Perception of "internal speed"

I read really fast and take in and understand what I'm reading, I've been one of amazon's top 10 readers for 6 weeks on the trot, a book a day isn't unusual for me, depending on what else i have to do.

I'm told I'm a shopping whirlwind, travelling through shops like a military raid, I rarely stop and browse just grab and go.

I'm a hurtling hiker, I can walk really fast, whilst still taking time to enjoy whats around me.

I tend to do many things efficiently which tends to mean I'm faster.

I might be in the minority for someone with autism as I've always been more efficient and get more done than most, learn faster than others, walk quickly and have a reaction time that is faster than most (a measurement taken in one module of the part time human biology course I did).

Although I can still learn more quickly than most since getting ME/CFS I've found that when learning about a new subject I'll occasionally get stuck on a word in that I cannot remember it and to get past it I'll have to keep repeating the word for hours on end to get to the point of instant recall.  For example one of the words I got stuck on was myoglobin (the stuff that leaks out of uncooked meat that is often incorrectly referred to as blood).

I believe the abdominal pain and migraines I get are from the ME/CFS as I didn't get them before I came down with ME/CFS (they are made worse with stress/reading/exertion).  These have become worse since having the assessment and diagnosis - I'm hoping once I've mentally adjusted to the diagnosis I'll get back to my usual level of wellness.

Although I get some anxiety with new situations I believe it is a lot less than what others have reported on this forum.

The implications of others' assumed perceptions of my speed used to worry me, yet when I am doing something that matters to me, time has no value. When I am doing something I do not enjoy, time seems especially slow.

I abuse coffee for faster edits in time; skip between tasks merrily, bursts of focus on one topic then another.

Your internal clock might have a preferred sense of place, and your role within that place. For example, I would never be able to work in a barber shop because I would be wanting things to happen far more than they do, or to make things happen, that would likely irrirate those around me (reorganising items, constantly sweeping the floor, considering new methods to attract clients, etc.). Yet when I visit the right barber shop, the pace is ideal for being sat in a chair while a stranger cuts my hair.

I am with you on experience intensity having a speed. Alighting the train at London Euston and heading for the Underground is thrilling novelty for me. Everything about it - proximity of people, noise, artificial light, the rude and impatient hurry - is against my usual preference. Yet because I know how bad it will be, I love it. Essentially, each time I travel, I am celebrating the overcoming of travel anxiety through exposure to its least preferable sensory data.

I will add that I feel a lot of my anxiety is diminishing as I accept my autism following diagnosis, and I try to use technology to pre-empt what remains (Google Maps, TFL, realtimetrains, whatplatform, podcasts/audiobooks with soft headphones, plus loop earplugs when necessary).

Interesting. Did a new post about this.

There is scientific evidence that for some autistic people their internal 'biological clock' does not work in the same way as is found in most people. Perception of the passage of time and sleeping/waking would be affected in such cases.

Maybe there is nothing new there for you :-)

You know I've nver read Alice in Wonderland, I couldn't get on with it, I don't think I've seen the films all the way through either.

Same for me at reading 

I have always been slow at reading. So if told to read something to ourselves in a group l am always last to finish. 

I am slow doing many tasks, as I go through the stages in my brain, sometimes out loud.

Maybe the curiosity part; and the description you made about "forgetting being adults" (like jumping on a puddle etc.) also reminded me of that.

Maybe that's why I fell down a rabbit hole whilst thinking about Lewis Carroll?

But why do I sound like her?

Hi 

Lots of this sounds familiar to me. I have also looked into HSP. I am diagnosed with ADHD and Autism, maybe HSP as well. I haven't really thought about it for a while.

I learn differently, (I used to say slow learner) and I do still feel very inadequate, even on here sometimes. I agree communication is hard too, I struggle to understand what is being communicated to me and then I struggle to express what's inside. I know what I want to say but I can't put it into words. I would say these things link more strongly to autism rather than HSP, in my humble opinion.

You kind of sound like Alice In Wonderland sometimes. I mean in a positive way.

I migt not learn fast but I learn thoroughly and don't tend to forget it again.

I am a fast walker and always have been, probably because my Dad was and I'd be hanging onto his arm flapping into the breeze behind him if I couldn't keep up!

I might not be the fastest at doing things, but I do them properly, espcially if I don't like the task for some weird reason.

I get what you mean about bright lights and loud noises, they're all too much for brain, especially now I live in the country and aren't exposed to such things as much as a city dweller.

This text prompted ChatGPT to tell me about https://hsperson.com/, sharing in case you find it useful. I've never heard of it before, and I don't know whether it is "serious" research.

I'd say the main issue shifting me more towards ASD (imho) is how inadequate I've felt in society to the point of giving up to it, and also having difficulties communicating (although sometimes I think this is because I see more than others, not less, but who knows.)

Plus because of repetitive movements, routine, sensory stimulation (chewing things, rocking etc.) low expressivity and potentially low cognitive empathy, im unsure.

I think my question of the day is: "Am I an autistic adult, or just a highly sensitive person (HSP)?"