Help a psychology student understand

Post Reply New Topic

Hey everyone,
I'm a psychology student studying how people with autism and/or asperger's use forums and how it helps them. It would really help me understand this more if you all could answer my questions. I'd be really happy if you could help me out!

1. Where are you on the spectrum?
2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)?
3. How long have you been using online forums?
4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life?
5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how?
a. Has it helped you improve your behavior?
b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints?
6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you?
7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums?
8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums?
a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online?
b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions?
9. What other forum websites do you use?
10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,.

Is there anything else you think I should know?

Graduate or undergrad?

Is this part of some research project or is it for your own information ?

1. Where are you on the spectrum?
I have Asperger's.

2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)?
I am an adult (36 years old).

3. How long have you been using online forums?
Since 1995.

4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life?
Depends on what exactly you mean. I communicate much better when I can take the time to write out my thoughts verses trying to think of something to say in a live conversation. Unfortunately, with the Internet being full of "trolls", wanna-be tough guys, and unknowing know-it-alls, I can't say the interactions are always better.

5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how?
No.

a. Has it helped you improve your behavior?
No.

b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints?
I don't know. Maybe a little I guess. I can't think of any examples though, so maybe not.

6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you?
No.

7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums?
Yes. I can pick and choose which conversations I enter. No pointless small talk. I don't have to stress about trying to keep a conversation going. I can just close the page when I'm done.

8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums?
Yes.

a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online?
No.

b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions?
Yes.

9. What other forum websites do you use?
I use motorcycle and Jiu Jitsu forums too.

10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,.
Probably, but they'll figure it out.

Is there anything else you think I should know?
No.

1. Where are you on the spectrum? what do you mean by that? I was diagnosed with Aspergers and Mixed Expressive Receptive Language Disorder
2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)? adult
3. How long have you been using online forums? 16 years (new to this specific forum)
4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life? yes, significantly. I have significant spontaneous speech problems and people rarely want to stick around to wait for me to find my words. Written communication has always been easier.
5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how? maybe. If it has, it would be in self-acceptance.
a. Has it helped you improve your behavior? my behavior wasn't bad
b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints? I never had trouble with that. I've always had trouble expressing that understanding (typically due to speech or anxiety issues), and that is not a problem when communicating on a forum. More frequently what others may see as lack of empathy from me is just me being really overwhelmed/overstimulated (you would pick up on less social cues if you had an immense tooth ache, for instance).
6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you? the main help is in the journey to self-acceptance, but there have been other smaller bits of practical help as well
7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums? yes! Many. First, I cannot speak well, but I type just fine. Also, the pace is slower. I'm not expected to respond right away, but instead when I have time and energy to do so. I can communicate in a place that is comfortable for me instead of in a sensory-loaded environment. And, because you communicate with people all over the world and no one can discern tone of voice through text, it isn't assumed that you always know when someone is joking or know their cultural idioms. This levels the playing field considerably.
8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums? yes
a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online? I don't know. A mix of the two might be nice. I still communicate best in text form.
b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions? only in that it is text and I can do it in a comfortable setting. If that were available in a casual real life scenario, I would probably prefer that
9. What other forum websites do you use? no thank you
10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,. a list of acronyms would be helpful, I'm sure. Smilies aren't necessary, so I don't think a new person would need information about that. I am still understanding the "culture" myself, so I'm not sure I can give advice on that.

1. Where are you on the spectrum?

I was diagnosed with autism when I was a child, but I don't think I was correctly diagnosed.

2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)?

Teen.

3. How long have you been using online forums?

Since I was nine.

4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life?

I'm about the same.

5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how?

They haven't effected them much.

a. Has it helped you improve your behavior?

Not really.

b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints?

Sometimes.

6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you?

They help me feel less lonely.

7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums?

I'm not as shy.

8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums?

I don't really care.

a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online?

No. I don't get along with most autistic people in real life.

b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions?

Yes

9. What other forum websites do you use?

Social anxiety forums, last.fm, emptyclosets, yahoo answers and a few others.

10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,.

Don't post on old threads, be direct and avoid metaphors and avoid making your posts too long when you are starting a thread.

Q: How do you use forums and how does it help you?

You want to understand? Start reading... instead of recruiting soundbite answers for your assignment or whatever.

1. Where are you on the spectrum?

Asperger's (diagnosed at 13) or ASD level 1 for RRBs and level 2 for social communication (confirmed by psychologist last year)

2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)?

adult

3. How long have you been using online forums?

for five years

4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life?

yes

5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how?

not that I'm aware of...

a. Has it helped you improve your behavior?

I don't think so...

b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints?

occasionally

6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you?

Probably but I can't think of them right now. *It gives me a chance to discuss the disorder that I've been diagnosed with (and am interested in) with other people who want to discuss it and to see what others' viewpoints are.

7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums?

Yes, no non-verbal cues to not pick up on or misinterpret and people can't see my awkward body language/expressions posture, mannerisms, walk etc. and things go better when people can't see me. Also, no small talk, can choose which topics to speak about when and can more easily ignore or walk away from conversations I don't want to engage in, as someone else mentioned. I still offend people occasionally online.

8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums?

yes

a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online?

No, but I do have one friend who also has ASD in real life and I enjoy interacting with her.

b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions?

yes

9. What other forum websites do you use?

Right now, no other forums. I used to go on a Harry Potter forum, A Wheel of Time role/playing/discussion forum (though I didn't participate, just read) and an ADHD forum
.
10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn't know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,.

Devil Kisses had some good suggestions and there's a WP rules thread at the top.

Is there anything else you think I should know?
No.

1. Where are you on the spectrum? Aspergers syndrome and some ADHD tendency.
2. Age: 60
3. How long have you been using online forums? 1½ approximately
4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life? Yes. People are generally nice, helpful and supportive in here. We are all interested in helping others as well as ourselves to sort things out, - and writing is always easier than face to face communication.
5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how?It has made me more aware of how others may percieve things.
a. Has it helped you improve your behavior? Yes. (read above).
b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints? Maybe. Due to my age, I have learned some things through life, - social stuff, - but yes, I suppose it has.
6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you? Yes. A possibility to compare, identify and redefine who I am.
7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums? Impatience.
8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums? Yes.
a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online? I don´t know yet.
b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions? It is easier, but no.
9. What other forum websites do you use? Some law websites and some other aspie-sites here and there.
10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,. Not as far as I know. Ummm, I do see some irony here and there, but it is generally understood. If someone misunderstands, the person is politely guided by others.
Is there anything else you think I should know?No.

1. Where are you on the spectrum? Asperger's - not officially diagnosed but unofficially and 99% certain. Only reason I am not saying 100% certain is because the diagnosis is not official.
2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)? Adult between 22 and 60
3. How long have you been using online forums? Couple of years
4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life? Sometimes but I well in real life too
5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how? I don't know if they have or not. I don't think they have really made a difference. Well, actually this one has because I have learned a lot about who I am and how I tick.
a. Has it helped you improve your behavior? No
b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints? Yes
6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you? I have learned a lot about many different things and I have learned a lot about myself
7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums? I sometimes speak more clearly and I have time to communicate at my own pace
8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums? Yes
a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online? I don't know since I don't really know any in real life yet. I have met one and I enjoyed our interaction very much. But everyone is different so I might like some more or less than others just like on a forum.
b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions? Sometimes.
9. What other forum websites do you use? Sports forum
10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,. I had a very hard time with acronyms and sometimes I still do.

Is there anything else you think I should know?[/quote]I can't think of anything at the moment.

Last edited by skibum on 05 Apr 2014, 7:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

1. Where are you on the spectrum?

I have Aspergers syndrome

2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)?

Adult, but only turned 22 a few months ago

3. How long have you been using online forums?

I've been using forum since I was about 16, but only found WP about a month ago

4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life?

This one is tricky. I find it almost impossible to get 'close' or form a real friendship with anyone on a forum, but I do find it much easier to avoid unpleasant intercations, so its kind of a double edged sword either way.

5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how?

I've noticed my awkwardness in hindsight on a forum, and this MAY have avoided a few similar interactions in RL.

a. Has it helped you improve your behavior?

Probably a little, but I don't think people would have noticed in the long run


b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints?

Not that I've noticed

6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you?

I haven't noticed anything

7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums?

I feel I am much more calm and in a low pressure environment than in RL. Also a lack of social cues makes things easier and makes me seem less awkward

8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums?

Yes, because its the only place I feel I can confide in people and am in a place where people understand the challenges I face with my autism

a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online?

This would be difficult to determine without knowing the people I am really interacting with, but I imagine I would enjoy it

b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions?

It has its place. I'm not sure if I like it more or less

9. What other forum websites do you use?

Mostly ones for online games

10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,.

Try not to overuse any of the aforementioned

Is there anything else you think I should know?

No

Yes...i) you introduced yourself as a psych student and ii) you are asking forum members for detailed answers to a series of optional and free text questions

I think you need to specify that you are collecting information for your own education but if this is part of a undergraduate assignment or postgrad project then you need to disclose a) where you are studying b) what the data is going to be used for and further c) the people providing you feedback should be asked for written consent (although if they freely provide you the feedback then I suppose they are doing it voluntarily).

1. Where are you on the spectrum? Autism spectrum disorder.

2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)? Adult.

3. How long have you been using online forums? In general, since my late childhood years or early teen years. This specific one for less than a year.

4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life? It depends on what you mean. I interact much better with strangers and general acquaintances here than I do in real life, but I don't have any close relationships here like I do in real life.

5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how? Actually, it has. I could really relate to something one person posted here a few weeks ago about a social interaction, so I thought about that person's situation when I was in a similar one and it made me feel less alone.

a. Has it helped you improve your behavior? No. My behavior is good.

b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints? I don't know. It hasn't really come up much in my interactions here.

6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you? I like learning about others who have autism. I feel like I can relate to a lot of what is discussed here and add to conversations, and try to help if I can. It makes me feel less lonely and also less weird when I read that others deal with the same things that I do. Explanations I've read here have also helped me explain things about myself to others.

7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums?Not really. When I have a problem or difficulty in real life, I actually usually do a lot of searching for people who have had those same problems so I can see what they did or at least see that it's not just me dealing with whatever it happens to be. When I'm trying to escape my real world problems, I'm much more likely to turn to a book or fiction website than to a site like this one.

8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums? Yes.

a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online? Hmm... If we were having the exact same conversations that we have here in real life, I would probably not like it as much. However, I do attend a support group in real life and I like it a lot. If I had to choose between just going to it or just being on here, I would have a very hard time deciding.

b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions? Not really, I like both equally well (when I am comfortable with the people I'm interacting with in person). I prefer online interaction for more general socialization, but I like interacting with the people I'm close to in person much more than I like online interactions. So it's sort of confusing, but I like both for different things.

9. What other forum websites do you use? I'm currently not an active member of any other forums. However, I read one about TV shows and I used to frequent one about dental fear.

10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,. Nothing major that I can think of.

Is there anything else you think I should know? I'm not sue, but good luck with your research.

I'll answer to everything later, I don't really have time for a massive text like I usually do right now. But about your last thing, "something else you need to know".
Most of the questions seem to be directed toward the "cliché" about asperger.
Like the sarcasm part. A lot of autists understand sarcasm and metaphors very well, since I think most people here are old enough to be "mature" aspies or autists that learned. A lot of autists are even kings at (their own) sarcasm.
That's more of a problem with young people usually. Later, you create your own logical system (like for the ToM, a logical, conscious, and artificial one) and understand it this way, through logical analysis. The biggest difference is because for the aspie/autist, the understanding is conscious, and is like the answer to a calcul.
There can be mistakes of course, but NT can do mistakes about this too, as far as I know.
The same goes for metaphors.
A french metaphor says "it's raining ropes". At first I wouln't understand what it means, despite being french. But after learning the metaphor and its meaning, OR more interestingly putting it through a logical analysis, I can understand that it means "it rains so much an so fast that if you look at raindrops, it will really look like a giant rope of water". Which allows me to understand what people mean by this.

I'll continue later but you will probably understand a lot more using your "Do I need to know anything else".
The problem with human interactions in autism isn't a cause. It's a consequence. A consequence of the brain working in a different way, and it can be solved with a good understanding and coping mechanisms. One of the main differences is a deeply rational mind; which doesn't mean not understanding social cues. I can understand most of them very well. But we have to learn them and, and this is VERY important, learn the "why" behind it. Without a good reason an autist will be confused, and he is right: if the only reason to do something is "because it's like that!", why should he do it?

I think that because of this, we are also doing consciously a lot of things NT do subconsciously. Something you probably understand if you are into psychology. That's also what make autists seem "weird" sometimes and why some people think that autistic people have great insights: NT can live not understanding everything in their conscious part. In order to accept something, we have to understand it logically; which means being conscious of the causality and the "why".

Anyway yeah, I'll continue later since as you can see when it comes to some subjects I tend to be really long.

1. Where are you on the spectrum?
Aspergers.

2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)?
22-60

3. How long have you been using online forums?
20 years.

4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life?
Yes.

5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how?
Not really.

a. Has it helped you improve your behavior?
Maybe.

b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints?
Of course. Hearing people's view points, helps understand them.

6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you?
Yes, it helps to get information that would be difficult to obtain without forums.

7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums?
Yeah, probably.

8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums?
Yes.

a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online?
Maybe, with some people.

b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions?
Yes.

9. What other forum websites do you use?
Too many to mention.

10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,.
Most people will figure it all out.

Is there anything else you think I should know?
No.

1. Where are you on the spectrum?
I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) . The psyche said I have high functioning autism, but I prefer the term ASD these days, "high functioning" is an offensive term to some people who do not meet the criteria for the label "high functioning", and it is offensive to me because the so called high-functioning abilities do not imply minimal condition or "autism-lite": I struggle with the full gamut of sensory integration problems that can make life really difficult and depressing. For example, trying to access help from social services is impacted because "you are high functioning". So I just go with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

I am also considering getting a diagnosis of ADHD and OCD, because recent tests have indicated to me that I may have mild forms of these conditions too.

2. Are you a kid (your age is less than 13), teen (your age is 13 – 21), adult (your age is 22-60), or elderly (your age is 60+)?
I will be 42 next month. Diagnosed 6 months ago.

3. How long have you been using online forums?
Approximately 6 months, although I did lurk around forums for about a year prior to my diagnosis, keeping my mouth shut and learning about the condition because of a friend and her child, who had a diagnosis.

4. Do you interact with people better on the forums as opposed to in real life?
No I prefer real world interaction, although forums are a safe and enjoyable way to share thoughts and meet others with similar struggles.

5. Has the forums helped you in real life interactions? If yes, how?
Not particularly - I am a survivor, and highly experienced in the realm of so-called normal interactions (school of hard knocks). Not necessarily skilled though lol.
a. Has it helped you improve your behavior? - Nope. No wait, I allow myself to act more autistically in public these days (it takes less effort than failing at normal behaviour), I no longer suppress my stims and similar.
b. Has it helped you understand other people’s viewpoints? - Absolutely!!

6. Are there any other ways you think the forums have helped you?
A sense of community, a sense of home. It's not always a smooth relationship but I regard it as highly worthwhile. I get to learn about how the condition affects others, and by extension, the aspects that affect me. It has given me the space to accept my condition, and the things I learn here give me the ammunition to effectively advocate for autism rights outside of the community.

7. Are there any difficulties that you have in the real world that are overcome or not there when you use the forums?
Not really.

8. Do you like that you can interact with other people who have autism/Asperger on forums?
Very much so.
a. Would you like this as much if you were interacting with them in real life instead of online?
I'd enjoy a more "face to face" relationship with some people here, but it is an international community so the forums have to suffice sometimes.
b. Do you prefer this online interaction to real life interactions?
Nope.

9. What other forum websites do you use?
facebook autism support groups, also the "Church" of the SubGenius has quite a large autistic community representin' in their forums, they can be a lot of fun.

10. Are there any rules of the forum that a new person to the forum wouldn’t know? By rules I mean courtesy things like pointing out if sarcasm is being used, or how to use acronyms, or how to use smilies (emoticons), etc,.
Hard to say, I am socially impaired.

Any extra info: It really annoys me that ASDs are regarded as a social and communication impairment, because the impairments are basically the SYMPTOMS of the SENSORY INTEGRATION problems at the core of the autistic experience.

Thanks for your questions