Before my diagnosis last November, I was naturally reading about ASD quite a lot, including reading stories/anecdotes by women with ASD. It struck me that I was not as "severely" (for want of a better word) than them, and so I was doubting whether I'd even get a confirmed diagnosis, "am I aspie enough" type thing.
Examples:
I don't really have sensory issues. There are some sensations I dislike, such as loud music in nightclubs (easily avoided), long sleeves and water rushing over my face (which is why I find washing my hair so hard; daily showering isn't so bad as I don't have to stick my whole head under), but I can cope with going to supermarkets and so on, I don't get overwhelmed in those places like many do.
I definitely do best in a routine and with lots to do, but equally I don't have a meltdown if it's interrupted/has to change.
I don't have a restricted diet, I like quite a lot of stuff. I don't like spicy food, but neither does my NT friend. There are things I don't like, but again that applies to everyone.
I get humour/sarcasm/jokes.
But I do have a diagnosis, so that must mean something, right? My report states that the possibility of Asperger's was first mentioned when I was about six, by my Year 2 teacher, but it wasn't felt to be a major issue then. It then came up again when I was about 16; I was one of those people for whom things didn't truly become apparent till I went to secondary, and then I was good at masking and coping. I just felt more and more different from my peers. I also wasn't bullied at school either, which from reading this board seems to be unusual. I think I was affected more by some things as a child, e.g. I had a more restricted diet then (I didn't like things like chicken or ham for a long time, whereas now I do; I even remember when I first realised that I liked ham!!)
I know everyone on the spectrum is affected differently, of course! I don't really know what I'm hoping to achieve from this thread... reassurance possibly. I still haven't fully come to terms with the diagnosis I suppose.
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ASD traits you don't have/aren't so affected by/not feeling "aspie enough"
18 replies
toffee1000 · 16/08/2018 00:49
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