, particularly if they're being quieter than said background noise and somehow expect me to distinguish their voice from everything else. I don't know how NT's do it, I really don't.
Yes, it is Auditory Processing Disorder. But whenever I try to explain away my struggle to absorb conversations by mentioning APD and also its prevalence amongst Aspies, I will be told that I'm "making excuses," or somebody will say "No, it has nothing to do with Aspergers! You're just not paying attention." So, I can't win, really, and I can't use it to mitigate unwanted criticism.
Oh, yeah, I LOVE how people just assume they know what you can and can't do, if you'd only 'try harder' or 'focus' or whatever. I'm not one for making excuses, whether for these traits or for my physical disability, but, gosh darn it, how can people ignore medical facts just because they FEEL everything is mind over matter? It's an explanation, not an excuse. Sheesh, funny what a tough concept that is for folks.