I really excel at English, foreign languages, art, and Biology. I only have eyes for a job at Pixar, though <3
No you’re not. We all like you. I myself get temperamental at times, so a lot of members probably dislike me too.
But I get what you say about parents saying their kid has a learning disability when they don’t. I actually had a conversation about this with my sisters once. They pointed out that some disorders and disabilities,especially ADD and ADHD, are probably really over diagnosed because parents want to blame their kids behavior on the disorders instead of facing the fact that they don’t care enough to pay attention or are hard to handle because of poor discipline. Its annoying when I tell teachers I have ADD, thus need a little help paying attention, and they don’t take me seriously because “everyone has it.” No, everyone says they do to give an excuse for their bad grades. You know that “SQUIRREL!” thing that Dug does? I’m pretty much like that. I can’t help it, I wish I could stop, but tiny things around me can distract me from even very important stuff. I’m sorry for this little rant, but this just really, really gets on my nerves.
Exactly!! Some kids need their butt spanked, not a bunch of meds and “special attention.” I get tired of this girl Kelly saying Asher has Asperger’s, and won’t punish him, and ignores/hates Blaze, her oldeer boy.
I’ve said this before on the “Things People may not know about you” thread, but I’ve got autism. I do act pretty normal; I just don’t know how to talk to people that well. Also, I do have some weird habits and picky tastes.
The replies on this thread have been both interesting and inspiring.
Arkie- Yeah, the whole self-diagnosis thing is a tough one. You know yourself best, and there are times when a doctor misses a possible diagnosis, but then it’s so easy to make a mistaken self-diagnosis too. ‘Normality’ is just an idea, and it doesn’t exist in practice. Everyone has issues or problems of some sort, even if they don’t first appear to. And Evil_Genius is right, you don’t come across as self-centred at all!
That’s brave of you to admit to not being comfortable around people with certain disabilities, thedriveintheatre. I was the same when I was younger, and really it’s a natural reaction. Even when I started volunteering at the local Adult Learning Disabilities Centre a month or so ago, it took me a little while to adapt to talking to the clients there and to accept and understand their individual symptoms. Now I’m a lot more comfortable around them, but it’s not something that comes automatically it seems.
Rac_Rules- Thank you so much for sharing your story about Meema. She sounds like she was a lovely, lovely lady and I’m sad to hear about how depression affected her. It’s amazing how much it can change an individual. You’re so right, anyone can get depression, even those that usually appear positive and enthusiastic about things. I had depression myself last summer (not self-diagnosed) and I’d find myself crying all the time and for utterly no reason. Stuff on TV that I used to find funny just wasn’t funny anymore. I even felt like I didn’t love the people around me, though I know I do. So yes, I can understand why Meema found it so tough. I’m glad to hear that she did manage to overcome her first bout, and seventy two is not a bad age at all. And once again, thank you for sharing. It means a lot.
Same to you, ellie-jessie-eve. I can certainly relate to your experiences, but I’m glad to hear that things are on the up now. Well done for overcoming your anxiety for the most part, and for doing things that you wouldn’t usually do! That seems to be the best way to deal with it, head on.
My story is similar to both of yours in a way, I guess. I have suffered and still in some part suffer from anxiety and depression but that actually going out there and DOING things has helped a lot. I get anxious over things that are meant to be fun and exciting, not scary, but it’s the idea of doing it that’s the problem, not the actual thing itself. So when I decided that I wanted to have a gap year and that I’d do a bit of travelling, it all seemed so easy. Then I booked my solo trip to Thailand and in the months leading up to it suffered major anxiety and depression, the worst of my life. I came so close to cancelling that trip, even to the point where I rang up the agency I booked with to find out how to cancel…Thankfully the woman on the phone convinced me to get on with it and give it a try.
And so I did! I flew all the way to Thailand by myself, met up with a bunch of people there, all of them strangers (but lovely strangers at that) and spent a couple of weeks experiencing all things Thai. Strangely enough, whilst I was there, all of the things I had been worrying about, like the food and the heat and even the toilets they use out there, didn’t bother me at all. I just got on with it. Admittedly when I returned home all the anxiety rose up again, but I’ve learned to deal with it and I’m sort of okay now, I think. Going to university is scaring me a little but my friends feel the same and I think it’s healthy to have some apprehension about leaving home.
Anyway, I’ll shut up now.
Aw, man! I know I’ve mentioned on a few other threads that the Incredibles is my least favorite! But it’s my least favorite, which still means it’s a favorite! I hope you don’t have any problems with me!
And I don’t think you’re hard to like, I liked you immediatly, if I remember correctly!
lizardgirl: You don’t need to “shut up”! I really enjoyed your story, it was inspirational! I did not know that you traveled to Thailand. It sounds like that was a great way to help overcome your obstacles. If you don’t mind me asking, what did you do in Thailand? Was it a mission trip or did you do touring? I’m glad I’m not the only one here who has had rough times with anxiety.
Thanks, ellie-jessie-eve. I volunteered in an orphanage over there, which certainly helped to put things into perspective!
That’s interesting, lizardgirl. I hope your depression gets better, and you never go as nuts as my aunt when she stopped taking meds 
I have no problems with you, ellie-jessie-eve 
I just have problems with caring more about protecting my PoF than myself sometimes.
I remember that, JustSoWall-eCrazy. I have no social skills either, which is why I came here, and now have friends!! Just be nice, and people won’t care that you’re different, except for the jerks. But they don’t count. 
lizardgirl: That’s great! I did something sort of like that when I went to New Orleans this June. Trips like that do open your eyes a bit, I agree!
IncredigirlVirginia: Yay, I’m glad. About you liking me that is. [/b]
I have no idea why I forgot to mention it earlier,
but last year I was diagnosed with clinical depression and this year, OCD.
Everyone that personally knows me (icluding a friend that actually has OCD) said that there’s no way I have OCD. so idk about that one.
lizardgirl: That’s really amazing that you volunteered at an orphanage in Thailand. Sounds like a great experience.
IncrediGirlVirginia: I joined this board not that long ago, but I remember my first impression of you being that you were really nice and friendly. I think that first impression was right.
I have aspurgers.
But there are two different types of “special”:
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Kids that aren’t very bright.
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Kids that ARE bright but have other difficulties.
I fall into category number two. Unfortunately, all social skills programs I’ve been in treat both categories as one. I mean, I have to deal with VEGETABLE kids that can’t talk at my social skills meetings. And I have a higher reading level than most of the teachers at that school. We need some separation.
Depending on where you are, that can either say a lot or nothing at all. XD
At my school, that wouldn’t say much. 
Thanks, rock-itpop! I like you too, and your signature and avatar
The Chicken Man, that sounds just like me!! I’m not in any “special” classes, but in middle school I was in two years of speech classes with Megan, a girl who was very annoying, and I had to explain everything to her. What subjects are you good in? Are you super good at English and Biology, too? Do you have a Point of Focus? Sorry, I’m just very excited to find other Asperger’s patients.
You might wanna read this little_chef… 
I’ve known many people who act that way and they seem to normal to me, so don’t sweat it. You’re a very nice person, JSWeC!
It must be frustrating to not be given the chance to express your talent. However, if I were trying to seek acceptance, I would describe others who are less fortunate than me in a more humbler manner.
You have to remember though, that this shouldn’t be a substitute for making meat-and-bone friends. It’s great that you’ve found buddies here (and I hope I’m one of yours), but use it to complement your circle, not replace it. I’m sure if you treat everyone nice (and you are a very kind person Incredigirlvirginia, from your posts), somebody’s bound to warm up to you in Real-Life.
Reading through these posts brings up some interesting questions. Are there more ‘special’ individuals as a result of our fast-paced, highly-stressed society/culture? Before video games or headache-inducing cartoons were invented, there were fewer cases of ADHD, for example. Or is it because there is an increase in diagnosis (whether correct or exaggerated) for mental illnesses unheard of or unacknowledged compared to the past?
Well, most ADHD is just to sell meds, in my opinion. I heard a speech once, where this man described a young girl. This was in the 50’s, before ADHD. She couldn’t pay attention in classes, and was kicked out of private school. The psychiatrist recommended she go to ballet school, and now she’s a normal, rich, Broadway show writer. I found that fascinating, but not surprising…
Funny you say that, that is exactly the plot of a South Park episode! The town docter says every kid in town has ADHD, so he can sell meds.
I don’t know how true that is, I haven’t done enough research on the subject, but it is a pretty funny episode!
Well, I think some kids need a slap to the rear, and some need attention, some need an outlet(like Dash!!), and some really have it. I believe Rac has it, but the girl that lives with us DOES NOT. Some of Rac’s posts, like mine, show a lot of emotion exploding out. I find it extremely difficult not to explode at some members. When I restrain myself, sometimes those people become my friends. A lot of special people just need to realize they’re special, then they fix some of their own problems. No offense in using you as an example, Rac-Rules, I just feel like I see your ADD in some of your posts(I’m awful with controlling my emotions), whereas seizures and OCD and the like don’t really show through what you type as much.
Nice thread here! I think it’s neat that we all have our little differences that make us special and unique. I have asthma and I’m severely allergic to many things, primarily to all nuts. I sort of always get set apart because of this. 
Aw, that sucks, Snipe. My Mamaw can’t clean her own house due to dust allergies 
I hope it doesn’t alter your life too much.