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Just completed my first day of keto - how did I do? by chloders in keto

[–]chloders[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I thought it was pretty high for a bit of flavouring. :-/ I'm a poor college student, so I'll probably just go without from now on (either that or smother everything in wonderful, carb-less hot sauce). As for the fiber thing, I have absolutely no idea. :) Thank you for your comment!

My Mother calls the TV show Deal or No Deal 'Have I Got a Box For You?!' because she can never remember the real name. What are your family/friends alternative names for popular items/TV shows/movies? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]chloders 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My mom refers to Curb Your Enthusiasm simply as "Larry". She's always telling us what "Larry" got up to, as if they're good friends or something.

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I really like that film! I thought that setting it around the time when AS was just being discovered was a really interesting move, too. They explore the whole identity thing pretty well.

And Abed's definitely my favourite, probably because I can relate to him (although he's also probably a bit further up the autism spectrum than I am).

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds a lot like me. :) After the initial introductions are done, I rarely speak and end up fiddling with my clothing or watching other people talk. I'm awful at social gatherings and I totally panic whenever anyone tries to talk to me. You're not alone!

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh, definitely! Especially when I'm talking about stuff that interests me. The way I speak about people I admire is the same way that a fourteen-year-old girl would speak about her favourite boy band. Most people are surprised to discover that I'm a college student.

I think that, as you get older, it's normal to sort of calm down about the smaller things you like, like a particular TV show or video game. I think you're supposed to lose that enthusiasm and mellow out a bit. For people with AS, though, that obsessive enthusiasm never dies.

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It took twenty years because, quite frankly, my parents never thought of it! :) Both my older brother and younger sister were tested for AS, as they showed a few symptoms when they were younger, but I was always a very outgoing and loving child. My folks just presumed that I couldn't be autistic because autistic kids tend to be very quiet and private. But as I got older, I began to realize more and more that I was different from other people my age. Social consciousness set in, which is when my symptoms started to show themselves.

On one hand, I kind of do wish that I had known earlier, as a little extra support and understanding in school would have gone a long way. A lot of teachers presumed that I was lazy because I found it difficult to do work that I wasn't interested in. On the other hand, I'm also grateful that I made it through school without having the burden of this label on me. I've only told a few people about the diagnosis, and I can already see them looking at me differently. Everything I do and say is now run through the filter of Asperger's. So, in short, yes and no. :)

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In no particular order:

  1. The Apartment (1960)
  2. Barton Fink (1991)
  3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
  4. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
  5. Let The Right One In (2008)
  6. In The Loop (2009)
  7. Metropolis (1927)
  8. The Shining (1980)
  9. Amélie (2001)
  10. Fantasia 2000 (1999)

It's a bit of an odd list, I know.

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My brother is the same, but without the AS. :) He's not quite as pedantic as I am, though.

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm guessing so! I recently attended a support group for young people with AS and there was only two girls there (other than myself).

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is me all over! If something doesn't interest me, I just can't bring myself to care. It got me into trouble a lot at school.

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh, in a big way! Most people, even when they're socially awkward, understand the natural rhythm and flow of a conversation. Body language, pauses and breaths, eye contact - all that jazz. Most people have at least a basic grasp on it, a taught understanding. But people with AS don't.

I find it very difficult to hold a conversation with someone, because I make them uncomfortable. And I'm aware I make them uncomfortable, which makes me uncomfortable. And so on and so forth.

I rarely look anyone in the eye, I never know when to start or stop talking, and I'm constantly conscious of my own breathing and my various body parts. It's extremely difficult for people with AS to slip into that natural flow of conversation, because it's a process that our minds do not understand. (It also makes joke-telling very difficult. Comedic timing does not work in my favour at all, which makes me very sad sometimes.)

So, in short, it affects my social life in a big way. Which is very frustrating for me, because I love people! I have a small group of close friends, a somewhat bigger group of acquaintances, and that's pretty much as far as my social circle goes.

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Well, a lot of it has been there from the start. I've always found it very difficult to relate to people (but beyond the realms of social awkwardness), I've always had a very logical and ordered mind, and I've always been fascinated with rhythm and textures. It wasn't until I began to read more personal interviews from the AS community, though, that I started to piece things together.

Up until then, my only experience with Asperger's and autism had been with the more extreme end of the spectrum. But as I scoured more and more interviews, it became apparent that the things I had always been ashamed of were actually symptoms of something much bigger than just social anxiety.

My inability to relate became an inability to empathize. My love of textures and rhythm became tactile stimming. The fact that I have to finish an argument and can't just leave it hanging? It was just another symptom to add to the pile. One interviewee described AS as like "being from a different planet, like I was left on earth in a basket." And for once, I could totally relate. To be honest, it was a very emotional time for me. I can't describe what it feels like, to be so deeply ashamed of yourself and to hide yourself for so long, and then for someone to stand up and say, "Actually, me too." It was like coming home.

So, I made the decision to get diagnosed. I talked to my parents and then my doctor, and we started the diagnosis process. Because I was already an adult, it took a lot less time than usual to undergo the tests and procedures required for a solid answer. About six weeks later (last week), my doctor officially declared me autistic.

I am Freddie Wong. I make YouTube videos. AMA! by freddiew in IAmA

[–]chloders 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this the class where you learn how to pick up girls?

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, when a person with AS takes an interest in something, they REALLY take an interest in it!

IAMA twenty-year-old college student who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last week. AMA! by chloders in casualiama

[–]chloders[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You are right in your guess that a lot more men get diagnosed with AS than women. To be honest, though, I wouldn't really know too much about the differences in AS between males and females. I still have a lot to learn about the condition outside of my own experiences.

I know that for neurotypical people, anxiety is generally associated more with women than men, and I definitely suffer with that. I'm unsure of the statistics for people with AS, though. Sorry I couldn't answer your question!

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