Could I be autistic?

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Does one have to exhibit most of the autism symptoms to be autistic? I ask because I experience all the symptoms expect for some. I don't ramble on and on about a single subject because I can usually tell when somebody becomes bored or mad. I am still terrible at figuring out most body languages. I believe one of my co-workers at my old job is autistic because he would talk about a video game he was obsessed with for hours while I sent him signals to stop. It's either I wasn't giving him the right body language or he's autistic. He also experiences all other symptoms too, so I am sure he falls on the spectrum. Understanding social cues is my main drawback in social situations. People often notice that and tell me what I did wrong. I have never been suggested that I may be autistic though. I guess I must be good at hiding it. My stims are pacing, nail-biting, constantly feeling my eyelashes, spinning objects in social situations, licking objects and placing in mouth, and rocking back and forth. I would also like to have some light shed on this particular stim which I never heard of anybody doing. I would close my left eye and move my right index finger in the air across random lines of objects that were far away. I don't do it anymore, but I did it constantly for a few years in middle school. I have read that autistic people can outgrow stims and thank god I outgrew that one. My music teacher caught me doing it. She asked me what I was doing and she just laughed it off in a never mind I asked way and left it at that. Eye contact is virtually impossible for me to do. I read that autistic people are clingy and don't know when the their peers don't want their friendship. I usually know when not to be clingy, but I don't understand if a girl is interested or flirting. I once listened to the same song for 4 hours while browsing online. I am so interested in listening to music that I get mad if something comes in the way. I don't think I have any other interests except for that one. I am terrible at making and keeping friends. People never take me serious because I have nothing fun or significant to add to a conversation. I find it hard to maintain or start a conversation. I have a mild stutter and have poor language stills. People think I am a ass because I say rude things all time unintentionally. I think that's enough symptoms I should list for now. I apologize for the long post. I just want to know if I could be autistic and I need insight on what the whole finger in the air stim is. Reply away.

Hi

Autism is a spectrum, as you probably know. But here is how I broke it down when I was learning to make it easier for me to grasp and explain to others....

|-----{YOU & ME HERE}---------------------|-----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
~~~~~~~~~ Asperger's~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~High Functioning Autism~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Classic Autism~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Classic Autism W/Retardation~~~~

I would not use the term Autistic for you. I would say you are on the spectrum in the Asperger's category. I know the DMSV is removing Asperger's but I see it as the public knows about Asperger's to an extent and they have too many misconceptions about "autism" and usually think of the lowest part of the spectrum when they hear you talk autism and discredit your claims - "Oh! You must be incredibly high functioning then!". I used tell people sometimes I am mildly autistic and immediately they changed how they talked to me... like I couldn't understand them if they didn't talk like that. So instead I began saying that I have Asperger's and that I am mildly on the Autistic Spectrum. A better response is received then.

That has been my experience. If you read social cue's somewhat then I would definitely think you fall in the beginning area of Asperger's category. I am not lessening any of your struggles by saying that, I know your struggles are very very real. You can be ok in some area's and ++ struggle in others, even more than further down the spectrum. So in no way am I trying to lighten your concerns.

But I am trying to be honest and realistic in how I view what you said. I would definitely pursue it further. Answers helped me cope and accept myself so much. It is not your issues that make life so stressful - it is your response to those issues and the uncertainty involved in the wondering why you are so different. Find your answers and find that much needed closure and self acceptance

I wish you the best and hope answers are easy for you to come by.

Glad to have helped a bit... maybe more will answer later too