Adult Baby Rules "Caitian X" has to follow...(My "Reality")...

[Sapphyre]

I was actually discussing this very topic with my therapist earlier tonight. She has never mentioned Asperger's to me, and for a long time, despite having suspicions, I didn't mention it to her either. I wanted to see if she arrived at the same conclusion independently. As it turns out, the thought has crossed her mind many times, but she isn't sure about it.

I never took the AQ test until just now, but my score was 34. o.o; I suspect my therapist is unsure because I'm very "high-functioning" and have learned to mask my shortcomings reasonably well. I still can't operate in social settings involving multiple people at once (even when I was teaching a class, and using the Socratic method to do so, I was still only interacting with one student at a time and in a structured setting).

This thread has been very interesting and enlightening for me.

One question actually made me laugh... the one about phone numbers. I actually don't even use the address book in my phone, I just remember everyone's number offhand. Go figure.

 

[LittleJess]

I was actually discussing this very topic with my therapist earlier tonight. She has never mentioned Asperger's to me, and for a long time, despite having suspicions, I didn't mention it to her either. I wanted to see if she arrived at the same conclusion independently. As it turns out, the thought has crossed her mind many times, but she isn't sure about it.

I never took the AQ test until just now, but my score was 34. o.o; I suspect my therapist is unsure because I'm very "high-functioning" and have learned to mask my shortcomings reasonably well. I still can't operate in social settings involving multiple people at once (even when I was teaching a class, and using the Socratic method to do so, I was still only interacting with one student at a time and in a structured setting).

This thread has been very interesting and enlightening for me.

One question actually made me laugh... the one about phone numbers. I actually don't even use the address book in my phone, I just remember everyone's number offhand. Go figure.

I'm very high functioning as-well, I have "mild" aspergers (atypical aspergers) as in it's barely noticeable to the point you don't even know I have it, the only noticeable aspects are just my social skills. (a lot of my symptoms vanished while growing up)

Out of all the people I know who have aspergers, I tend to be higher functioning then them. (aka although I'm an aspie) mine is way less worse than someone else with it.

I'm closer to "normal" than most aspies, if that makes some sense. (ie I seem more neurotypcial) It took them quite a while to work that one out.

 

[Sapphyre]

I'm very high functioning as-well, I have "mild" aspergers (atypical aspergers) as in it's barely noticeable to the point you don't even know I have it, the only noticeable aspects are just my social skills. (a lot of my symptoms vanished while growing up)

Out of all the people I know who have aspergers, I tend to be higher functioning then them. (aka although I'm an aspie) mine is way less worse than someone else with it.

I'm closer to "normal" than most aspies, if that makes some sense. (ie I seem more neurotypcial) It took them quite a while to work that one out.

It makes perfect sense. I'm actually quite the same. As a kid, I went to "computer camp" and found that I got along unusually well with a select group of the other kids... all of whom had been diagnosed with Asperger's. In some cases it was rather fun, because we'd get into discussions about how to work out the number of edges in a hypercube or other such topics. ^^;

 

[MarchinBunny]

I was actually discussing this very topic with my therapist earlier tonight. She has never mentioned Asperger's to me, and for a long time, despite having suspicions, I didn't mention it to her either. I wanted to see if she arrived at the same conclusion independently. As it turns out, the thought has crossed her mind many times, but she isn't sure about it.

I never took the AQ test until just now, but my score was 34. o.o; I suspect my therapist is unsure because I'm very "high-functioning" and have learned to mask my shortcomings reasonably well. I still can't operate in social settings involving multiple people at once (even when I was teaching a class, and using the Socratic method to do so, I was still only interacting with one student at a time and in a structured setting).

This thread has been very interesting and enlightening for me.

One question actually made me laugh... the one about phone numbers. I actually don't even use the address book in my phone, I just remember everyone's number offhand. Go figure.

Phone number are a bit strange with me. I don't find it hard to remember them. In fact, when I first got my cell phone, I had the number memorized in about 5 minutes. I can even recall older phone numbers that are from my childhood XD. However, I don't actually remember that many phone numbers because I don't usually care to. I just throw it into a cell phone or write it down and forget about it. It's more like a lack of interest than any difficulty memorizing it.

In fact, I think I had more gameshark and action replay codes memorized than phone numbers XD.

One of the questions on the test baffles me and I don't know how to answer it. It asks if you notice license plate numbers or other strings of numbers. I mean of course I notice crap like that .. who doesn't? I mean to what degree exactly is the question implying?

 

[Sapphyre]

Phone number are a bit strange with me. I don't find it hard to remember them. In fact, when I first got my cell phone, I had the number memorized in about 5 minutes. I can even recall older phone numbers that are from my childhood XD. However, I don't actually remember that many phone numbers because I don't usually care to. I just throw it into a cell phone or write it down and forget about it. It's more like a lack of interest than any difficulty memorizing it.

In fact, I think I had more gameshark and action replay codes memorized than phone numbers XD.

One of the questions on the test baffles me and I don't know how to answer it. It asks if you notice license plate numbers or other strings of numbers. I mean of course I notice crap like that .. who doesn't? I mean to what degree exactly is the question implying?

The thing is, I don't try to remember license plate numbers. It's more that, for my friends at work for example, I like to know when they're around before I walk in to see them. I can't even tell you the make / model of car they drive, I'm not really into cars, I just recognize the general shape. But the license plates just stick. And I know when it's their car. I suppose it comes down to motivation, really, but I don't actually try to memorize them. I DO try to memorize phone numbers, and I have around a dozen close friends that I call somewhat often, as well as my therapist, my doctors (multiple specialists), my mom... and I just remember them all.

I also memorized all the "cheat codes" to "Sonic 2" on the Genesis. They involved playing certain "Sound Test" numbers in the right order. I never had to write them down. o.o;

 

[MarchinBunny]

The thing is, I don't try to remember license plate numbers. It's more that, for my friends at work for example, I like to know when they're around before I walk in to see them. I can't even tell you the make / model of car they drive, I'm not really into cars, I just recognize the general shape. But the license plates just stick. And I know when it's their car. I suppose it comes down to motivation, really, but I don't actually try to memorize them. I DO try to memorize phone numbers, and I have around a dozen close friends that I call somewhat often, as well as my therapist, my doctors (multiple specialists), my mom... and I just remember them all.

I also memorized all the "cheat codes" to "Sonic 2" on the Genesis. They involved playing certain "Sound Test" numbers in the right order. I never had to write them down. o.o;

Ah ya, most of the sonic games had cheats you could do through the sound test on genesis. I use to play sonic quite a lot when I was younger. Big fan. I didn't cheat often enough to remember the codes though lol. Although debug mode was always fun to mess with. Spawning in things was super fun.
Ya, memorizing strings of numbers can happen to me as well even without trying, but that only typically occurs when I am sort of looking at those numbers on a frequent basis. Like I wouldn't remember a random license plate number. I may notice and be interested in reading it, but remembering it ... no.

Now if it's a car I see everyday, that is a different story. Then like you, i wouldn't even have to try. I will just eventually remember it because I see it so often.

 

[SpAzpieSweeTot]

Ahh ok, I am still not quite sure XD. These things sound pretty normal to me. Maybe, that is the issue I am having with understanding this. Maybe what I think it typically normal ... isn't?
I mean, I personally always have had some sort of obsession and I suppose it did drive people nuts quite a bit. When I was younger I just took everything I had apart. If it had screws they must be removed and I must see what was in it and if I can figure out how it worked. My mom would get pretty frustrated with me when she would find all my toys in pieces. I don't exactly still do it anymore, but I think that is because I took that obsession and now use computers as what I tinker with. My mom also used to say I would one day marry the computer >.>.

It sometimes got to the point where she was trying to get me away from the computer. She would take away the mouse, change the password, take the power cable. I always found a way to work around it. She eventually gave up. Computers to me are exciting. I love tinkering with them. While a formatting of a hard drive for some people is just work and something that you do once a year or so to keep things running smooth, to me it's fun. Being without a computer, quite literally puts me out of commission, I don't know what to do. It's hard for me to deal with not having access to a computer.

Cartoons and anime is another one of my obsessions. Again, to the point it would typically drive people nuts. My dad once freaked out on me because of how many times I was watching Disney's Robin Hood in a row. He also used to freak out on how much cartoons and anime I would watch. Often telling me I need to grow up. Rugrats was something I watch pretty religiously as well when I was younger and I would be pretty upset if I couldn't watch it. It was something that was just expected. Rugrats I watch at this time, it's always at this time. I suppose I don't like change very much. But I mean, all my life I have sort of been forced by my parents to accept change. They eventually banned me from watching rugrats.

Again, anime is what I mostly watch now. I even keep track of what I watch and have a list of statistics. =^.^=
As of now, I have completed 463 anime. 9134 Episodes. 153.96 Days of anime watched. 3,695 hours.
If I had the money, I don't think people realize how much anime I would just buy and collect lol.

Also ... the same sort of goes with books for some reason. I have an odd want to collect them, but I don't actually read novels all that much. Just the thought of having a library full of books excites me. Collecting things like this just interests me a lot.

o.o Anyway, I am sort of going off topic a bit here, sorry.


Ahh, I see. Many things I am terrible at. Well .. besides flexible thinking and working memory, I would like to think I am good at that. XD
Everything else ... always been terrible at those things. It's often why I am so scared of trying things on my own. Since I been stuck in Canada, some tell me I should move back to the US and just live in a shelter for some time. However, I personally think I couldn't do it. I am so bad at taking care of myself without someone sort of leading me. The way I personally would put it is it often feels like I had never grown up because I often seem to have to rely on someone in some way.

See while I was in a trade school called job corps, I graduated at the top of my class in Telecommunications. I was lead in many projects. I did a lot of community service and was an ambassador for the school (Not sure if I was any good at it considering how shy and anti-social I was, but most people on campus where ... bad XD since it's typically that kind of school). These are things I can't typically do on my own, I was only able to do them because it's a school that forces you to. You don't really have a choice in the matter. You always have someone leading you and telling you what you need to do. On my own, I lose track. Become unorganized. I end up skipping classes to watch anime >.< ... (it really is a bad obsession).

It's weird too, because I actually don't like that about myself. I hate how I seem to just not be able to force myself to do these things that need to be done. It's often why I see myself as a good for nothing or worthless. Because I can't ever seem to be able to do anything on my own, and it's something I never really understood why.



Sure I certainly will :3

First reaction? Oh my gosh! How didn't your parents know? Then I think of some of the stuff they seem oblivious to, that you mention in other threads, and I can see how they didn't! You sound like you've had many an issue with them. I'm sorry.

The Robin Hood over, and over, and over again, is so us. The tinker, investigate, reassemble," thing is so common, it was a diagnostic criterion for Asperger's, back when it was it's own thing. Now, only the mildest Aspies are off by themselves with Social Communication Disorder.

I think the only reason I don't do the actual tinkering is because of my hands not being able to physically do it, and I'd have a lot of trouble visually processing where all the wires were coming from. Even tying my shoes is a visual clusterboink. I still have a tinker Aspie's fascination with how things work, but, where yours is computers, mine is humans, and whales, and Service Dogs, and by extension, and to a lesser degree, because it is by extension, dog breeds. The way your brain replaced Rugrats with anime. Even taking things away doesn't change neurotype.

This needs to be said. You. . . Weren't. . . A bad kid! You're mom sounds nuts. I don't know if maybe you'll find this strangely validating, but gender is a funny thing in Autie/Aspie culture. Some were lucky enough to be secure in it, some are trans, or others find the genders so difficult to tell apart, that they wish it was okay to just look at people's parts, others feel, "half and half," and some just give their names, without giving gender at all.

 

[Sapphyre]

This needs to be said. You. . . Weren't. . . A bad kid! You're mom sounds nuts. I don't know if maybe you'll find this strangely validating, but gender is a funny thing in Autie/Aspie culture. Some were lucky enough to be secure in it, some are trans, or others find the genders so difficult to tell apart, that they wish it was okay to just look at people's parts, others feel, "half and half," and some just give their names, without giving gender at all.

Yeah, her mom is totally nuts IMO. As I told her... I have an important Illuminati meeting to skip off to now, because as her mother knows, we're working on a BIG CONSPIRACY to take over the world and make everyone worship Satan! Oh crap now it's out in the open... back to the drawing board...

Aspergian or not, I can't help myself to some humor when someone posits something as ridiculous as this. Her mother would probably hate my guts. ^^;;

 

[SpAzpieSweeTot]

I'm very high functioning as-well, I have "mild" aspergers (atypical aspergers) as in it's barely noticeable to the point you don't even know I have it, the only noticeable aspects are just my social skills. (a lot of my symptoms vanished while growing up)

Out of all the people I know who have aspergers, I tend to be higher functioning then them. (aka although I'm an aspie) mine is way less worse than someone else with it.

I'm closer to "normal" than most aspies, if that makes some sense. (ie I seem more neurotypcial) It took them quite a while to work that one out.

I'm one of those who thinks there's just enough difference in the male and female brain to make some female Aspies harder to detect. My facial expressions seem a bit less. . . Is, "fixed," a good word? It doesn't look like I'm trying so hard to smile. My face does go absolutely flat when I'm trying hard not to come up out of my wheelchair throwing punches, or when I'm shutting down. I've also realized that in pictures, my eye contact looks, "off." Not, "fixed, but, like I'm looking beyond the camera. I wonder if eye contact was something they worked with me in preschool on, because I kinda do it first, and then get, "Why are you staring at me," but only when I'm debating rather or not people really wanna know what I'm about to say. Otherwise, I don't stare.

My speech doesn't sound atypical, until I get stuck on something, and no one can shut me up, then it gets a little pedantic. My social approach is way off.

Then there are things about me that make me see why Asperger's and Autism aren't separated anymore. Like ordering at restaurants, I cannot, I just cannot, unless I have my workaround. I aquaint myself with the menu beforehand, pick something beforehand, and write it down, then just either speak it to the server, or pass the note, so I don't say the wrong thing, or forget what I wanted, and I will, without it, because my public social niceties are so rehearsed. I haven't found a workaround for talking to important people. Anyone know any? I think my workaround for going places, is going to have to be my future Service Dog, who isn't even out of the dream stage yet, but is already named Keeneye, to be trained in guide work, as well as mobility work, and also a touch of psychdog work. After looking it up again, I feel like I'm comfortably a support level 1.

 

[KimbaFoxNatsume]

Then there are things about me that make me see why Asperger's and Autism aren't separated anymore. Like ordering at restaurants, I cannot, I just cannot, unless I have my workaround. I aquatint myself with the menu beforehand, pick something beforehand, and write it down, then just either speak it to the server, or pass the note, so I don't say the wrong thing, or forget what I wanted, and I will, without it, because my public social niceties are so rehearsed. I haven't found a workaround for talking to important people. Anyone know any? I think my workaround for going places, is going to have to be my future Service Dog, who isn't even out of the dream stage yet, but is already named Keeneye, to be trained in guide work, as well as mobility work, and also a touch of psychdog work. I feel like rather or not I'm a support level 1, or a support level 2 depends on the situation.

I remember as a kid, I wouldn't order my own food at restaurants. I would choose what I wanted and my mom would tell the server, and this went on until I was probably around 11 or so. It seems there was just something uncomfortable and intimidating about it for me, I'm not sure.

There are still some situations where I tend to avoid unnecessary social interaction. When I go to the casino, I don't go to a roulette table with an actual dealer because I don't want the social anxiety of asking questions and/or making mistakes. I use the electronic one or the automated one where bets are placed on a touch screen and the ball spins itself.

 

[SpAzpieSweeTot]

I remember as a kid, I wouldn't order my own food at restaurants. I would choose what I wanted and my mom would tell the server, and this went on until I was probably around 11 or so. It seems there was just something uncomfortable and intimidating about it for me, I'm not sure.

There are still some situations where I tend to avoid unnecessary social interaction. When I go to the casino, I don't go to a roulette table with an actual dealer because I don't want the social anxiety of asking questions and/or making mistakes. I use the electronic one or the automated one where bets are placed on a touch screen and the ball spins itself.

I don't go nonverbal when ordering, or talking to state people. But my mind goes blank, and it takes me a minute to remember what to say, that padantic speech comes out, and I say stuff that makes me look stupid, like asking for blue cheese dressing on a Caesar salad, when I know they have Caesar dressing.

 

[MarchinBunny]

First reaction? Oh my gosh! How didn't your parents know? Then I think of some of the stuff they seem oblivious to, that you mention in other threads, and I can see how they didn't! You sound like you've had many an issue with them. I'm sorry.

Ya, my mom was so caught up in her love life that she didn't see anything other than herself. My dad was not around through most of my life because of the things he had done. I was rarely even taking to a doctor even when things were wrong. Never was taken to a dentist. So it was pretty obvious being taken for anything else was pretty much out of the picture. I think it had a lot to do with the money. Joe (my ex-stepfather) was a very cheap person and he wrapped my mom around his finger. He never wanted to spend any sort of money on us. Even when things got pretty bad and my mom was thinking of taking me to the hospital he argued with her about it, and said I was faking it.

So, ya, it totally makes sense why it wasn't noticed or rather it may have been noticed but they just didn't do anything about it.

The Robin Hood over, and over, and over again, is so us. The tinker, investigate, reassemble," thing is so common, it was a diagnostic criterion for Asperger's, back when it was it's own thing. Now, only the mildest Aspies are off by themselves with Social Communication Disorder.

I think the only reason I don't do the actual tinkering is because of my hands not being able to physically do it, and I'd have a lot of trouble visually processing where all the wires were coming from. Even tying my shoes is a visual clusterboink. I still have a tinker Aspie's fascination with how things work, but, where yours is computers, mine is humans, and whales, and Service Dogs, and by extension, and to a lesser degree, because it is by extension, dog breeds. The way your brain replaced Rugrats with anime. Even taking things away doesn't change neurotype.

This is stuff I didn't know. I for the most part always just considered myself normally abnormal XD ... if that makes any sense. Like while my interests did seem different, I felt it was well within the range of what was considered normal. However, I suppose from other peoples perspective it isn't really. Another obsession of mine was video games. In fact, it was such a big part of my life that now my mom blames all the issues I have on video games. Back when I had a N64 I would rent games every week. Again, it was one of those things I just expected and if plans changed ... I pretty much would throw a fit. I don't know why, but things like that just bothered me a great deal. When I am expecting something, and it doesn't occur it really bothers the crap out of me.

Anyway, that was eventually also taken away when I got grounded for the 3 years.

This needs to be said. You. . . Weren't. . . A bad kid! You're mom sounds nuts. I don't know if maybe you'll find this strangely validating, but gender is a funny thing in Autie/Aspie culture. Some were lucky enough to be secure in it, some are trans, or others find the genders so difficult to tell apart, that they wish it was okay to just look at people's parts, others feel, "half and half," and some just give their names, without giving gender at all.

Ya, I suppose I understand that. However, most of my life I was considered bad in some sort of way.

Yeah, her mom is totally nuts IMO. As I told her... I have an important Illuminati meeting to skip off to now, because as her mother knows, we're working on a BIG CONSPIRACY to take over the world and make everyone worship Satan! Oh crap now it's out in the open... back to the drawing board...

Aspergian or not, I can't help myself to some humor when someone posits something as ridiculous as this. Her mother would probably hate my guts. ^^;;

Ya, I don't really know anymore. She has gotten really bad to a crazy degree. Yes, she was always nuts, but this now is on a whole other level.
I have tried telling her some of these issues I am going through and all she does is tell me how it's the illuminati that is causing them and video games. I do have a feeling that I am eventually going to no longer be in communcation with her. It already almost happened recently when she threatened to no longer be in contact.

Truthfully, I don't even know why I bother to tell her when I am having issues. I guess a small part of me just hopes she will eventually start caring.

I'm one of those who thinks there's just enough difference in the male and female brain to make some female Aspies harder to detect. My facial expressions seem a bit less. . . Is, "fixed," a good word? It doesn't look like I'm trying so hard to smile. My face does go absolutely flat when I'm trying hard not to come up out of my wheelchair throwing punches, or when I'm shutting down. I've also realized that in pictures, my eye contact looks, "off." Not, "fixed, but, like I'm looking beyond the camera. I wonder if eye contact was something they worked with me in preschool on, because I kinda do it first, and then get, "Why are you staring at me?"

Eye contact is a huge problem for me. It just makes me so uncomfortable to look someone in the eyes for too long. Even passing people on the side walk I get so nervous and am thinking just don't look up .. just keep going. Please ignore me. Don't look at me. Don't make eye contact XD. I never quite understood why making eye contact is so uncomfortable to me.

The only time I force myself to make eye contact is when I am having a one on one discussion with someone, but even then the uncomfortable feeling gets so overwhelming that I have to glance elsewhere at times, which then sort of makes me worry they notice and makes me feel awkward.

My speech doesn't sound atypical, until I get stuck on something, and no one can shut me up, then it gets a little pedantic. My social approach is way off.

I don't think my speech is all that bad. Back when I was in school I did have to go to speech classes because I had issues with pronouncing the letter r. So isntead of saying girl, I would say gil. Now from my perspective, I didn't notice. I thought I was saying it the same way for some reason and everyone else was just not understanding me. XD

My speech these days is fine, though sometimes while I am talking for some reason certain words may come out almost silent by accident. Sort of like I lose my voice for that split second while I am saying a word in the sentence. I really noticed it a lot when I was doing youtube videos. I am sure other people could probably find other issues with my speech that I myself don't notice.

Then there are things about me that make me see why Asperger's and Autism aren't separated anymore. Like ordering at restaurants, I cannot, I just cannot, unless I have my workaround. I aquaint myself with the menu beforehand, pick something beforehand, and write it down, then just either speak it to the server, or pass the note, so I don't say the wrong thing, or forget what I wanted, and I will, without it, because my public social niceties are so rehearsed. I haven't found a workaround for talking to important people. Anyone know any? I think my workaround for going places, is going to have to be my future Service Dog, who isn't even out of the dream stage yet, but is already named Keeneye, to be trained in guide work, as well as mobility work, and also a touch of psychdog work. I feel like rather or not I'm a support level 1, or a support level 2, depends on the situation.

This is a big big big issue I have always had. My solution has been to just order what someone else is ordering. XD If I am by myself I just order the exact same thing every single time. I also never customize my orders, unless you have to like at subway, in which case I just get everything. x.x When they ask me a question I am not expecting I freeze lmao. I even forget things I have memorized when I am suddenly asked something I am not expecting. I become a fumbling idiot and just lose all thought and become really nervous.

It can make it really hard to deal with a new situation where I can't predict what they might ask.

I don't go nonverbal when ordering, or talking to state people. But my mind goes blank, and it takes me a minute to remember what to say, that padantic speech comes out, and I say stuff that makes me look stupid, like asking for blue cheese dressing on a Caesar salad, when I know they have Caesar dressing.

Ya! That is the sort of thing that happens to me as well XD.

 

[SpAzpieSweeTot]

Caitainx, this is a really good thread. It's been cathartic, and gotten me thinking about my earliest memories of being me. It got me thinking of what my primary stim is, how I use patterns that no NT ever told me about to figure out my multiplication tables, and all sorts of stuff. My primary stim is my mouth runs constantly. I used to think I was crazy, until I saw a 4 year old stimming the way I do. Whole words, phrases, sentences, and conversations, with no attempt to talk to anyone. My ears find certain voices to be like candy, I suppose.

I think this is my primary stim, because my hands are too busy being feet, meaning pushing my chair, to flap. I do flap, but not often, usually in bed. I also rock, but not often because sometimes my CP makes it hard to sit up. If I ever get a powerchair, I'll spin in it 'til the battery dies. I guess I'm saying my stims aren't as stereotypical, but only because my body gets in their way. What are your stims?

MarchinBunny, any information you're still looking for?

 

[MarchinBunny]

MarchinBunny, any information you're still looking for?

I suppose not

 

[caitianx]

Caitainx, this is a really good thread. It's been cathartic, and gotten me thinking about my earliest memories of being me. It got me thinking of what my primary stim is, how I use patterns that no NT ever told me about to figure out my multiplication tables, and all sorts of stuff. My primary stim is my mouth runs constantly. I used to think I was crazy, until I saw a 4 year old stimming the way I do. Whole words, phrases, sentences, and conversations, with no attempt to talk to anyone. My ears find certain voices to be like candy, I suppose.

I think this is my primary stim, because my hands are too busy being feet, meaning pushing my chair, to flap. I do flap, but not often, usually in bed. I also rock, but not often because sometimes my CP makes it hard to sit up. If I ever get a powerchair, I'll spin in it 'til the battery dies. I guess I'm saying my stims aren't as stereotypical, but only because my body gets in their way. What are your stims?

MarchinBunny, any information you're still looking for?

Thank You.
I am pretty content with my own rigid routines which incorporate Infantilism/Adult Baby/Littles Behavior.

Others may think it is going too far, but I am of course performing 100% of my "adult person duties", which never go away.
I have all my bills paid off until the next bill paying cycle, and I have also been taking care of my own physical health needs, going to all my scheduled medical appointments.
Of course, on Friday I have to visit my Urologist to let her check out my pee-pee making system.
I will not neglect my ageing disabled body.
Anyway, all of you are expressing interesting thoughts to think about.

 

[SpAzpieSweeTot]

Thank You.
I am pretty content with my own rigid routines which incorporate Infantilism/Adult Baby/Littles Behavior.

Others may think it is going too far, but I am of course performing 100% of my "adult person duties", which never go away.
I have all my bills paid off until the next bill paying cycle, and I have also been taking care of my own physical health needs, going to all my scheduled medical appointments.
Of course, on Friday I have to visit my Urologist to let her check out my pee-pee making system.
I will not neglect my ageing disabled body.
Anyway, all of you are expressing interesting thoughts to think about.

Caitainx, this is embarrassing that I don't know how to do it, but could you please tell me what the steps are to pay bills? It's a goal I have. Actually, anyone can help on this one. Thank you.

 

[KimbaFoxNatsume]

Caitainx, this is a really good thread. It's been cathartic, and gotten me thinking about my earliest memories of being me. It got me thinking of what my primary stim is, how I use patterns that no NT ever told me about to figure out my multiplication tables, and all sorts of stuff. My primary stim is my mouth runs constantly. I used to think I was crazy, until I saw a 4 year old stimming the way I do. Whole words, phrases, sentences, and conversations, with no attempt to talk to anyone. My ears find certain voices to be like candy, I suppose.

I think this is my primary stim, because my hands are too busy being feet, meaning pushing my chair, to flap. I do flap, but not often, usually in bed. I also rock, but not often because sometimes my CP makes it hard to sit up. If I ever get a powerchair, I'll spin in it 'til the battery dies. I guess I'm saying my stims aren't as stereotypical, but only because my body gets in their way. What are your stims?

MarchinBunny, any information you're still looking for?

I flap, although for me, it's sometimes more of a finger twitch. I like to go outside, pace around, flap, and play little ''games'' inside my mind. For example, I'll imagine a county, name the towns in that county, and then make up names for the doctors who practice there.

I've also recently noticed myself doing short bursts of rocking while listening to music.

I skin-pick too, and while my psychologist gave me an excoriation disorder diagnosis, I suppose that could also be related to my autism.

 

[caitianx]

Caitainx, this is embarrassing that I don't know how to do it, but could you please tell me what the steps are to pay bills? It's a goal I have. Actually, anyone can help on this one. Thank you.

For me, the day after I receive my Social Security Direct Deposit is my scheduled "pay most of my bills day".
My bills are set next to my computer, along with my cheque book, my car payment book, and I sit down without interruptions to pay my car payment, my car insurance, and my Master Card bills.
Later in the fiscal month, my younger brother hands me the CATV/Internet Access bill to pay, which is my designated responsibility.
The other bills are those medical bills I have, which are co-payments which are not covered by my MEDICARE Health Care.
These are usually pretty low and manageable.
The exception was when I had to "replace" my AFO leg braces 14 months ago.
That co-payment was quite steep, even though MEDICARE paid 80 % of it.
Leg braces are expensive durable medical devices.
Oh!
My younger brother's only role with respect to my paying my bills, is to remind me and to insure that I have them organized.

 

[Calico]

As a child I remember being so into my Barbies I played with them all the time and they were like my children. I also had an active imagination to a point I wanted to be that character. Of course my mom will say this is all normal. I mostly preferred barbies and Polly Pockets as a child so my interests were that narrow even though I still did other things but my mom also calls that normal. I have always gotten obsessed to a point my mom would tell me to not talk about it anymore and she didn't want to hear it. I was never a little professor. I would just get stuck on things and want to talk about it.

I used to just do reenactments with my dolls and mimic pretend play so I did normal things like rock a doll to sleep or push a doll around in the stroller and I read to them and would punish them pretending they were in trouble. My husband told me none of this was spontaneous play if I was just doing reenactments from real life events and from TV but then told me he is no psychiatrist so I took this as a grain of salt.

As for ordering food, my mom would make me do it and she would help me. I got better at it and now I can order my food no problem and I don't get anxious either. it's just food I am getting and I make sure I know what I want first before ordering and I left people ahead until I am ready to order or I am not keeping anyone waiting. I also prefer to go inside than using a drive through so I can take all the time I want to pick without getting anxious about traffic waiting behind me.


I have never been into restricted routines so I never did Groundhog Day I call it. But I would get very very upset if anyone messed with my stuff or had been in my room and I didn't like it if there was a change in our schedule like instead of eating in the lunch room, we were doing a barbecue so we were eating outside and also we always had story time after lunch recess and one time we didn't have story time so it felt really really awkward having to sit at a table doing school work when we didn't have story time. But I never lived on a schedule I would impose on myself. I just did whatever I felt like doing and I did like good surprises and I loved opening presents. I could never wait for my birthday and Christmas. But routines do help if you have anxiety or have executive functioning issues because it helps you remember to do things and you get into a habit of doing them so you never forget. Even NTs fall into routines and even a slight change can throw them off which is why children have been left in hot cars because their minds go on auto pilot so they forget to drop their kid off at daycare because they never took them there and that one day they had to and forgot they were doing it. Which is why everyone should get into the habit of looking in the back seat before leaving their car and do it each time even if no one is sitting back there. This was shocking because I never thought that "normal" people had routines too and also fall into them and stick to them and how a change can also throw them off like an autistic person so it can also give them an occupational impairment functioning if it causes freak accidents like this. But given how rarely this happens, it's still counted as normal and not an impairment. But they say no one is immune to this.

 

[Sapphyre]

Caitainx, this is embarrassing that I don't know how to do it, but could you please tell me what the steps are to pay bills? It's a goal I have. Actually, anyone can help on this one. Thank you.

So, most of my bills are set up for automatic payment from my checking account... because otherwise I'll just forget. Last month my landlord had to pester me for an overdue rent check because... I forgot about it. So then, I just try to keep a significant floating balance in my checking account such that the bills never lead to it being overdrawn. They just get paid automatically and I don't ever have to think about them really, just check my account periodically.