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AspieAlex
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Joined: 4 Nov 2021
Gender: Male
Posts: 2
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

04 Nov 2021, 11:34 pm

I always knew I was different. I was into nerdy subjects from a very young age, space travel, aliens, protecting the environment, later politics more broadly. I was reading deeply technical adult-level books on the subjects that interested me by Grade 4, while my peers were reading stuff like "Fantastic Mr Fox". I never had any sort of speech delay growing up, instead my problem was that I wouldn't shut up about whatever interested me. My passion was so strong it would spill over into me info-dumping to whoever I could get to listen. I was socially awkward, but didn't mind. I knew I was weird but also figured I was smart, and that was more important, so I didn't mind. I've always had a small but close friend group of people who usually shared similar interests to myself.

I was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome more than a decade ago, around when I was 11. I didn't find out until I was 13 however, and even then, only by accident. My parents hid my diagnosis from me, and I only found out after I saw an email talking about me and my diagnosis pop up on my laptop (which at the time used my mother's Windows/Email account on the desktop). Suffice to say, I was pissed. Both that they had kept this from me, and that I had been diagnosed with a psychological disorder. Neither my society, school, culture, peer group or family in any way prepared me for it. Their belated attempts to explain were even more incompetent (showing me books about autism that were clearly meant for small children). Their decision to enroll me in a special ed class as I was entering high school (in addition to my other mainstream classes) for the first time, also did not boost my self confidence.

I just wanted to be normal and went through a number of coping mechanisms to deal with the internalized ableism and social stigma attached to the label. Starting with prideful denialism (in which I wanted absolutely nothing to do with my diagnosis and figured the psychologist made a mistake), then opportunistic denialism (in which I accepted extra help while convincing myself I'm just working the system and don't really have Aspergers) and finally acceptance and self-pride.

I have my flaws. I procrastinate, I don't eat or exercise enough. My hygiene could use some improvement. I generally struggle with motivating myself to do the various necessary trivialities of life.

None the less, I'm proud of who I am. I graduated from high school with good grades, got accepted into one of the most prestigious universities in Canada, maintained exceptionally high grades (with an A- grade-point average) and am now set to graduate in April. I plan on pursuing grad school and ultimately a career in academia (political science). Not only am I obsessively knowledgeable on the subjects which fill my life with passion and purpose, but I feel as though my outsider perspective has enabled me to see many of the irrationalities, short-sightedness and misplaced priorities which our society seems replete with.

Even though I come from an affluent family, a fact which makes me very privileged, I'm very much a minimalist. Material possessions don't appeal to me as much as knowledge and conversations do. I'm quite grateful for having not having fallen into the empty, shallow meaninglessness of consumerism. I've been told that my writting and lecturing ability is quite good, hence my intention to pursue a career in academia.

I've overcome a diagnosis of severe Crohn's disease that struck me when I was 15-16. Thanks to medication, I've been in remission for six years straight now. I also learned as an adolescent that my mother was a severe severe alcoholic. This has, surprisingly, not affected me all that much. I took it quite well. I think I've learned a great deal of resilience as I've come of age, even as my youthful passion has stayed as strong as ever.

I'm also asexual and aromantic.



Tim_Tex
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04 Nov 2021, 11:58 pm

Welcome to WP!


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Double Retired
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05 Nov 2021, 4:18 pm

Welcome to WP! I hope you enjoy the mix of folk you meet here.


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AnonymousAnonymous
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05 Nov 2021, 6:09 pm

Welcome to Wrong Planet! :)

I was diagnosed with AS when I was 13. I did not what the specialist who was working with me at the time was talking about because I thought my specialist actually said "Asparagus" or "Alzheimer's."

I also share a interest with you; the interest being outer space.

I also don't exercise enough. Even though "weight issues" run in my family, I just want to combat this,
not break this "tradition" completely into pieces.

Again, enjoy the pleasures of being around all you meet here on this great website!


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autisticelders
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06 Nov 2021, 5:33 am

welcome


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sixthes
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Joined: 16 Nov 2021
Age: 15
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Posts: 11
Location: China

16 Nov 2021, 5:22 am

I am a Chinese autism.



sixthes
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Joined: 16 Nov 2021
Age: 15
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Location: China

16 Nov 2021, 5:35 am

I am a Chinese asperger syndrome.In my country ,the aspergers are along.



kraftiekortie
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16 Nov 2021, 8:39 am

Are you good in your studies?



CockneyRebel
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25 Nov 2021, 12:47 am

Welcome to WPea! :mrgreen:


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Jakki
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26 Nov 2021, 10:37 pm

Welcome to WP AspieAlex, hope you find your visits here to be enjoyable .


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890099
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27 Nov 2021, 1:07 pm

Welcome Alex. Congratulations on your academic success. I hope things in Canada are going well.