Does this sound like high functioning autism?

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I'm 14 years old (male), not so long ago I was diagnosed with high functioning autism, but I'm unsure if I have it or not and I know almost nothing about autism. Here's problems I got that I know of:

Short attention span
-Always zoning out when bored
-Missing details
-Never keep doing something I'm not interested in
-Too challenging to read (especially long things)

Memory
-Constantly forgetting things (names, where I left things, details, etc.)
-Only remember things I'm interested in
-Forget things I did yesterday (sometimes I forget things I did from 10 seconds ago)
-Sometimes when I lose things I lose them forever (never find them again)
-Sometimes I know I was meant to do something but forgot what it was
-Commonly forget things I was about to do
-Sometimes trying to remember things drive me mad

Impulsiveness
-Can't control impulses
-Constantly blurting out things when I know I'm not supposed to
-Blurting out answers to questions without knowing the answer
-Blurting out insults
-Always saying what comes into my mind without thinking of the consequences
-I sometimes talk excessively

Social skills
-Trouble making friends
-Hold grudges
-Impulsiveness plays a part in my social skills
-Trouble talking with others about myself
-Afraid of blurting out insults
-Sometimes afraid of talking
-When I hug someone I'm alright at first but after some time I want them to get off of me
-Low Self esteem

Emotions
-Annoyed easily (easily offended)
-Periods when I get annoyed at things I shouldn't
-When I get annoyed I get irritableness that builds up
-Anger problems (I have a lot of anger in me)
-Mood swings
-Fear and feeling of impeding doom for no apparent reason
-Anxiety when feeling nauseous
-Very impatience

Hyperactivity/Restlessness
-Periods when I'm extremely hyperactive
-Periods when I'm extremely tired (not as common as my hyperactive periods)
-Sometimes I can't stop moving (fidgeting, moving legs, etc.)
-Moving around a lot helps me focus
-Very quick reflex actions
-I sometimes talk very fast

Sleeping
-Trouble going to sleep
-Trouble waking up
-Sometimes when I am tired I can't go to sleep

Obsessiveness
-Sometimes I get so interested in things to the point if it becoming an obsession
-Sometimes almost obsessive about being late to school
-Trouble letting go

Organizing
-Don't understand how to organize
-Leave things lying around
-Always late for school

Thinking
-My mind has a lot of chatter and static
-I'm always moving on one idea to the next
-Very imaginative
-Intrusive thoughts
-Intrusive dreaming

There's probably more I was supposed to list but I forgot. I don't know what the hell's wrong with me, but I'm not sure it's autism. I don't have any trouble expressing my emotions or anything like that, except for when it comes to telling them what I feel. But I don't have any trouble with facial expression and stuff like that. I know that I'm socially inept though. Someone please help?

Last edited by Katatonia on 12 Apr 2012, 6:33 am, edited 6 times in total.

If you don't know much about autism why don't you look it up and buy some books on it?

Because I don't live near a book store and because I'll forget I would've even read a book.

look it up- google

order a book off of amazon.com or barnes and noble.

A pretty extensive book is The complete guide to aspergers syndrome (which is synonymous with HFA) by Tony Attwood.

I've googled about it but I always end up forgetting what I read.

Then how do you know you won't forget what anyone tells you on here?

I don't, I never said anything about not forgetting. Chances are that I won't even remember registering here unless I leave the page open.

Taking fish oil each day with 3 meals is supposed to help with memory, write that down.

edit: and next time your parents go to store tell them you want them to buy fish oil sense it is supposed to improve short term memory problems

Last edited by Alexender on 11 Apr 2012, 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

Got it, but does the things I listed sound like autism?

My unofficial opinion- yes

Sounds a lot like ADHD to me. This is kind of the reason why for a while, I didn't think I could be autistic. The symptoms are very similar but based off of what I've read, autists are inclined to have a dislike for change and stick to routine, in addition to lacking in nonverbal language skills. This was a problem I've had that my ADHD didn't really explain. At any rate, both have an effect on executive functioning and social skills so it's a close call. Maybe you should speak to your doctor about your doubts and have them explain in detail the reasons for your diagnosis.

75% of people diagnosed with autism could qualify for a ADHD or ADD diagnosis. But technically you cannot be diagnosed with both

sounds like you're describing me... i have many, many of the things you wrote. yes, it sounds like high functioning autism or asperger syndrome. it certainly sounds high functioning to me - and you sound like an aspie.

I actually remember the doctor and my parents saying that I have a routine, I told them that I hated routine and that the reason I do the same thing everyday (which is to get up and go to school, go home and go on the computer) is because I have no friends outside of school but they told me (basically shoved it in my face) that I hated change and liked routine regardless of what I told them, it's like they were deciding what I liked and didn't like. If I could do something different for a change and hang out with other people I'd love that! In my opinion change can be good or bad, if it's bad then you just have to deal with it.

It sounds much more like ADHD than autism. A lot of your list sounds like the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

I was actually thinking the same thing and based on the OP's responses, I wonder if he is for real. I find it hard to believe someone can forget like that. But I gotta admit, I chuckled I could use some entertainment.