# Ask the autistic person **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 16, 2004, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410 "2004-05-16T10:20:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/21 "2004-05-19T05:41:08Z")
OK, assuming you have been correctly diagnosed… What sort of music do you enjoy? What is a movie that made you sad? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/22 "2004-05-19T09:38:06Z")
> [@antechinus](#): > > OK, assuming you have been correctly diagnosed… > > What sort of music do you enjoy? > > What is a movie that made you sad? > > Thanks. Music- I can’t pinpoint one genre or ‘type’ so here’s my favourites: AFI, Dandy Warhols, Tool, Duran Duran, Queens of the Stone Age, Aphex Twin, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, Flaming Lips, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, and A Perfect Circle. I like a few songs by the following - Gary Numan, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Alice in Chains, REM, Black Sabbath, the Clash and Filter. Movie that’s made me sad? Well, a lot of movies tend to make me feel sad - most have cheesy ‘tugging on your heart strings’ moments. I recall that watcing Rainman and feeling sad at the end when the brothers went their separate ways(am I remembering correctly?). There are probably other moments where I felt sad out of a genuine concern for the character/something else, but I can’t recall them at the moment. I don’t really see what my taste in music has to do with Asperger’s… > [@](#): > > Oh and btw, the first time my kid calls himself an “aspie” I will be tempted to resort to corporal punishment I think ☹ I’m going to stop reffering to my self as ‘aspie’. It’s rather silly sounding, and it’s not a term that would make people take you more seriously. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/23 "2004-05-19T10:27:29Z")
> [@Aslan of Narnia](#): > > I don’t really see what my taste in music has to do with Asperger’s… Neither do I exactly, thats why I was asking. Thanks for the reply though. ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/24 "2004-05-19T11:45:34Z")
My older kid likes triple J. As loud as possible. the younger one is partial to classical music and Chinese music. Me, I’m all about the ear plugs. ---
**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/25 "2004-05-19T11:47:59Z")
> [@antechinus](#): > > Neither do I exactly, thats why I was asking. Thanks for the reply though. Like any of the bands I listed? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/26 "2004-05-19T12:00:35Z")
**auliya** , you know I’ve been saying for years it’s happening! I’m not at all surprised that a study has shown that paeds are diagnosing so that families can access services but in Queensland the services are so restricted to labels that how else can an ethical practitioner diagnose? No matter how severe a child ADHD might be they won’t get a skerrick of funding without an ASD label. I haven’t come across a paed who wouldn’t diagnose if a parent says they need it. ---
**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/27 "2004-05-19T12:19:12Z")
> [@Primaflora](#): > > I haven’t come across a paed who wouldn’t diagnose if a parent says they need it. Whoa, isn’t that kind of corrupt? Is the goverment unaware of this? ---
**Author:** ![auliya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/90db22/32.png) [@auliya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auliya)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/28 "2004-05-19T13:03:28Z")
> [@Aslan of Narnia](#): > > Whoa, isn’t that kind of corrupt? Is the goverment unaware of this? I think **Primaflora** means they are diagnosing kids who present with behaviours that in a strict sense may not meet the criteria for Asperger’s or HFA but have enough social skills problems and other odd behaviours to need services in school. Parents are desperate in many cases. I doubt there would be many (if any) who would diagnose a perfectly normal kid because the parents said to. They diagnose because the kid needs services and thats the only way they will get them. Mind you, by doing so they have shot themselves in the foot, so to speak, because the funding for ASD has been cut back in Qld schools, and a diagnosis is no longer getting the child the services it did a few years ago, because over diagnosis combined with a probable genuine rise in the incidence of autistic spectrum disorders has overloaded the system wrt to funding. It is a situation where more funding is needed desperately. ---
**Author:** ![jlzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jlzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jlzania)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/29 "2004-05-19T13:26:49Z")
**Aslan of Narnia** , I’ve always enjoyed the majority of your posts so I’ll apologize for my brief highjack here. I am going to forward a link to the thread to a friend of mine who’s son suffers from Asperger’s as I think she’ll find it very interesting. She worries constantly about him because he doesn’t have much interest in socializing with anyone but his immediate family. [highjack] **Zabali\_Clawbane** , is there anything that anyone can post that you can’t top? You just amaze me and I don’t mean that in a positive way. :rolleyes: And, for the record, I don’t think **Astro** was being rude either. Just because he’s effectively challenged your line before hardly entitles you stomp around him accusing rude and obnoxious. Get real.[/highjack over] ---
**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/30 "2004-05-19T13:36:10Z")
> [@jlzania](#): > > **Aslan of Narnia** , I’ve always enjoyed the majority of your posts so I’ll apologize for my brief highjack here. > I am going to forward a link to the thread to a friend of mine who’s son suffers from Asperger’s as I think she’ll find it very interesting. > She worries constantly about him because he doesn’t have much interest in socializing with anyone but his immediate family. That would be pretty cool. She can have my email address if she wants to contact me, too. ---
**Author:** ![jlzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jlzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jlzania)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/31 "2004-05-19T14:58:33Z")
Thanks! I’ve emailed her. If I recall correctly, you’re in your late teens or early twenties, right? I seem to recall that you may have had problems socializing with your peers in school too. Of course, I’m easily confused the days [sub] (Mom was right about sex drugs and rock and roll after all but it’s a little too late now 😃 ) [/sub] so please don’t take umbrage if you were the prom king and I’ve mixed you up with some else totally. ---
**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/32 "2004-05-19T15:12:03Z")
> [@jlzania](#): > > Thanks! I’ve emailed her. > If I recall correctly, you’re in your late teens or early twenties, right? 15 > [@jlzania](#): > > I seem to recall that you may have had problems socializing with your peers in school too… Yes, I did/do. ---
**Author:** ![smam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@smam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smam)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/33 "2004-05-19T16:25:13Z")
Ok I have some questions - Are you autistic all the time? By that I mean can you go for a day (or hours) where you don’t feel autistic or do anything that is linked to autism. Is it something that you can drop in and out of at will? Do you drink alcohol (excessively at social functions) and how does that affect you? Is there a distinct physical feeling linked with autism - for example a buzzing head or an upset stomach? ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/34 "2004-05-19T16:42:25Z")
> [@Aslan of Narnia](#): > > Diagnostic Criteria For 299.80 Asperger’s Disorder > > \> marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction > > Fits me. Especially eye contact. > > \> failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level > > Fits me. > > \> encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus > > This is one of my biggest problems. > > \> apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals > > Fits me. > > \> The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning > > Yes, I don’t have very many friends, hate most social interaction, etc. > > Going by the DSM-IV I would be classified as having Asperger’s Disorder/Syndrome. > > Also, most people with HFA/AS are able to communicate online much better than face to face. I have a question. You find two kids in an examination room. One has Asperger’s Syndrome. The other is an extremely shy loner with some nervous habits and an imagination so active he often gets lost in his own thoughts, earning him a reputation as oblivious and socially awkward which in turn causes him to avoid most social entanglements in favor spending time with his own family and/or a tiny group of trusted friends, possibly online ones. How do you tell the difference? Anyone with knowledge of this subject can feel free to reply, just try to get it in before **Zabali Clawbane** has a chance to scratch my eyes out. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/35 "2004-05-19T18:54:11Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#): > > snip…extremely shy loner with some nervous habits and an imagination so active he often gets lost in his own thoughts, earning him a reputation as oblivious and socially awkward which in turn causes him to avoid most social entanglements in favor spending time with his own family and/or a tiny group of trusted friends, possibly online ones…snip I was this kid. I’m interested to see the difference too. I don’t make eye contact, but I tend to watch lips. If I try to make eye contact, I lose track of what the person is saying. I’m not autistic, but I can see how I could have been diagnosed as such as a child. ---
**Author:** ![indecisive1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/41988e/32.png) [@indecisive1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/indecisive1)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/36 "2004-05-19T19:02:04Z")
I really don’t know anything at all about this condition. My question is that if you aren’t forced into a situation that makes you uncomfortable (like the person-to-person social thing) are you generally happy? Or at least not in mysery? I think what I’m asking is if having the condition is harder on you than it is on the people in your life. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/37 "2004-05-19T20:25:30Z")
Do you tend to “tune out” social interaction as irrelevant background noise? Do you get really uncomfortable when somebody pressures you to “talk about it”, whatever “it” may be? Do you value solitude over connection? Are you hypersensitive to sound, but relatively insensitive to touch? ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/38 "2004-05-19T21:43:16Z")
**auliya** clarified what I meant. Thanks. No, I don’t think it is immoral to try to get the services your kid needs when this is the only way for a lot of parents. the system is broken and if we wait until the system is fixed, then in the meantime our kids will crash and burn. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/39 "2004-05-19T23:45:41Z")
> [@Aslan of Narnia](#): > > Like any of the bands I listed? 🙂 Yep. Stuff from all of them 🙂 I have very eclectic tastes though. Do you ever use ‘tricks’ to overcome some of the behaviour seen as Aspergic? I heard another sufferer on this board saying they had developed a number of ploys (conscious techniques) to get around difficulties in social interaction. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410/40 "2004-05-20T05:16:52Z")
Thanks for the topic! My 6 year old was diagnosed this year. I thought his issues and developmental irregularities were caused by his extremely premature birth, and was surprised when presented with the diagnosis. ASD was not a problem I was expecting. The kindergarten teacher pegged him as different the first week of school and recommended testing. I agree that he has the traits described in the DSM, but I think he falls into the social skills and odd behaviours camp…well, I don’t know. It’s new for us. Anyway, what is your area of interest or preoccupation? My son’s primary interest is Harry Potter. I know Potter is popular now, but his interest is different. It’s seriously more intense and long lasting (2 1/2 years now) and involves everything from clothing to grooming to how he is able to relate to other children (which he can’t do well because there is a very involved and complicated HP game going on in his head day and night that other children don’t know the rules to and therefore cannot play and it is too complicated to be taught). Oddly, he is terrified of the HP movies and will hide outside if he even thinks someone is going to put the movie on. Fortunately, this interest has been fading a little recently and is being replaced with other things (that’s a plural- yea) which is a relief. Regarding eye contact, are there some people that you do not have eye contact problems with such as a parent or sibling? My son makes pretty good eye contact with me, but not so great with others. He is undergoing training for this and some other things. Do you have any sensory issues such as clothing issues or touch/feel issues? My son only likes particular clothings and shoes. Sending him to school in a shirt that is not red or pants that are not brown can be a very big problem and will only wear one style of shoe. He is both extremely touch sensitive and tickle-ish, yet oddly resistant to pain. I’m the only person who can scratch his itchy back and that took 2-3 years. Do you have any special skills? I don’t think this is common, but just wanted to ask. My son does not seem to have any except for a phenominal memory. Finally, did you ever hear “there’s nothing wrong with him/her that a good spanking won’t cure!” :rolleyes: That really makes me mad. I think it’s a variation of “you’re not parenting right.” :mad: . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-autistic-person/245410.md?page=3)