This is a general list of symptoms; by no means is it a complete list of symptoms.
I made this a while back. It probably sucks, but meh, I wanted something I could refer back to without having to link to multiple websites, so I made my own list of symptoms based on my own knowledge.
Cognitive & Motor Skill Impairments
- We learn best visually.
- We may think in patterns and/or puzzles, and we may also look for patterns in, well, everything.
- We may be into numbers/good with numbers.
- We may require precise calculating and perfection (e.g. using “you’re” for “you are” and not “your” for “you are”), and we might feel the need to correct those who don’t.
- We do not do well with imaginative play.
- We have problems with coordination.
- We have difficulties with organization — planning, scheduling, completing, etc.
- We have problem-solving issues.
- We stick to a routine, and we have difficulty solving things out of our routine, e.g. boiling a pot of noodles and having the pot’s handle on the right side when we’re used to it being on the left side. Our routines are like rules.
- We’re incapable of determining what you’re feeling and thinking in social situations and relationships, thus we need you to tell us verbally (theory of mind).
- We may not do well in situations where someone is crying.
- We may come across as “lazy” and “unmotivated”.
Communication
- We may not make eye contact.
- We may not understand personal space.
- We are easily distracted.
- We may have facial tics.
- Our facial expressions may be inappropriate or nonexistent to the current situation or conversation.
- We may make weird or inappropriate gestures in conversations; we may also point.
- We have difficulty understanding figurative language, such as jokes and sarcasm.
Language
- We may not always know the exact definitions to the words we’re using, even though they may seem correct.
- We may have trouble using the appropriate language for a given situation.
- We may create our own words or use words weirdly.
- We may have ‘word scripts’ we repeat like rituals in social situations.
- We interpret things literally.
- We don’t always understand verbal speech or meanings of words in conversations, which leads to confusion and/or difficulty in responding.
Sensory Input Issues
- Our senses will be heightened — sounds, sights, touches, smells, and tastes — so we may respond and react to these things differently.
- We may not want to be touched.
- We may dislike foods because of their taste, smell and/or texture. We may also have sensitivities to foods.
- We may not want to be touched.
- We may avoid escalators, elevators, etc.
- We may suffer from sensory overload.
- We may be under-sensitive to certain sensory input.
- We may be over-sensitive to light.
Social Interaction
- We may want to socialize with others, but we don’t know how to interact.
- We may not understand other’s emotions/relate to you. We don’t understand when/if we’re boring/upsetting you.
- We may not comprehend social cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures.
- We may talk too loudly, too softly, or in a monotone. We may also speak without expressions and/or emotions.
- We may talk AT you rather than TO you.
- We may go on and on about our special interests (AKA “obsessions”, “hobbies”, etc.).
- We will only discuss certain topics, sometimes preferably our hobbies.
- We may respond inappropriately, e.g. laugh at something sad or not funny at all.
- We may have trouble pretending/putting ourselves in other’s shoes.
- We may not pick up on unwritten social rules, or the way one is supposed to act in social situations, that neurotypicals pick up involuntarily and perceive as obvious.
- We may display selective mutism. We may also be nonverbal – just because someone doesn’t say anything doesn’t mean they have nothing to say, but may instead mean they literally cannot say it.
- We may not understand small talk, grow bored with small talk, and/or be unable to form small talk.
- We may not initiate contact.
- We may have trouble with relationships.
- We may have one-sided conversations, or you may have one-sided conversations with us.
- We may have a difficulty making friends.
- We may come across as arrogant, rude, heartless and/or insensitive.
Unusual Behavior & Uncategorized Symptoms
- We may get upset if our schedules are interrupted.
- We are interested in a small range of things and cannot attach ourselves to other interests. (For example, I cannot for-the-life-of-me attach myself to the sciences.)
- We may stim, e.g. rock, flap our hands, sit weirdly, play with our fingers, make weird sounds, etc.
- We may dress differently.
- We may have difficulties focusing on things we’re uninterested in.
- You may catch us staring.
- We may participate in repetitive behaviors.
- We may spend hours researching our hobbies/special interests/etc.
- We may be unable to drive, or we may avoid driving.
- We may forget about you for long periods of time because we get wrapped up in our hobbies.
- We may value our hobbies more.
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Comments on this post
Kya
That is a really good idea to create this and be able to come back to it.
There are many things that are similar to what I have, or linked with types of Schizophrenia. Kind of wish having a routine could be part of it. Just something to work on. 🙂
Sara
Wow. This is a very interesting and extensive list. I think it will helpful if I encounter someone who has some of these characteristics.
Whereas, I might normally pass them off as odd or different, given what you listed here, I will hopefully think twice about that. Certainly, it is good to educate more people about what it is like to be an Aspie.