Published on 12, July, 2020
I'd love to make a few connections here. I realize this is an UK forum. Does anyone know a forum that is more frequented by Californians?
A bit about myself: I am 31 years old and started to suspect recently that I might be on the autism spectrum. My ex-wife (I got recently divorced) often complained about my lack of emotional intelligence and suggested I get myself tested for Asperger's. Back then, I took it as an insult since I consider myself a fairly intelligent person and I had some preconceived notions about autism. More recently, the Youtube algorithm decided to show me videos on autism/by autistic people. Watching these videos and reading books about autism I started to strongly recognize myself in these people. Suddenly, it became pretty clear for me that I am likely somewhere on the autism spectrum. I also did a couple of online tests and they always came out as likely autistic. I want to get assessed for ASD and I live close to the Koegel Autism Center. Anyone ever had any experience with them?
I wanted to share a bit about my autistic traits: Despite never experiencing mental health issues, I have all my life struggled with relationships and social interactions. I am horrible at making friends and also very bad at keeping them. A common experience for me is that I meet someone and we seem to be getting along great. I am like "Oh boy, this is going great", but the next time we meet the person awkwardly avoids me. I usually have no idea what went wrong. I also have some issues with eye contact, that as a child would lead to me always looking at the floor when walking. I don't to this anymore, but walking past people can still be uncomfortable for me. Especially, if I am supposed to greet the person and I am not sure what is the right distance to establish eye contact, initiate greeting gesture, etc. Anyone else has that experience? I have minor sensory issues, like very special (fortunately rare) noises that drive me completely crazy. I also always have something on my desk to fiddle with. I am a crybaby when it comes to movies.
I realize that my bad social skills are often holding me back. Anyone has any good ideas on how to train them, especially now during these pandemic times?
i made that mistake dont let your enemy know your weaknesses
Did you see the pi400? It's very slick, like an old c64 or amiga computer where the computer was in the keyboard.
Yeah, I am glad I realized this about me at an earlier age. Awareness for autism is improving and the stigma is wearing off, so I think it's easier for younger generations now.
The free perks sound nice :) At first, I think I plan to keep my diagnosis secret from most people. Especially at work I am not sure I am gonna share.
the 4 isn't bad. it's a little slow for surfing, but i'm not an expert at tuning them, plus i have a slow connection.
the diagnosis at my age, 62, has been really difficult. a lot of negative things about me that i was not at all aware of suddenly are now --- in full view. very hard. you're young, so i think it'll be a lot easier.
if you do get a diagnosis, you can get a free state fishing license because you have a developmental disability, lol... i think simply being asd qualifies, altho i have LD also. so i took up fishing again - surf fishing, actually.
aidie said:yep thats what happens to me
I hate when that happens. Back when I was married, my wife would sometimes tell me what went wrong (if she was also there), but not in a very constructive way, unfortunately.
aidie said:to me they are major, coomon noises upset me, and I have to carry rubber reusable ear plugs all the time
My kryptonite is metal scratching on metal. As a child I wouldn't tell anyone because I was afraid that it's going to be used against me.
Thanks for sharing. I am still not sure how big of an impact a diagnosis can/should have on my life. Your experience almost makes it sound like a second birth.
Same here, I also have a couple of raspberry pi's lying around. I like to turn them into portable gaming devices for playing retrogames and I am also into electronics in general. Sounds like you use them as a PC replacement (the pi 4 should be quite decent for that)?
the diagnosis kind of was super sobering... yeah, i realized i have several major disabilities. it does take the blame off, and really wakes you up. i also realized i have certain strengths. my therapist says i'm twice exceptional on top of all that... life for me is almost diviided into before diagnosis and after diagnosis.
i am not an expert in raspberry pi's, but have several, including the pi 4, which is what i'm typing on right now! ru into them?
Surely said: I usually have no idea what went wrong.
yep thats what happens to me
Surely said:I have minor sensory issues, like very special (fortunately rare) noises that drive me completely crazy.
to me they are major, coomon noises upset me, and I have to carry rubber reusable ear plugs all the time
That's a very good point about the assessment telling me what is hard wired and what ain't. I'd like to know what expectations I should have about myself and what potential for growth. Before realizing I might be ASD, I always assumed that nothing is off-limits for me and I can achieve anything and be anyone. Realizing I might have a disability is quite sobering for me. On the other hand, it helps me to forgive myself and be more kind to myself if some interaction goes sub-optimal. In the past I would often ask myself "What the hell is wrong with me?". Having an answer to that should be good.
BTW, are you into raspberry pi single-board computers (because of your name)?
like you, i crossed the pond. i'm in N cal. i got diagnosed at ucsf, the star center. i'd recommend them. when i was your age (i'm 65) i would never have guessed i was asd - altho they didn't really no much about it back then. it's worth getting an assessment, i think, to figure out your strengths and weaknesses, and what is hard wired, and what ain't. i have a lot of trouble making and keeping friends. a number are on the spectrum --- i think like attracts like. and NT's tend to avoid asd people, cause they may be quirky or odd or appear unfriendly, etc.