You know if you have autism or Asperger’s if…

1. You can’t have two things on the dinner plate at the same time. Once you are done with the first food, you get a fresh plate.

2. You understand why the X-men are persecuted…because they are different.

3. Fashion is irrelevant.

4. You butter your toast all the way to the edges with an even layer of butter, but only if the toast is freshly out of the toaster. If it gets hard, you have to throw it out.

5. You figure you would be great on a jury because you won’t be swayed by facial expressions or blathering outbursts of emotions.

6. Sensual experiences are rapturous or make you freak out.

7. High-pitched noises hurt.

8. You look at the floor while listing to someone intensely.

9. You look at the floor while thinking how to answer intensely.

10. Foods have to be eaten in order of temperature.

11. When your partner says, “Let’s go out,” you pause, stare at the wall then say, “Why?”

12. Eating the same thing for a week is delightful.

13. Facts ‘R Us

14. “What did you say? I wasn’t listening”

15. “I should change instead of wearing my very soft fleece pajama bottoms to the store??”

16. “When the company comes over, what should I say?” “Be yourself.” “Oh good, I don’t have to talk.”

17. Animals make more sense than people.

18. Why do NTs (neurotypicals) waste their time on small talk when there are so many real things to talk about?

19. I’m frantic when I can’t find my earplugs.

20. I’m waiting for grandchildren so I can love them, educate them on everything, then send them back. I hope my grandkids are aspies and autties so we can really relate.

This idea came from a 1000+ thread on a forum.  I won’t use other people’s ideas, so I ask that we create this thread together because I will eventually run out of ideas.  If it flies, I’ll publish a compendium weekly.  To be included, add to the thread by leaving a comment for next week’s post or sending your ideas to me at e@cozycalm.com You can request that your idea has your first name or not.

Syracuse likes his weighted blanket. Yes, we have one for the cat.

John (hubby) said I’m just like our cats and here’s why:

1. Cats do things on their own terms.
2. They will get up and walk away without notice.
3. They want to be in the same room with you, but not interact (parallel play).
4. They don’t like their fur petted backwards.
5. They stare at you with no visible emotion.
6. They are not aware of how their actions affect others.
7. They’re intensely curious about the world, but when they get into it they get scared.
8. They can study things for long periods at a time.
9. They have rituals and favorite places.
10. Routines must not be changed.
11. High-pitched noises make their ears go back and they leave the room.
12. They initially inspect people, but ultimately hide when company is visiting.
13. If we change their cat food, they won’t eat it until they’re starving.
14. They get mad if we leave the house.  Once we’re home, they go back to routine and we don’t see them.  They just want the security of us being here because there is no need to interact, since they are content they we’re here.
15. They can lounge for hours caught up in daydreams or pondering.
16. They gauge you by what you do, not by what you say or how you say it.
17. Speech means nothing; visual is everything.
18. They meow non-stop if they want something, but otherwise say nothing.
19. They have acute senses.
20. They are independent loners, and they like it that way.
21. They want their environmental temperature consistent.
22. They get bursts of physical energy for no apparent reason.
23. We don’t know what they are thinking.
24. They are difficult to understand, yet transparent.
25. They don’t like bathing in water.
26. We can’t help loving them.
27. They are very loving…in their unique way.