Aspies For Freedom

Unlike many aspies, I didn't learn to read until about the age of six. However, in the months immediately following the startlingly sudden acquisition of the skill, I chewed through an entire series of literature that should have been significantly beyond me. Much of my learning has followed this general pattern.

I have moderate impediments both in speech and in listening, particularly if any operational topic is being discussed. If my "imagination" is awakened, however, both impediments disappear altogether. Some people have found the contrast startling, and I have often been angrily accused by both teachers and parents of having "selective hearing." Attempts to correct one problem through speech therapy and the other through "discipline" fell completely flat. The problem persists in adulthood, though I have learned to take corrective measures like speaking slowly and in turns.

I have unusual difficulty remembering people's names. This includes such cultural icons as Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein. I have been motivated to learn numerous details about such people's lives and acheivements, and I've gotten used to giving short biographies of people in place of proper names.

I generally have an aversion to math. However, I enjoy playing with numbers on my own. I learned what Pascal's Triangles were through a teacher gently explaining to me that Pascal's Triangles wouldn't be discussed until next semester and that I would be sent out of the classroom for discipline if I didn't start paying attention. Once, I found a way to easily calculate factorials, so I set up a sort of "mental robot" and started writing them down, much to a fellow student's profound skepticism. It seems that I'm fine with math as long as it is restricted to unproductive wanking. Laborious Measurements and calculations make me want to chew off the arms of infants just to hear them scream. Calculators make me cringe.

Does anyone recognize these as symptoms of any form of Asperger's or HFA? Anyone?

Yeah I have been commented that I don't seem to follow what people are saying in school, I often said I forgot it instead of not perceiving. I don't think learning to read is something that is especially learnt early by aspies, I almost didn't know what to read was at the age of 6 and it took long time before I could read fast.

Hmm interesting topic I started reading at age 2 however my math skilld to this day are about that of a second grader and I am 28

6 is actually on the young side to be able to read as literature as you did. Kids enter kindergarten at 5 and the curriculum is learning their letters and just starting to put together sounds, some pick it up quickly, but it's not expected. First grade usually starts around 6 and is the earliest most kids start to read and some don't really pick it up until second grade.

I know this because I have two sons, one just turned 5 and is in preschool still - he is just now starting to put together words and is above the others in his class in that area.  My older son is 8 and in second grade. He has learned many words, but is still sounding most compound words out and is behind many in his class.

My older son (not diagnosed AS) has some speech difficulties but they are related to muscular strength - he has fine motor skill issues as well and I suspect he has dyspraxia.  

One thing I have noticed is that when he (8yearold) is reading and trying to decode words, he breaks them apart into syllibles that are not there. Example "S - oc-cer" or "St - op". And he has a very slow rythm of reading and has only now just started to read without pausing after ever word.  

And oddly enough he TALKS that way at times too. But he doesn't ALWAYS do it.

In your case, I have never heard of someone cluing in to how to speak when they are interested in a topic, but it doesn't sound out of the question.  I know many, including myself, FEEL more like talking and find it easier when we are interested in something.  My friends describe me as 'lighting up' when I talk on certain subjects, where as when I am  just expected to socialize I can be quiet and awkward.  

Therefore it wouldn't surprise me at all that some might also let go of speech impediments at certain moments.

I don't know about your specified traits, they do sound similar to what others with aspergers describe, but not the typical indications.  There are so many varieties that it may be possible that you have some form of Aspergers that is unusual.

Yeah, it's weird. In communication, I would compare myself to the M. Falcon: a cantankerous, old cow under normal circumstances but untouchable once in hyperdrive.

You probably aren't hyperlexic; but if you learned to read as quickly as you did, then chances are you have a talent for reading--and by extension, with translating symbols into their meanings. I think perhaps that is what gives you your math ability too.

I wonder if perhaps you might have some attention-regulation problems? Your "selective hearing" reminds me of what ADHDers have to deal with; if what they're listening to doesn't spark their imaginations, they have trouble listening to begin with. Both attention-regulation trouble and ADHD are more common among Aspies than NTs. You might try reading up on ADHD and using some of the stuff they teach ADHDers to deal with attention-regulation.

All I can say is--if you're not Aspie, you have a lot in common with us. And if you are, then for an Aspie, your "oddities" would be pretty normal!

I dunno, to hear people complain. The way the doctor's eyes bulged when I was tested for vocab seemed significant. Then again, I'm not entirely sure how hyperlexia works.

I dunno. If there's any comorbidity with OCD, then it's a possibility. When I was younger, I used to trace my fingers along the edges of furniture, and I'd get feelings of anxiety and frustration when I got to a corner and grip at it as if I was falling. I also used to daydream nearly constantly and have severe temper tantrums. Arabica mudwater helps keep all that at bay, though.

I could read when I was four but the kindy teacher didn't believe it.

These days, I seem to have more difficulty focusing and organising myself than ever before and it's a real nuisance sometimes.