Answers to traits from 13thFullMoon post about atypical traits: (not all are lis

# Answers to traits from 13thFullMoon post about atypical traits: (not all are listed, just ones I relate to this time, and only including ones I think apply to me.)

## Appearance / Personal Habits

- will not spend much time on grooming and hair, can be quite happy not grooming at all at times: Sometimes I can go days without it but usually I at least brush my hair.
- Usually a little more expressive in face than other autistic people: I usually have a neutral face but do show emotion using my face. Not sure if that counts.
- May have androgynous traits: yes sometimes. I think of myself as in between sometimes.
- May not have a strong sense of identity: somewhat.
- usually happiest at home or other controlled environment: yes, I like to go places from time to time but sometimes it can be stressful.

## Intellectual/Giftedness/Education/Vocation:

- May have been diagnosed as autistic when young, or may have been thought of as gifted, shy, sensitive. May have also had obvious or severe learning deficits: I am going to count myself now into this, but I think of myself as somewhat shy (nobody has told me this), I have never been diagnosed, and I have attention trouble in school with topics I am not interested in.
- Often musical, artistic: I like music a lot, but don't really do much with it as a hobby, I like to do 3D art every once in a while when I get into a routine of it.
- May have a strong interest in computers, games, science, graphic design, inventing, things of a technological and visual nature: Since I was a kid I have had interest in computing and games, as well as more recently graphic design in the form of 3D modelling/animation.
- May have been a self taught reader, been hyperlexic as a child and will possess a wide variety of other self-taught skills as well: I taught myself to read as a toddler (as far as I have heard.) and many years ago in school I was told I was capable of college level reading (or another quite high level for my age). I think I may have been hyperlexic considering that, but I don't think i ever had an interest in numbers. I also have a few other self-taught skills (mostly hobbies)
- Can be very passionate about a course of study or a job, and then change direction or go completely cold on it very quickly: Sometimes I have had this happen with my hobbies. Cant think of an example right now.
- Will not do well with verbal instruction - needs to write down or draw diagram: Yes, I would probably forget what I was told to do unless it was written, example when I was told to build an easy electrical circuit in Minecraft, I had to ask my friend to build one so that I could copy it down the line, so that I knew how to set it up properly.
- Obsessions (passions / special interests) are not necessarily unusual: Not really to the point of obsession but from time to time I can get quite into a game or other interests and can spend hours every day doing it.

## Emotional / Physical

- Emotionally immature and emotionally sensitive: Yes, sometimes the smallest things can make me very emotional, such as small easy to fix problems can make me quite angry sometimes.
- Anxiety and fear are predominant emotions: From time to time yes, probably my depression kicking in.
- More open to talk about feelings and emotional issues than people with typical autism: Yes, I can ramble about feelings and other personal issues with groups of friends and don't really have a problem with it. Some presumably NT people have even told me I do well with this.
- Strong sensory issues (sounds, sights, smells, touch and prone to overload (May not have taste/food texture issues): When I was little i had issues with loud sudden sounds (check Bisly's list for details) but not a lot anymore, and I don't really have issues with food.
- Moody and prone to bouts of depression: Yes, not often but sometimes thoughts of the future and other stuff related to it can send me into a bout of depression.
- 9 out of 10 have mild to severe gastro-intestinal issues: Not really, but I do have regularity issues and have had for a long time, and sometimes my body is an idiot and decides to quit when I am in the middle of going to the bathroom.
- Stims to soothe when sad or agitated; rocking, face rubbing, humming, finger flicking, leg bouncing, finger or foot tapping, etc: Usually when I am anxious/nervous or waiting for someone to get done with something (such as in an interview/meeting)
- Similarly physical when happy (hand-flapping, clapping, singing, jumping, running around, dancing, bouncing): Yes, quite often I will jump/run around when excited, and will usually pace (or play with a spinner or keyring) in any mood when I have nothing else to do and am either on the phone, thinking or listening to music.
- Prone to temper meltdowns over seemingly small things due to sensory or emotional overload: Usually when something small gets me angry (referenced earlier) and sometimes I can have crying meltdowns over built up stress.
- Hates injustice and being misunderstood, this can incite anger and rage: yes sometimes, even listening to stories about injustice can anger me, and being misunderstood is quite annoying but I can usually handle it.
- Prone to mutism when stressed or upset especially after a meltdown, less likely to stuffer than some other autistic people but may have a raspy voice, monotone at times, when stressed or sad: Yes, after getting angry over things, during the talk afterwards about what I did, even though I am not being scolded I still go mute, usually only saying a couple words during the whole conversation, and usually looking down/away from the other person. When stressed/sad I do have voice issues such as situations like the ones I just mentioned.

## Social / Relationships

- Words and actions are often misunderstood by others: Sometimes, I will make a joke that I thought would be a bit funny, but people seem to find it offensive/rude, so yes.
- Is very outspoken at times, may get very fired up when talking about passions/special interests/obsessions: I don't know about getting very fired up, but I can ramble for an hour or more about those things, so I would say I am outspoken.
- Can be very shy or mute: Depending on the situation, such as talking with people I don't know, yes. I usually become self-conscious during these times and usually will not talk much besides questions or acknowledging what someone is saying.
- Like people with typical autism, will shut down in social situations once overloaded, but is generally better at socializing in small doses. May even give the appearance of being skilled, but it is a performance: I don't think I have ever experienced a shutdown, but I do somewhat decently with small doses, and with regards to the performance thing I think I somewhat try to look more normal, but not a whole lot.
- Doesn't go out much. Will prefer to go out with partner only: I don't go out much on my own, usually with my mom, and do prefer it in most situations, but sometimes I have gone out by myself and usually can handle it, although usually by staying in a small group or by myself in events
- Will have a close friend or friends in school but not once adulthood is reached: Not sure about adulthood but I do have a few close friends now, and a group of friends from school, and hope to keep them
- May or may not want to have a relationship, if they have a relationship they probably take it very seriously, but may choose to remain celibate or alone: I would probably be happy to have one but don't really feel the need to right now, I am fine alone too.
- Often prefers the company of animals but not always due to sensory issues: Yes, i would prefer to be with animals, or close friends or parents instead if they are available