What AS traits do you seem to be lacking?

Post Reply New Topic

My speech isn't monotone. I speak with lots of inflection.

I actually heard that being bad at math is an AS trait.

i do not have routines (this requires too much effort)

i do not have any specific interests- i struggle with so many things that i am happy to do anything which i am actually good at

Last edited by petitesouris on 06 Apr 2010, 8:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

it is possible to be good at some kinds of math and suck at others. for example, i tought myself how to read the time when i was 4 and i tought myself how to use an abacus when i was 2, yet i had to retake stats when i took it in college because all the descriptions were verbal and i did not understand all the terminology and all the strange abstract symbols.

therefore, my previous goal to become a marine biologist never worked out because math is my worst subject.

Last edited by petitesouris on 06 Apr 2010, 8:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I'm interested in math and science, but in mid- to late high school, I didn't do so well in them. Two teachers were jerks, and I got frustrated that I didn't understand what they were saying and I shut down. I had been thinking of medicine until I took chemistry and trig and got Cs. I wish now that I had tried to switch teachers. I LOVED the couple of math classes I took in college, so I do wonder if I could go back how well I'd do.

I am decent with computers, but I wish I knew more about the software.

I don't speak in a monotone unless I am trying to teach someone something.

I'm not bothered by light much.

Also I like be touched, but NOT by strangers. I've progressed to being able to shake hands now, though.

And I can make decent eye contact, but only because I was forced to for long periods of time. It is *uncomfortable* for me and sometimes feels painful, but I am able to do it -- with some people more than others.

I have not bad co-ordination.

I don't have sensory overload in crowds.

I don't get bullied, or at least not that I know of. (not really a trait, i know)

I don't have many routines and I can be sympathise alot with other people.

Just a question: But why would an Aspie lack Aspie traits? It seems that most (including me) do, though. Please explain.

Because categories are defined by family resemblances, not on universally shared characteristics.

Long and short of it, these things are multifactorial. Lots of causes and factors interacting. they interact differently, and in different proportions, in everyone.


as for me, I'm pretty good with executive function. probably wouldn't be nearly so well off without a well organized spouse, but I'd be able to make it on my own.

I'm told that I'm better at reading people/social situations than the 'typical' Aspie. I agree that I'm a more 'mild' AS, but I don't think I'm good at social stuff...I think I just appear that way. The people that say that stuff are adults, and I do much better with them. I get a lot of negative feedback from peers.

I don't have meltdowns. I used to have more meltdown type behaviors, but I can't be sure if it was AS related or related to an adrenal issue that was undiagnosed at the time. I'm also taking anti-anxiety meds now, so a lot of factors have changed relating to that.

I'm not sure if I have bad coordination or not. I played sports as a kid and did well, sometimes even excellent, but I would excel particularly well at one part and never do well at another part. In softball, I was an excellent hitter but was hopeless at fielding (I couldn't think fast enough to figure out where to throw the ball, etc). I've tried to skate a bunch of times, never been able to do it though. When the psychologist asked about coordination/clumsiness, my dad said yes and my mom said no

I very rarely have meltdowns. Maybe once or twice a year. I'm not bothered at all by florescent. I like their flicker. I'm horrible at math

The main place you can see my autism is in social situations. I also have horrible social skills in general. They've improved quite a bit, but they're still lacking. I also "stim" sometimes doing things like duck my head and run for no good reason sometimes. I am a full time college student, I drive a car every day, and held a temporary part time job for two months. Other than my quirky social skills and other really minor things, it'd be pretty hard to tell I'm autistic. Older adults (25+) can't even tell I have autism. It just shows when talking to people in my age group.

Traits that are entirely lacking: learning deficiencies, monotone voice, physical clumsiness

Traits that are probably subclinical: executive dysfunction, sensory problems, literal thinking (these get worse under stress though)

Most of my autism is well hidden. The turmoil is inside, I rarely have meltdowns (did as a kid though).

My main issues fall within the typical criteria; lack of social intuition and ability, social anxiety and difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, communication issues (interrupting, changing topics, blurting) and obsessive interests (also getting stuck on details and not being able to move forward).

I do have a couple of additional issues/diagnoses though. One of my big issues is my inability to understand and regulate my own emotions. I have lots of anxiety, rarely know why and it really makes life dull. On medication it's not awful, but still very noticeable.

Above normal hearing
Dislike crowds
Acute sense of smell or taste
Dislike of fluorescent lights
Monotone voice
Not shutting up about my obsessions
Dislike of tags in clothing
Good at math
Getting treated with crap by society
Getting bullied at work
Irrational fears like afraid of wooden giraffes
Inflexibility
Talked early
Lot of meltdowns
Black and white thinking
Always having to be right

I don't appear stiff/formal/what bullies would call dweeby or something. Not usually. Physical limitations aside (less able to go running after things), I'm more a "looks really strange because I get so into sensory aspects of my environment" sort. Luna Lovegood instead of Ernie MacMillan. So my lack of one kind of autistic trait is because of the presence of another one.

I can, er, sometimes, talk about things outside my interests.

I am fairly relaxed much of the time. Although a lot of that is that physically I am so drained a lot of the time that I don't have the energy to be constantly tense anymore. Even my galvanic skin response is mostly stuck at ridiculously low levels these days.

I can be flexible in some situations.

I have some kinds of routines but I don't have the really hard core intense complex kind.

I understand sarcasm and also loves it.

No sensory overload either in crowds, just a strong feeling of being bored to death and in the wrong place. And "when will lit finally be over?!?!?"