The "Do You Think I Am On The Autistic Spectrum" (MG) Poll.

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This is just for fun. I could be waiting a long time before I am assessed. They did think I needed to be assessed urgently, but it does not look like this is possible as they do not know how many other cases maybe urgent in the long list of individuals waiting.
But as I am waiting and the assessment date could actually take years, to prevent boredom and create some fun, I thought I would start this thread. It is not serious. It is just a light hearted pole. I know no one can officially assess me on this site etc... It is more just to pass the time.

Most of you have read some of the things I have written. Some may point to me being an NT and other things may relate to me being on the autistic spectrum. I do not really know for sure. Sometimes I think I maybe autistic. Other times I think I maybe an NT with a few autistic traits. I was going to say "Place bets!" but I don't want to encourage gambling, so a pole is a better option.

If this thread is not a good idea, then can a moderator remove it. Idon't think I have seen a similar thread so I don't know if it is acceptable or not. I just decided to do it for my own amusement.

Some who have not read my long and often informative posts (As I write essays instead of one word answers) may need to have some fun and do a little detective work. This to me adds to the fun of this thread.
Please note, other then I am fragile at the moment and therefore vunerable to what I believe to be partial shutdowns with the occasional shutdowns, most of the other traits I have are a little less of an issue.
It is the partial shutdown or shutdown symptoms which made me want to be assessed in the first place after almost a lifetime of trying to trace what they are, as I mistakenly believed them to be cause by mystery allergies, and I have over the years been tested for just about everything from aids (Years ago it was thougt aids could be caught from toilet seats) to diabetis and all else inbetween, and nothing ever shows anything but a clear set of results.

So carry on people. Bear in mind I can't forclose this thread until I am assessed.

Rather then putting a "I don't know" option, I have decided to allow you all to change your minds in your voting. It is simpler then just having everyone vote "I don't know" because it is easier.

Thanks. Enjoy!

Last edited by Mountain Goat on 19 Sep 2019, 9:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

"Poll", not "Pole".

Thanks. Just corrected it. Silly me!

You're welcome.

It seems as if you have signs that you might be on the Spectrum----but I certainly would not be able to give you a better answer because I've never met you in person.

I bet many people would have ticked "maybe" as one of the poll answers.

Maybe.

I know about your special interests and your shutdowns. I know you feel burnt out from social interaction. I seem to recall you are very face blind.

What I don't know, is:
Do you stim?
Do you have repetitive body-focused mannerisms?
Do you have sensory issues? (I think you mentioned smell, in relation to the hospital).
Do you have difficulty with non-verbal communication or processing?

Of course we can't diagnose you online, but those are things I'd be curious to know.

Non verbal communication... Not really sure. Hand signals? I know I often miss hints, but this is verbal.

Sensory issues? Not too bad with light. Small. Sometimes. Never knew it was that at the time as I didn't connect that smells could cause partial shutdowns, but I knew they effected me (It was before I knew that what I had were shutdowns... Ooh. I really know and have identified a trigger. The smell of GT85 which I have been using for many years, or the smell of paint causes me isues.
My skin is sensitive in that I tend to stick to work out and comfortable clothes.
I don't think I have issues with light. Flickering lights in stores or schools. Yes. But I don't think light is much of a trigger. Mind you. You have me thinking... But if it is a trigger, it rarely triggers.

Repetative body focussed mannerisms. No idea. Not sure what it means.

Stimming... I have all my life been told off for this, so gradually bit by bit I stopped every stim. I never knew why apart from nurves... Why I did it. Never habe rocked back and fore, but legs and hands. Yes. But due to being told off theh were more hidden stims.

BFRB

Here's just one article I found on BFRB. Not all autistic people demonstrate these behaviours, but they are quite common and possibly sensory-related. They are similar to stims but they can become self-injurious.

I also found these other threads on WP about the issue:

viewtopic.php?t=206002

viewtopic.php?t=46509

I know you're frustrated waiting up to two years for your assessment. Would it be possible for you to get a bank loan and have a private assessment done? I know it's often cost-prohibitive, but you seem to be facing undue stress waiting so long, and I'm sure it's unhealthy to be in such a state of anxiety / apprehension.

Bank loan? Impossible. No income. Also, I have reached a point where I can't really work anymore. So... No income.

I will look at the links. Hang on.

Nail biting. My Mum used to put this horrible tasting stuff on my fingernails as a child. I used to have certain years where I would bite my nails when nurvous. It stopped as I overcame it after getting told off many times...
Biting my bottom lip was another I had to overcome. Biting the sides of my cheeks inside my mouth was another I had to overcome. Skin picking... Yes. Every few years I have to break the habbit again. Usually I rub my fingernail against the side of my thumbs... But I have managed to stop doing this a few years ago. But at times in the past I would have such soreness due to this.
Oh noo. As I have remembered doing it... Grrr!

Biting my skin. Yes. Often the edges of my nails and I pull those little threads... Well. I can hardly do that these days as my two front teeth have cracked and chunks have fallen off. My teeth tend to go seethrough and then they crack. I have lost quite a few teeth like this. All my upper back teeth went due to excessive stomach acid. Years ago a dentist I used to have said to tell the doctor that I had issues with acid corroding my teeth. I went down to see the doctor who said that the dentist didn't know what he was talking about the doctor refused to do anything else, so that was that.

A few years ago my current dentist asked if I grind my teeth. At first I said "No" but then I remembered that at night I often found myself waking up where I had been grinding my teeth at night. It had been a stressful time as I was at work at the time. I had worn all the insides of my front teeth out.

I only ever pull my hair due to frustration, but everyone has done that. But as I usually don't care much for myself, as I am not that important, I tend to not bother with my appearance so I usually let my hair grow until it gets in my eyes, and then either my Mum or my youngest brothers wife cuts it. I found I can't use a hairdresser. I have done but I have such sensitive skin, it only takes one cut hair to be left inside my clothes and I will be really going mad! I HAVE to have a long bath or shower after a haircut. And my clothes are usually washed a few times before I can wear them again, and even then I am examining them for tiny hairs!

I mention hair, as when my hair does grow I will often find myself fiddling with it with my fingers... But only when it starts to get a bit long.

Most of these habbits I have been able to stop after a while, but it often takes me a long time to break them. What is annoying is that when I have conquored one habbit, I find myself doing another new habbit instead!

Bingo ^ .

Those are all BFRB, even if you control them.

But doesn't everyone do them? Little habbits?

Other habbits I have had through most of my life is avoiding stepping on cracks in the pavement. Took me about 35 to 40 years to break these habbits... Feeling a compulsion to step on all manhole covers and drains etc while out walking.. At one time I would even cross the road to do this!

Having to reach a certain position before a car passed... Out in the countryside I would try to run somewhere where I could hide in an edge before a car would come... I broke this habbit many years ago.

Sure, everyone has some little habits. These behaviours don't mean that you are automatically or conclusively autistic. They're also common in people with ADHD or anxiety / depression disorders. Neurotypicals also exhibit some of these actions. The difference is that you also have other characteristics of autism (a preference for being alone, intense special interests, shutdowns, burnout, social exhaustion, etc.). In my opinion, it's relevant for disclosure during assessment and it suggests you may be on the spectrum.

Keep lists of these BFRB behaviours for your assessment, as well as any documentation (dental reports about grinding, for example). Also take note of stimming behaviours, and sensory disturbances. Do you have echolalia? Do you have hyperacusis or misophonia? Issues with textures?

I know you focus a lot on your shutdowns, but I would really suggest giving thought to your stimulatory behaviours as well (stims, sensory seeking or avoidance, repetitive rituals).

I will need to look up some of those as I have forgotton what they mean.

Issues with textures... Well. I absolutley hate cardboard in my mouth. The new Mc Donalds straws are aweful! Goes straight through me thinking about it!
Here is one which I have had since I was very young. I can't stand cooked egg white in my mouth. Uhrrr! Haha. Made me shiver thinking about it... And the cardboard! Haha! (Hate the smell of cooked egg as well). Ooh. Raw eggs. Not had one for years. But if I had to eat egg to be healthy I would have a raw egg. I would not be too bad with them. I am ok if eggs are in cakes etc. I lake pancakes but omlettes? No!

Oh. I hate chewing gum or bubble gum. Errr! The smell. The testure in my mouth! Eww. I think it is the smells... No idea. I have had people chewing gum leave my car.. I have even been known to have my mother out the car if she chews gum... My brother and his friends would chew gum and try to hide it and the smell! I would be soo annoyed with them. If they are outside.. Ok. But not in my car, or in a room I am in. A big room. Not too bad. But a small room. No way!