Inside The Aspie Mind

Update: This article was written in 2019 and has been transitioned from our old website, since it's publication the term "Aspergers" has been changed, however we did not wish to alter the work of our previous volunteer.

My name is Em, and I’m autistic. My mind doesn’t quite work the same way as a neurotypical mind (neurotypical being a mind free from issues like autism and depression). This article is meant to provide a window into my mind, for whatever reason you need. Maybe you think you may be autistic. Maybe you think a close friend is. No matter what, all I aim to do is help. However, it is VERY important to note that I do not speak for all autistic people, only myself- meaning other experiences may be very different to mine.

One example of how my mind works is that I have a love of two niche interests, professional wrestling and the life of Alexander Hamilton. These are my special interests. This is due to the more rigid, single-minded thinking structure of the autistic mind.

I also talk in a very formal, old-fashioned way. This is because I don’t understand slang, like “peng” or “peak” or all that other gubbins. I’m quite honestly not sure if this is an autistic thing but raisingchildren.net.au lists it as a symptom, so it’s going in.

I find it hard to examine non-verbal communication, such as vocal tones or body language to work out emotions. This is one of the better-known signs of autism.

I also have difficulty with organisational skills (yes, it’s spelt with an “s”). This is linked to the common autistic symptom of not being able to easily follow complex instructions.

Many autistic teens (and people of all ages) also seek out sensory stimulation- for example, she might like deep pressure, seek vibrating objects like the washing machine or flutter fingers to the side of her eyes to watch the light flicker.

If you- or someone else you know- has these symptoms, they may well have ASD. It is important to remember that this is NOT a bad thing, and that TWE is always here to help you through it.