• Repetitive behaviors (may want to watch the same program over and over again)
When speaking, I often repeat myself. The reason for this is mostly because conversation is so damn hard, if I've already thought of something to say I can say it twice so I'm talking for longer
• Unresponsive to commands or questions ("in their own world")
Not true. If I'm focused on something I can get irritated if interrupted. Does that count?
• Delayed speech & language development (non-verbal, especially by age 3)
No. Learned to read early. Normal early childhood development. Had social difficulties by the time I entered primary school. Did not make friends. My secondary school did call in the shrink a couple times for me tho
He gave me some tests and said I was pretty darn good at them
He must have found nothing wrong as I stayed at the same school and never saw him again.
• Lack of imitation of others or imaginative play
I have no idea how to judge my own imagination. I daydream a lot. I used to play with cars in a sandpit as a child. Mum always says I was an easy child to look after as I entertained myself for hours on end.
• Indifferent to the feelings of others
I wouldn't say that's accurate. I can be indifferent at times. I often don't know how to appropriately deal with other people when upset/angry, and indeed often get it wrong. But I just put that down to bad social skills.
I can lack empathy at times, but isn't that true of most people?
• Hypersensitivity to light & sound (covers ears when music is played or covers eyes when going outside)
I don't like sunlight but I'm not hypersensitive to it, I don't think. In bright sunlight my eyes weep. But that also happens on windy days. I just have weak eyes. I don't like loud noises or loud music at all, but that's because I value my hearing.
• Self-stimulatory behaviors (e.g., rocking, jumping up and down, hand flapping)
Not in this sense, no. I don't like to stand still, that much is true. I move from one leg to the other, or do a little jig, anything but stand still
But I'm always conscious of it and can stop if I want to.
I do not have any abnormal behaviour in this regard, no hand flapping, no rocking. Just fidgets
• Echolalia (Repetition or echoing of a word or phrase just spoken by another person)
Nope.
• Unusual emotional responses (inappropriate laughing or crying)
Nope. Well, I don't think so. I am a bit emotional at times but that is mostly when I'm tired. I have massive mood swings.
• Frequent temper tantrums / meltdowns
I used to lose my temper a lot because I used to be a jerk. I control it better these days.
• Responds adversely to physical affection, hugs, kisses, etc.
I find physical contact very uncomfortable. But probably because I don't experience it very often.
• Shows no interest in making friends
On the one hand, true. But I'm also conscious of not having friends, and this bothers me. So is it true or not true?
• Does not initiate conversation
Very true. Painfully shy and often walk past people deliberately looking away from them, avoiding eye contact.
• Very poor diet (may eat only starches)
N/A. I don't do much cooking. OK, when I was at uni my diet was awful. Just awful
• Frequently walks on tip-toes as a toddler
Lol. No idea about that.
• Socially withdrawn or socially awkward
Very true.
• Shows little expressive language
Hmm, I'm quite good with language.
• Clumsiness (falls or trips often)
Nope, not at all. I have good balance and normal motor function.
• Improper use of pronouns, statements, and questions
Nope, I'm good with grammar. Just not spelling
• Unusual tone or rhythm of speech
Nope, my speeach is normal.
• Self Injurious Behavior (head banging, scratching/biting self)
Nope.
• Frequently makes irrelevant remarks
Nope.
• Difficulty with abstract language and concepts
Nope?
• Be preoccupied with one or only a few narrow interests
Hmm. Could be true. OK probably true.
• Need for sameness (adheres to routines)
Nope, I don't have a routine. I get up at different times and no two days are alike in that respect.
• Severe tantrums when routines are disrupted
See above, nope.
• Shows an attachment to unusual objects such as car parts, branches, leaves, etc.
Nope.
• Fascination with spinning objects or spinning one’s self
Lol, nope.
• Very good at rote memory tasks such as repeating lists of items or facts
Nope. My memory is oh so poor.
