How does the AS mind work differently than the NT mind?

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I've talked to many NT's and confirmed that they all think different than me in a very specific way. But I haven't spoken to any Aspie/Autistics yet. So I'd like your input so we can figure this out.

I asked these questions:

1> When you are talking to someone, are you also able to think about internal things?
a) Yes. I don't have this problem. I can keep track of many things at the same time.
b) No. If I accidentally go off on a tangent in my mind, then I completely lose track of the conversation.

2> When you're watching tv, and your train of thought goes off on a tangent, are you a) able to follow whats going on in the tv show or b) do you have to rewind it?
a) Able to follow tv show and my internal train of thought.
b) No I have to rewind the show.

The part about rewinding is exactly why I dislike television and love books. When the material is interesting and I happen to be thinking to the side (tangent?), it cannot be rewinded if it was a broadcast rather than personal playback.

Please ask as many friends and family as you know.

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I'd tend to say that I can. Usually I don't need to focus that much to develop an idea. If something REALLY grabbed my attention, then no as I can get pretty obsessed with some problems. But, I definitely can always be thinking about lots of things at once.

Hi. I did not vote because there are not enough options.

Firstly I don't watch TV if I can help it. But I know what you mean. If my mind wanders and the program is complicated (like a complex thriller or drama), then I have no hope of knowing whats happening and I will likely turn off.

Secondly, if the TV show is simple (like a soap), then I don't care if my mind wanders.

I am an aspie.

One thing I notice is that when I am watching a film for the first time, unless the film is quite simple I will misfollow it even if I pay attention. Usually I will watch it twice before I can follow it.

I answered b) but with the ability to rewind, I don't usually unless it seemed really relevant. I find that a lot of dialogue is redundant and unnecessary, unless you take into account the fact that people are likely to miss something due to bathroom break or conversation or whatever.

Hi Robdemanc, Thats why I had another question in the post:

1> When you are talking to someone, are you a) also able to think about internal things, or do you lose track of the conversation and you would have to ask that someone to repeat themselves?
a) Yes. I don't have this problem. I can keep track of many things at the same time.
b) No. If I accidentally go off on a tangent in my mind, then I completely lose track of the conversation, and I would have to ask them to repeat themselves.

Hi Awesome, what about this situation?

1> When you are talking to someone, are you a) also able to think about internal things, or do you lose track of the conversation and you would have to ask that someone to repeat themselves?
a) Yes. I don't have this problem. I can keep track of many things at the same time.
b) No. If I accidentally go off on a tangent in my mind, then I completely lose track of the conversation, and I would have to ask them to repeat themselves.

I don't think there's much difference between NT thinking and Aspie thinking when it comes to watching TV or films. When I first watch a film, I never ''get'' it quick, but when I watch it the second or third time, I understand more of it, and it seems more ''clear'' to me. Then once when I went to the cinema with 2 of my NT cousins, after the film one of them said, ''usually the film always seems different when I watch it again to the first time I watched it'', so he must be thinking the same way I think because I feel exactly the same.

Ok. I will answer B to that question. And I have more problems like that when its more than one person.

Some people thanks to TIVO can rewind anything they are watching. I guess it automatically records what they are watching and keeps in temporarily.


As for my own answer, I can't really rightly choose autistic or NT. I don't watch much TV, and when I do not often something I can rewind (no TIVO). But when I am, or watching a video posted on the internet, I do sometimes rewind to catch something I missed. I'd probably answer B, if I could decide which of the two B options to answer.


On the other question, I guess I don't usually go off on tangents when talking with others. Occasionally I'm distracted enough, and also interested enough, to ask someone to repeat themselves. But not often.

Last edited by Mysty on 17 Dec 2011, 11:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

Hi Mysty,

if you don't watch tv, then consider this question instead:
When you are talking to someone, are you a) usually also able to think about internal things, or b) do you lose track of the conversation and you would have to ask that someone to repeat themselves?
a) Yes. I don't have this problem. I can keep track of many trains of thought at the same time. That includes social situations and my own trains of thought.
b) No. If I accidentally go off on a tangent in my mind, then I completely lose track of the conversation, and I would have to ask them to repeat themselves.

I edited my post and answered that already.

I answer yes to both. I treated them as the same question.

I have a quick enough mind that even if I end up missing something, I can usually fill in the gaps. Also, as I stated, I do not need much focus to develop an idea.

I am a self-diagnosed aspie awaiting formal diagnosis and I chose answer B for both.

Awaiting diagnosis after positive screening (neuropsych appt is 3/28/12). Answer for me is B. I also have ADHD tho, that may also be why.