I Have Asperger's. Aspie-Bronies Out There?

[RheanbowDash 188]

Yay aspergers! <3 <3 i'm not alone!!

I can't help but be inspired to create animes and characters in my head while listening to music. I flap my hands and pace. I often twitch and I hum nervously. Im a picky eater and still sometimes sensitive to certain textures and sounds

I can relate to a lot of that! i am very jittery i can't stay still, i also stack things a lot

Hi @RheanbowDash! I've merged your thread with an existing one.

Oh okay, i was like whaaaaat??? lol

In all honesty though, i enjoy my aspergers even though it makes me really anxious and strange, i've noticed that i as well as others with it have a more creative outflow. As well as we think on s different spectrum and tend to be quite intellectual in our own way, as long as we can find our own way to figure things out. Anyone agree with this?

[Duster Dawnhorse 248]

Admittedly, I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as well. Wonderful. My very existence reinforces brony stereotypes.

 

What I don't understand is why MLP has attracted so many autistic people. What exactly is the connection between autism and a fantasy world with talking animals?

My running theory is that MLP appeals really well to the aspie way of thinking; black and white, dealing with very easy compartmentalized absolutes, nothing really left to ambiguity. Since the show is (I know someone's gonna take offense so apologies) "simple" it's very easy to cling onto and instantly find a community of people who think just like you do.

 

The community also helps. I mean the cons might as well double as AspieCon. If you've seen the brony doc with the super awkward kid, when he gets to the pony con it's like he finally came home. And I can attest that going to a convention of over a thousand people who know exactly how you think is amazing. I'm ten times more confident at cons than I am in my day-to-day life.

[RheanbowDash 188]

My running theory is that MLP appeals really well to the aspie way of thinking; black and white, dealing with very easy compartmentalized absolutes, nothing really left to ambiguity. Since the show is (I know someone's gonna take offense so apologies) "simple" it's very easy to cling onto and instantly find a community of people who think just like you do.

 

The community also helps. I mean the cons might as well double as AspieCon. If you've seen the brony doc with the super awkward kid, when he gets to the pony con it's like he finally came home. And I can attest that going to a convention of over a thousand people who know exactly how you think is amazing. I'm ten times more confident at cons than I am in my day-to-day life.

I completely agree! It's complex enough for it to appeal to the older generation, but simple enough that its understandable for all ages and for people who approach life differently!

[RheanbowDash 188]

Just sayin, this is TOTALLY what having aspergers is like.... lol

 

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Don't have it, but my brother does and one of my best friends too.

Hard to deal with in the beginning. But I kinda got used to it.

 

Respect for everyone for telling something so personal!

*hugs*

[sonicdashie 120]

I do, I don't know when I was diagnosed, and I don't like the Asperger's b/c when I was in middle school, (b/c I'm not good with social skills) I would meet with a teacher to help me and I honestly didn't like that, and also (I'm a year ahead in school), teachers will give students a packet or whatever, and give me on that is different in ways which is like the ones that they would give to kids with teachers that help them with other things.....i want to be treated normally by teachers......but that will never happen b/c of this stupid syndrome...........I just wish I could be normal.....

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

I was diagnosed when I was 9.

[RheanbowDash 188]

I do, I don't know when I was diagnosed, and I don't like the Asperger's b/c when I was in middle school, (b/c I'm not good with social skills) I would meet with a teacher to help me and I honestly didn't like that, and also (I'm a year ahead in school), teachers will give students a packet or whatever, and give me on that is different in ways which is like the ones that they would give to kids with teachers that help them with other things.....i want to be treated normally by teachers......but that will never happen b/c of this stupid syndrome...... .....I just wish I could be normal.....

Being normal is boring though! 

[sonicdashie 120]

But still...I feel so left out from everyone else.....I've been trying my whole life to fit in...

[Dark Horse 12,961]

Yes, I can't quite remember when I was diagnosed, but I remember being in a group session when I was about 7. I honestly never knew much about it until I was around my mid teens when I started looking it up since it seemed to be quite a factor in my school studies, (I was entitled to extra help and the likes). Much like a lot of others, my social abilities are affected the hardest, I frequently talk things over to myself, and i'm easily fascinated by details others would find mundane.

 

Yeah, it's made some parts of life others would take for granted a whole lot harder for me, but at the same time I think its made me who I am. Can't really imagine the kind of person I would be if I had never been diagnosed with it. I think it'd be a lot more then just being able to socialize easier, I'd probably have totally different interests and maybe personality too. Kinda scary to think of it like that.

[That One Pone 584]

Yup, high functioning ASD diagnosed at 7 - so there you go

Edited February 28, 2015 by (HS) Zeusking19

[Mane Quest 104]

Being diagnosed with Aspergers for years, Doesn't bother me at all, in fact I think it is awesome, though the social issues are not always easy.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Flame Tail

[A Black Circle 1,586]

I'm lower on the spectrum.

[\/ 651]

Same here. People are shocked when I tell them.

 

Ever noticed you can tell when someone else has it?

I knew there was something about you, Questioner. Interesting how that works out.

And I think I might have stated this already on one of the few pages that I won't browse through to check, but I have Aspergers too. Meh. It's more of a social interaction thing for me. Nobody really likes me... Of course there's always someone, or maybe a few.

[MidnightPallette1992 53]

I have high functioning autism. My parents dont like me as a brony. They think I'm strange when I talk about it.

[Denim&Venöm 19,085]

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 16 or 17. Explains quite a bit of my childhood. 

 

While I am grateful that being aspergers has helped me get so much focus, creativity and depth into the things I enjoy, it has really hindered me in my ability to socialize and empathize with other people. I don't have friends simply because I'm not interested in what they're interested in or what they have to say or think. That and I miss the subtle social cues and non-verbal communication that is crucial for social interaction. I'm annoyed having to be or interact w/ most people. And the people I do want to interact with, I feel distant from. And sometimes when i do try, I end up saying the wrong thing, offending or startling someone, so I just avoid contact, just to save their feelings and save myself the embarrassment. 

 

Most telling of all, I don't mind being alone. Going through school and work and being stuck with all those people, has made me drift away from socializing. And I believe having aspergers has played a role in that. If I didn't have it, maybe I would've been happier at school or happier with my job. 

 

I often wonder what would my life be like if I weren't this way?

[Hidey 2,836]

I like to think I hide it pretty well. I keep it under wraps, but I don't always catch myself.

 

 

I can usually tell if some of my aspergers tendencies are surfacing, and I can tell when someone else has it.

 

 

In my experience, people who both have aspergers become best friends or hate each other right from the beginning. 

[Jonny Music 3,414]

I have HFA (High-Functional Autism) if you wanted to know.  I even mention it in text on my video here on 1:24 - 1:25 of the timeline.

 

Btw, I was diagnosed when I was 4 years old, so I'm sure am grateful that I got early detection. Edited June 19, 2015 by Jonny Music

[TheJLeeTeam 914]

I have HFA (High-Functional Autism) if you wanted to know. I even mention it in text on my video here on 1:24 - 1:25 of the timeline.

 

Yeah, MLP also helped with my social skills and reminded me a lot of innocent shows from my childhood like Winnie the Pooh and Blue's Clues. 

[Roketsune 388]

Admittedly, I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as well. Wonderful. My very existence reinforces brony stereotypes.

 

What I don't understand is why MLP has attracted so many autistic people. What exactly is the connection between autism and a fantasy world with talking animals?

 

I can easily see why bronydom would be so appealing to autistic people. Firstly, for reasons I'm not fully aware of, autistic people seem to have a higher resonance with animals in general. Secondly, a subculture based upon anthropomorphic creatures and friendship and tolerance would be a godsend for people who feel marginalized and belittled for various benign quirks. Thirdly, autistic people tend to be non-conformists, and the subculture itself is in direct defiance of societal expectations and norms. So, it seems like a perfect place for many autistic people to venture into, particularly if they don't feel welcome anywhere else.

 

Anyway, haha, I'm autistic as well. I was diagnosed with PDD at 5, and Asperger's at 13. My autism presents me with various intellectual and emotional advantages, while also imposing emotional and social liabilities and deficiencies. I'm highly intelligent and am capable of planning and executing things masterfully, but achieving that requires a great deal of time and energy. That combined with everything requiring a great deal of processing and a low tolerance for stress causes me to be very prone to overexertion and inefficiency. Also, while I have been told I sound very intelligent even when speaking verbally, it just feels awkward and unnatural to speak rather than type or write. I do have a rather high social intelligence, however, and when I come across as an unmitigated asshole it's because that's my intention. *chuckles perversely*

[RheanbowDash 188]

I like to think I hide it pretty well. I keep it under wraps, but I don't always catch myself.

 

 

I can usually tell if some of my aspergers tendencies are surfacing, and I can tell when someone else has it.

 

 

In my experience, people who both have aspergers become best friends or hate each other right from the beginning. 

That is very accurate! lol

Does anypony else have siblings and other fsmily with it? It's genetic especially on the mothers side my mom and both my brothers have it, as well as two o fmy nephews!

[MLPFanatic34 3,234]

I have Aspergers and I'd be happy to be your friend on here!! Pleasure to meet you!!  

[A Black Circle 1,586]

I'm pretty sure I have HFA, but it isn't official yet.

[The Cynical Lone Wolf 615]

Its awesome to see more people that have asbergs on here. 

[Tom Snyder 4,112]

I asked my mother and she said the doc said i have it, severe case. I'll check this off as i go:

 

O = Yes ////  X = No //// ? = Unsure.

 

• Not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking. [O]
• Dislike any changes in routines.[O]
• Appear to lack empathy. [?]
• Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others' speech. So your child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. And his or her speech may be flat and hard to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent.[O]
• Have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for his or her age. For example, the child may use the word "beckon" instead of "call" or the word "return" instead of "come back." [?]
• Talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized. [O]
• Avoid eye contact or stare at others. [O]
• Have unusual facial expressions or postures. [X]
• Be preoccupied with only one or few interests, which he or she may be very knowledgeable about. Many children with Asperger's syndrome are overly interested in parts of a whole or in unusual activities, such as designing houses, drawing highly detailed scenes, or studying astronomy. They may show an unusual interest in certain topics such as snakes, names of stars, or dinosaurs.[O]
• Have delayed motor development. Your child may be late in learning to use a fork or spoon, ride a bike, or catch a ball. He or she may have an awkward walk. Handwriting is often poor.[O]
• Have heightened sensitivity and become overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures[O]

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

I have about 6 of these symptoms, including the loud noise one.

• Talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized. [O]

Guilty of that one, majorly.

Edited June 19, 2015 by Candy Star