Ways In Which I'm a Little "Odd"

[naturegeek]

I was thinking of calling this discussion "ways in which I'm a bit Autistic" but didn't want to limit it :) OCD, "Monkish", eccentric, quirky, weird, and even dysfunctional (putting the FUN back in dysfunctional!) will do as well! What weird habits, tics, obsessions, quirks, etc do you have/do that make you wonder if you maybe would have been diagnosed with sets of letters if you were a kid today? These are the things that make us interesting, and sometimes embarrass us in polite company. So, screw polite company, let's celebrate our weirdnesses! :)

[Gail R]

I ended up with INTP, which isn't entirely correct based on previous (and longer) tests I've taken. I really am an extrovert, not an introvert, but do need the quiet time to recharge (esp when I'm stressed). Though come to think of it, I could just live alone in a cabin out in the woods (as long as I had a dog and/or a cat for company) and be perfectly happy. As long as they let me have books!

[Evangeline]

You must be an extroverted introvert then...or would that be an introverted extrovert. ;)

The cabin, books, woods combo sounds pretty good to me too. I would just need the DH, the little NFs and a computer and it would be perfect.

[Mel]

Me three! An introverted extrovert who wishes to live in the hills in a cabin with nature all around, but some good museums a close ride away, maybe. I like to look at things, and the internet meets a lot of those needs (ancient manuscripts, Hubble pics, art and on and on)

[naturegeek]

That was really interesting! I'm "likely" neurotypical, but one of the ways I was more Aspie than neurotypical was perception. I'm really sensitive to loud noises/sounds - I plug my ears a lot because it hurts if I don't, and I hate tags or tight clothes, for example.

What is "hunting" on this chart? Hunting? It's my "highest score" and I don't know what it is! ha.

[Gail R]

I think "hunting" refers to how you notice or look for things in your surroundings. True Aspies are always searching for, and usually finding, patterns or rhythms in their environments, and listening intently for things the "average" person doesn't expect to hear. People who are neurotypical "hunt" for other things--familiar faces in a crowd, the nearest restroom, a parking spot close to the door of the grocery store. I think this is what that word applies to in this case.

I didn't copy and paste my spider web graph, but mine is very boring! I'm 'way out on the edges of the neurotpyical for just about everything...except activity, where I jump about 1/3 of the way into Aspie behavior. I think it's safe to say all human beings have traits that lean toward the "odd" or even downright strange depending on the subject or activity. Studying social behaviors helps us come closer to true diagnosis of these "syndromes," but let's face it, we're all ADHD or ADD or Aspie at times, and that's what makes diagnosis and treatment such a challenge. No one wants to label kids wrongly, but they also don't want to leave them in the social and emotional dust of their peers by waiting until they're really old enough to express themselves (or not, as the case may be), either. It's such a fine line.

i've always been attracted by psych testing. I wanted to be a forensic psychologist at one point. The truly criminal mind is so and devious and ugly, but also very fascinating and complex, and at times beautiful in its construction and processes.

[Evangeline]

The test creator described it as follows:

Here is what it says about Aspie hunting:
"This group contains passive hunting traits. One part of the traits is related to prefered habitats (e.h. slowly flowing water; caves; woods; liking mist or fog; preferring temperate landscapes over tropical). Another part seems to be close-contact hunting traits (e.g. jumping over things; climbing; chasing animals; biting; enjoying spinning in cicles; strong grip; strong hands; physical endurance; enjoying rodeo riders). Some other traits are related to sneaking (e.g. sneaking through the woods; sneaking up on animals; walking on toes) and general hunting tactics (e.g. mimicking animal sounds; digging; throwing small things; building traps; fascination for fire; sniffing)."

And here is what it says about NT hunting:
"The traits in this group are related to cooperative hunting. These traits are often identified as dysfunctions that are closely related to Dyslexia and Dyscalculia. Typical traits are recollections of environmental information (e.g. positions of things; scores in games; order of words, letters and digits; map reading) and passing on information to others (e.g. passing on messages; knowing left from right; dates and times of events; remembering appointments and events; reading clocks and calendars; carry over information between contexts). Other traits are related to trading and exchange with others (e.g. calculating change from a purchase; knowing what to bring to appointments; remembering sequences of past events; remembering formulas; filling out forms; spelling)."

So, people that score low on the NT hunting group are likely to be diagnosable with Dyslexia or Dyscalculia, while there is no DSM label for Aspie-hunting.

[naturegeek]

inner-wresting. inner-sting. intra-sting. (interesting).

Definitely fascinating stuff. Us peeples. So many very specific and rather odd questions on that quiz, too... most of my answers were in the "a little" category, but some were very strongly yes or no, and those are the ones that were interesting. I almost HAVE to imitate animals. Call me Mrs. Doolittle! They talk back, too, quite often. I talk to Ravens (well, duh!), but other birds, too. I had a little conversation yesterday with a Lesser Goldfinch at my feeder - I would mimic him, then he would mimic me!

So "hunting" in this quiz actually relates to real hunting, at least the skills or traits needed for hunting. I've always felt a special kinship to Orion, and now I know why! He always gives the same advice, when I look up at the night sky and see him... "hunt!" Go out and find it.

When I was four, I was pretending to be a dog, sniffing the air, and I smelled fire! I told my dad - a fireman, and he found that a neighbor had left a pan on the stove! I saved the day! Arf Arf!!

(this relates to "sniffing" as an Aspie hunting trait)

[Evangeline]

And here's me:
Your Aspie score: 128 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 85 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie

So, no surprises there. Although as I said, no real diagnostic value. I doubt I could actually get an Aspergers dx, because I am functional in my life (yay!). Whatever very mild autistic traits I have, good and bad, I have learned to embrace or compensate for. But really interesting all the same. The spikes on the autistic side for "talent and activity" I'm not complainin' about. :) Although yeah, the sensory stuff does suck.

[naturegeek]

Wow! Well whichever "side" of the graph you are on, you are certainly tall on talent :) Really interesting!

[VT100]

My graph looked like a bug hitting a windshield. I hope that's good :-)

[Evangeline]

That's definitely a good sign! lol

[Evangeline]

I think the Aspie talent stuff just refers to seeing patterns, noticing unusual details etc. It is a really interesting test. Long though!