Does Wrong Planet Make You Feel Less Like A Weirdo?

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Because before I came here, I had some vague notion that I was an HF Autistic, but that was only because I knew I couldn't read social cues - I did not know all of my other weird characteristics were also under or related to that umbrella.

Some of this stuff is totally taboo to talk about in my world, you just smile and pretend it doesn't exist (like asexuality). Taboo with a capital T or maybe even TAboo!

The thing is, it's not just that I know I'm not the only one now, but when I see how many of us there are, well that does mean we're kind of normal right? Doesn't abnormal mean not like the crowd?

But then again, I guess by that definition, societies like Nazi Germany would be considered normal, so maybe I'm wrong.

Indeed, it does. I can relate to your post, profoundly.

Yes it does, a whole lot actually.

In some way it makes me feel more like a weirdo, because the doubt I might have left that I am not that different from other people is now completely gone

On the other hand, I realize that AS people simply were meant to live in a different social structure. This makes the weird part of it much less weird.

WP gave me a reason to stick around.

Not really, but then again, I never really thought of myself as a "weirdo," just a shy, quiet kind of guy who opens up when I get to know someone.

I also don't mind using my Asperger's as an explanation when I explain my awkwardness and my need to be alone for a while during social gatherings.

Yes and no. It normalizes the things I didn't understand about myself and gives me an explanation for why I am the way I am. It's good to know there are other people like me. But it's also depressing to realize this really is the way I am.

No, it makes me feel hopeless. I'd rather just feel like a quirky NT. I'm mostly here because I'm addicted and I enjoy talking about my interests. I'm kind of upset that I kind of belong here. I'd rather not belong here. I often feel smug whenever I'm with a group of Aspies and feel like a misfit. It makes me feel happy and normal.

I would actually say that WP makes me feel more like a weirdo. But that said. It also comforts to know that I am not the only one in the world that struggle with being a weirdo. If that's what you want to call it.

Since I ordinarily feel weirder than the majority here, yes, it really does.

_________________
"Standing on a well-chilled cinder, we see the fading of the suns, and try to recall the vanished brilliance of the origin of the worlds."
-Georges Lemaitre
"I fly through hyperspace, in my green computer interface"
-Gem Tos

It gets me through those tough times. I'm spending more time around the ADHD forum I used to be a regular member of. I just stopped caring about it, but I'm sticking around here.

I felt like I didn't really belong on that ADHD forum at times. I found it funny they would say NTs. Honey, to me you are an NT.

The one thing different here is I can talk about my autism till the cows come home, without anyone getting tired of hearing about it - unlike the conventional forums I'm on. Not that I cant talk about it there, but its easier to lay it on too thick. And of course I was in school with autistic kids most of my life. So I feel really at home here.
But I can imagine how fantastic this place must be for someone who hasn't had much chance to be with others on the spectrum. Its really cool to see stuff posted by people about their autism and be able to smile and nod my head, and know exactly what they are talking about and say "me too!"

WrongPlanet gives me a place where I can FINALLY talk about my life issues and actually have people understand them, unlike other online forums and communities where people either don't understand my issues, or simply ignore me. Many of the issues I have in my day-to-day life relate directly to having Aspergers, and as a result whenever I try talking about them to NTs, they don't get what they are like unless they have similar issues or they already have some background knowledge of ASDs.

Yes, I think it does. Because before I was able to come here and read about stims and other behaviors I've always had, I had a lifetime of wondering what the hell was wrong with me and why I did those things. I felt like I had to be the ONLY person on the planet who felt weirdly obsessed with picking my skin, or who couldn't handle certain sensory stimulations, plus myriad other things too numerous to list, and I had NO idea that this was all part of something that had names and were syndromes, by any other name.

It was frankly a massive revelation and a relief.


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It definitely helps. I can read about people experiencing similar issues, and how they cope and stuff.

It doesn't make me any feel less lonely or any more able to better communicate and connect, but it does help in many other ways and there is a lot of helpful information and news that gets posted here.