Is this an Aspie thing?

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Still quite new to this, and am not really sure if I am an alien on the wrong planet or just a maladjusted resident. Perhaps you could help by letting me know if this is an Aspie thing:-

If a situation gets incredibly busy, lots of people, lots of noise etc (and I have no means of escape - preferred option), I find the best way of coping is to focus my full attention on one thing, to the mental exclusion of all others. If it were acceptable to put my fingers in my ears so as to read better, for eg, then I would! This means that I miss things that most people consider to be obvious, whereas I am left thinking 'How was I supposed to notice that, I was concentrating on this???' I have no idea what multi-tasking would feel like, have never been able to do it!

So, what do you think? Do I have the mixed blessing of being Aspie, or am I just odd?

Sounds pretty familiar to me.

I've been known to actually cover my ears from time to time in that kind of situation.

I can definitely relate

Well, please try not to base having a complex condition like AS off of just one thing. I don't mean to say that is what you're doing, but am reminding you that it isn't a good idea if you were doing that. There is a lot going on with AS, not just any one thing can single it out, but it can hint at it as a possibility.

Anyway, if you mean just in relation to sound and how distracting sound can be, you may want to look into APD (auditory processing disorder, also referred to as CAPD for central auditory processing disorder). It isn't uncommon for people with AS to have comorbid conditions, especially APD.

I had a lot of trouble in the school setting with all the noise. There just wasn't anywhere quiet enough for me to focus. It was mainly an issue, if i recall correctly, when reading. It's been so long though! I can still be distracted by noises, but it isn't nearly as bad as when I was a kid.

I can relate, and I have AS.

I can relate, though I can multitask -- but not in any type of social situation or around other people.

This sounds like sensory overload - blocking your ears would be a pretty obvious response to hearing and seeing too much that is going on around you.

Sensory overload is common among Aspies, although not absolutely universal. On the other hand, some other people have it too (it is called "sensory processing disorder" or "sensory integration disorder"). To be an Aspie, you need other characteristics as well - differences in social interaction, intense or unusual "special interests" or repetitive behaviours, etc.

Some of the tests here may help you assess those other qualities, and determine whether you have enough Asperger-like characteristics to seek further advice from a professional (or make your own guess about whether you have Asperger's syndrome or some other related condition).

When I am in a situation like that I feel like my head is full of tumbling rocks.

You are not odd! Same problem myself and for that reason I try to keep my earplugs with me when I'm in public.

This happens to me too. I've learned to deal with it but eventually I just want to run, or start screaming, or just shut down and not do anything.

NOT a good thing on a busy day at the drive-through!

When I'm surrounded by too much noise, I usually have a very difficult time focusing on anything except escape. Wearing a pair of my trusty ear plugs, though, does help to make some noisy situations more tolerable.

not sure it's "too much" noise that sets me off... it's "too many" noises that put me in that state.
Same applies to other senses. (except taste, which I can't get enough of.. maybe because it's the only one I can handle in large doses)

Smell... it's more a case of too much, not too many. Nothin' worse than heavy perfume.
Too much action.. i have to "unfocus" to maintain myself.
Too much tactile sensation... freaks me out... yet my deepest fantasies involve being forced to endure it... Maybe exposure therapy would work? It hasn't before... but maybe? And i've never developed any reasonable proximity to a defense mechanism for dealing with it either.

I have to put my fingers in my ears if I'm eating with my parents... they understand. I also have to look away. Sometimes I have to close my eyes and put my fingers in my ears if there are two people having a conversation and its starting to make my head spin. I get really tired when this happens - mentally and physically. Noise from the house next door makes me feel exasperated. I'm not dx.

Thanks to all of you who replied to this question. It has helped to clarify things.

One thing your kindness has already taught me is, Wrong Planet or not, I feel very welcome here. Almost like home