Survey/ Interview for HFA and Aspie Adults - Class Project

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Hi all!

I am an anthropology student working on a pilot project about the lived experience of adults with HFA or Asperger's. I am currently participating in a local support group, and I have a couple of interviews nearly completed, BUT - - - I still need more.
You participation will really help me out big time!

For what it's worth, I consider myself an undiagnosed Aspie and I am participating in the group I visit as much as I am learning from and observing it for study. In Anthropology we do not judge, essentialize with a priori bias (at least we try not to), and we do not seek to "fix" social situations or people. We do however, seek to understand and help the general public understand all groups on the planet.

The interview questions, or survey if you will, below may appear to be somewhat unorthodox. It is also a long survey of 25 multi-part questions. Do not spend much time trying to decipher it please. You honest first impression answer, thoughtful answer and open answers are most welcome. Take as much time or space writing your response as you desire.

If you live in Georgia, please send me a PM if you would consider talking over lunch (I NEED more interviews!). My treat.


Now you may begin if you so choose

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YOU CAN RESPOND IN THE FORUM OR BY SENDING A PM - if you wish! --- THANKS!
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1. How long have you been participating on Wrong Planet Forums?


2. Are you in school now or working/seeking work? If so How far along are you?


3. What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?


4. What is your favorite food, and your favorite types of food?



5. Describe the foods do you dislike.



6. What healthy foods do you not eat enough of ?



7. What is your passion or favorite past time?



8. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Describe it the best you can.



9. What would your ideal work life be like? Describe your day and interactions.



10. Describe your personal strengths.



11. What have others said about your strengths in school and/or work?



12. What parts of life do you feel need more work?


13. What do others say you need to improve?



14. Do you feel like you have good body coordination?



15. Describe your size in height and build, face, hair and anything else about your visual appearance that you think is worth noting.



16. What age did you get diagnosed with Asperger's/Autism?



17. How do you feel about the diagnosis?



18. How has your diagnosis or self-diagnosis impacted your self perceptions? How has it affected your interactions and life overall?



19. Have you ever used the term “neurotypical”?



20. Describe your interactions with “neurotypicals”.



21. If a gene for the ASD was found, and genes for other neurodiverse people were found, would it be embraced? What would your reaction be?



22. How do you feel about medical help that is designed to alleviate symptomatic difficulties, or cure high functioning autism or Asperger's?



23. How do you feel about diet modifications and natural user controlled approaches?



24. What recommendations do you have to help neurotypicals and the neurodiverse understand eachother better in social situations, like those at school and at work?



25. If you had the power to change the world, what would you do? (Just for fun)



26. Describe what was it like where you grew up, and how your experiences with being neurodiverse changed over time?


27. Age range (may not be used)

Under 18
Age Range
[ ] Under 18
[ ] 18 to 24
[ ] 25 to 34
[ ] 35 to 44
[ ] 45 to 54
[ ] 55 to 64
[ ] 65 and Over
[ ] Decline


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Do you want the reply in a message on the forum, or in a PM?

1. How long have you been participating on Wrong Planet Forums?
Since last month, I believe.

2. Are you in school now or working/seeking work? If so How far along are you?
Currently in a complicated situation. I'm partially at the end of secondary education, but also following a course at a university.
My plan is to go to university next year and study law.


3. What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?
Classes where we had group discussions about all kinds of things, from Polish people to friendship.
They were, in fact, the most interesting of all classes.
Physical education, at times, was something I looked forward to.

4. What is your favorite food, and your favorite types of food?
Depends - never been consistent throughout my life so far. Sometimes, I really feel like chips; other times, I feel like pancakes.
A very common pattern, though, is that I eat unhealthy fat-based foods much more than I eat healthy fruits and vegetables.
Notably, too: I'm a vegetarian, though only because I think meat looks and smells disgusting.


5. Describe the foods do you dislike.
Meat, fruits and vegetables that contain too many small parts that get stuck between my teeth.


6. What healthy foods do you not eat enough of ?
All fruits; all vegetables; most healthy foods.

7. What is your passion or favorite past time?
Micronationalism. Basically, and very generally explained, declaring your backyard to be your nation.


8. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Describe it the best you can.
Several kinds of music. One thing they have in common, though, is that I find them slightly odd, gloomy or political in tone and lyrics.
The Doors is a band that fascinates me, as is Led Zeppelin. In a completely different genre, I enjoy Brother Ali's music. In another genre, I enjoy Edvard Grieg and Vangelis. Current-day music can be nice to listen to, but isn't as noteworthy to me.

9. What would your ideal work life be like? Describe your day and interactions.
I'd imagine my ideal work life as having an important advisory position within a large law firm.
In the late morning, I'd start work in a private office by answering any questions and reading any documents delivered earlier.
Early in the afternoon, when I'm most focused, I'd speak to people at a meeting or general discussion in which I'd offer my legitimate and well-informed views.
Perhaps I'd do some academic work on the side. It would be fully ideal if I had a personal assistant and a personal driver.


10. Describe your personal strengths.
I'm very good at reading and writing. I'm functionally bilingual. Theoretically, according to paperwork, I speak three languages.
Argumentation and practical use of logic are things I enjoy. I have yet to encounter someone capable of legitimately arguing against a point I've argued for without resorting to irrelevant items or insults, and manage to keep calm during real life arguments.
Surprisingly, I have been described by various people as being 'good at talking and bringing my point across'.

Another personal strength, and one I've noticed with several autistic people I know, is my relatively wide amount of general and trivial knowledge.
My memory is key in that; if I keep my attention on a page worth of text, and I read it once, I can pretend to know all about it. If I read it twice, I know most things properly. Three times and I know almost everything.


11. What have others said about your strengths in school and/or work?
A while ago, I was branded 'the biggest surprise in class'. After completely failing maths and actively showing disinterest for almost four years on end, I managed to score 7.4 out of 10 (5.5 required to pass) on a national test.

Additionally, many of my personal strengths as described above were first noticed by others.
Another one is my use of archaic or formal Dutch. When in primary school, an elderly teacher remarked that I was very formal and strict when it came to grammar and spelling, well above the level expected even from top pupils.


12. What parts of life do you feel need more work?
Social and romantic life, as well as physical condition.

Starting off with physical condition: practically non-existent. I've been told I look frail, and by another person that I look like I'm dying of cancer. I'm underweight, which has been an issue throughout my life. I can't run for over a hundred metres, and when I do as much as paddle a canoe for a mile downstream with someone assisting me, I have muscle pains.

As for social life, I seem too conservative. I rarely go out, I don't play sports, and I usually meet my friends at home or through the internet.
As for romantic life: it has never existed, I've had almost exclusively bad experiences with women, and I don't expect the situation to improve anytime soon.

13. What do others say you need to improve?
Apparently, I need to be more serious, less offensive and less bigoted.
Also, I need to gain a lot of weight and teach myself to be more independent.


14. Do you feel like you have good body coordination?
Not really. My finer motorical skills are relatively good, but I can't climb ladders or anything similar without help.
Additionally, I make errors of judgement. Recently, I was unconscious for a while after trying to jump on the ice and, instead of sliding over the ice on flat shoes, smashing into the ice face-first.


15. Describe your size in height and build, face, hair and anything else about your visual appearance that you think is worth noting.
My height is approximately 178cm, which apparently amounts to approximately five feet and ten inches.
My weight is just under 55kg, which apparently amounts to 121 lbs according to some inaccurate conversion tools.
My build is, apparently, frail and skinny.
My skin is very pale, but that has to do with the fact that I have to spend every hour of distant sun we get during winter indoors because those are the times I have to actually do stuff.
My hair is brown, quite long but not very long, and it can be seen on my profile picture.
My eyes are also brown. One interesting thing about both: my eyes went from blue to brown, and my hair went to blond to brown in a slow process starting when I was already well in school.
Another thing worth noting is the constant change in many of the things I said here. In the summer, I hope to increase my weight by 5 to 10 kg through eating a lot, drinking a lot and spending some time in the sun. These things have a profound effect on my appearance and my physical condition. In winter, I'm generally more depressed, restless and frail. Distances I'm able to walk with 35 Celsius during the summer are, strangely, nearly impossible with 5 Celsius during the winter. I lose a lot of weight during winter, which is usually regained and even improved upon during summer.


16. What age did you get diagnosed with Asperger's/Autism?
In the late 1990s or very early 2000s.


17. How do you feel about the diagnosis?
Mixed feelings. It has made my life a bit easier so far, but also much too routinized.
Additionally, the moment I switch to university full-time, I'll be hit in the face with responsibilities previously taken by others.


18. How has your diagnosis or self-diagnosis impacted your self perceptions? How has it affected your interactions and life overall?
Until recently, I didn't much care, and weeks went by without the active realisation that I had a diagnosis.
Now that I'm legally an adult, and times are changing, and things are expected of me that previously weren't while my future perspective is very much at the mercy of politicians and bankers, I've realised that I've created a monster by silently accepting myself as just being me rather than a person expected to do things properly and seriously.

19. Have you ever used the term “neurotypical”?
Very rarely; most people have at least something terribly wrong with them, but they're better at hiding it because their reputation generally doesn't precede them.


20. Describe your interactions with “neurotypicals”.
The most normal interactions I can have, usually.
Nothing wrong with them nowadays. Most of my friends seem to fit that definition.


21. If a gene for the ASD was found, and genes for other neurodiverse people were found, would it be embraced? What would your reaction be?
If it's fact, it's fact. I'd get a test very quickly, then see if the method is consistent with my diagnosis.
My reaction might be a bit mild, but I feel it would certainly help silence those who think it's just bad socialisation.


22. How do you feel about medical help that is designed to alleviate symptomatic difficulties, or cure high functioning autism or Asperger's?
I've been on medication for six, almost seven years. For future reference: Risperdal, which is risperidone.
Worst decision in my life so far. I hate it, and in the end it caused memory issues and general health issues.
I've had a nasty period of withdrawal after quitting them, but the worst low seems to be over now and I'm glad I quit.
Others who have taken the same medication have described it as 'more intense than marijuana, which I use on a regular basis', 'completely numbing my mind' and 'pure poison'.

There is no benefit to Risperdal, and it should be discouraged or banned. As for other medication with non-permanent 'cures', they should only be used if no other option is even remotely effective. These chemical substances can alter people's minds quite extremely, and have severe physical side effects.
If a cure can be found, it should be optional. Asperger's syndrome is, for some, an integral part of who they are.


23. How do you feel about diet modifications and natural user controlled approaches?
Haven't heard of these yet. Might look some up and try them.


24. If you could make recommendations for helping understanding between the NT and ND in school and work, what would you recommend?
I'm assuming ND means 'neurodiagnosed' or something along those lines.
Keep autistic employees and students supervised, pay some attention to them, but insist they adhere to the same basic rules as others.

25. If you had the power to change the world, what would you do? (Just for fun)
Destroy cultural and religious prejudice, effectively end the bases of power for current governments, and start mankind's next phase: get into space and conquer it for our own needs and my glory.


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Thanks for the responses! Most of them have been PMs which is of course, fine.

I can still use more! I also added an extra question!

1. How long have you been participating on Wrong Planet Forums?
Since my join date

2. Are you in school now or working/seeking work? If so How far along are you?
Graduated high school. Have been looking for work a little over a year with not much success.

3. What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?
History I guess. Was homeschooled and the way we decided to study subjects wasn't quite structured the same way.

4. What is your favorite food, and your favorite types of food?
Probably either pizza or spaghetti. Generally spicy stuff, italian or mexican.

5. Describe the foods do you dislike.
Tuna, mayo, spinach, salad dressing, alfredo, lots of other stuff.

6. What healthy foods do you not eat enough of ?
Probably fruits. Been working on that, though, with trying to lose weight.

7. What is your passion or favorite past time?
Stories, I guess, regardless of the medium or whether I'm experiencing them or making them up myself.

8. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Describe it the best you can.
There's a a lot of different types, but I guess if I had to be more specific, it would be meaningful, or genuine. Often there seems to be a lot more effort put into that type of music and is more creative. Favorite bands would be the Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Talking Heads. Video games tend to be underrated in terms of music, one example being NieR.

9. What would your ideal work life be like? Describe your day and interactions.
Well, they wouldn't call it work if it was easy. Though, if I had any say, it would be far less stressful than my last job as a dishwasher. Hoping I can at least do overnight stocking or something like that, as it doesn't seem quite so hectic or busy. Not that I'm lazy, but being overwhelmed is another feeling entirely.

10. Describe your personal strengths.
Hard to say. I've never really thought about myself other than a negative or judgemental light. I guess I'm known for being funny, smart, easy going, open minded, friendly, strong work ethic, strong sense of justice and morals.

11. What have others said about your strengths in school and/or work?
Well, as I said, at least at the only job I had, I was told I was really dedicated and a good worker. Problem was, I saw most of my coworkers as lazy and felt that I should have at least been paid as much as they were, so that ended in quitting.

12. What parts of life do you feel need more work?
At the moment I guess my only concern is finding a job, really. After that I can focus on other things, like moving into my own place or maybe meeting a girl that would put up with me.

13. What do others say you need to improve?
Maybe they're just being polite, but I haven't heard them say anything about me improving. Not that I don't already know I have flaws. I think they're just too nice.

14. Do you feel like you have good body coordination?
Not sure. I hardly ever cause accidents or spill anything or bump into anyone. That's decent enough for me.

15. Describe your size in height and build, face, hair and anything else about your visual appearance that you think is worth noting.
I'm short, I guess(about 5'10'' maybe), in the middle of losing weight(190 pounds or so). I seem to be the only male in my family who hasn't gone bald and actually grow too much too fast. I don't think I'm really too out of the ordinary.

16. What age did you get diagnosed with Asperger's/Autism?
I think I must have been two years old at the time I was diagnosed with autism. Obviously I don't actually recall any of it
- it's just what my parents have told me.

17. How do you feel about the diagnosis?
Growing up I never gave it too much thought and felt just as "normal" as anyone else. It wasn't until maybe more than a few months ago I became interested in others' experiences with having autism or aspergers.

18. How has your diagnosis or self-diagnosis impacted your self perceptions? How has it affected your interactions and life overall?
Can't really say as I haven't ever been "not autistic". I'm really just myself and, despite my flaws, am comfortable in my own skin.

19. Have you ever used the term “neurotypical”?
I don't like to. Never knew there was such a term before coming to Wrong Planet and was shocked to learn about it. I feel that, even if not used in a negative way, it still can have such an effect as anything racist or sexist or any other type of generalization.

20. Describe your interactions with “neurotypicals”.
My family's full of 'em, so far as I know. Everyone is different and can't be placed in just two categories depending on one arbitrary line.

21. If a gene for the ASD was found, and genes for other neurodiverse people were found, would it be embraced? What would your reaction be?
If that's what people would want, they should have the freedom to pursue that. Personally, I don't feel it would be crucial enough to change about myself.

22. How do you feel about medical help that is designed to alleviate symptomatic difficulties, or cure high functioning autism or Asperger's?
It would depend on whether the symptoms hinder quality of life or how severe they are. Some things don't need to be cured.

23. How do you feel about diet modifications and natural user controlled approaches?
I've never really known diet changes to really effect me in any way other than physical health. Growing up, I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted, and I was pretty picky about what I ate. Guess that's why I'm in the situation where I'm at now.

24. If you could make recommendations for helping understanding between the neurotypical and neurodiverse in school and work, what would you recommend?
I don't think forcing anyone to learn about it is going to help anyone. People will learn on their own, or they will be stubborn and refuse regardless. I suppose the only important thing to do with simply make information more open to access and spread out, and to generally be more vocal.

25. If you had the power to change the world, what would you do? (Just for fun)
Let's see...
-Fall and spring would be the only seasons
-Free candy and beer for everyone
-Hell, free everything for everyone
-Playing video games would be a recognized profession.
-Stuff would run on magic so there's no dependance on oil or whatever else
-There would be no leaders or bosses or alpha or figure heads of whatever sort, and thus no competition. People would be free to lead whatever lives they wanted, however they wanted, short of harming others

***26. Describe what was it like where you grew up, and how your experiences with being neurodiverse changed over time?
As I said, I'e always felt pretty normal, so I'm not sure I can really give a good answer. All I can say is that it was decent, got a bit worse with self esteem as a teenager, but even then that's probably not directly related to being autistic as much as it is to do with relationship problems.

1) about a month or 2 now
2) freshman in highschool
3) I love biology
4) I like spaghetti or most things with chicken
5) fish, most green things (except okra).
6) vegetable
7) being with animals or video games or legos
gorillaz/fall out boy/sting and similar. Not any rap and only one or two pop songs
9) quiet with some but not too much interaction
10) math and logic mostly. I'm good at science too
11) same as 10
12) social skills, relationships, communication, and writing
13) social skills, writing
14) not really
15) about 5'10" at 125 pounds. Have short brown hair and blueish eyes. I'd call myself average but a girl thinks I'm attractive enough to go out with.
16) about a year ago when I was 13
17) honestly I feel neutral, but it explains a lot.
18) I think more about trying to be normal
19) only here where usage is common. I don't like the word, I prefer to call them normal
20) not sure how to answer this one
21) not sure how to answer this either
22) we don't need a cure and therapy hasn't worked
23) never had diet change
24) not really sure either
25) I would make girls make a move more often because I'm to socially awkward to talk to them. English would not be required for 4 years of highschool. And not much else would change, ever. I was just at target and had a small breakdown when they changed how an isle looks.

Edit: I just realized the title said for adults which I'm not but I hope I still help

Wouldn't it be less work for you and us if you set up a survey at surveymonkey.com? All the basic survey functions are free.

1. How long have you been participating on Wrong Planet Forums?

I've been on WP for 8 years this coming July.

2. Are you in school now or working/seeking work? If so How far along are you?

I'm working right now. I clean parking lots.

3. What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?

My favourite subject in High School was Art.

4. What is your favorite food, and your favorite types of food?

Meat, potatoes, rice, veggies, pasta, eggs bread and fruit.

5. Describe the foods do you dislike.

Anything that has a creamy texture such as yoghurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, processed cheese, various dips and cream cheese.

6. What healthy foods do you not eat enough of ?

Dairy

7. What is your passion or favorite past time?

Music and drumming

8. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Describe it the best you can.

The Kinks. They were a group that started in London in Early 1964. They've recorded songs such as 'You Really Got Me', 'All Day And All Of The Night', 'Tired Of Waiting For You', 'A Well Respected Man', 'Sunny Afternoon', 'Waterloo Sunset', 'Lola' and 'Come Dancing'. My favourite Kink is Mick Avory and he was with The Kinks from the January of 1964 until the July of 1984. I think that he should have been allowed to stay.

9. What would your ideal work life be like? Describe your day and interactions.

My job would be indoors, I'd be working 16 hours a week, Id be doing something that's easy as well and I'd have the occasional conversation with another coworker.

10. Describe your personal strengths.

I'm a self-taught drummer, I'm sensitive and thoughtful about the feelings of other people and I like to help others out.

11. What have others said about your strengths in school and/or work?

That I'm a hard worker and a good listener.

12. What parts of life do you feel need more work?

I need a job that has more hours.

13. What do others say you need to improve?

Eye contact.

14. Do you feel like you have good body coordination?

I feel that it's average.

15. Describe your size in height and build, face, hair and anything else about your visual appearance that you think is worth noting.

I look like a 5ft 8 version of Mick Avory at his chubbiest point in the 1960s with slightly lighter hair and small boobs and I'm telling the truth. Being a female who feels that she should have been male, I feel blessed and lucky to look the way that I do.

16. What age did you get diagnosed with Asperger's/Autism?

I was diagnosed with HFA at the age of 5 and a half.

17. How do you feel about the diagnosis?

That it's nothing to be ashamed of, and I don't have to fight the traits and quirks that I have.

18. How has your diagnosis or self-diagnosis impacted your self perceptions? How has it affected your interactions and life overall?

I have a positive perception of myself. I know not to hurt others, because others have hurt me when I was growing up. I'm also not embarrassed to openly like the things that I do. I'm my own person and I'm not influenced by popular culture.

19. Have you ever used the term “neurotypical”?

I have many times.

20. Describe your interactions with “neurotypicals”.

Some of them were very nice to me and others have been very bitchy and sarcastic towards me.

21. If a gene for the ASD was found, and genes for other neurodiverse people were found, would it be embraced? What would your reaction be?

Oh, great. Another reason for selfish people to abort their unborn disabled children.

22. How do you feel about medical help that is designed to alleviate symptomatic difficulties, or cure high functioning autism or Asperger's?

I'm against pills and treatment and I'm especially against a cure. It's not a horrible disease or illness that needs to be fought, treated or cured.

23. How do you feel about diet modifications and natural user controlled approaches?

I feel that people should eat whatever they wish and that's what I do. If I like bread and cheese, I'm going to eat bread and cheese.

24. If you could make recommendations for helping understanding between the neurotypical and neurodiverse in school and work, what would you recommend?

Workshops that accentuate the positive things about AS ans HFA as well as the way that we see NTs and the world.

25. If you had the power to change the world, what would you do? (Just for fun)

I'd make sure that the classic rock and oldies stations around the world would play as many Kinks songs as they do Beatles songs like they did up until the Early 90s.

***26. Describe what was it like where you grew up, and how your experiences with being neurodiverse changed over time?

The kids that I went to school with thought I was ret*d with the exception of the kids who were in my LD classes. It wasn't a very good experience. I grew up hating my typical peers and eventually my generation and later generations because the thoughtless words and actions of those kids and youths.

Things are a lot better for me these days. I'm working, I live on my own, I have a clubhouse for people with mental health issues such as Depression and Anxiety where I can go and hang out. Most of the adults that I know have a very mature attitude about my differences and they accept me and treat me with respect.

CockneyRebel AKA Mick Avory 2012

1. How long have you been participating on Wrong Planet Forums?

I have been participating since early 2008 I think? So that would make 4 years, whoa it has really been that long.

2. Are you in school now or working/seeking work? If so How far along are you?

I am working and kinda in school. Right now I'm seeking to get into graduate school.

3. What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?

Favorite subject has been a pick and choose of certain specialized courses within Biology, Chemistry and Social Sciences. In colleges course work becomes more specific but right now I'd say Neurobiology just cause that what I'm trying to get into.

4. What is your favorite food, and your favorite types of food?

Favorite types of food, certain asian ethnic foods. I really like trying ethnic foods. Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Japanese bento boxs

5. Describe the foods do you dislike.

Random foods here and there. Bach lava (i dont think i spelled that right), bean sprouts, ?. There are probably more I just cant think of any off the top of my head. I like a lot of food I just might now like the food if its prepared a certain way like overcooked, too much cheese, too much mayo, spoiled, etc

6. What healthy foods do you not eat enough of ?

Raw Vegetables, my mom tries to get me to eat salad and I do kinda eat it but she knows I dont like it.

7. What is your passion or favorite past time?

I'm not exactly sure. I know this is unusual for an aspie but I have interests that come and go. I will get super fixated on something for like 2-3 months then move on.

8. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Describe it the best you can.

kpop, dance pop, pop/rock. I used to be a huge rock fan but then rock is often too emotional and moody so I cant handle overly emotional music because I completely absorb the emotion and often feel sad.

9. What would your ideal work life be like? Describe your day and interactions.

Right now I'm eventually want to work in a lab with just a few people. I liked the controlled social setting a lot better. Right now, my job is a very uncontrolled social setting and I have a hard time handling it. Too many people.

10. Describe your personal strengths.

Ehh this question, I dont feel like answering after having to write a ton of personal statement essays for grad school where you have to make yourself sound all good and stuff

11. What have others said about your strengths in school and/or work?

same as 10.

12. What parts of life do you feel need more work?

Social skills duh,My anxiety/comfort levels,Self-confidence and being more positive

13. What do others say you need to improve?

Self-confidence and being more positive

14. Do you feel like you have good body coordination?

I think I have average. Good for an aspie tho. I used to be a dancer.

15. Describe your size in height and build, face, hair and anything else about your visual appearance that you think is worth noting.

Skinny built, 5'6, shoulder length black hair,

16. What age did you get diagnosed with Asperger's/Autism?

18

17. How do you feel about the diagnosis?

Me and my family were surprised by the diagnosis because everyone around me had just thought I was shy. But then as years went by the diagnosis grew on me. I learned more about myself and my aspieness. I've occationally questioned the diagnosis within the last year. For me, my aspergers is 90% social. I dont have meltdowns, almost no sensory issues, much higher executive functioning levels then most aspies.

18. How has your diagnosis or self-diagnosis impacted your self perceptions? How has it affected your interactions and life overall?

It has changed things a lot. It has helped me to distinguish myself and it does help sometimes so I stop comparing myself to my NT counterparts. There has been a lot of frustration and excuses. For a long time, it was hard to relate to people. I strongly believed I couldn't relate to people

19. Have you ever used the term “neurotypical”?

On here a lot, in real life, very rarely. Mostly to friends, I just refer to NT has normal people.

20. Describe your interactions with “neurotypicals”.

It varies a lot. When I'm uncomfortable I come off has very quiet and reserved. At work, its hard to interact, I hold back a lot. But when I'm comfortable, I come off as fairly NT.

21. If a gene for the ASD was found, and genes for other neurodiverse people were found, would it be embraced? What would your reaction be?

I would be excited and curious at the same time. There has already been a few genes found that is associated with autism.

22. How do you feel about medical help that is designed to alleviate symptomatic difficulties, or cure high functioning autism or Asperger's?

I wouldn't mind it. See a lot of people on here would be offended by a cure. To me, it wouldnt be bad for the option for a cure to be available. But I think the regulation of being "cured" should be carefully regulated. People shouldn't be forced to be cured.

23. How do you feel about diet modifications and natural user controlled approaches?

It can work for some but autism varies a lot with comorbid medical conditions varying tremendously so certain things could work for some people but not for others. Before trying things like gluten free casein free diets I think the person should have an alergy test to verify an alergy to gluten and/or casein.

24. If you could make recommendations for helping understanding between the neurotypical and neurodiverse in school and work, what would you recommend?

Uhh I dont exactly know what your asking?

25. If you had the power to change the world, what would you do? (Just for fun)

I dont know? There are things that I thought of but when ever I think about the logistical feasibility, it doesnt fall through.

***26. Describe what was it like where you grew up, and how your experiences with being neurodiverse
changed over time?

Umm well I technically grew up in a diverse area but there was a specific local culture with not that a whole lot of variation. The concept of melting pot is actually kinda true for where I live. So I often felt out of place even coming back I really do feel out of place. People think I'm a foreigner commonly. Its weird.

Even though I didn't think it would matter at first, gender might be important to know if I plan to use personal pronouns in my anonymous write up.
No real names or pseudonyms will be used.

Well I'm a guy...I think...

1. How long have you been participating on Wrong Planet Forums?
6 years.

2. Are you in school now or working/seeking work? If so How far along are you?
I currently work. I work at an entry level job.

3. What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?
Science in high school, economics in college.

4. What is your favorite food, and your favorite types of food?
I like pizza and steak. I tend to favor meat and italian and bread.

5. Describe the foods do you dislike.
I dislike fruit. I am only lukewarm to most vegetables.


6. What healthy foods do you not eat enough of ?
Fruit. Probably vegetables as well.


7. What is your passion or favorite past time?
Reading, playing video games, discussing ideas. I tend to like philosophy, social science, and psychologically oriented topics of discussion.


8. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Describe it the best you can.
Heavy metal. Goth metal. Post-Grunge. Basically music that either has soft sad sounds or aggressive angry sounds. Bands that I like: Metallica, Cradle of Filth, Sirenia, Within Temptation, Seether, more can be given if needed.


9. What would your ideal work life be like? Describe your day and interactions.
I don't think about that much. On some level I'd like to work with ideas, but so long as I don't have draining social interactions with high social expectations, I think I'd be fine.


10. Describe your personal strengths.
Strongly analytical. Reasonably conscientious. Good sense of humor. A few dominant social characterstics.


11. What have others said about your strengths in school and/or work?
Very fast worker. Conscientious. Intelligent.


12. What parts of life do you feel need more work?
I have a poor social life. Part of this is actually finding few people I can actually bond with.

13. What do others say you need to improve?
Many people think I am too aggressive and too hasty. I tend to be irritable.


14. Do you feel like you have good body coordination?
No. I am terrible at catching objects.


15. Describe your size in height and build, face, hair and anything else about your visual appearance that you think is worth noting.
5 ft 9inches. Thin build. Short hair, partly due to pragmatics, partly due to a desire to distance myself from a past where I had long hair. Tend to let facial hair grow-out when I do not have to work. Tend to wear wrinkled clothing, except for work.(even then I try to avoid ironing)


16. What age did you get diagnosed with Asperger's/Autism?
12.


17. How do you feel about the diagnosis?
Indifferent.


18. How has your diagnosis or self-diagnosis impacted your self perceptions? How has it affected your interactions and life overall?
Hard to say. I think the diagnosis allowed me to get out of a situation with large scale social problems. I don't think much else is impacted, because it only fed into teenage uncertainty and angst, and that's very difficult to determine.


19. Have you ever used the term “neurotypical”?
Yes. It is a useful description.


20. Describe your interactions with “neurotypicals”.
I tend to be outwardly playful, but distant with my more personal elements. I do not bond with a large number of them well. I only tend to bond with nerdy people, whether NT or not. My interaction style tends to rely on my sense of humor as a means of controlling the workings of the conversation. I am rarely serious, unless I have to be. In serious but non-personal discussions, I tend towards trying to take a middle-ground position that avoids conflict. I am awkward in the average serious discussion.


21. If a gene for the ASD was found, and genes for other neurodiverse people were found, would it be embraced? What would your reaction be?
I would be indifferent. I believe that a set of genes increasing the predisposition of certain psychological traits exists. I don't think that fact is really new knowledge.


22. How do you feel about medical help that is designed to alleviate symptomatic difficulties, or cure high functioning autism or Asperger's?
Indifferent. Unless this is applied too aggressively, there is no problem. AS is a condition with problems, and working to remove problems is pretty human.


23. How do you feel about diet modifications and natural user controlled approaches?
I think these are very likely nonsense. AS definitely has genetic components that impact the structural workings of the brain. Diet is unlikely to have impact significant enough to make the difference.


24. If you could make recommendations for helping understanding between the neurotypical and neurodiverse in school and work, what would you recommend?
Mindfulness. The only way to really understand something is exposure to the idea until an intuitive understanding has been gained. This is costly, and most people will not tend to do that with good reasons.


25. If you had the power to change the world, what would you do? (Just for fun)
Hard to say. I mean, "power" is vague. If I can change every person, I'd make us better people. If I could change culture, I would make the world cultures more intellectual and scientifically oriented. If I could only change institutions, I would focus on smaller changes to avoid unnecessary injustices. The problem is that society is complex, and so massive changes can cause massive problems if the implicit norms and things like that do not keep up well.


***26. Describe what was it like where you grew up, and how your experiences with being neurodiverse changed over time?
I had anxiety attacks growing up, and I had struggles with depression. I also failed to identify with most people. Those were the major struggles. I do not think geographic location made most of the difference.

If there is any additional information you want, please let me know.

Can only adults participate?

1. How long have you been participating on Wrong Planet Forums?

I have been here since December of 2010, so about 1 year. Plus this half year.

2. Are you in school now or working/seeking work? If so How far along are you?

I'm in College. Well I screwed up quite a bit and am facing anxiety that I may not be able to graduate with my associates this year. I also am volunteering for a science eductaion conservation program.

3. What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?

My favorite subject in college has to be Natural Resources. I find this absolutely fascinating.

4. What is your favorite food, and your favorite types of food?

I'll be honest with you, I absolutely love pizza. All though I am vegan I make a delicious vegan dairy free meatless pizza.

5. Describe the foods do you dislike.

I absolutely hate avacado, celery, carrots, and cucumbers. Actually cucumbers are the worse offender on my list. The smell everything about fresh cucumbers makes me want to gag.

6. What healthy foods do you not eat enough of ?

Well I am vegan so I eat a lot of vegetables and I try to stay as healthy as I can. I wouldn't know what I don't eat enough of because I think I eat very well.

7. What is your passion or favorite past time?

Writing I absolutely love to write. I want to become an author actuallly.


8. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Describe it the best you can.

I love classical music and I love trance. There is something that when I listen to each melody and layer come together that I feel this sense of ectsay. I would say it makes me feel high.

9. What would your ideal work life be like? Describe your day and interactions.

I'd love to be an author. Living out in the country with quiet wind and the sound of animals out the window. I'd smell hay and the kettle would whistle ready for hot tea. Whenever I do come to the city, it be book signings and that I would at least meet one kid just like me who is encouraged by the words spoken on the paper.

10. Describe your personal strengths.

I would say that I am quite analytical and a critical thinker. I give rather good input as well.

11. What have others said about your strengths in school and/or work?

They have always liked the fact that I am rather creative and can come up with ideas really well.

12. What parts of life do you feel need more work?

Social. I grew up ostriciazed for who I was, I was a very lonely child and had no friends. Growing up with that much isolation doesn't leave much room to learn social rules or learn the social environment.

13. What do others say you need to improve?

Social, my dad says I need to project more and bring a presence.

14. Do you feel like you have good body coordination?

I hope. I did do karate for quite some time in my years of youth.


15. Describe your size in height and build, face, hair and anything else about your visual appearance that you think is worth noting.

I'm 5'2" with darkish brown hair, chocolate it looks black in dim lighting, but brown in bright lighting. I like my hair short, and my hair is curly and puffy usually.

16. What age did you get diagnosed with Asperger's/Autism?

Self diagnosis early teens at 13; official late teens around 17 [I'll be a little more open and honest here]

17. How do you feel about the diagnosis?

I was the one whom had to beg my parents for help. I knew there was something "wrong" with me. That there wasn't something always right. My dad is actually the one who brought up the notion to begin with. I was talking to him about how in school it gets to loud for me and the world feels dizzy and that it's spinning. He said it sounded like some signs of mild aspergers. So I looked up it online and all those little things from my youth made sense. It was implementing the idea to my parents that was the hard part. I was sort of self diagnosed as a teen.

18. How has your diagnosis or self-diagnosis impacted your self perceptions? How has it affected your interactions and life overall?

It doesn't impact to the point that I do not feel like I cannot live my life. But it's hard to explain to a world that doesn't understand autism or aspergers. It's hard to be in a world where everyone thinks your'e dumb and on the other hand everyone thinks you cannot be something.

19. Have you ever used the term “neurotypical”?

Never. To label oneself is to limit yourself. And vice versa. I do not label.

20. Describe your interactions with “neurotypicals”.

Isolated. I am "weird" and to controversial and rude for most people. I find it to be an argumentive interaction, unless I conform to their needs.

21. If a gene for the ASD was found, and genes for other neurodiverse people were found, would it be embraced? What would your reaction be?

It's always nice to have new ideas and new theories to come into mind. It's always nice to find new things out. I wouldn't mind at all.

22. How do you feel about medical help that is designed to alleviate symptomatic difficulties, or cure high functioning autism or Asperger's?

A bit disturbing. It's as if admiting that we can cure a persons state of being. A persons state of who they are.

[b]23. How do you feel about diet modifications and natural user controlled approaches? [/b]

I wouldn't know how to feel about it. That's good for them.

24. If you could make recommendations for helping understanding between the neurotypical and neurodiverse in school and work, what would you recommend?

All though I am responsible for my actions and I will take responsibility for them, I will never divert blame or ask for special treatment. But note that I am not always in control; I'd like more understanding than accusations.

25. If you had the power to change the world, what would you do? (Just for fun)

I'd make this world more equal to all those who couldn't speak out. Even the animals.

***26. Describe what was it like where you grew up, and how your experiences with being neurodiverse changed over time?

I stated somewhere along the lines that I grew up very isolated. And I was. I was bullied and wasn't accepted. And the thing was even at that age you try to fix whatever is socially wrong with you. You just want a sense of belonging. My experiences haven't entirely changed, it's the same problem as when I was a child, but now it's an "adult real world" problem. Without all the proper tools and knowledge of the social environment I am completely at a loss in the adult social world. I end up still being really weird and still feeling really isolated. I've come across several paradoxes in my life that I will never understand. Such as the fact that if I say something weird it is not okay, but if someone else does it for some reason it seems much more acceptable. Or a lot of people will fight with me on an idea, but then someone months or weeks later will present the very same idea and it will be accepted. I'll never truly understand the social world or so it feels.