Have I found a decent, warm-ish corner of the Wrong Planet?

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Hello there. People frequently refer to me as Jess, or sometimes by other names less pleasant. I've been occupying this strange planet for 22 years. My current assignment is as a college student way out in Eastern Kentucky, a situation which brings about mixed emotions. I stumbled upon this website through Google, upon looking for various ways to cope with my "weirdness."

I began to suspect that I have Asperger's four years ago. I come from a family with a history of eccentricity. Both of my parents, especially my extremely eccentric and somewhat psychotic father, show signs of being somewhat non-neurotypical. The basis of my suspicion, however, comes from my obsession with both words and numbers, my 'accused' social phobia (and frequent muteness as a child), and my seeming inability to assimilate into society. The more I read about the "disorder," the more I see myself, more so than other psychological issues that I've been accused of having. It also seems like I went through a lot of excessive social conditioning and strange ritual as a child to pass as some facsimile of "normal." I have yet to obtain an official diagnosis, but I may seek one later on.

I have problems with being recognized. Moving to a small town has really aggravated this. I have personal "modes." I must be in the mood for socializing before I can, or otherwise I cannot stand to. However, I must now deal with the gossip that can result from not being in the mood for socializing, or the perceived rudeness I don't mean to show when I *am* in the mood. Having a father that's perceived as an eccentric genius does help some, but being female shoves one into the social role of being *always* ready to talk, and always polite, etc... People suck the life out of me most of the time, and I quite frankly want to be alone, unless the socialization is on my own terms. From my research, I understand this is a very typical way to feel. It just seems to be one of the most irritating aspects of my life at the moment.

There is one aspect of the "disorder" I have yet to determine, though. Is one's seeming inability to maintain a "suitable" physical appearance (neatly-groomed hair, properly-applied cosmetics, and other social codes for "cleanliness"), despite really trying to, an aspect of Asperger's? I have issues with looking scraggly, even though I shower daily (sometimes more often) and wear clean, newish clothes. I have been told I have a nervous tick of constantly messing with my hair (although I haven't consciously witnessed it)... Oh well. I become weirder by the moment, it seems.

I'm new here and people have been nice to me so far. Sometimes people wig out and are innappropriate or sometimes an individual has to be banned, but overall WP is treating me pretty good so far. People actually listen to me. I'm not ignored when I talk, which is a really cool feeling. I'm just hoping that the people here aren't just being nice despite actually disliking my participation on the board. They do seem sincere; I hope so.

Hope you enjoy your stay!

Nice nickname, Dewclaw. Thank you for the welcome

I'm not the first to say that it isn't a bad thing at all! Welcome to WP, and have a wonderful time! Tim_Tex, hyper_alien and One-Winged-Angel should be here with their automated messages any time now...

Researching something that you suspect you have can very quickly become a self-fulfilling prophesy. For a more positive alternative to Asperger's pathology, go read “Two Spaceship Stories.”

Hi Fujikochan. Nice to meeeeeet you.

I'm curious. What does KY stand for?? (Under location)

KY stands for Kentucky.

Tim

Hi and welcome to WP

Welcome to WP!

Tim

Sounds like yer one of us ! !!

Do be careful with the sock puppets, and never respond to a bot.

(And the Garlic Church thing, he says that to everyone.)

Before I flip out over your insinuation that I might be over-attributing or a hypochondriac, where might I find this article?

Thanks for being willing to keep an open mind.

This link...

http://www.wrongplanet.net/modules.php? ... ic&t=19256

...may take you to the spaceship stories. If not, then go to the WP home page and in the upper left corner click on Forums. Then click on the General Autism Forum (first one), and as of this morning the post about Two Spaceship Stories was 16th in the list.

Let me know what you think.

g

Thanks for posting that. It is certainly a completely understandable connection. I do feel as though I was born in the wrong place and time, but I do not see myself as not being of this planet. I see it more as an "us and them"-type equation; "they" are the Barbarians and "we" (being the quiet, dignified-acting people of the Earth) are the higher species. Yes, I have always seen most of my peers as being too loud, unruly, and lacking personal grace and intellect.

Speaking of the Myers-Briggs, I'm an INTJ (Intuitive Introverted Thinking Judging, or a Keirsey "Mastermind Rational"), as attributed by a test administered by my college. I've taken other "self-tests" and they vary between INTP and INTJ.

Welcome to WP! I hope you find enjoyment and insight here!

As some others have already alluded to, feel free to express yourself here. For the most part we're pretty civilized here, except for a couple of people here and there. And don't worry about feeling weird! I prefer the term "entertaining," and using my eccentricities to entertain people sure makes life a lot more fun.

Hi there fujikochan, and wecome!

Hope you find the forum helpful and you enjoy your time here.

Oh, yes, it's very typical. Clothing is as much nonverbal communication as eyebrow movements or gestures! In my experience, do what makes you most comfortable. Don't bother with makeup if you don't want to; wear simple clothing. You might not be known as a snappy dresser, but if you wear a simple sort of uniform--mine is khakis and a T-shirt--you'll probably at least blend in. Either your top or bottom should be a color that matches just about everything--white, jeans, black, or khaki. As for shoes, sneakers or tennis shoes go with everything but skirts. Choose a color that goes with everything--white, black, brown leather. Regarding cosmetics, if you're bad at putting them on, then less is best... I don't wear them at all. Clear lip gloss is about the limit of it for me.

The showers are a good thing That's a major thing Aspies often forget about in the midst of special interests, or because of sensory problems.

Can you tolerate your having your hair in barettes or a ponytail? Should keep you from playing with it. Or else get a short haircut.