“Can be very shy or mute.” I don’t think anyone would describe me as shy! However, I can certainly go mute. After socializing for a period of time, I feel like I lose my ability to speak. This also happens when I’m not feeling well. I just become quiet! Also, when I walk into brand […]
Emotionally Sensitive
“Emotionally immature and emotionally sensitive.” My first thought upon discovering this trait is: Define immature. Even so, I can say that I am emotionally sensitive. However, I believe this is a defensive mechanism I built up as a result of being unable to read social cues. Whenever someone says something that I can’t read, I […]
Youthful Interests
“Is youthful for her age, in looks, dress, behavior, and tastes.” I’m worried about growing old. Will people find me immature for loving childish things? Disney, anime, cosplay, wild clothes, cutesy hairstyles, glam rock, plushies, video games, silly dancing… Why are these things youthful? I can’t grow out of my special interests and stims!
Sensory Seeker
“Strong sensory issues – sounds, sights, smells, touch, and prone to overload. (Less likely to have taste/food texture issues as males.)” Touch and sounds are my greatest sensory avoidant issues. I really don’t like to be touched by other adults! I also get very upset by certain sounds, like motorcycles, loud voices, and silverware touching […]
Oversharing the Personal Stuff
“More open to talking about feelings and emotional issues than males with AS.” When I was still school-age, I had an issue with oversharing. I would tell everyone about my family struggles, my personal angst, my fears and hopes. It got me in trouble socially. Now, I share some of these things, but quietly and […]
Art Lover
“Often musical, artistic.” Every autistic person is different; I am not artistic, at least not in any obvious way. I take amateur photos, I drew a lot as a child, I danced a bit of ballet once upon a time ago, and I obsessively listen to my favorite music artists. I love expression through the […]
Creature of Habit
“Usually happiest at home or in other controlled environment.” Jumping into an unfamiliar place or even a familiar place that feels too haphazard or has unknown social expectations fills me with dread and a desire to flee. On the other hand, I love certain restaurants, coffee shops, and conventions, and I tend to go to […]
Changing Direction
“Can be very passionate about a course of study or job, and then change direction or go completely cold on it very quickly.” I wanted to be an illustrator once, and then one day, I just stopped drawing. I wanted to be a fiction writer, and now write only rarely. I wanted to be a […]
The Special About My Interests
“Will have obsessions but they are not as unusual as her male counterpart’s (less likely to be a ‘train-spotter’).” My elementary school special interest? Barbies! I set up intense sets for my dolls and would decorate and clothe them for hours, all the way through fifth grade. Nowadays, I usually fixate on fictional characters or […]
Food Issues
“9 out of 10 have mild to severe gastrointestinal difficulties – e.g. ulcers, acid reflux, IBS, etc.” As a child, I often had nausea and stomach aches. I went through a period ten years ago when I had such severe ulcers that I would throw up within a minute of eating or drinking anything. Sugar […]
