What makes you autistic?

Post Reply New Topic

Obviously it is not severe as you are taking the time to read this. This is just for me to be able to measure how self-managed Autistic behavior is, if it is at all.

I don't understand how to fit in socially and have trouble making friends. I prefer to spend time on my special interests than be with friends. I have meltdowns. I tend to get really obsessed over certain things/people. I also stim.

As an aside, I don't think that being able to read this means your autism isn't severe. There are, or were in the past, a few posters here who have severe autism.

I have no idea. I am just learning about this. Or, I may not understand the question.....But the above is me and a few other things. As for severity, I had time to spend with my grandson and I did see that his Asperger's is more severe than mine.

There is no know specific cause (or group of causes) that make anyone autistic.

My autism presents as social ineptness, physical clumsiness, and sensitivity to bright light and loud sound. I can also focus intently on a single problem until I've found a resolution - provided the problem has nothing to do with relationships.

Not sure I understand the question.

Sensory issues, I hate people, but I can't live without them.

Is the question either:
a) what defines us as Aspie?
b) What caused the condition?

It´s a difficult question and I don´t think, it can be answered - apart from certain traits, we all seem to share, like difficulty reading social situations fast enough, like being literate and prone to misunderstanding others and being misunderstood because of a different mindset from the average NT - whatever that is.

I tried to "pump" my psychologist for absolute "proof" of autism, but she made me understand, that a bunch of certain traits is no guarantee for somebody being autisic/aspie-or-what-you-want-to-call-it.

It is the whole package, that is giving the expert a clue.
It´s the way you think and percieve - certain sensory things will be typical - but again: There is so much overlap:
A infantile autistic can be called IA, because of an early speech delay, but end up as a completely capable "aspie" with a good career, and an "aspie"(also called "mildly affected"), who reached all milestones in time, may turn out to become a very needy adult suffering from severe disability in several areas, or being unable to hold down an ordinary job, - so the fine line really isn´t there anymore.

A Mom with an aspie child asked Tony Attwood what to call her boy - autistic or Aspergerian.
Attwood adviced her to call him whatever would provide him with the best service.

Executive Dysfunction, Social Atypicality, Atypical thinking, poor theory of mind in certain areas, special interests, stimming, some sensory sensitivities

Interesting terms and are new to me. Can you elaborate? Thanks

When people have enough autistic traits to negatively impact their quality of life and when the traits are pervasive.

Going in order of my diagnostic bulletpoints:

1. I can't talk to most kids my age. I have trouble with situational cues.

2. I have trouble expressing empathy.

3. I obsess over one topic at a time for a few weeks on end.

4. I have stims, repetitive rhythmic motions to relax me.

5. I have certain routines that I have to follow.

6. I'm fascinated by objects, always touching them, thinking about textures, turning them over in my hand.

7. I have acute senses that annoy my parents.

Exactly.

I don't mean to be argumentative, but:
- I wonder how one measures "quality of life"
- I also wonder how one determines that one's autistic traits alone are solely responsible for a diminished "quality of life"

While I could be wrong, I suspect that, as humans, we over estimate the "quality of life" of others and underestimate our own "quality of life" (based upon some ideal or feeling of entitlement). I also suspect that we are quick to attach “reasons” to explain why things are the way they are (in terms of a diminished “qualify of life” vis a vis some expectation).

Going back to the topic, I think what makes someone autistic is having traits that match the diagnostic criteria. While I was diagnosed with Asperger's (back in 2013), I consider myself very "mildly" autistic. Also, I have no idea how these traits impacted my "quality of life", as it is impossible to separate myself from these traits (as they have always been part of who I am as a human being). Also, I know most people in the world suffer far more than I do.

Negative impact could mean inability to hold down a job due to ASD related problems. This would reduce quality of life because of poverty. Just an example.

Both