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Pragmatist
Hummingbird
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:16 pm    Post subject: How to identify someone being on the spectrum? Reply with quote

The subtle ways are preferable, but any less subtle methods, like asking them certain questions, will be still useful, as long as they are reliable.

Judging by my experience, people who are better at social interaction (innately, as in being the opposite of autistic, so it mostly doesn't depend on the social skills) are also better at "feeling" who is socially awkward, and I find it extremely hard to tell if someone is socially awkward. This is very bad, because I know that I'll make friends with people more easily if they are aspies, even if I never tell them they are aspies (the cold reality is that most people won't accept it and they'll think I'm nuts).
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Pragmatist
Hummingbird
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aww, doesn't anyone know anything about that? I really needed this information for this weekend, and I don't know any other forums where I can ask my questions. I'll bump my thread a few times, because it's important for me. Sad
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infinitenull
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I diagnose people inside of my head for fun all of the time...

If you don't have troubles looking at people, you can usually start by watching the way they act... what things trigger them... and sort of how much their behavior fits into the definitions.

The key would be to know what those definitions are... If you already do, then I would say pay attention and see if people fit the definitions of what aspergers symptoms are. If you dont, then try reading as much as you can this week on what it means and what the symptoms are... then you just have to pay attention to people...

Of course, I've only been "sure" about maybe 3 people in my life that I know regularly, but I've known lots of strangers that "must be aspies"... and its ok if I am wrong since I'll never known them better... My favorite is this tall girl who works for a local political candidate's campaign who comes to my house to update on the campaign, put out signs, make sure I am still voting for her candidate... but she wont look me in the eye at all and has an expected sort of "walk"

I hope that helps... even a little bit...
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OJani
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess it's hard to tell who is exactly on the spectrum or not, but it's relatively easier to spot people who are close to it (BAP, semi-Aspie, have some traits, whatever).

People who are likely not see in your eyes or stare through your head, have little or no facial expressions (or only a few fake ones for disguise), speak in monotone (more or less, as it can be practiced), have a strange tint to their sound, are helpful without smiling intensely, move somewhat strangely and uncoordinated (probably slowly), speak little, stay out of chit-chats, react to speech or call relatively slowly or not at all, obviously off or awkward, have strange habits, hobbies, interests (may take time to figure out, as they often don't talk about it in public). They may be assertive, blunt, rude or too shy.

Avoid too kind, easy going people, even if they have some of the above traits (possible sign of mental illness, schizophrenia spectrum, narcissism, etc.).

Hope this helps.
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Ecl713
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I diagnose people inside my head all the time too.

Although I'm not very good at this. 6 years ago I thought my nephew was the coolest kid around. I thought for sure he was very popular at school and such. But it turns out he has AS and he didn't have many friends at all.

So I guess if I think someone is interesting they might have AS. Confused

I really can't read people that well.
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ToughDiamond
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How to identify someone being on the spectrum.........DSM-IV ? I wouldn't try to. I'd just note the traits and leave it at that. The best I could say would be that somebody was "very likely an Aspie," if they had restricted special interests, unusual eye contact, little reciprocity in conversation, no small talk, few friends, unusual walk, talked to themselves, social anxiety or social fatigue, history of being bullied, difficulty switching from detail to big picture, literal thinking, liking for small glittery things, hyperfocus, skilled at repetitive tasks, need for rigid routine, trouble in getting help, fear of authority figures, fear of unclear instructions, sensitivity to background noises and interruption..........I think the danger is that it's probably human nature to be reductionist....once we start to label somebody as an Aspie, we might begin to think that's all they are, and become blind to anything that doesn't fit neatly into the pattern.

OJani wrote:

Avoid too kind, easy going people, even if they have some of the above traits (possible sign of mental illness, schizophrenia spectrum, narcissism, etc.).

I endorse that. I walked right into that trap once.
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TechnoDog
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ToughDiamond wrote:
OJani wrote:

Avoid too kind, easy going people, even if they have some of the above traits (possible sign of mental illness, schizophrenia spectrum, narcissism, etc.).

I endorse that. I walked right into that trap once.


I don't endorse this. That would be like telling people to stay away from As people as they're violent. You also insulting shy people & I would be described as "Too nice, easy going"... & I have a very long fuse & rarely get angry, unless your trying to make me angry.
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Jtuk
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TechnoDog wrote:
ToughDiamond wrote:
OJani wrote:

Avoid too kind, easy going people, even if they have some of the above traits (possible sign of mental illness, schizophrenia spectrum, narcissism, etc.).

I endorse that. I walked right into that trap once.


I don't endorse this. That would be like telling people to stay away from As people as they're violent. You also insulting shy people & I would be described as "Too nice, easy going"... & I have a very long fuse & rarely get angry, unless your trying to make me angry.


I do sort of endorse it. What an aspie might recognise as another aspie, might in fact be someone up to no good. It's not always a good idea to gloss over people's oddities for the <1% chance they may be aspies.

Be a little bit suspicious and get a second opinion. Aspies have enough trouble reading NTs as it is, without this complication.

Jason
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Jory
Always in the wrong place at the wrong time
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Look behind the ears. We all have gills.
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Joe90
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't like to judge people just like that. I can recognise people who are severely Autistic, even children, but not so much people with a milder case because everybody's different. It's until you get to know somebody is when you find out what they're really like. Even then I can't always tell, if their condition is mild. I can sometimes tell they have a condition, but it could be anything besides Autism. Unless they're showing visible signs like flapping hands a lot or something like that. But otherwise, I just take people as they come really. I have a friend who has a mild condition, but I still can't put pinpoint what she exactly has. I don't like to ask, in case she might not like talking about it, because I don't like bringing mine up either. She did mention before that she has a disability, but she never said what it was.
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EXPECIALLY
Phoenix
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jtuk wrote:
TechnoDog wrote:
ToughDiamond wrote:
OJani wrote:

Avoid too kind, easy going people, even if they have some of the above traits (possible sign of mental illness, schizophrenia spectrum, narcissism, etc.).

I endorse that. I walked right into that trap once.


I don't endorse this. That would be like telling people to stay away from As people as they're violent. You also insulting shy people & I would be described as "Too nice, easy going"... & I have a very long fuse & rarely get angry, unless your trying to make me angry.


I do sort of endorse it. What an aspie might recognise as another aspie, might in fact be someone up to no good. It's not always a good idea to gloss over people's oddities for the <1% chance they may be aspies.

Be a little bit suspicious and get a second opinion. Aspies have enough trouble reading NTs as it is, without this complication.

Jason


Very true.

Aspies also attract these types like glue, I do as well even with just the traits that I have and the vibe it causes me to give off.

I can usually detect the crazy people though, they don't really know it because I don't let on. I have definitely attracted a few crazies in the last year who actually are similar to Aspies but are very manipulative, or at least have the potential (and will) to be.
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ToughDiamond
Phoenix
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

EXPECIALLY wrote:
Jtuk wrote:
TechnoDog wrote:
ToughDiamond wrote:
OJani wrote:

Avoid too kind, easy going people, even if they have some of the above traits (possible sign of mental illness, schizophrenia spectrum, narcissism, etc.).

I endorse that. I walked right into that trap once.


I don't endorse this. That would be like telling people to stay away from As people as they're violent. You also insulting shy people & I would be described as "Too nice, easy going"... & I have a very long fuse & rarely get angry, unless your trying to make me angry.


I do sort of endorse it. What an aspie might recognise as another aspie, might in fact be someone up to no good. It's not always a good idea to gloss over people's oddities for the <1% chance they may be aspies.

Be a little bit suspicious and get a second opinion. Aspies have enough trouble reading NTs as it is, without this complication.

Jason


Very true.

Aspies also attract these types like glue, I do as well even with just the traits that I have and the vibe it causes me to give off.

I can usually detect the crazy people though, they don't really know it because I don't let on. I have definitely attracted a few crazies in the last year who actually are similar to Aspies but are very manipulative, or at least have the potential (and will) to be.

Yes. I guess the problem was in the original wording - "avoid too kind, easy going people...." Let's just say we should be very careful with such people. I'm actually very nice and easy-going myself most of the time, and often find it difficult to stand up to people until it's really important (like in a close relationship). People needn't avoid me, but they would do well to be suspicious of my politeness, on the simple grounds that nobody is really that positive and compliant. I'm sure a lot of these "too-nice" people just have a problem with assertiveness......the right kind of friend could help them to grow out of it and learn to make their misgivings known before resentment has had time to establish itself. Just avoid getting too attached and involved until you've seen the length and breadth of their personality, as you might be in for a shock otherwise.
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EXPECIALLY
Phoenix
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ToughDiamond wrote:
EXPECIALLY wrote:
Jtuk wrote:
TechnoDog wrote:
ToughDiamond wrote:
OJani wrote:

Avoid too kind, easy going people, even if they have some of the above traits (possible sign of mental illness, schizophrenia spectrum, narcissism, etc.).

I endorse that. I walked right into that trap once.


I don't endorse this. That would be like telling people to stay away from As people as they're violent. You also insulting shy people & I would be described as "Too nice, easy going"... & I have a very long fuse & rarely get angry, unless your trying to make me angry.


I do sort of endorse it. What an aspie might recognise as another aspie, might in fact be someone up to no good. It's not always a good idea to gloss over people's oddities for the <1% chance they may be aspies.

Be a little bit suspicious and get a second opinion. Aspies have enough trouble reading NTs as it is, without this complication.

Jason


Very true.

Aspies also attract these types like glue, I do as well even with just the traits that I have and the vibe it causes me to give off.

I can usually detect the crazy people though, they don't really know it because I don't let on. I have definitely attracted a few crazies in the last year who actually are similar to Aspies but are very manipulative, or at least have the potential (and will) to be.

Yes. I guess the problem was in the original wording - "avoid too kind, easy going people...." Let's just say we should be very careful with such people. I'm actually very nice and easy-going myself most of the time, and often find it difficult to stand up to people until it's really important (like in a close relationship). People needn't avoid me, but they would do well to be suspicious of my politeness, on the simple grounds that nobody is really that positive and compliant. I'm sure a lot of these "too-nice" people just have a problem with assertiveness......the right kind of friend could help them to grow out of it and learn to make their misgivings known before resentment has had time to establish itself. Just avoid getting too attached and involved until you've seen the length and breadth of their personality, as you might be in for a shock otherwise.


True, I should have said I didn't mean so much the quiet, easy-going types although they can of course be crazy as well.

I would say it's the types who seem very interested in "figuring you out", they do little things that aren't harmful but you can tell they want to know how to push your buttons. When I sense that in someone I pretty much just go emotionally flat around them and non reactive because I don't want to give them any hints.

Even online this is true for me, I attracted one who told me I was "her kind of crazy" and she is a classic narcissist, sometimes seems schizophrenic and still manages to have a few Aspie traits. I think the only reason she liked me is because she thought I wasn't a sheep, she told me that in so many words but was then intermittently mean to me for no reason.
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infinitenull
Velociraptor
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jory wrote:
Look behind the ears. We all have gills.


^^^ proper answer, I approve ^^^
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Surfman
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It takes a lot of seeing amongst crowds generally.... especially frequent associations with test subjects....questions.... to start to glimpse the shadow of autism in another person

After this is becomes more intuitive, prolly based on instinctive genotype recognition, much like facial recognition software.

Creating an facial geometry algorithm would be comparatively easy, however a more accurate assessment of ASD in another, would depend on verbal data and personal history and health complaints especially.

How can you be an aspie if nothing is wrong?
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