School off to a typical start

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Hey, before I post further, I should say I'm not sure if I have a form of autism or not. Several months ago my parents had me visit a therapist weekly, and after several sessions, said something along the lines of "I think you probably have an autism spectrum disorder". Soon after, I stopped seeing her, and we never had much of a chance to go any further in that. Thus, this post..

School started for me (A junior in high school, 16) just a day ago, and just like last year, it's as awkward as ever. I hate being forced to do "introduction" activities, it seems unnecessary, especially at this level. I never think of anything to say, and often mumble out nonsense. Quite literally, it makes me seem crazy sometimes, mixing words together and stuttering under pressure.

I have never really participated in any sort of school related activity or event like sports, clubs, ect, mainly due to lack of interest. My parents usually want me too (Although it seems they've almost given up), but of course I just decay in my room most of the day.

Also, I often listen to music in my room. Sometimes (And even without music,) I pace around my small little room really quickly, and flap/jar my hands around. I'm in control of it, I suppose, but it comes naturally, and I don't really think about it. I was curious to what this was, and wondering if anyone could provide insight.

Sorry if this post seems incoherent or like rambling, I just really want answers to my horrible social/speaking anxieties in front of those I don't know, and feel lost without a more definite answer. Thank you in advanced!

I've never understood the point of introductions. It caused me to always loathe the first week of school...the "get to know each other" activities always seemed like a giant waste of time. Good luck to you

Lordy, how times have changed! At my schools they just taught us, though not always very well.

OK, so far so good. Then somehow you quit the therapist.

The next step, if you want more help would be to go back to that therapist and have him/her request a diagnosis interview with you with a psychiatrist. This is the normal process and I had to do this to get on Disability SSI/EIA here.

In my case the therapist had an inhouse psychiatrist who did evaluations once per month. And I didn't have to pay a cent for it.

Hope that you have a family member, extended family or neighbour or just someone who can help you through this process.

If you have a mental health organization like the Canadian Mental Health Assoc. then that could help in getting you more help with AS.



Back 30 yrs ago when I was in HS, I always thought that anything after Grade 8 was just for the purpose of keeping kids in school, away from our home.

If given an IBMPC or Apple II back then I could have learned more with the computer and staying at home to watch enlightened/educational television - CBC Midday, a local interview show that dealt in spiritual topics, CTV's Canada AM, various PBS educational shows between 9 am and early afternoon on KGFE (2 Grand Forks, ND).



The flapping hands thing/flying like a bird thing is called 'stimming'. I've just heard the term myself, althogh I've seen a documentary about autism back in 1990 that featured a kid who did this.

Don't worry about it. Just make sure you do it in private and not in public.

At times I don't get introduction activities either. In some classes, they make you think you're still in elementary school, introducing yourself to somebody that you've seen for many years in public schools...
And on the other hand, it seems like every teacher does an activity that has something to do with your summer vacation. I get really jealous with that, because as I am low-income, it is hard hearing about students who went to Texas, or Florida, or California, or frickin Cancun, while I spent 90 minutes in a Seattle doctor's office, watched 4th of July fireworks, and took many bus rides to the Yakima Library. Yeah, that's summer for me.
Thankfully I was able to go on a hike this Labor Day weekend. At least that boosted my "summer", even though it's over now, for me.

At most schools, forget about music. Teachers would rather have you listen to 300 people in the lunchroom rambling about nothing and everything rather than listening to music. The second you pull out an MP3 player, they take it away and your mom/dad has to pick it up. Second offense = detention!

All PBS has during the day are animated shows geared for the age 2-5 level. 30 years ago, the whole midday block would be full of instructional programming. And I don't find most of the trash talk shows "educational" either...only that the people fighting on Jerry Springer and Steve Wilkos are most likely acting and not really in the situation they are.

Again, the stimming should be kept to a minimum in public. Not being mean.