Sitting, Standing, Muscle Tone, and Aspergers

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For some reason, sitting and standing has never been an easy thing for me. When I sit down, I can't just "sit", I usually need to either turn the chair so the back of the chair is to my side so I can lean up against it, or if the chair reclines, I have lean back all the way. Otherwise, I end up slouching over in the chair. With standing. I can't just stand still, I have to prop myself up by leaning up against, or holding on to something like the a wall or door frame.

I think that this might have to with the fact that I have poor muscle tone. I've never been diagnoses as having hypotonia, but I'm pretty sure I do have it. Despite the fact that I can curl 80lbs with one arm, I've never been able to "flex" my biceps like others have, my arm just appears to be flat. If I hold my arm limp and feel my biceps, I can play around with them and flap them around like they were made of jello.

I'm not double jointed, but with the help of others, I can simutaneously spin both of my legs around 180 degrees. My parents have always been amazed at the fact that I can spin my legs around and have the bottoms of my feet touch my face.

Is anyone else out here like this?

That sounds a little bit like me, but I was diagnosed as having "Restless Leg Syndrome" (RLS) throughout my body (I don't understand why it isn't called "Restless Body Syndrome then in cases like that?) People had originally thought I had ADHD/ADD becuase I couldn't sit still/normally. I do know that I have muscle problems though becuase when I sit for more than five minutes my joints lock and my muscles ache and it is hard to get up.

I actually prefer to sit instead of stand. I also have problems running. I was born with a club foot, which has been surgically corrected. If I run, I get exhausted.

Oh I used to dread the "track" portion of gym class when I was in high school. We had to run the track around the football field in order to pass the class, and I could NEVER make it even once around. I was always last, walking in a few minutes behind everyone else. I still passed.

I have relatively stong legs, because I bike regularly. I can sit down on the floor and then stand up without using my hands, and I do it quite smoothly. Apart from legs, the rest of my body is rather limp, and my biceps are flat no matter what I do. I can walk long distances, but I cannot stand upright for more than 15 minutes (my feet hurt). I am unable of sustained effort such as required for running. When hiking uphill, I must stop every 10-20 paces and rest for a couple of seconds (if I hike with someone, I say that I need to "enjoy the view"). Because of strong knees, I actually prefer hiking down rather than up, contrary to most people. Biking is my favorite sport, because it allows to alternate pedaling with coasting, so I get my rest without anyone noticing.

Another possible factor: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

I read up on that and that dosen't sound like me. My heart dosen't race wildly when I stand up, nor if I stand for an extended period of time.

I think in my case, motor dyspraxia better describes me.

I've heard a few mentions of aspies being very flexible. Any ideas why?
It certainly applies to me, I can do that stuff Scoots mentioned and more, including bending my fingers way back. And I have good muscle tone, I'm happy to spend whole days walking or doing heavy manual labour.
Does anyone know anything about this?

Hypermobility. Don't know if there's any correlation with Asperger's/autism, I'd have to ask that...

hmm yeah i appear pretty muscular but i have a hard time arm wrestling my guy friends make fun of me all the time. but i am pretty strong. i'm also naturally pretty flexible, when stretching during XC i can touch the ground with my palms and not bend my legs. i also have an odd case of being double jointed w/ my ring fingers. i haven't met anyone else like this so it's fun to use to gross out my friends. hehehe

i haven't heard of any aspies having odd muscular conditions, maybe it just has to do with how they're brought up with treatment and stuff, i dunno. it's just different with everyone, i guess.

A very interesting link, thanks Echospectra! The description doesn't match me 100%, but this is the first time I have read about something resembling my fainting or near-fainting episodes.

Contrary to Scoots5012, I often stand up with ease in a quick and springy fashion, only to lie down the next moment with dizziness and headache.

Ye [b]gods[/b[ you can touch your face with the bottoms of your feet, and spin your waist 180 degrees? You're probably not stiff enough to stand still, is your problem. You probably have to use muscles to remain steady, wheras most of us our bones just lock into position, horse style.

But that aside.... you must enroll in Yoga class, now. Your public needs you Musahib.

Like Scoots5012, motor dyspraxia is the closest match to what I have. I would add poor balance and poor handwriting. Regular exercise definitely helps me.

The sitting and standing describes me pretty well, but I don't have hypotonia.