12-12-2006, 04:22 AM
Hello Everyone...
I found this forum whilst searching the web after somebody told me I appeared to have AS symptoms. I guess I’m here looking for another person who understands to agree / disagree with me.
My name is Tom and I’m 18 years old, currently at university!
I think I’ve had symptoms from a young age, but a great deal of my behaviour, I think, was just described as 'me'. I’ve always had problems making friends. One of the easiest symptoms I could relate to! Ever since I could remember, I’ve never been able to make friends, and ALWAYS been described as a loaner! This also came with bullying, which I just try to forget about.
I’ve always had problems with background noise as well. I do remember when I was younger (in junior school), I had many hearing tests. Even now, I find that I get so easily distracted, particularly if there is a lot of background noise, especially the T.V. I just thought that I was lazy, and could never be bothered, but when I try I find some things very difficult to stay interested in (except computers
).
With regards to social interaction, I’d easily favour a screw driver and something that can be unscrewed! I could never understand why, but I have hated and never been able to make eye contact with anybody. A few 'friends' have pointed this out, and it becoming a problem I am aware of. This is also the same for facial expressions, and body language, in the sense that I can often only see the obvious ones. I also often find myself saying some very rude comments, but they don't seem rude or insulting, and often find it, err, puzzling when people get offended (which I hate to do).
Actually speaking with people, I have been commented on so many times for my inability to 'read between the lines' or pick up when somebody is being sarcastic. I feel the same way about jokes as well, in that I am often the last person to understand the point. When it comes to relationships (girlfriends), well I’m goanna leave it at that, because it's just embarrassing. I can't understand why, but physical contact and intrusions into my personal space are NOT welcome, and greeted with unusual and slightly aggressive actions. This was described as "an aversion to physical contact" (not my words). I have always had a weird obsession with playing with something, or tapping my leg, which has again been picked up on!
When I’ve actually made a friend, I find my self repeating the word I, I’ve and me A LOT of the time. I do find that once I have a 'friend' (personally defined as somebody who understands me) I feel comfortable in there company, and have a desire to 'open up' with them, although this doesn't really happen. Being at university, I have inevitably found my self in some highly uncomfortable situations (where a deserted island sounds really good), but have some of the best flat mates in the world, as I feel they really understand me. I still don't always know when they are joking around or actually taking the piss!
I think that’s it! If you’re still reading this, thank you. I just want to know if anybody can relate to any of this, or am I just looking for an excuse as to why I and others feel I’m so weird?
I have noticed other things, which would really make this a long post, but I think that’s most of the main points and can so easily relate to!
Thanks loads, and really want to hear what you think
Tom
P.S. I don’t know is it’s important, and haven’t read too much about genetics, but there is a slight history. My dad has something that nobody can figure out, and my cosine has dyspraxia.
I found this forum whilst searching the web after somebody told me I appeared to have AS symptoms. I guess I’m here looking for another person who understands to agree / disagree with me.
My name is Tom and I’m 18 years old, currently at university!
I think I’ve had symptoms from a young age, but a great deal of my behaviour, I think, was just described as 'me'. I’ve always had problems making friends. One of the easiest symptoms I could relate to! Ever since I could remember, I’ve never been able to make friends, and ALWAYS been described as a loaner! This also came with bullying, which I just try to forget about.
I’ve always had problems with background noise as well. I do remember when I was younger (in junior school), I had many hearing tests. Even now, I find that I get so easily distracted, particularly if there is a lot of background noise, especially the T.V. I just thought that I was lazy, and could never be bothered, but when I try I find some things very difficult to stay interested in (except computers
).With regards to social interaction, I’d easily favour a screw driver and something that can be unscrewed! I could never understand why, but I have hated and never been able to make eye contact with anybody. A few 'friends' have pointed this out, and it becoming a problem I am aware of. This is also the same for facial expressions, and body language, in the sense that I can often only see the obvious ones. I also often find myself saying some very rude comments, but they don't seem rude or insulting, and often find it, err, puzzling when people get offended (which I hate to do).
Actually speaking with people, I have been commented on so many times for my inability to 'read between the lines' or pick up when somebody is being sarcastic. I feel the same way about jokes as well, in that I am often the last person to understand the point. When it comes to relationships (girlfriends), well I’m goanna leave it at that, because it's just embarrassing. I can't understand why, but physical contact and intrusions into my personal space are NOT welcome, and greeted with unusual and slightly aggressive actions. This was described as "an aversion to physical contact" (not my words). I have always had a weird obsession with playing with something, or tapping my leg, which has again been picked up on!
When I’ve actually made a friend, I find my self repeating the word I, I’ve and me A LOT of the time. I do find that once I have a 'friend' (personally defined as somebody who understands me) I feel comfortable in there company, and have a desire to 'open up' with them, although this doesn't really happen. Being at university, I have inevitably found my self in some highly uncomfortable situations (where a deserted island sounds really good), but have some of the best flat mates in the world, as I feel they really understand me. I still don't always know when they are joking around or actually taking the piss!
I think that’s it! If you’re still reading this, thank you. I just want to know if anybody can relate to any of this, or am I just looking for an excuse as to why I and others feel I’m so weird?
I have noticed other things, which would really make this a long post, but I think that’s most of the main points and can so easily relate to!
Thanks loads, and really want to hear what you think
Tom
P.S. I don’t know is it’s important, and haven’t read too much about genetics, but there is a slight history. My dad has something that nobody can figure out, and my cosine has dyspraxia.