Am I on autism spectrum ? You be the judge

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social phobia?

Many things strike me as 'odd'. I also strike many things oddly...

There is not much specific to autism in the OP's list.

1. I rock and hum all the time when I am alone, and sometimes in public when I am very anxious. happens a lot what I am in big groups. I also tap my fingers on objects constantly, hum in public for comfort, and whistle a lot which makes me feel comfortable.

Humming is a common autistic stim

[/b]2. I have a long list of allergies, which was confirmed by an allergist doctor when I was 9 years old. it includes grass, pollen, trees, dust, cockroaches, and other
insects. 5 years ago I developed food allergies and I was at allegies to antibiotics.
Garlic, onions, and an entire class of antibiotics known as sulfas.

Allergies are common to all groups

3. I get extremely heart palpitations when in confrontations.

4. I get upset and paranoid in social situations I cannot understand or cannot control. this is a huge problem for me. my 3rd grade teacher wrote on my report card that I would get upset and or cry when I didn't understand what was going on around me socially.

Lack of understanding social situations is a key Autistic trait

5. I have a variety of special interests. including maths, linguistics, etymology, music, learning songs on the guitar and violin, and a handful more. I find the subjects outside these areas quite boring. like history class which I always failed.
I just cannot for the life of me stay interested in subjects I have no interest in.

It does not matter what the interest is, it the narrowness, intensity and repetitiveness that is associated with Autistic special interests

4. I've had sleep paralysis ever since I was 10 years old.
and it is often quite frightening and upsetting to me.
I recently had a sleep paralysis episode a couple of months ago.

5. I have frequent insomnia. which makes me irritable all the time.

Sleep issues are common in the general public and particularly common in autistics

6. my executive functioning is very poor. I often cannot get up the energy, or interest to accomplish things during the day. I am consistently late for an appointment I may have. this is a big issue for me, and it makes me feel really really bad.

Executive Functioning problems is a common Comorbid of Autism and ADHD


7. I often have no filter when I speak to people in public.
often, I say the first thing that comes to my mind, especially when I meet people in public.

Why does this occur need to dominate or true lack of social understanding?


8. low energy, lethargy. this is a killer for me.
people see that I am tired all the time and they tend not to like me.

If you have these stresses it is not surprising but could be poor diet.

9. I have constant chronic depression, and I have had periods of very deep depression. during periods of deep depression I sleep 10 to 12 hours a day.
which of course makes me even more depressed.

Similar to 8. Depression is not uncommon in the general public very common co-morbid in Autistics /Aspergers

10. loud noises upset me, and when they happen I often snap at people.
I punched my brother in the stomach for cheering at a football ga
me once. Because he was making too much noise and he hurt me by yelling at the tv.

Sensory Sensitivities is a diagnostic criteria for ASD's but is not exclusive to Autism

11. I have a desperate need to be completely alone for long periods of time.
or else I have a meltdown, I break down emotionally. but I usually do not make a scene in public, I simply shut down in public and cannot interact with people.

Meltdown or shutdowns are common reaction to stress or sensory over-stimulation

I can't have a strong opinion about you based on this little information but in IMHO their is enough for SUSPICION of an Autism Spectrum condition.

Until a doctor is affordable the best you can do is deal with your known issues, look into yourself as to why these things are occurring and further research the conditions you are suspicious of. The issues are more important then the label at this stage

So what's the difference between a special interest and a normal hobby or activity?

http://musingsofanaspie.com/2012/11/07/ ... -interest/

Read the comments to see a variety of opinions. Given the importance of special interests to most aspies, one might expect more detailed responses to the topic.

Most of these that you listed are not really symptoms...

Do your sensory sensitivities interfere with daily routines? Not being able to handle long hours in a brightly lit room, getting sensory overloads in a mall or by a busy street?do you rub hands, hum, pace, flapp hands or rock back and forth to prevent a sensory overload? Do you experience migraines or headaches in loud or over stimulating environments?

Do you have trouble making or keeping relationships? or do you have a hard time making first impressions on people? Can you evauate body language and mannerisms to get a better idea of a persons intentions? Are you often confused by a persons intentions? Do you take things literally? Do you often feel people are not understanding what your trying to say or vice versa? Did you have a delay in speech development? Did you have friends in early childhood? Did you use pretend play? Did you become overwhelmed as a child when there were too many people in a room and go through a shutdown or a meltdown? We're you expressive with your emotions? Can you understand facial expressions?

Do you rely on routine to get you through a day? Do you cry or break things when your routine is interrupted? Can you adjust to large or small changes in your lifestyle? Do you often obsess over one topic for months, and have it being the only thing you take interest in and think and talk about? Do you devote all time and enegy to peruse your interest or fixation?

People often forget that autism is NOT a personality trait, it's a disability, it can affect lives forever and can be unbarable at times. Most autistic people have felt suicidal in their lifetime because of how difficult it is to live with. Autism can effect people on different levels, some can have very little sensory issues but huge difficulties with socialization and communication and have moderate obsessions, but these are the symptoms, and as long as their present on a DISABLING level ( such as loosing jobs, unable to maintain relationships, not developing past potential ect) it can be diagnosed, however some autistics learn to adjust throughout the years and can be very functioning adults, but their symptoms are still present.

Do a bit more research and I suggest meeting with some other people on the spectrum or talking to a specialist.

hi. your social difficulties and sensory sensitivities sound aspieish. try this brief quiz based on the criteria docs use:

www.iautistic.com/test_AS.php


i had two special interests in my younger years - christianity and music. i played violin, guitar, tuba, and a little piano. i went to summer school to make room in my schedule during the rest of the year for band, orchestra, and choir. my interest now is health, though i still sing in a chorus.

Hey! Is this a new autism test?

That question was for me to try to determine how his thought processes work.
Knowing how people process and respond to vague requests is somewhat helpful, I think.
His response just made me really confused though


I agree with this:


A psychologist I used to see described the difference between neurotypicals and those with ASD as being similar to the difference between analog and digital, respectively.
I don't remember much of his explanation anymore, but the basic idea was that NTs generally aren't very precise.

One of the largest problems I have in conversations with others is that I don't feel like they provide enough relevant information. From their perspective, I'm just being way too precise.

If a family member told me they needed a cake for an event, I'd want to know if they want a homemade one or store-bought one, what size/shape, what flavor, what number of layers, what type of frosting, how many types of frosting, what color of frosting, what frosting to cake ratio, etc. (you probably get the point).

If someone wanted me to get a cake for an event, I would go to the store and get whatever kind of cake looked good to me at that time, probably chocolate. I wouldn't ask them for any details of what kind of cake, I would just get what I liked at the store without thinking about it.

Ooooh. Like a textual Rorschach. I like it.

Well, at least flavor, type of frosting, and frosting to cake ratio are very important to most people.

I guess this is the example of autism spectrum. Some will choose to pick a cake because the person never told them what kind they wanted while the other one may be confused with the instructions because they don't know what kind they are supposed to get so they will ask a bunch of questions.

I would have to say, that, based on the lack of humility you exude within your posts, the three possibilities you have listed, above, would be ruled out, unless of course, you have one (or more) of the three, in addition to a co-morbid condition. My best guess is that you are perhaps, somewhere on the narcissistic spectrum.

Was about to say the same myself actually...

Did I form an opinion too quickly? I think not. Sometimes you gotta make a decision on what you have available, and not waste time trying to get more information.

Other times, I have to be real careful, because I can assume that nobody will second guess my opinion, so it has to be right the first time.

"my eyes glazed over" is an expression I have to remember for those cases.