What is NT and Aspie body language?

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I'm an Aspie, but I am nearly normal and I have people and relationship questions... I've been introverted my entire life and now I am meeting people. I can communicate well and I understand a small amount of body language.

I realized after meeting a male Aspie that I am more like an NT and AS mix, so where do I belong? I cannot read the Aspie body language well because I am full of expression, but I cannot read NT body language well either. It seems I express my emotions like an NT and everything shows on my face somehow? What body cues do I look for on an Aspie and NT??

I'm concerned because the male Aspie friend keeps asking me PTSD questions. (I am quirky and prone to PTSD) I cannot tell if he is mad, happy, sad, frustrated, about to meltdown, or anything else. Where can I read about Aspie and NT body language? I want a relationship, but not at the cost of alienation or distrust. I want and care about others, so how do I take care of a fellow aspie??

hiya : welcome to the club speaking for my aspie self, I don't seem to have any recognizable body language. i'm basically verbal [using words] only. I neither transmit nor receive body language. so if I were you i'd concentrate on plain words, as that is all you're likely to get from anybody similar to myself on the spectrum, and all that is likely to be understood by anybody similar to me on the spectrum.

i see that you haven't been diagnosed yet. i'm not a doctor, but based on what you wrote about your social abilities, it sounds to me like you are much more likely to have Nonverbal Learning Disorder (aka NLD) -- which is very similar to Asperger's (AS) in some ways, but different in others...btw, those with AS sometimes fit the criteria for NLD as well, but it doesn't work the other way around, if that makes any sense, lol.

i have NLD, and i have met many people in real life with AS, but only *one* with NLD -- and he just so happens to be my son, lol. however, i have communicated with quite a few online over the years, and we all have very similar stories in regard to how it affects us socially as *adults*. here's mine:

i'm "NT" socially -- at least, from other people's perspectives. you see, others don't alienate me from the pack; it's my *mind* that constantly tries to.

the best way i can describe it is that i'm literally *a split-second behind NT's* socially, in terms of thoughts, decisions, responses, reactions, etc. -- this is key, as it is the root of the entire problem. it causes a lot of stress, which leads to generalized anxiety.

in addition, i live in constant fear that someone will be able to *detect* that i'm a split-second behind, even though no one ever has in the 40+ years i've been on this earth. yet, my mind still views it as a legitimate threat, which causes social anxiety...and no amount of therapy will help one iota.

i make minor social blunders at about the same rate or less than NT's, as i'm hyper-vigilant in preventing myself from embarrassment. yet, unlike NT's, i'm constantly *worried* about making one -- and that thought causes even more social anxiety, leading to full-blown panic attacks at times.

to make matters worse, although i'm extremely adept at hiding my symptoms, i also fear that people will be able to detect when i am having a panic attack -- that has happened ONCE in life, to be precise....but it was humiliating as hell, and led to agoraphobia.

so, there you have it....and perhaps not so surprisingly, those with NLD are not only highly prone to Social Anxiety Disorder, but also, PTSD, major depression, and "mental" OCD (constantly ruminating about trivial things over and over, like a broken record, without being able to shut off the switch).

oh, and as far as finding a compatible mate is concerned, NLD is so rare, you're pretty much stuck with fishing in either the Aspie or NT ponds...neither is an ideal fit, but either can work, if you find someone you're compatible with.

here's some info on NLD: http://www.nldontheweb.org/

if i were you, i'd get evaluated by a neuropsychologist first, and go from there.

I was diagnosed with ADD as a girl and a while ago I was diagnosed with AS instead. (The DSM's new Autism Spectrum Disorder) I worry about being understood and understanding others/things, but I do not worry about broken items. (Why spend the energy?) I have internal anxiety attacks because someone is trying to force me into doing something with 10+ people, disrupting my schedule, and/or lying.

My ex-neurologist seems to believe I am a rare and valuable object.



I am alienated as others tease and use derogatory words... I do not need to spend the energy thinking I am alienated. Body language can help me understand others. I do not mean to brag, but I am a 4.0 GPA student and a simple NLD diagnosis seems illogical.