Could I be autistic?

[BulimicCat]

Hi. I am an eighteen-year-old female from Massachusetts (I prefer not to give my name). I've been "different" since I was a baby, and I'm wondering if I could be autistic. Basically, I'm wondering, is it possible to be really, really high-functoning? I have pretty much all of the autistic traits I've read about, but to a much milder extent than the subjects in my books.... also, my differences (autistic traits?) haven't handicapped me as much as autistic people I've read of. I know the diagnosis of autism is on a spectrum, but where does one draw the line between the high end of the spectrum and quirky normalcy?
Please, please respond. I'm not expecting a diagnosis from a professional. I would just really appreciate opinions from any of you, who probably know much more than I do. Thank you so much!!!!!

[Lighthouses]

Hi BulimicCat, Don't worry. I am 22 years old and I been "different" since I am around 3 years old. If you want to e-mail; please use my regular e-mail address. Thanks, Michelle

[Dave]

BulimicCat,
Welcome to AT, and don't worry, you can remain as anonymous as you like here. There are guidelines to even get into the spectrum to begin with, but I can't say yes or no, but it is possible. I have tried to get a few resources together that you can read. The standard clinical diagnosis is made using the DSM-IV Standard (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association, Fourth Edition). Briefly, there are twelve diagnostic criteria for the DSM-IV Autistic Disorder. They are grouped into three areas-social development, communication, and activities and interests. Within each group there are four specific criteria. For a diagnosis to be made, six of the criteria must be met, two from each group. Diagnostic Criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM IV

In addition, there are medical tests, therapy evaluations, direct observations, and standardized developmental evaluations.

Autism-Related Disorders in DSM-IV
Meredyth Goldberg Edelson, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Willamette University
Salem, Oregon
http://www.autism.org/dsm.html

This page has lots of good info:
http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/fischert/kimslinde/faq.htm

Here is a link to a pdf file about High Functioning Autism:
http://www.autism-society.org/packages/high_functioning.pdf

I hope I've give you something useful.

[BulimicCat]

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone is, or has been in the same boat that I am in. Ever since I was in kidergarten, I was aware of my differences; my family and teachers were aware before that. For the next few years, I accepted the labels and explanations that people gave me regarding my eccentricity--- I was shy, socially/emotionally immature, wasn't trying had enough, spoiled, intentionally trying to provoke my parents out of a lack of gratitude, etc. I spent much of my childhood feeling guilty and ashamed, thinking that if I just "tried harder", as everyone was pusing me to do, I could just be normal. I thougt it was my fault that I was so messed up.
I supposed I'm relatively close to mastering the art of acting normal--- but acting is not being. On the inside, I'm still the strange, awkward little girl that I used to be. I have trouble reading people, and great problems connecting with others and building any sort of relationship. If I could choose, I would spend 95% of my time alone. People drain me of energy. I have abnormal interests, or rather fascinations---- I love memorizing long lists of numbers, especially the daily high and low temperatures of hundreds of international locatios, and the bar codes of items sold in the grocery store here I work. i am always rocking back and forth and moving repetitively, sometimes for hours on end. I have trouble grasping the meaning in things, especially spoken words. I could go on, but I'm probably borng everyone.
While there is much evidence pointing towards autism, there are some contradictions. I did engage in imaginative play as a child, though I guess it was different from the way most other kids played--- I watch young chldren play now, and realize how different I was from them. hwever I definitely had an imagination, and interacted with a friend during these games. i didn't have any speech delays. In fact, I learned to speak at about nine months---very early! I did have a toal of three friends in my first twelve years of life. And I've even had a boyfriend (who is the only one who knows about my oddities, and thinks that I'm most certainly autistic.)
I wish I knew an autistic person, to see if I identify better with him/her than I do with regular people. I've "lurked" through various message boreds of this type, but haven't yet been able to judge whether I see bits of myself in other posters.
Anyoe who bothered to read through that novel of mine can respond, even if it's just pointles babbling like my own posts.

[BulimicCat]

Oh, and thank you, Dave, for the links. I read the diagnostic criteria, and I seem to fit it quite well, though I believe that to be safe I should somewhat doubt my accuracy as a probably biased judge.

[Lighthouses]

Hello BC, No Problem....E-mail me at: trez@ticon.net
Thanks, Michelle

[GRAMOM]

Good for you. So glad to hear someone understanding themselve. I raised one daughter with no idea that she was autistic, but realizing there was a problem. All through her life she played with younger children and just seemed immature. As she reached her teen years it got to be a game as to how much she could do to irritate me. Her teen years were not happy ones for her or myself. i took her for counseling and no one had an answer for me. Well she grew up and married and gave birth to twin girls. That is where the problems showed up big time. She was unable to take care of or coup with having babies. After trying everything the babies came to live with me and their mother eventually gave up custody to my husband and I. It turns out that these twins have the same traits as their mother and have been diagnoised with high functioning autism. It has been a long road but due to early intervention they have come a long way. Now i know what their mothers problem was and still is. Just thought you might like to hear this story. My girls are very smart and can keep up well in the regular class room "if they want to". Their social skills are not as good and are unable to make and keep lasting relationships with peers. Now the problem is turning into a disipline one. Feel free to email me if you wish.:santa: :santa: