Getting to know each other, Dino-style

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What is your first name?

Devon

Age: 39

Location: Kingston, ON

Current perseverations: history, politics, grand strategy simulations

When did you discover AS? not sure, few years back. Cautiously self-diagnosed. Took a few tests and I have quite a mix of traits, some strongly NT some strongly aspie, not really sure what to make of it.

Do you have other psych diagnoses? I avoid the psychiatric industry after seeing what it's done to some people I know. The only other condition besides asperger's that seems to fit might be schizoid personality disorder (not what it sounds like - very little to do with schizophrenia).

Do you have a degree? No

Kids? No

Favorite music, other than NIN? None really. Sometimes I'll hear music in a place where a radio is playing or during a movie and decide I like it, but I basically never choose to put music on. Lost interest almost completely after my teenage years.

Job? Mostly odd jobs and casual labour at the moment. Some catering, some housepainting.

Relationship with significant other, past or present? Common law for the last 13 years

Plans for the future? Survival.

What is your first name? Cade

Age: whatever it says to the left

Location: a very lonely and forsaken region of the Southwestern US

Current interests: studying Gaelic and French, guitar, singing, writing, getting published (hopefully), reading, sci fi/science, progressive politics/activism, art, my pets, Xbox, Twitter

When did you discover AS? around 1996 was when I first learned of it. Was dx'd in 1999.

Do you have other psych diagnoses? MDD, later changed to PTSD

Do you have a degree? BA in music, studied philosophy and theology for a masters but left grad school a year before graduating due to severe depression

Kids? Two senior cats and young Australian Cattle Dog

Favorite music: Beatles, Elliott Smith, Gaelic and French language stuff (James Graham, Runrig, Zaz, Madjo), old favorites from the 80's and 60's, jazz, various stuff

Job? currently substitute spec ed teacher, tutoring when I can

Plans for the future? Get a better job, get published, move to some place better than where I am, finding a boyfriend, preferably one who speaks either French or Gaelic, if not both and is also a musician who loves the Beatles.

What is your first name?
Adrienne

Age:
41

Location:
Chicagoland, USA

Current perseverations:
Un-breaking writer's block, learning programming languages, sustainable/healthy living

When did you discover AS?
"Encouraged" by an ex to look into AS, I was diagnosed PPD-NOS in 2005.

Do you have other psych diagnoses?
Anxiety/social anxiety, depending on the therapist.

Do you have a degree?
Yes, a BA in sociology, and 3/4 of a BA in journalism.

Kids?
No.

Favorite music:
Too much and too varied to list; music has been my self-medication of choice since 1979.

Job?
Yes.

Relationship with significant other, past or present?
Married, not first marriage.

Plans for the future?
Trying to get the square wheel to roll more smoothly.

What is your first name? Jesse

Age: 25

Location: USA

When did you discover AS? I always had a lingering suspicion that I was autistic, but being that I appeared "normal" and was intelligent, I was undiagnosed. It wasn't until I was 20 that I heard of Aspergers, and a few years later I got diagnosed. Everything seemed to click from there.

Do you have other psych diagnoses? OCD

Do you have a degree? Yes, and I'm currently working on achieving a second one.

Kids? No.

Favorite music: Ambient music is my favorite. Maybe I'm just boring like that.

Job? Self employed

Relationship with significant other, past or present? I'm an aromantic asexual

Plans for the future? Travel the world, get my PhD, own a house.

What is your first name? Tegan

Age: 24

Location: College town, Midwestern USA

Current perseverations: Tolkien; Old English language and literature; learning archaic and useless languages in general; reading fiction

When did you discover AS? Suspected since I heard about it at age 16; became confident in self-diagnosis this year (2012)

Do you have other psych diagnoses? Bipolar II disorder, borderline personality disorder, generalized anxiety, social phobia. (Personally, of these, I am uncertain about the first; I think the second one is a failed attempt to explain my spectrum traits; and I fully agree with the last two.)

Do you have a degree? I've done 4 years total of full-time undergraduate coursework but am still 2 years out from my English BA. I also have a Nurse Aide certification and several other medical qualifications.

Kids? One son, four years old, probably NT but with some AS traits, who lives with me four days out of the week.

Favorite music, other than NIN Rise Against, Bad Religion, Green Day, folk, Celtic and ancient music

Job? Student and nearly-full-time human being

Relationship with significant other, past or present? Recently divorced from my son's dad after a two-year separation; currently in a rocky but committed long-distance relationship with a very sweet, slightly older English man who is not autistic but also not in any way "typical"

Plans for the future? Getting a PhD, finding a way to cohabit with my partner in the next few years, working in academia, writing for publication

Anything else you feel is pertinent: I am still surprised to find myself basically a self-sufficient adult, successfully (more or less) living alone. Somewhere along the line I guess I grew up. I wish most of the other people in my life didn't have such a hard time recognizing and respecting that. Every day feels like waking up on the wrong side of the looking glass, but I'm hopeful that if my relationship succeeds I may finally have one person in my life who really knows me.

What is your first name? Revah

Age: 25

Location: London, England

Current perseverations: Reading historical fiction, collaborative writing, researching AS!

When did you discover AS? Recently

Do you have other psych diagnoses? Diagnosed with depression about a decade ago, but found ways of coping and am now not so affected by it. Undiagnosed but incredibly obvious social anxiety.

Do you have a degree? No. I'm an autodidact and love learning, but couldn't possibly cope with the stress and social environment of university.

Kids? None. I was de facto primary carer for younger siblings for a few years in my teens, though.

Favorite music? Power and symphonic metal, movie soundtracks

Job? I work in an early years setting with children aged 3-5.

Relationship with significant other, past or present? None. I'm aromantic asexual and not interested.

Plans for the future? I'd like to write a novel and/or start my own childcare business. I like the idea of being self-employed but haven't yet got the organizational or time management skills to seriously consider it. I'll be buying a house (as an investment) sometime in the near future.

Anything else you feel is pertinent: I'm here to try to figure out if I have AS or not. It seems to fit, but I'm wary of confirmation bias, so I'm trying to keep an open mind.

First Name
Felicia

Age: 29

Current perseverations:
Work. Crime fiction. Travel. But work makes everything else a luxury.

When did you discover AS?
About three or four years ago. I'm not sure I have it, only some traits fit.

Do you have other psych diagnoses?
No

Do you have a degree?
Yes

Kids?
No

Favorite music, other than NIN
90s. Forever 90s.

Relationship with significant other, past or present?
Never had an official relationship. Was in love once, probably never again.

Plans for the future
Get a new job, move to a big, anonymous city. I'm stuck in a small pond and I need an ocean.

What is your first name?

Age: 40

Location: Edmonton

Current perseverations: figuring out what I have, comics (ya i know lame)

When did you discover AS? about 6 months ago

Do you have other psych diagnoses? not sure none known thought I was NT till aobut 6 months ago

Do you have a degree? no diploma yes (mechanical enginering technology)

Kids? 3

Favorite music, other than NIN mostly anything, top 40 heavy metal, not a big fan of rap or country

Job? Instructor at a technical collage

Relationship with significant other, past or present? married to an NT

Plans for the future?

Anything else you feel is pertinent:

What is your first name? Carry

Age: 41

Location: Alberta, Canada

Current perseverations: Knitting, Burning Man

When did you discover AS? Three years ago

Do you have other psych diagnoses? No

Do you have a degree? Sadly, no

Kids? Two of my own, one step-son

Favorite music, other than NIN Hate NIN and music like that, it actually hurts my head. I much prefer folk music and filk

Job? Not currently. Playing housewife, but hoping to go back to school and become a Cytotech

Relationship with significant other, past or present? Engaged to a fellow Aspie

Plans for the future? Get married in August, become a Canadian citizen, go back to school, buy a farm

Anything else you feel is pertinent: I used to live in the big city and it was awful for my sensory issues. I live rurally now and it's much better, most of the time.

What is your first name? Nikodemus

Age: 42

Location: Oregon, USA

Current perseverations: Monday is "Dexter Night" with the GF (even though we're watching True Blood now). Tuesday is DDO night. Wednesday is New Comic book day. Thursday is "Eureka Night" with the GF + her children (even though we're watching Heroes now). Weekends are less structured by necessity. Sunday is usually Nick day when I'm by myself.

When did you discover AS? In a psychology class in '97

Do you have other psych diagnoses? No

Do you have a degree? No.

Kids? No.

Favorite music NIN. Danzig. Nick Cave. Hypernova

Job? Software Architect

Relationship with significant other, past or present? Almost two years (a long time in Nick-years) with a NT.

Plans for the future? Keep doing what I'm doing.

Anything else you feel is pertinent: Former Active Duty Marine. My GF is very understanding and knows things like she has to tell me when she needs a hug. Once I figured out how to do it, I became an excellent chameleon, able to blend in and get along. Oddly enough, people have told me I'm a natural leader, though I don't at all understand why. Maybe it's because I'm honest with them and don't say things I don't mean to get along.

What is your first name? The Queen

Age: Over 21

Location: Scotland

Current perseverations: Geography, maps, demographics

When did you discover AS? In 2006 when I was diagnosed. Found out about it by chance when surfing the 'Net and realised I had all the characteristics.

Do you have other psych diagnoses? AFAIK I have had anxiety/panic diagnoses in the past, however this is situational.

Do you have a degree? BCom (Honours) Business Studies from University of Edinburgh

Kids? No, committed to being childfree.

Favorite music, other than NIN Some pop/soft rock/R&B, however am "musically oblivious" like the meme.

Job? Administrator in a charity

Relationship with significant other, past or present? No real relationships to speak of, unfortunately I'm love-shy/involuntarity celibate.

Plans for the future? No real plans, just to take life as it comes.

Anything else you feel is pertinent: Although I have been on WrongPlanet for a long time I felt it was worth doing an introduction here because I suspect this sub-forum aligns more with the sort of people I've found my social niche with, i.e. with older (compared to myself), more independent Aspies. I have a few younger friends too; I have just never (if at all) had any friends of my own age. I attend an autism resource/activity centre regularly and am chairperson of the local Asperger society. I socialise with groups of Aspies at least twice a week, and also there are a lot of Aspie meetups at various locations in Scotland which I attend. So, I have fitted in better socially with Aspies for sure; many people just do not know how to take me, but I equally do not know how to take many people especially if they have a dry sense of humour or use a lot of sarcasm, with which I regularly fall foul. I find much of the rest of WrongPlanet more and more chaotic which is another reason I feel drawn more to this sub-forum.

Can this be stickied, please?

Of couse you may leave any question blank

What is your first name? Kimberly

Age: 42

Location: Tallahassee, Florida

Current perseverations:

When did you discover AS? In my 30's, but did not get "diagnosed" until 42.

Do you have other psych diagnoses? Yes: Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder, and probably Depersonalization Disorder

Do you have a degree? No

Kids? 2 adult children

Favorite music, other than NIN Darn, I do love Nine Inch Nails...but I ove all kinds of music...ranging from Big Band to Nine Inch Nails. No Country Western nor Opera for me.

Job? Housekeeper...hate am currently asking Voc. Rehab. to help me get out of it!

Relationship with significant other, past or present? Was married. Single for a long time...hoping for another marriage someday.

Plans for the future? Love to be married...job-wise...anything can happen...open to the adventure.

Anything else you feel is pertinent: I am a Christian.

Okay, here goes.....

First Name: Molly
Age: probably older than you

Location: the barren, rocky, dessicated no-man's-land known as the Sonoran Desert

Current Perseverations: cats, Antonio Vivaldi, genealogy, history, how the planet/geology/tectonic plates formed + earthquakes, the lives of certain historical figures, psychology (lately---studying personality disorders like Narcissism, passive aggressive disorder.etc..), human genes and population migrations...

No official medical diagnosis of AS but realized I likely was that way about 2 years ago.

Do you have a degree: graduate of Chaparral College: medical coding

Kids: an adult step son

Music: Folk music from around the world (Latin American, German=Austrian, Celtic, Scottiah Pipe-and-drums; British sea shanties; Waltzes); oldies rock from the 60's/ 70's/ 80's; American folk music including bluegrass and cajun; and classical music from 1600 thru about 1890.

Job: not currently

Relationships past or present: not currently----hopeful about the future, though

anything else: Lately have realized the vast number of animals in shelters that need homes. The number of strays in this county is unbelievable! I have adopted a shelter pet---and hope to adopt several more in the future.

What is your first name?
--Peter

Age:
--48

Location:
--Interior British Columbia

Current perseverations:
--At first I thought this said 'perversions' -- Painting, Jodi Picoult novels (going through all of them) MS Flight Sim 9, Asperger's (for the moment), Internet, PCs in general, collecting live albums (digitally)

When did you discover AS?
-- I've known about it for a few years (10+). Was convinced a friend of mine had it. Never associated with myself until @ a week ago. Oh the irony...

Do you have other psych diagnoses?
--Yeppers--Recurring major depression, ADD, BPD

Do you have a degree--Nope. Do have a college diploma/professional cook's designation. Everything else I'm entirely self-taught.

Kids?
--Sort of.

Favorite music, other than NIN Laughing
--Hard rock blues. Led Zeppelin, etc.

Job?
--Yes. Professional artist/gallery owner.

Relationship with significant other, past or present?
--Yes--several. Am currently married--going as well as can be expected in an ASD/NT deal.

Plans for the future?
--Yes/No. I mean, I have goals, sure--don't expect to see any of them.

Anything else you feel is pertinent:
--Not sure about this whole thing--specifically as it concerns being online going on about ASD?Autism ad nauseum. There is such a thing as becoming the devil you dance with. I'm inclined to want to control things so no one on the outside can tell. It's not really working...

What is your first name? Tory

Age: 28

Location: New England

Current perseverations: true-crime stuff (ID Channel, serial killer profile books, etc), python programming, German Shepherds/Schutzhund, history, military history...the list goes on

When did you discover AS? I have a younger cousin (16) who is an Aspie, so that's what introduced me to it. It should have dawned on me that perhaps there was a reason we got along so well (she's got especially poor social skills and tends to be very much a loner)... I was diagnosed about 3 months ago.

Do you have other psych diagnoses? No

Do you have a degree? PhD in biological oceanography

Kids? None. I'm absolutely petrified of being a horrible parent.

Favorite music, other than NIN Classic rock, Johnny Cash... I'm currently in a Florence and the Machines fix (I like dramatic music like hers)

Job? Biologist for the government

Relationship with significant other, past or present? Married to an awesome NT

Plans for the future? Break off from government work to do private consulting.... we also own 60 acres and hope to start a cattle and horse farm in the very near future.

Anything else you feel is pertinent: Hm... I haven't figured out yet if the AS diagnosis is helping or hindering me feeling like I have a place in this world. It's almost made me feel like two people-- I have the "normal", slightly awkward but mostly gregarious person that peers and colleagues see, and I then I have the real me, which is this constant internal dialog. I'm obsessed with the quote "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid." It speaks to me... I'm still trying to figure out how to "swim."

What is your first name? Emma

Age: 31

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Current perseverations: I tend not to have them these days.

When did you discover AS? Last year, while studying it for uni. Got diagnosed earlier this year.

Do you have other psych diagnoses? Not currently, but have had Major Depression.

Do you have a degree? I have a degree with Honours in psychology / psychophysiology.

Kids? No, I do not plan to have kids.

Favorite music This question doesn't seem to fit with the rest.

Job? I quit my job as a Data Analyst earlier this year.

Relationship with significant other, past or present? Currently single, never married.

Plans for the future? Possibly commence PhD next year.

Anything else you feel is pertinent: Hmm...Nah that's about it.