It doesn't affect everybody the same. I was early in speaking and reading, average in physical development (but clumsy/uncoordinated). Strange obsessions, peculiar phobias, odd collections, weird rituals, hyperfocus, very "little professor", very "Sheldon" (:lol3, taking idioms too literally, trouble with reading facial expressions, deciphering verbal inflection, making emotional connection, using names, being touched, and eye contact is veryvery uncomfortable for me. A lot of symptoms have faded as I've gotten older, but using names and making eye contact are still hard. Sensory issues-- I can hear (and am distracted by) fluorescent lights, TVs on mute, other electronics, etc. and I can't wear makeup or nail polish because I can FEEL it, every molecule touching me. Ick. Texture of food is everything--even when I was a baby I couldn't eat baby food or other mushy stuff without gagging. I couldn't wear footie pajamas without panicking, and if I was put to bed with socks on, they would be off before too long (even when I was thought to be too little to take them off!). Even now I can't wear socks to bed.Really? Were you late talking and walking? Do you struggle with jokes, sarcasm, and other statements not meant to be taken literally?
I also believe my dad, youngest brother, and nephew have AS, and I really think my paternal grandmother did, too. She was considered "eccentric". So it runs pretty strong in the family. I don't think I'll ever pursue a diagnosis, but it's easier for me to think that I have some neurological hinkiness than to think that I'm just plain weird :tongue2:. Because the harder I try to "act normal", the worse it turns out.
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