When you're doing something simple like washing the dishes or similar, does it irritate you when someone interrupts you with a reasonable request, like just to ask what you want for dinner? (This has a more specific definition but many think it stems from monotropism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathological_demand_avoidance. It's also a common trait to see in autistic people (who commonly take issue with the name).)
Does washing the dishes not sound simple and instead sound like something which would take a fair amount of focus to make sure you're doing it right? It does for me, at any rate.
I feel like I'm sort of like this but it's because I'm ADHD and if I happen to be doing the laundry it's probably because I walked by it for the last week, finally noticed it's inattention and wanted to do it RIGHT NOW before I forget about it for another week or until I need clothes.
I'm reading this article you posted because I wasn't sure of any of this terminology and I never have panic attacks or anything like that, though. I more or less just get startled and want a quick back and forth so I can get right back to it. Definitely could occasionally from off as snappy.
Dishes I also forget about unless I do them immediately. So same thing, when I finally walk by the sink and notice them I hyper focus and knock them out super quick like I'm in the zone.
This paragraph is confusing me, first PDA is totally bad at all of the bullet points but if PDA is not diagnosed with classic autism spectrum it's actually all positive social stuff? Sounds strange.
> Although PDA has its own traits that are separate from autism, people with PDA generally meet the diagnostic criteria by having significant difficulties in social interaction and communication.[1] Alternatively, they may instead be diagnosed with ODD.[1] Those who propose that PDA should be a separate diagnosis from classic autism spectrum disorders, observed that, compared to children with classic autism, those with PDA:
* are more sociable
* have better social skills and social understanding
* use apparently socially manipulative and shocking behaviour[3][4]
* are more interested in people than objects
* are more comfortable with pretend play, and
* are more imaginative
A lot of women with autism mask it and perform the examples you mentioned in your last paragraph.
It could also very well describe actors like Henry Cavill.
Also, in DSM-V there is only autism spectrum disorder. And people with ASD can be very imaginative, plus traits can be masked. And trained.
My wife did a social study. Because it fascinated her. Yet she masked a lot in her life. Both our parents (mothers) still refuse to accept themselves as such. And yet we sometimes put their nose in the pie.
I definitely feel an emotional response when I am interrupted from my line of thinking. Whether it's doing a task or thinking through a problem, any sort of request that I need to handle which isn't related to the task can be difficult to switch gears to. Fwiw, I was diagnosed autistic and OCD back in the middle of the pandemic because I loved lock down and didn't want things to go back to the way they were. I had so much uninterrupted time where I could think or solve problems. However I didn't realize that loving lockdown was not a normal thing; someone suggested I talk to a psychologist which is what lead to my diagnosis. Hope you can find some answers for you.
I also loved the lockdowns. I used to joke with everybody that I'd been preparing for it since a teenager, and that all of my favourite activities were solo activities anyway. Finally I didn't have to pretend, I could just be at home and happy for X days, and nobody was judging me for it.
It would have been amazing if it wasn't for that whole pandemic situation.
Lockdown was heaven on earth. Suddenly normal to have only comms via internet, or play games or watch movies. No social BS like birthdays or drinking coffee with friends (they have coffee at home, too). Groceries delivered to the doorstep. Work from home (OK, sucks with kids being noisy), ample amounts of space in train, theatre. Bring own food to theatre. God I loved going to the theatre/movie so much with my oldest kid. Shittiest was the video calls. I hate those, just text or maybe audio is fine (TTS/STT too) can't read the body language anyway. Even had a neat job during lockdown, obviously got laid off recently..
Does washing the dishes not sound simple and instead sound like something which would take a fair amount of focus to make sure you're doing it right? It does for me, at any rate.