Aspie on America's Next Top Model

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It's great to hear about someone with AS on shows like that.

I don't watch those kinds of shows, though.

Tim

What is it specifically that you guys are picking up on that tells you she has AS? I maybe don't know what to look for, as she seems "normal" to me

Maybe I just miss it, because this other video on here a few months back with a bunch of people with AS, I thought they all seemed 100% "normal".

I'm really glad someone else noticed this! I have zero interest in reality shows, but my mom told me about this, and had my watch all the sections with her in them. I've asked her to let me know whenever she's one.

Here's her video on the CW's web site (this wasn't in the broadcast as far as I know):
Heather

Yes, they specifically said it, and I think she talked about it briefly. They weren't weird about it at all though, it was just kind of stated matter of factly, I thought respectfully.

She said she was diagnosed at 13 with AS and ADHD (which always seems like a weird combination to me from my understanding of AS, but I guess it's common).

Anyway this is quite exciting! There are hardly any "outed" people with AS-well, lots probably wouldn't know they have it! (I'm suspicious of Harrison Ford...)

I heard that all the other girls already hate Ebony, who I guess has also been snotty to Heather and sounds like a bully. If the others hate this Ebony and she's mean to Heather, maybe they will think better of Heather. I guess it just depends on how she does living in that house 24/7 with all those other girls.

No, she looks like her picture in the far left.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is only skin deep? What is behind those eyes? What if she had no eyes?

Abort, retry, or fail? Are those the only options?

mojo123

Shes seems to have real personality and is not the usual shallow self absorbed type you get on these shows.

Wow, she is skinny! I saw part of her interview; I cringed a bit for her. She was so awkward! I immediately liked her I actually like that show; the make-up and photo shoots are really creative and interesting. I'll be rooting for her!

One of the reasons the show is so hard on the potential models, though, is because the industry is so cruel and models need to have a pretty thick skin. If she has a meltdown, is it fair to the other girls to give her a break?

I am really glad that she "outed" herself, because at least people could understand why she made that comment when she first walked out for the interview. Anyway, I like her.

Everyone else on the show is the same size, so who cares how skinny she is/isn't. Clothes just show and hang a lot better on thin frames. What can you do?

I actually smiled through her whole interview because she reminds me SO MUCH of myself! haha! Wow...that was weird.

I'm 26, an Aspie female, and was into modeling when I was younger (17,18,19). Elite modeling agency wanted to sign me but I had too many problems at the time.

I think she's a lot like me as far as Aspies go - kind of an idealist in the sense that she expects things to happen a certain way (i.e. If I'm nice to people they'll be nice to me.) and she's probably ill-prepared for all the backstabbing and cut-throat tactics other models use in the real industry. She will probably find that the constant criticism and picking at her will begin to build up. I had to find this out the hard way. I really really really hope she makes it, but I think it's going to be a lot harder than she thinks. Looking back I am so glad I dropped out when I did.

Heather seems completely genuine; I hope she doesn't get eaten alive.

She reminds me of Michelle from last cycle, there is something natural about her modeling ability.

Make sure to check out the Where Getting Nowhere - ANTM Vlog! over at AfterEllen.com! Those girls are crazy! and fun! and they love Heather!

Were you diagnosed at the time you were modeling? I can't imagine having undiagnosed AS and trying to model for a living - that would be total hell. Maybe since she was diagnosed as a child and seems pretty aware of her own limits, she'll not let the other girls get to her. I actually think modeling would be a great career for an aspie, if it wasn't for the competitive nature of the business. The fact that there's no schedule at all would quickly become a schedule in itself (for me anyway), and they have managers that tell them what to do, where to go, etc. Unfortunately, I think nasty co-workers are inevitable for all aspies, no matter what we do for a living.

No, I wasn't diagnosed until May of this year. Ha! I'm going through the stages of acceptance and depression that goes along with having bumbled around life like a buffoon for 26 years without knowing why.

Knowing does make it easier to accept things and know your limits, but it's still really really hard. People in the fashion industry can be some of the most cruel and petty human beings around. Not all of them, of course, but a startling amount are. It's an egomaniac extravaganza.

Good!

I don't think people get that some aspies try to push themselves to do more extroverted things no matter how akward it may feel to them because they are tired of being excluded or treated differently.

It is surprising how much direction is gained from a knowledge of who you are and how you work. She seemed very aware and handled the situations she was in fairly well.

It will be nice to see someone I can identify with on TV, I hope she stays around for at least a few episodes (If not win!).



Aspidar! The aspie equivalent of gaydar. It's funny I knew the second she came on stage but couldn't say why? Maybe it is in her movements somehow like how you can tell who a person is walking down the street from the way they walk. She didn't scream Aspie so much as different.

We should start a thread of indicators that when perceived are viewed as aspie. There was definitely something in her eyes.

I agree that the first indicator was her eyes. There's something about the way we look out of our eyes that is different than other people's. I'd love to know the reason - I guess it's something neurological. But there's definitely an "aspie stare," and she's got it for sure! That detached stare is necessary for modeling, and she doesn't have to fake it like the others! I think she has a good chance at this competition. She's the most beautiful girl there, and yes I'd say that even if I didn't know she had AS!