Hello! I think that I am an Aspie

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I have only a self-diagnosis, but it is the product of life-long reflection, and I'm 50. Also, I did take a few online tests. I'm not really motivated to seek an official diagnosis, as there is no benefit to it for me, and I feel generally happy and well-adjusted. Labels are just that, one has to move on and just think of oneself as human.

I work in software support, and my interactions with others are frequent, but brief and often over the phone. I like it that way and really do enjoy solitude, although occasional interactions are enjoyable. I am valued because I can focus on problem-solving and not lose my cool or get distracted by social nonsense. In fact, I tend to be more or less oblivious to things like what people are wearing or their personalities. I do well at solving computer problems and make O.K. money at it and get along with people. I also have a husband (I am a gay man).

So, where I show Aspie traits is that I dislike social interaction and have learned over time to keep my mouth shut in most situations, except where I know and can suggest solutions and helpful advice. Then I share. But I have also learned to cut short the dialogue whenever possible. I am also pretty much a creature of habit and like to adhere to a routine. Clumsiness? Yes, never was much for dancing or very good at sports. If I caught a ball once in a while, it may have been luck. I do not have much innate sense for what clothes look best or why, or at least didn't when I was younger, although I've picked up some modest sense along the way. I'm never inventive or experimental with clothes but am very conservative.

When I was a boy, I used to expound on topics no one cared about until my listener(s) either walked away, or joined the bullies that singled me out. One acquaintance called me a "walking, talking encyclopedia," and it is true I was verbose and liked to use $50 words. If I read a new word then I wanted to use it, and did not care if no one else used it. And mostly I got the pronunciation wrong because I had never heard it spoken.

So anyway, youth was pretty terrible, and all I can say to the young Aspie is life can get better. I made adaptations and learned over time to be distrustful of other people and take a lot of precautions. A healthy and reasonable distrustfullness is a rational adaptation. Neurotypicals tend to be a lot less honest in my opinion and a lot more successful at getting away with dishonesty by using charm and social engineering. But that is just my opinion. I had problems with drinking and with drugs, but my life improved when I quit using. I replaced one irrational practice (substance abuse) with another (belief in God). I found that spirituality was a solid pathway to gaining power over myself and just gaining power in general. I am not a member of and do not believe in any organized religion, but prefer disorganized religion and like to interpret the higher power in my own way. At any rate, it is how I quit drinking and have stayed sober.

Anyway this is me in broad strokes. I do find it interesting to reinterpret my life experiences through the prism of Aspergers, much seems to be explained that was mysterious.

I think that this forum is probably a good thing, particularly for Aspies that may feel like they are the only ones or that are looking for advice or insight. I guess the main thing I would suggest is to size up your strengths, and play them up in choosing your job, your spouse, and so on. Also size up your weaknesses, and try to structure your life so that your weaknesses impact you little or not at all. Also remember that Anthony Hopkins is an Aspie! He is my favorite actor.

Hi and welcome ! Sounds like you’ve done pretty well, and you’ve survived and come through a lot! Good to have you here.

Welcome Gentleman Agentum!

I agree! (I use the word human rather than specifying my gender, most of the time.)


I can identify with that, bad pronunciation and all. Kids nowadays have it too easy, they can just google the pronunciation and listen to ten examples in a minute.

Congratulations on your sobriety, keep up the good work, and as an atheist I must say that if one wants to be religious, that's the way to do it!

It's great to meet you and I hope you enjoy Wrong Planet!

Thanks! I honestly didn't think I would survive this long, back when I was 25. I thought I'd be dead by now, lol! But the cosmic joke that got played on me is that I enjoy life better now than I did back then.

Hi, welcome to WP.
You gave a good introduction there and most of it runs true with my own experiences.
I'm self-diagnosed and don't see any advantage (for me now) in an official diagnosis. It may be that I'm an NT with all the recognised aspie traits (???)

I think that is perfectly fine and it is what we all share in common.



Back in the day, we had dictionaries, but I wasn't so good at deciphering the symbols they use for pronunciation. Also, I'd want to insert a word on the spur of the moment, and had no time to look up the pronunciation! So I did a lot of George W. Bush's.



I was atheist too most of my life. I began by practicing White Magic, then started doing it every morning. One day in my lessons, I learned a banishing ritual to banish bad habits such as drinking. It worked even to this day. So, I offer that God is useful. It may be psychology or self-hypnosis. The factual basis does not even matter to me. I do not believe like a lawyer in books and words, but rather like a friend in a big friend that helps me do the best I can with what I've got. Even if it were all make-believe, what matters to me is what works.

Self-awareness helps one understand things better. Like, why other people may misinterpret, misunderstand. Or why we may misinterpret, misunderstand the words and actions of others. Instead of confusion, doubt, blame, accusation, you replace with awareness, adaptation. That can only be a good thing. Getting doctors involved, well, what can they do? There's no pill I know of.

I don't see Aspergers as all that bad, and besides if it is here, maybe there is a purpose for it. In the literature, there is a focus on negative aspects, because that is why people go to doctors, to solve problems. So, someone with fewer problems might not go to see a doctor and the information about them will not find its way into the literature.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Congratulations on your survival and welcome to Wrong Planet

Welcome to Wrong Planet!