Does this sound "Aspie"?

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I'm forty-nine years old. Never graded well in school. In around my mid twenties I thought it was ADHD. But the ADHD meds never worked. Later I attended some ADHD meetings but the person running the meetings said I didn't seem typical ADHD as I was withdrawn at meetings and a housemate described me as "self absorbed". I visited a doctor whose specialty was ADHD and he said he doubted it was ADHD but it might be OCD instead. But I don't do the usual OCD behaviors and the meds did nothing. Tried ADHD meds just in case, but they didn't work well. Another Doctor asked me if I had any special gifts to which I said yes. I was considered the "school artist" from nine years old on through middle school (gave up art when thireen but have re-found the interest in recent years). Was put in "special ed" (for unspecified reasons) when ten and learned to read at a level of a fourteen year old. Taught myself piano at age thirteen and developed an uncommon proficiency - later taught myself flamenco guitar and became quite proficient at that - was regarded by the local music store owner as the best guitarist she knew. Studied poetry in depth learning major poets, studying prosody and wrote some competent poems. Studied structural linguistics. Studied organizational development. etc. etc. all this "on my own" (not in school). But didn't know how to make a "career" from my interests. This is quirky. (today I'm merely a parking attendant). A doctor thought manic depression. But that's not right. No "grandiosity", no destructive manic behavior (just the narrow obsession with the subjects). For a while I thought I WAS manic when I was developing an obsession with guitar building. But doctors then thought not (and I think they're right) - my behaviors don't exhibit as a mania - it's carefully planned - not wild and profligate. More like an obsession with an interest. I tried a manic depression med anyways but it did nothing "therapeutically". Because I tend to isolate and not "flow" socially, another doctor said schizoid and another schizo affective. But I score very low on tests for these disorders - show little paranoia or delusional thinking - and besides - I LIKE people. I just find them hard to understand and get tired trying. Was a virgin until 35. I got tired of waiting and trying to figure it out so I just asked a girl on our way home from a date (she had asked ME out) "are we supposed to have sex now?" It was easier to be blunt. She let me in to her place but then complained that I wasn't "paying attention" to her. I wanted to - but wasn't sure how to proceed (how to then "apply" that theoretical knowledge in the moment?). Does any of this sound "Aspie"???

I score between 31 and 34 on the AQ depending on how I interpret the questions. Average Aspie score is 35.

Welcome to Wrong Planet. Nice to meet you. I am new to this forum.

Clayton

Welcome all. Find support and answers here. Give support and answers. We help each other here. And you sound like me, I was told I was ADHD but it didnt add up. I found myself here. I think you will too!

Welkome to WP

Mick

Yep, sounds a bit Aspie. Though, it took me a few years and many incorrect diagnoses to figure out that I had Asperger's. Especially the part about "knowing what you want to do" but not knowing how to use social rules and things like that. Welcome to wrongplanet!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

To WrongPlanet!! !