My behavior related to this board reinforces that I have AS

Post Reply New Topic

Not only do I strongly identify with at least half of the threads started by aspies, but more importantly, I find myself always reading the original post and feeling compelled to write a response without reading any of the replies, feeling like I know the answer already and that reading the other replies could only cloud in my mind my own perfect response which is already correct. Typical AS wrapped-up-in-my-own-mind behavior.

It is just frustrating because I wonder how many other people are replying without ever reading my responses... and you should read them, because they are smart, and insightful, and helpful! Just kidding (and of course I do read plenty of full threads... but I have noticed my habit of replying without reading any responses, too)

As for me it depends on the first post. I don't read the other responses before I reply because I don't want my answer to be clouded or tainted by someone elses answer. Granted, I may give a duplicate answer, but at least I know that will be by chance and not because I am unconsciously copying what someone else thought. I do however, usually go back and read what others wrote after I answered.

For me it is more of an ego thing, like I am almost scared to read the other responses because I don't want to have any doubt over the correctness of what I feel I already know to be true. Doesn't make much sense, and I find that when I get over that fear, I always benefit from working out the views of others, but I am still affected by it from time to time.

It's a good idea to get your own ideas out there and then work with other people's ideas.

I tend to read whole threads first (Where possible.) And if someone has said what I wanted to say as good or better than I could have said it, I'll think of something else to write and see if I can approach the question with a different focus. If I can't (which is a bit), I'll usually write something "I agree with Person_X, ..." and then restate it summarily using my own words in a shortened version of what I would have written.

The above is what I do when I am not feeling lazy and/or manic, and it is what I should do all the time.

I tend to read most of the threads except sometimes when someone has written an encyclopedia and it looks too tedious to read - we're all guilty of writing like that - especially me