Diagnosed yesterday

For those on this thread who mentioned about number plate spotting, I mentioned in a post above about the quiz show "Beat The Brain", and mentioned that I hoped they'd have a new series.

I just turned on BBC2 at lunchtime today, and they are running repeats of the series from last year!  It's well worth watching if you can, it's a lot of fun, especially as those of us on the spectrum are often so adept at looking at things in different ways

Hopefully they'll be making a new series in the summer too.

hello!

Aha your comment brought a smile to my face, I guess that now I know why I have been like I have I can get more support. I am going to go and speak to my mum about the boys, so it doesnt happen to anyone else, and I am aslo going to use your idea top, so thank you :)

I havent read the I-Spy books, but I will definitely look into books like that x

Hey,

Being a teenager myself, I do find the behaviour of teenagers now appauling. Not everyone, but the harrassment now continues when I go home thanks to social media. You are right, there probably just being rude as there is something going on maybe at home and thats how they cope, like me with my meltdowns. How long was it before you told people about your austism?

Hey,

Thank you for your comment, its always such a relief to know I am not alone with these sorts of things. That programme sounds really good, the sort of thing I would like! Thank you for suggesting it. Hope you have a good day x

Hi Jessicaaa,

Another number plate fan here too!  I often find that when walking along the pavement, and cars pass me on the road, that I note and retain the number, at least for a time.  As curious posted previously, this could be useful, being able to note a car number if it needed to be traced.

I don't know if you (or anyone else on the forum) saw the quiz on BBC2 last summer called "Beat The Brain" - they had various rounds of questions, one of which was an animation of a car speeding away (or towards) the screen, showing a number plate - it was done very quickly, then disappeared from the screen.  The contestant then had to pick the right number plate on the car from a list of several others shown on screen afterwards, which varied slightly in letters or numbers.

This was my favourite round, as I nearly always seemed to get most (if not all) right, watching the screen.  I think this might be because I tended to see the letters and numbers on the licence plates as "shapes" rather than letters, and my brain seemed to be able to pick the right ones by shape!

"Beat The Brain" was a replacement while Eggheads was taking a summer break, and I don't know if they'll have a new series this year, but I certainly hope so.  I'd certainly recommend it, to yourself or indeed any NAS forum member - it was fun to watch!

Thank you to you all, your comments made me smile and it feels so good to be speaking to people who actually understand! If you ever want to talk, I am here for you too x

Hi Jess.  Congrats - you have an explanation for why you are why you are.  More than many neurotypical people have!  

The boys:

Walk up to one of them slowly when he's on his own. Say in a confident voice,

"Hi ---, could I have a quick word please?  I think you have insecurities, but don't worry, I won't let any of the other boys know.  If you could tone down you teasing people a bit you're very likely to get even more respect from others that realise you are more sophisticated that you're letting on.  Thanks, see you around."

Then do another when you're ready. One by one. : )

Love the number plates thing - have you seen the I-Spy books - I had the number plate one. With focussing your vision you can turn your 'obession' to all sorts of things and even make it useful, as you've already shown.

Enjoy your journey.

jonny

Just on the topic of registration plates, I remember seeing one B106 RPY, which I thought might belong to a writer, as it reminded me of 'biography'. I habitually read number plates, though I don't always remember them so easily now. It can actually be useful on occasion - I have witnessed a crime a few times and been able to recall the number plate of the offender. So enjoy it and feel free to post here if you see any interesting ones and don't feel you can share with other people face to face. It could fit in the 'hobbies and interests' section.

 Hi Jess

I know how you must feel.  I remember when I was in my teenage years (a very long time ago to you it must seem - I'm 62) and all the usual problems that occur then.  And although I was not diagnosed until just before Christmas, I must have had ASD although it was not recognised at that time.

Boys can be obnoxious at that age, as I know from having been one. Like you, I didn't like the thought of people laughing at me, which made me appear very shy. I was always treated like some oddity and although I performed well at school I felt at times that I was being punished unnecessarily and bullied by some of the other kids.

You have the knowledge now though, which you can use to explain your behaviour.  Those who make unkind remarks, you would not want them as your friends, they are the losers in this not you.  You will find that many more people will be supportive of you and want to help you should you need it - the sort of people who recognise the difference between interference with your life and help. In a way it should make your choice of friends a bit easier, as you can dismiss straight away anyone who purposely makes unkind remarks. The world is large enough to accommodate people in all their diversities, and you will find others who like you for what you are, and wouldn't want you any other way.

You needn't tell people about your autism.  Teachers, yes, but fellow students, they don't need to know unless you can trust them, and I think you will already know who you can trust.  Telling people you trust can be of great help to you as they will support you and stand by you whatever problems you have.

Regarding the car registration plates, I can't think of any reason why this is a bad thing to be obsessed with.  It can lead to other interests.  You will know the areas where the car was registered, so that in itself can be interesting.  You can know the age of the car.  You can look out for registration numbers that spell or nearly spell other words.  I remember getting excited at seeing a car with the registration number BU51 NES soon after that registration came out in 2001, and thinking what sort of business man he was!  Your hobby harms no one, so it is nothing to be ashamed of any more than someone supporting a football team is.

Since autism is a lifelong condition, I obviously must have been autistic all my life.  But like you there are things I have to come to terms with.  I can't say it bothers me overmuch, but I can't help wondering what might have been.  But the main thing to do is look to the future, and having the knowledge you now have will be a great help to you.  I just wish I could have had this knowledge at your age.

Best wishes for the future, Jess.  And may all your dreams come true.

Hi Jess,

I am older at 50 and always have problems around teenage children, a fair proportion of them seem to be so obnoxious, loud, disrepectful, and uncaring. I think they just want to hide their insecurities and show off to their mates. 

I was diagnosed at just over a year ago, and everything you hear about is to be open about your autism. I now feel that may not be the best thing to do. I remember similar situation when I was your age, and I could fight most by just not appearing to react to whatever they are saying to try to do. It's hard as it can be very hurtful, but after a while they seemed to calm down as they were not getting their kicks from trying to provoke me

I wish you all the best, thanks for asking about my day, I am having a very difficult time with work, landlord, finances, and support. I wish I had known about my aspergers at your age, I feel it would have made a big difference.

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