Hello all!

Post Reply New Topic

Hi, my name is Dave. I am undiagnosed, but definitely have classic ASD characteristics that I have managed to learn to live with. I have taken some of the online tests and generally score abt 100/100 on the 200 pt scale. I am in my 60s but I think that if I had taken these tests when I was a teen I would have definitely been diagnosed (although back then the diagnosis might have been a bit different!). But I basically managed to learn how to cope with and suppress certain behaviors, to the point that I managed to change myself from being that "weird kid" to a functioning if a little "off" adult by my late 20s. I was an electrical engineer specializing in certain things and managed to rise to one of the Chief Engineers at my company. It was really an exciting career and I was able to do and see a bunch of cool stuff.

So what happened was I retired almost 2 yrs ago. About a year ago I started to notice that certain behaviors that I hadn't had to deal with since I was in my 20s were returning. I finally figured it out a couple of months ago, that basically I wasn't going to work in a social situation anymore, that I wasn't forced to interact socially nearly as much. I am married and my wife has the patience of a saint, but I think just her interaction wasn't enough to stay in "training" and old things are coming to the surface again.

That started me looking into ASD again after many years, and I am trying to learn more and to understand what is happening. I also love to learn abt new stuff when it interests me so I think the Forum will be instructive. I am planning to talk to a psychologist after the holidays.

Personally, I am a bit of a polymath. Besides engineering and the history of technology, I am an artist (my first career). I am a fine art photographer shooting large format film and my work has been exhibited all over the US. I am somewhat well known in the Washington DC area. You can see my work at http://www.dbstovall.com I also am a big history buff specializing in World War 2. I love old cars as well and finally have the time to get my 1940 car running and usable. I also am an antique collector with my wife, we have a house full - old signs, petroliana, old clocks, advertising stuff, etc. I also collect and restore old radios. Obviously I have plenty to keep me busy in retirement!

Thanks for reading,

Dave

Welcome to the site!

Welcome!

Hey Dave welcome.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!