Suggestions of where do I start with as a potentially an asd adult

Hello :) I'm after some community input here, please. 

As many other adults I'm sort of landing onto the idea that I might be on the spectrum myself through observing difficulties with my child. The kid will be 4 years old in autumn, is non-verbal and doesn't seem to have much of understanding of what is being spoken. Doesn't engage into play with others, apart from some favourite (?) adults, is a 'fussy eater' and does hand leading, can't be bothered to learn toilet and excels at navigating through digital menus via physical or virtual remote control to get to what he wants.

As lack of safe spaces has pushed me (well, us) into solitude, I've had plenty of time to do some mental exercises on reconstructing my own perception of the world. From strong preferences for only certain clothing materials (sic!) and passionate dislike for some types of garments to lacking social intelligence (at least now I understand that I've actually got not much of it and it horrifies me and probably explains why I've not been successful at finding myself a job after being made redundant post-covid contraction) - all these little big niggles and seemingly unimportant things I've learned to just live with can really be explained with a simple string of a diagnosis? Do I bother? It won't change who I am, as I've sort of fully landed on all four paws by now. But it is that hope in me, that if I pull this magic paper with a string of letters on it, it might be easier for others (should they want) to coexist if I have an official proof that I'm just a little bit, well, different.

  • I do wonder how a BOT can bypass the new "hoops" that we humans are now required to jump through.....in order to do anything on line.  It feels like a lost battle.

    Just on the technical side, there is a significant amount of resource behind this constant war of spam attacks as there is big money to be made from it.

    With the advent of AI (that many on here are not using for their arguements I see) then there are powerful tools that can do all this evolution, modelling and deployment without humans lifting a finger. The mods at any site will always be playing catch up.

    The best we can do is flag them up when we see them and help others learn to spot them and ignore them too.

  • Thank you for the suggestion. It's not that I don't know or haven't known, but the 'more or something else' is also a very good point.

    I think I indeed would be curious to know how exactly different I might be from an outside perspective.

    • Thank you for sharing your experience, I do appreciate your insight and sincerity; and wishing you all the best. I do believe, too, that everyone is different, but that we also share some common traits, so it may help knowing some different opinions on a matter. I personally would like to know the cause; again, not that it would change anything, but just to get to the bottom of it out of curiosity more than anything.
  • "Miracle patch" - I mean who actually falls for this type of nonsense?

    The gullible, the desperate and the trusting.

    It may not be a bot. It may just someone trying to make some money.

    There are, or were, plenty of people pushing nonsense stickers to put on your phone to reduce radiation. They sold loads. Snake oil salesmen.

  • Hello. As the Cheshire cat in Alice In Wonderland would say, you should start at the beginning.

    No matter how good you are, you cannot fully see yourself from the outside. You are inside looking out. If this is enough for you to be happy, fine. If you need reassurance and certainty, and to know if there is more or something else, then it would be helpful.

    Only you know what it would mean to you. Knowing seems to create a mix of emotions.

  • Sounds like a whole lot of all around good observation skills to me.

  • Max......be warned!....when people here, see you choosing to interact with BOTS....they'll think you are autistic or something!

  • DNE. there is translate.google.com for folks unable to understand a simple, "please get off the platform."

  • Bless you for your kind words.  Thankfully, I have had my fair share of support and kindness from the community that was once here (and in small part, still remains).......and now it is perhaps time to re-engage....to give back a little......for newbies who have already had their fill of AI generated platitudes and advice.....that they (in some cases) have already had their fill of.....and want to just connect with real folk, who have been through the ringer.....and want COMMUNITY and connectivity with their own kind?

    You do know - how important sleep is - btw?  [LOL]......perhaps I should provide you with some important and life-changing links about that subject?! [LOFL]!!

    We well LJ51125.  Seriously.....I hope you find support and community in this place......and equally seriously, I do recommend sleep!!

    Best regards

    Number.

  • Thank you that is very helpful to know. It is a pleasure and your gracious welcoming is much appreciated. 

    p.s. I’m sorry for the difficulties you’ve had on here. You seem like a nice person with some very  interesting points

  • FYI - if you click on "More" next to the "HIGHLIGHTED Reply" box......you will see that "Flag to the Moderator" pops up.  If you click on that.......and hope/pray....eventually, it will be removed.

    Welcome to this forum btw.  I hope you will find some COMMUNITY and support here.

    Best regards

    Number

  • Thank you I did wonder if this broke the rules. I don’t know how to report things yet, just trying to learn to use the site

  • I guess some things, about being in a forum of this nature, no matter WHAT Der management changes, is that we will always be subjected to nonsense advertising BOTS.  I wonder how long it will take to have this one taken-down/removed?  Moreover, I do wonder how a BOT can bypass the new "hoops" that we humans are now required to jump through.....in order to do anything on line.  It feels like a lost battle....although I very much support the principle of still fighting it however and wherever we can.

    I was disabused of trying to use the force of "community" to do so a good while back (although that approach seemed pretty effective to me, personally)......so I'll just watch.....and learn.  The unassailable power of large language models and machine learning (or it's cost for useful work) seems beyond the modest reach and resources of NAS.

    "Miracle patch" - I mean who actually falls for this type of nonsense?.......and yet I always remain open to anything sensible......just not PURE nonsense.

    For the more "officious" amongst us.....YES - I have reported this appearance in the manner that we are supposed to do (just like I have always done, since time immemorial.)

  • Hi, I’m really new here but I have literally just received a diagnosis (technically yesterday now). Personally speaking, I feel at least a little better because it has given me some closure. For many years now I have tried masking the fact I am different in order to fit in.

    I always knew I was different and that people never really seemed to understand or accept me. Now I have at least a slight idea as to why. Unfortunately I also got a diagnosis of ptsd last year so it has been a lot to process. 

    I personally think that each individual is different. Some may feel better having a confirmation while others may possibly want to avoid it. What I will say is that if you feel it would be helpful to you then it could be worth considering. The truth is only you can make that decision. 

    Honestly whatever you decide, I hope you can find comfort in it. Best wishes and I hope my input may be of help to you