Why so many aspies are mistaken for being younger

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Ai_Ling
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28 Jul 2011, 5:30 am

Theres a ton of threads talking about how aspies are mistaken for being younger then their actual age. And I realized that this has a lot to do with us dressing and acting younger other then strictly physical apperance. I just started a new job working at the market and I think my coworkers and customers think Im still in highschool and Im 22. I do find it somewhat complementary that I always get mistaken for younger but I realized its largely because of the way I act and dress. I come across to adults like a highschooler and I dress like a 15/16 yr old.



OJani
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28 Jul 2011, 5:48 am

I also think much of this comes form our behaviour and dressing. Perhaps, NT minds bear more of the stress that stems form responsibility and care that we are ignorant of to an extent, despite we all seem to struggle with the world of NTs around us.


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28 Jul 2011, 5:50 am

I was always mistaken for being older... until last yearish... now i get a long hard squinty look... then... "how old are you chris?" not sure how old i look in the face... im terrible at judging age... but i guess i could be seen as being younger as i wear board shorts and skate shoes to work and i have a mop for hair... but in saying that ive had my drivers license alot longer then most people my age and my facial hair grows at lightning speed so yes...

Why are most aspies mistaken for being younger? Coincidentally the majority of aspies are the ones that age nicely? Immature for their age? dont know... :? but id rather stay young 8)


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Maje
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28 Jul 2011, 6:37 am

I have been thinking that I dont have as many wrinkles as people my age because I dont make a lot of grimaces / move my face a lot, also due to a lot of time alone. I also spend more time inside a house than most people, and I sleep 7 - 9 hours, whereby I think sleep is more important than paying the bills etc.

I dont dress and act like normal people, so thats probably a co-reason.
As a responsible adult: that is not what I emit, and sometimes not what I am, because I prefer "sleeping first and pay the bills afterwards". (Incidentally I measure this attitude more responsible regarding whats important, but my opinion doesnt count here I guess).

People guess me younger, think that I have a bad job (also when they know my age), underestimate me in multiple ways and are always surprised when I reveal something.



Last edited by Maje on 28 Jul 2011, 6:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

ValentineWiggin
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28 Jul 2011, 6:43 am

I used to be figured as double my actual age due to my vocabulary and interests, and a combination of being fat and dressing conservatively. Now that I've lost weight, I don't get that any more, though I do know I'm aging horribly due to health problems.

~shrug~


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ValentineWiggin
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28 Jul 2011, 6:44 am

Maje wrote:
I have been thinking that I dont have as many wrinkles as people my age because I dont make a lot of grimaces


Totally. This is what I'm counting on to keep me from looking like a hag in a few years. :thumleft:


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Henbane
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28 Jul 2011, 6:46 am

I think having a limited range of facial expressions also plays a part once you get a bit older. Stops the wrinkles.

Looking a bit miserable is cheaper than face cream.



purchase
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28 Jul 2011, 7:27 am

Double post. Uncertain behavior or childish tastes are equated with youth too.



Last edited by purchase on 28 Jul 2011, 7:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

purchase
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28 Jul 2011, 7:27 am

Threads like this horrify me cause I have BDD and am obsessed with the fact that I'm making myself look older by squinting due to bad eyesight. -->wrinkles

That had nothing to do with anything but I had to get it out.

Anyway, agreed on all the above reasons.



anneurysm
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28 Jul 2011, 7:28 am

It could be a number of things. I also know quite a few people on the spectrum who are very naive about the world and will have the mindset of someone much younger (i.e. be into activities of an 8-10 year old rather than a 20 year old).

A twenty year old girl I mentor still gets very inspired by the lessons in Barney, and a 24 year old possible aspie I know likes all the tween Disney shows and pretends she is dating a guy in one of them.


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Negolin
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28 Jul 2011, 8:05 am

guessing not many of us smoke as well.

i was carded last night, and i'm 41 lol (though it was a dark bar).



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28 Jul 2011, 9:00 am

Recently I completed a graduate-level program, and some new acquaintances thought I was finishing my undergraduate degree. When I was graduating from college, some new acquaintances thought I was graduating from high school. When I was graduating from high school, some new acquaintances thought I was finishing my undergraduate degree. People don’t know anything when it comes to judging other people’s ages.



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28 Jul 2011, 11:05 am

Everyone always thought I was older than I was because, I guess, my face looks older. Now though, people think I am several years younger (I am 27, and they ususally mistake me for early 20s). I think this is because I act so young...but they know I have to be in my 20s because I am a senior in university (and because I probably couldn't pass for a teenager physically). My counsellor at school said (in response to my OWN comment that I feel really immature compared to my classmates) that I seem like I am an 18 year old. And that is from our hour-long appointments. I actually act a lot younger than that most of the time, or so I am told.


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28 Jul 2011, 3:58 pm

I hate being asked for ID in shops. I find it so embarrassing, especially when you're buying a lottery ticket (which you've got to be over 16 to buy), and they ask you for your ID even though you're 21. I mean, surely, I don't look under 16!

But then again, some people who I know have thought I was older than what I am, but that might be because I act too serious.


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EmmaUK12
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28 Jul 2011, 4:09 pm

I don't act or dress younger than my age, I just look younger. I have a 'babyface'.



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28 Jul 2011, 6:03 pm

I also look young for my age. People usually guess that I'm 22 years old and I'm 36 years old.


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