ASD individuals: Help us all out!! ! :)

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(If you saw this in the adolescent forum, I have extended it to this forum
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Hi everybody So I have some questions that I would like you guys to answer because I think that it would help a lot of people in this forum, including me:

1. How do you motivate yourself to get things done (homework, chores, exercise, etc.)?
2. How do you make friends? (I realize that this is a broad question, but if you have any helpful tips please share)
3. How do you control excessive stimming in public, or find other less obvious ways to comfort yourself?
4. How do you make yourself feel safe?
5. How do you deal with people who don't understand you?
6. If you have any NT or ASD siblings, how do you get along despite your differences?
7. How do you avoid fights with people?
8. I don't know if everyone has this issue, but people often think I'm snobby or unhappy because my neutral face looks frowny. If this applies to you, what do you do about it?
9. How do you use your special interest (if you have one) productively besides annoying other people with it
10. How can ASD individuals become more independent (at home, school, etc.)
11. Any more tips, suggestions, encouragement, etc. you would like to share?

I know these questions do not apply to all of you, and all answers are appreciated. There are no right or wrong answers because we are all different!! ! Thanks a lot!

1. How do you motivate yourself to get things done (homework, chores, exercise, etc.)?
I'm a competitive person, so I motivate myself by trying to beat the competition. I also know that if I get my work done faster, I don't have to worry about it later,so I can relax or be with friends.

2. How do you make friends? (I realize that this is a broad question, but if you have any helpful tips please share)
I make friends by saying hi o people I meet and by being polite. I act like myself, and I try to be kind and helpful toward people. I also look for people who have similar interests and maturity level.

3. How do you control excessive stimming in public, or find other less obvious ways to comfort yourself?
I exercise, draw, write, or chat with others to keep myself entertained. I don't really stim much anymore because I have learned to divert my attention away from it.

4. How do you make yourself feel safe?
I try to say with my fiends most of the time. I also try to look confident so people are less likely to leave me alone.

5. How do you deal with people who don't understand you?
I guess I just put up with it. A lot of people don't completely understand me, so that is the norm I guess.

6. If you have any NT or ASD siblings, how do you get along despite your differences?
I have three younger NT sisters, and I deal with them by talking about their interests and avoiding them when they are being over-dramatic. Teenage siblings can be a lot of work.

7. How do you avoid fights with people?
I try to avoid drama and I always respect others' opinions, no matter how much I disagree with them.

8. I don't know if everyone has this issue, but people often think I'm snobby or unhappy because my neutral face looks frowny. If this applies to you, what do you do about it?
I had this problem when I was kid. I was afraid to smile or talk to people, so they thought I was stuck up. I just force myself to smile and be more friendly toward others. I'm not afraid to initiate conversation like I used to be.

9. How do you use your special interest (if you have one) productively besides annoying other people with it
I am interested in genetics, so I use it by having it be my major in college. I love to run, so I do that to burn energy and get in shape.

10. How can ASD individuals become more independent (at home, school, etc.)
My best advice is to roll with the punches and learn from your mistakes. If you do something stupid once and learn from the mistake, you shouldn't do it again.

11. Any more tips, suggestions, encouragement, etc. you would like to share?
Aspies can be social and successful. Don't be let down by labels and statistics.

great answers : ) thanks!

1. How do you motivate yourself to get things done (homework, chores, exercise, etc.)?
I have to keep reminding myself of the sense of accomplishment and progress that I will feel when I'm done. However, this doesn't always work. More times than not it takes many instances of this to make it happen.

2. How do you make friends? (I realize that this is a broad question, but if you have any helpful tips please share)
I'm very particular about the choice to make a new friend or not. If I choose for this person to become a friend, I trying to listen for common interests and chime in when I hear something. I keep doing this until we have bonded over something. However, the bonding part is difficult for me to spot most of the time.

3. How do you control excessive stimming in public, or find other less obvious ways to comfort yourself?
I can't always. I try hard, and when it gets to the point that I can't take it anymore I get very very irritable and have to leave.

4. How do you make yourself feel safe?
My stuff. If I have my stuff I can usually make myself feel okay.

5. How do you deal with people who don't understand you?
Not well. I stay as quiet as possible, and leave there presence asap.

6. If you have any NT or ASD siblings, how do you get along despite your differences?
I have an NT younger brother. We fought likes cats & dogs growing up. We get along a lot better these days, but we can only handle each other's company so much and then we have to part ways again....which works since we are both adults and live in our own places.

7. How do you avoid fights with people?
It's hard. I have been in a physical one once, and it did not end well. Verbal fights--I have them pretty often unfortunately due to me misunderstanding people and them misunderstanding me.

8. I don't know if everyone has this issue, but people often think I'm snobby or unhappy because my neutral face looks frowny. If this applies to you, what do you do about it?
Same here. Well, I have issues with depression so some of the time I am actually unhappy. lol But it is not always the case, and I try to make a joke or just speak a little more around the person in order to show that I'm not unhappy.

9. How do you use your special interest (if you have one) productively besides annoying other people with it
Fortunately, my main obsession since I was about 14 years old has been computers. So, I have made this very useful. I have taught myself graphic design, coding, marketing, and advertising skills.

10. How can ASD individuals become more independent (at home, school, etc.)
Just think of each "life skill" as a level in a game. In order to level up, you have to conquer that life skill (to where it is a "no-brainer" as in a habit). Ex., I used to have a hard time paying bills on time, I had to keep reminding myself that if I did not pay it on time the electricity was going to be shut off and it was going to cost me extra to get it back on. Well, needless to say, my utilities have been turned off A LOT over the years, but FINALLY I have gotten this down. Same thing with things like cleaning the bathroom, or changing my bed sheets, showering, etc.

11. Any more tips, suggestions, encouragement, etc. you would like to share?
The only thing that helps me at all is simply thinking of myself as an outsider/alien who is trying hard to fit in (common theme on this site, lol). Otherwise, I get super discouraged and depressed when I'm misunderstood or made fun of (yes, still happens in adulthood--workplace is like grade school).

Try to find at least one good friend who understands you, and "has your back" that you can really trust. It helps a lot. I would have "offed myself" years ago if I had not had a trustworthy friend who would just listen. Although, I have lost many many friends over the years because of my ridiculous high standards I have for people. There are not many people who are very tolerant of this. So, when I find someone who is...I hang on tight to them.

Fitting in is hard, but learning to act a little helps. I'm no actor by trade, nor do I think I could be...but I've picked up a few useful skills along the way to pretend I care about something when I really couldn't give two flying f*cks. However, I can only pull this off I'm not already over stimulated.

[quote="olliepop96"]

1. How do you motivate yourself to get things done (homework, chores, exercise, etc.)?
I shut my mind off and just start doing them ... then I can't stop.
2. How do you make friends? (I realize that this is a broad question, but if you have any helpful tips please share)
I don't ... looking for advice on this as well.
3. How do you control excessive stimming in public, or find other less obvious ways to comfort yourself?
With me it's cracking my knuckles ... I guess I now only do it when I'm at home alone.
4. How do you make yourself feel safe?
I need an answer to this, too. My immediate reaction to the question was, are we supposed to feel safe?!
5. How do you deal with people who don't understand you?
Lately I've been asking other people not connected to them to help me out. That's made a big difference, even today.
6. If you have any NT or ASD siblings, how do you get along despite your differences?
Two of my sibs are NT, one I think is aspie like me, but she'd never admit it. My dad has always been aspie, too, but he's so old now he won't admit anything. I get along sort of OK with all of them, but there are many times I can't figure out what undercurrents are going on in the dysfunctional family dynamics in my family.
7. How do you avoid fights with people?
It's not easy. I try to think of them as being fragile and prone to not recovering from some offhand comment I might make to them.
8. I don't know if everyone has this issue, but people often think I'm snobby or unhappy because my neutral face looks frowny. If this applies to you, what do you do about it?
I need help on this one, too. Someone on here suggested participating in community theater, that it's a good way to learn expressions.
9. How do you use your special interest (if you have one) productively besides annoying other people with it
It pays my mortgage. I wish school systems could identify AS early, so that kids could specialize on what they're really good at throughout ALL of their early school years. I was just lucky that I got a B.S. degree in the thing that I'm really good at focusing on. Most aspies are not so lucky, I'm finding out.
10. How can ASD individuals become more independent (at home, school, etc.)
I don't know. My supervisor just told me I ask too many questions, and that I usually already know the answers.
11. Any more tips, suggestions, encouragement, etc. you would like to share?
Here in the Boston area we have the "Asperger's Association of New England." It's been very helpful. Is there anything like that in your area?

1. How do you motivate yourself to get things done (homework, chores, exercise, etc.)?
write a schedule out

2. How do you make friends? (I realize that this is a broad question, but if you have any helpful tips please share)
online, i have 2 friends from online which are now "offline" friends i see each month, i was able to connect with them thru pixel words to show them whats inside me, when they see me im quite lame but they no whats inside

3. How do you control excessive stimming in public, or find other less obvious ways to comfort yourself?
i just try keep focus, or get away asap

4. How do you make yourself feel safe?
the weight of my duvet, or my comforter

5. How do you deal with people who don't understand you?
just get depressed

6. If you have any NT or ASD siblings, how do you get along despite your differences?
i have 4 siblings all NT i say hi to them each day but we have no relationship, but still love one another

7. How do you avoid fights with people?
i go away,

8. I don't know if everyone has this issue, but people often think I'm snobby or unhappy because my neutral face looks frowny. If this applies to you, what do you do about it?
ppl go "dont look so down it may never happen" which is confusing!

9. How do you use your special interest (if you have one) productively besides annoying other people with it
keep it to myself

10. How can ASD individuals become more independent (at home, school, etc.)
pushing urself even if its uncomfortable, or causes ur anxiety just try, dont give up

11. Any more tips, suggestions, encouragement, etc. you would like to share?
dont let your label pull u down, or think ur not good enough

- Remind myself of the consequences of not doing it

- Use timers and alarms to make myself move from a preferred activity to something that needs to be done

- Build necessary activities into my routine, since I know that if it's part of my routine, it's going to happen



I won't be very helpful here; all my friends have approached me.



I think it's stupid that I should have to. I find ways to deal with the fact that other people are confusing and cause me physical pain all the time; they should be able to deal with me moving my body in unusual ways.
If I find it useful to not obviously stim, I just tap my toes in my shoes or something.
I'd like to point out that my stimming is not just a comfort thing; I do it all the time; it's like my body's "background noise". If it stops, that's a bad thing, because it means I'm either sick or overwhelmed to the point of shutting down.



By staying out of dangerous situations?



You mean 99% of people?
If they seem like decent people who just don't understand, I explain until they do. Otherwise, I just shrug and go "Oh well." I'm not that interested in people, so I don't need universal understanding.



Pretty sure both my brothers are somewhere on the spectrum. We get along fine.



I don't talk enough to be in danger of fighting.



Nothing; if people don't like my face that's their problem. I put on my friendly face for my students because I care about not upsetting them.



I have a Master's degree in it.

Thanks for all your answers everybody!
I realize that the question about stimming is not as clear as I thought it would be, sorry. What I meant was not how do you deal with people's reactions to stimming because i know a lot of it is subconscious, but how do you deal with it when it is a problem, such as in class when people are getting distracted by it or an occasion where it is not very acceptable.
Sorry for the confusion, and thanks for all your great answers! : )

A couple principles.

Firstly, I listen to myself. Especially when I need to do good quality work (eg homework), I know I'll do it better if I wait for the right time. Some things I have to be in a certain mood to do, so I make sure I can do it when I'm in the mood for it.

Secondly, don't try to do too much. I'm very stress sensitive, and if I let myself get stressed out trying to do everything, I end up not doing any of it. So I'm careful to know my limits.

Thirdly, if it's something I'll never want to do, I try to make myself do it when I think about it, instead of letting myself put it off. I know if I put it off I won't do it.



Not a clue. I recently made a real friend, for the first time in about 10 years, and it was pretty much accidental. I picked her out in my class as a student with a visible disability (she has CP and uses a wheelchair) and arranged to be paired with her for an in-class participation thingy, and we just sort of hit it off. I don't think friendship can be forced - you just need to set up conditions where it can occur, and hope.



I don't. I think it's an expression of prejudice to try to limit stimming just because it looks weird. I will flap, trill, rock, etc quite openly. I feel that if more people stimmed openly, people would get used to it and react less to it. I also feel that this shows solidarity with the people who can't suppress their stims in public.

Besides, if I let myself stim, I function better. I get overloaded less easily, I can concentrate better, and I just generally feel happier.



Safe from what? It really depends what I'm scared of.

About the only generalized thing for any fear is parental support. If my parents are with me and being supportive, I get anxious a lot less easily, and I calm down more quickly. (But if I have a conflict with either of them, I pretty much fall apart.)

Avoiding whatever sets off my anxiety can help, such as avoiding crowds because I'll get overloaded. Figuring out a plan to prevent the situation, like for example arriving early to class so I can sit where I want to sit and stick my bag on the seat beside me so no one takes it.

Stimming can help is there's nothing I can do about the situation, or if my anxiety is peaking to the point where I can't do what I could be doing (eg concentrate on my test to answer the questions I'm panicking about not answering). Or else distraction, though I need to be careful I don't forget something that needs to be done.



Well, firstly, I tend to tell pretty much everyone about my diagnosis - even random strangers!

Emotionally, it's a lot easier to handle bad reactions if I recognize them as prejudice instead of blaming myself for having a disability. (I think it still counts as prejudice even if they don't know you have a disability, by the way, if they systematically treat you unfairly because of characteristics related to your disability. For example there's nerd prejudice.)

If they genuinely don't understand but are willing to learn, I'm very skilled at explaining autism-related issues to laypeople, and I'm always willing to go into a monologue about it (psychology is my intense interest).



Very well. My brother (8 years younger than me) is a very sweet, loving boy who looks up to me a great deal. I would say we are best friends as well as siblings, and with my skill scatter and his own unique gifts (he's a budding visual artist) we both have things to teach each other.

It was more tough when he was younger and pestered me a lot. Part of it was attention-seeking, part was just being fidgety and energetic, part was the fact that although he's not autistic he does have some stims, but I had very little tolerance for it. I used to have meltdowns fairly often about his behavior, and I could not safely babysit him because I'd get so frustrated I bordered on abusive. But despite that, right from the start we also had many pleasant times where we'd play together. And now that he's 15 he's not nearly as annoying.

He's also said that having me as a sister has made him more empathetic. He realized at a young age that I was very different (actually before my diagnosis, since I was diagnosed at 15) and made a conscious effort to figure out how I thought. He used to think my flapping was me trying to fly, for example. (I knew none of this at the time, he told me this fairly recently.) He gets along unusually well with disabled kids, especially autistic kids. Due to depression and social phobia (completely unrelated to my autism, more to do with him being a very big boy) he spent a lot of last year in the resource room because he felt safer there, and while he was there he met several autistic kids at varying points on the spectrum. Even the low-functioning nonverbal kids he could relate to fairly easily, and understood their behavior. (For example, he can spot overload, which seems to be a rare skill for a non-autistic person.)



I don't exactly avoid fights. I don't go out of my way to start them, but if someone wants a fight with me, I'll usually oblige. I'm a very assertive person, and very stubborn. I also have very poor conflict resolution skills - I usually just tear into someone and then avoid them. I've dropped classes because of this. It's something I'm working on.

I have a subtype of autism called Newson Syndrome, which means I have a phobia of being controlled by other people. So if I perceive someone trying too hard to control me, I panic, and I typically show this fear by lashing out. This used to be a lot worse than it is now - after a serious of bad school settings I ended up essentially unteachable at 12 years old. Several years of unschooling (though we didn't know that's what we were doing) got me feeling a lot safer, and I gradually reintroduced myself to school-like settings. Now, at university, it's only around 10% of classes that I have any conflict with teachers. Partly this is because university isn't school, partly because I feel a lot less background anxiety, and partly because I have more effective skills for helping to make the setting work for me.

Once or twice I've had people single me out and try to sexually abuse me because I seemed like an easy victim, and they were in for a nasty surprise when I stood up for myself, refused to cooperate, and in one case threatened to call the police on the guy. I know how to protect myself - I know not to go somewhere isolated with a stranger, I know what constitutes abuse, and I have good instincts for untrustworthy people. I suspect this is thanks to how well my parents and counselors handled the sexual abuse I suffered from foster siblings when I was preschool-aged. I learnt that what they'd done was not OK, and how to keep it from happening again.



I haven't had this problem. I have had people ask me if I'm OK when I crouch down and pull my hood up to stop overload. Fortunately, this has never happened when I'm too overloaded to say 'I have auditory sensitivities and I'm trying to reduce stimulation' (it's usually something auditory that set it off).



It's my university major. I'm planning to make a career in it. The intrinsic enjoyment I get from psychology makes psychology classes very easy and fun for me, and I can write very good papers by finding the most interesting topic that I can fit into the paper requirements. (For example, when taking developmental psychology while my biggest psych interest was psychopathy, I wrote a paper on moral development in children.) I'll probably make a very good research psychologist, if I can jump through the hoops to get there.



Learn about executive dysfunction. Learn which specific executive functions you have trouble with (in my case, everything except sustaining attention). Learn how to try differently instead of trying harder, by finding creative workarounds. For example, I can tell time by the number of TV shows I've watched, and World of Warcraft has alarms you can set to remind yourself when you need to stop playing and do some important task.



Most important is to accept yourself. You're not broken, you're just different. Some things are harder because you're different, others are easier. And a lot of stuff is harder not because of your inherent wiring, but because of a mismatch between you and society. Normal is just the average, it's not some kind of holy law for what people should be like. You're not better or worse, just atypical, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Self-esteem is the most important key to living a good life.

Theirs nothing wrong with been an unlovable loser trust me me I've resigned myself to that fact , wish I had done it sooner it would have eased my mental problems significantly growing up if I had.

Try it

oh and stop watching autism tv as those in the know know how hurtful that production is, it's nice to know another female member is on the same page

Are their any others ?

1. How do you motivate yourself to get things done (homework, chores, exercise, etc.)?

Work = I want to get paid.
Chores = I do the dishes and take out the trash because I don't like bad odors. That said, I am really bad about cleaning up clutter, and have piles of paper everywhere.

2. How do you make friends? (I realize that this is a broad question, but if you have any helpful tips please share)

My best friend was somebody who reached out for help and was humble and gracious enough to accept when I offered. Most people are too proud to accept. She was a true treasure, lost her to heart disease earlier this year.

Other than that, I wish I were better at making friends and hope to learn from the other people on this thread.

3. How do you control excessive stimming in public, or find other less obvious ways to comfort yourself?

My dad helped me with that when I was younger. In private at home he would say "You don't want to do something like that in public." Because I respected him, I was happy to follow his suggestions.

4. How do you make yourself feel safe?

I pray. Then God makes me feel safe.

5. How do you deal with people who don't understand you?

Sometimes I don't realize they don't understand until it's too late ... other times, I try my best to explain and hope for the best.

6. If you have any NT or ASD siblings, how do you get along despite your differences?

Maybe someday we will?

7. How do you avoid fights with people?

I've learned that being silent really helps to keep your dignity. There's a Vulcan saying, "There is no offense where none is taken.

8. I don't know if everyone has this issue, but people often think I'm snobby or unhappy because my neutral face looks frowny. If this applies to you, what do you do about it?

I haven't done much over the years. Shame on me, because I have noticed once in a while that if I'm daydreaming about something happy and I smile in public, people smile back.

9. How do you use your special interest (if you have one) productively besides annoying other people with it

I have become an artist. My artwork has been on exhibit in five art galleries and two museums.

10. How can ASD individuals become more independent (at home, school, etc.)

Sure wish somebody had taught me skills like how to understand body language, how to make small talk, how to recognize subtle social verbal cues, etc.

11. Any more tips, suggestions, encouragement, etc. you would like to share?

Each one of us is a unique treasure, despite what anyone else says.

...

1. How do you motivate yourself to get things done (homework, chores, exercise, etc.)?
I am in general a chronic avoider of anything which I have to concentrate on that I dislike so most of these are in crisis at any one time. On occasion I can surprise myself and keep up with some things.

Homework - the deadline is approaching and if I don't get something done NOW I will fail. It's more an emergency reaction rather than motivation.

Chores - remember to do the dishes and washing 1 x per day. Get a dishwasher, get a tumble dryer. Make the chores easier and they are more likely to get done. Other things are generally a mess, and I have a post it note to remind me to put the rubbish bin out on the right day.

Exercise - this either goes very well or not at all. Build it into a routine. I joined a gym that caters for all abilities and disabilities. I like their inclusive vibe.

2. How do you make friends? (I realize that this is a broad question, but if you have any helpful tips please share)
Smile. Socially motivated people love to talk. Nod in the right places and listen. This is to make acquaintances. The right ones of these can turn into friends if you just say yes to some of their invitations. I have 1 friend that I see once per week (our sons are at school together and we met as our kids were the only ones not following directions at nursery). I have a boyfriend who is my best friend. I met him on the internet and we see each other 2-3 times per week. This is my total social life and I am happy with this. Respect your own boundaries.

3. How do you control excessive stimming in public, or find other less obvious ways to comfort yourself?
I tap my feet non-stop, everywhere. At home and in public. Make whatever it is your are doing into one of those socially acceptable things. Rocking/swaying side to side is quite good if you are waiting in a queue. Finger tapping may make you seem impatient.

4. How do you make yourself feel safe?
I get into bed.

5. How do you deal with people who don't understand you?
I have only just realised this is a big problem for me and it's not everyone else being an idiot, but I am obviously doing something wrong. Try saying something in a different way until you can find some common understanding (I have to do this at work) or avoid if I have no interest or need to have contact with them.

6. If you have any NT or ASD siblings, how do you get along despite your differences?
My sister and I argue as she is always trying to push me to do stuff and I really don't want to. I know if we go out together I will not have any fun and in the end we will have a fight. So I put it off until it's all too late. With the others I try to follow the social norms, like sending birthday presents but they end up wrong or late more often than not. I am trying though and they seem to finally be accepting that I'm just not like them.

7. How do you avoid fights with people?
Avoid the people. Or explain your intentions explicitly (I find most people are reading an undercurrent that just isn't there with me). Also, ask what they mean if you suspect they mean something negative. Chances are they don't mean offense. It goes back to the understanding question I think.

8. I don't know if everyone has this issue, but people often think I'm snobby or unhappy because my neutral face looks frowny. If this applies to you, what do you do about it?
Applies to me too, other mothers at the school don't even look in my direction anymore, I am invisible as I don't have a huge grin plastered on my face at the prospect of some pointless cake stall/raffle/dressing up competition. If I don't want to seem offish then I put my smiling head on. It works wonders.

9. How do you use your special interest (if you have one) productively besides annoying other people with it.
Keep it to yourself, or present whatever it is with an amusing angle. I got very into people's personal finances and would read forum posts listing their ingoings and outgoings every day. I'd find the outrageous ones and forward them to my boyfriend. This obsession means I am good at the part of my job that involves people's finances and I can see I might carve a niche in this area as time goes on. In the past I was obsessed with child development and got a job in a child development centre.

10. How can ASD individuals become more independent (at home, school, etc.)
Recognise what works and use it. If timers work for you, use them. Timetables, etc, brilliant. Write stuff down, put the list on your wall and follow it. If you cut out the decision making then things seem to go a lot smoother. No need to debate the merits of having a shower before breakfast every day, just do it if it's on the list. Chunk your homework into sections so it's not overwheming. Start it the day you get it and do a bit each day as part of a routine. Try to keep your days regular. If you have to stay late after school 3 nights a week then stay the other 2 as well and work in the library. The more life has a rhythm the less energy you need to spend adjusting your expectations.

11. Any more tips, suggestions, encouragement, etc. you would like to share?
Learn what body language means, there's loads of books on it. Try not to think that everyone is hostile, most people are kind hearted but I think some of us can take things badly for one reason or another. Learn to forgive, it really is worth it.

DISCLAIMER: I have not been diagnosed with AS but have very strong suspicions that I would be if I were to be assessed. My son is 9 and has ASD and I find that what works for him also works for me.

1) I just incorporate it into my routine; if the routine says school, homework, play, dinner, bed, then there's no arguing with it, it's just the way things are. Sometimes having an obsessive need for routine can work to our advantage.

2) I have never made a friend; all of my friends have come to me. Fortunately in spite of my reticence I seem approachable, otherwise I would have no friends.

3) I don't. If people think I'm weird because something is stressing me out and I'm rocking, then that's their problem.

4) Stick to my routines, don't go out of my way to seek change, I have a favourite sweater that I don't leave the house without.

5) I don't really understand the question. Understand me how?

6) My sister and I used to fight all the time when we were kids; now she's in high school and so wrapped up in her social life and extracurricular that we hardly ever see each other. Sometimes I use my interest in knowledge and help her with her homework; she likes me then.

7) I just don't interact with them.

My neutral face looks bored, but everyone I know is used to it, so they don't comment.

9) My special interest (well, one of them) is abnormal psychology; I'm currently going to school to become a psychologist; my interest helped define my future.

10) I have no idea; I'm 19, still live at home, and don't drive.

11) Nothing that would be terribly useful to anyone reading this.