Expert: Celtica - 2/18/2008

Question
A bit of background.  I am a 40 year old man, father of 4, with a 6-year old son with Autism/ADHD.  Going through all of the doctor and therapists' visits, hearing the the likely symptoms, I began to realize something.  With very few exceptions, they were describing me.  Growing up, I always thought that there was something wrong with me.  Like I didn't fit in.  I know this is going to sound odd to some people, but going through this with my son has been very comforting to me.  I am a reasonably successful adult and he can be too.

Lately I've noticed certain things about my behavior:
1.  I'll be at work, but suddenly a question will pop into my head (totally unrelated to what I'm working on).  I become totally obsessed with "answering" this question before I can continue what I was working on.
2.  While I am not color blind, I cannot "think" in color.
3.  I am fairly intelligent (140-150 IQ), but I become obsessed with finding the proper words in any form of written communication.  (It's taken me an hour so far to write this.)  I normally have to completely re-write things 3-4 times to get it "right".  But then my ADD shows as every thing is mis-worded and unconnected.
4.  I have difficulties when I try to relax.  It seems like my mind is always going at 100mph (160 km/h for you metric folks) and I'm just a spectator listening to 20 other people talking.  It usually takes my about and hour and a half to fall asleep if I'm not extremely tired.

Are these normal for people on the Autism Spectrum?

Are these "normal" for someone on the Autism spectrum?

Answer
Hi,

sorry for not replying sooner.
As every person with autism is different, it's impossible to say what's normal for us and what's not, but what you describe sounds familiar for someone with ADD and autism like me.


1.  I'll be at work, but suddenly a question will pop into my head (totally unrelated to what I'm working on).  I become totally obsessed with "answering" this question before I can continue what I was working on.

- I don't experience this very often (but I do occasionally) but I know a person with Asperger's and ADD who is like that ALOT.

2.  While I am not color blind, I cannot "think" in color.

- I'm a visual thinker and thus I can easily see pictures in my mind, and they are in color. But there are many autistics who don't.

3.  I am fairly intelligent (140-150 IQ), but I become obsessed with finding the proper words in any form of written communication.  (It's taken me an hour so far to write this.)  I normally have to completely re-write things 3-4 times to get it "right".  But then my ADD shows as every thing is mis-worded and unconnected.

- I tend to do that too (but I have a very hard time finding words anyway)

4.  I have difficulties when I try to relax.  It seems like my mind is always going at 100mph (160 km/h for you metric folks) and I'm just a spectator listening to 20 other people talking.  It usually takes my about and hour and a half to fall asleep if I'm not extremely tired.

- I usually don't have difficulties with this, but I know *many* people on the autistic spectrum, especially those who also have ADD, who do.

You could consider joining an online community like livejournal. There is a group for people on the autistic spectrum which could be interesting for you: http://community.livejournal.com/asperger/

Hope I could help a little
C.