Can an HFA be as graceful/dexterous as an NT?

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I've typed about 100 times more words than I have spoke in my entire life, anyone else?

Littlelily mentioned a book that covers a lot of research of AS and autism to see if they're clinically distinguishable. One chapter covers a lot of research on this topic, although conclusions seemed to vary and methods seemed inconsistent.

It's called Asperger Syndrome by Ami Klin, Fred R. Volkmar, and Sara S. Sparrow. It might have information that answers your question, or at least sheds more light on possible answers.

Sounds about right.

There's a thread on one of the other forums about dancing. I've danced since I was really young and I go to Zumba these days, with my best friend, who's as NT as they come. When we're doing our thing, I'm much more graceful and doing it with ease and she's totally unco-ordinated. But, normally I'd say she was naturally more graceful and I'm much more likely to fall down or knock something over.

As for dexterity, I can't even wire a plug, so you'd expect me to be hopeless at all things requiring dexterity, but no. My daughter's school has set a family challenge to create a circus animal and a trailer, out of stuff that we'd otherwise be throwing out. Although I say it myself, ours is really good. My husband did all the bits requiring muscle and I did all the intricate bits. I expect most of the other animals will be made from cardboard or papier mache, but ours is made from an old pair of jeans and hand stitched. It's very different and we put a lot of effort and thought into it. I'm a little apprehensive about taking it in, as some of the other parents might think we're just showing off, but I couldn't hand in any less than my best.

So yes, we can be elegant and handy. It may take time and effort, but it's even possible for us to be better than the majority.

Last edited by Mummy_of_Peanut on 21 Nov 2011, 7:10 am, edited 1 time in total.

I think it really just depends on the individual. Some NT's are very graceful, while others aren't, and the same can be said for those of us on the spectrum.

^ This for myself as well. The AS ability to hyperfocus can be applied to grace as much as anything else, but when distracted and hyperfocusing on something else ... well, that glass of water on the floor just ceased to exist in my consciousness when I stumbled across it.

(ps, bluto, you regressed! D: You used to be a big scary tiger, now are cute little kitten)

When I was studying Capoeira, I was actually really good at imitating my instructor. Or at least he praised my ability to pick up new moves nearly perfectly in a short period of time.

Admittedly, I did slaughter my fair share of folding chairs in the process - we used them for some kicks to make sure said kicks were high enough. I had an occasional tendency to "miss" and kick the chair instead. It's amazing how much force you can put into an otherwise well-executed capoeirista-style kick.

I've had lots of experience in dealing with customers in the 4 years since I left school, and everything on my CV says that I've dealt with the public in some way or another, and so everyone thinks that I am great at dealing with the public - when, despite all the practice and experience I've had with it, I still don't feel any better than what I was before I even left school. In other words, I feel really unconfident when put in a position where I am to deal with customers, even though I have plenty of practice at it. It's like after a lot of practice I still can't seem to do it good. I still feel unconfident and helpless with customers.

But one good thing is at my volunteer jobs I have developed better social skills with working with colleagues and co-workers, and I've built better confidence with teamwork and multitasking. But my customer servicing doesn't seem to have improved one bit.

When it comes to art, even more so.

While it may be harder to coordinate movements, it is certainly not impossible



http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/te ... -23113303/

This is him on Britains Got Talent.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9nUn3ic7M0[/youtube]

I suspect a great number of male figure skaters to be on the spectrum. Like, a lot of the male figure skaters that aren't like, "fabulous" show lots of signs of it. I remember one time, it was testing day for the figure skaters more pro than me, and this guy I remember very distinctly, my age or maybe slightly younger (17?) super pale, glasses, in pretty serious skates. He must have been sorta high level, wasn't talkative, etc. I didn't really think Aspergers, but definitely a very very quiet "nerd" type for sure.


Michael Finlay skates in the special Olympics, Aspie.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/0 ... ite=sydney
That dude is a competitive (in regular comp) ice skater, with HFA.

For me, figure skating helped me be more graceful in regular life. I had to change my regular standing posture for figure skating, my posture used to be more hunched in daily life, and that simply does not work in figure skating. So I figured I had to have good posture off ice, and it's a challenge, but I do most of the time have good posture off ice, thus making me more graceful. I'm NVLD, and likely PDD-NOS or HFA, so maybe not "Aspergers" but yeah.

I play ice hockey. I'm a goalie. I can play forward or defense as well. I can't roller skate though oddly enough. I do have some issues with balance and stuff, but I do OK.