ReasonablySane1476

Thank you for your reply, I am being re-assessed soon. (Diagnosed with HFASD sub-type) I rationalise it as this; I am hyper-sensitive to stimuli, by extension for some reason which I can't possibly test as to why or when it developed, I am hyper-sensitive to empathy, so to speak. As a result I find interacting with people overwhelming and therefore I shutdown, and behave in an autistic manner as a survival mechanism. I.e. I won't make eye-contact because I see too much too fast, the same way I will avoid bright lights or sounds.

My Friend has rather severe mental health issues, apparently I am very uncanny, I can intuitively figure out what is going on, even if it is over the phone, I have preemptively stopped her from considering suicide on quite a few occasions.

My teachers all used to comment on my extreme empathy, even the schools head of gifted and talented, decide I am gifted because of it. My friends and family are unnerved by it. People I work with note how understanding and considerate I am. Yet I am diagnosed with autism.

I like to think my autism arises from sensory/info processing problems, not social ones. I appear aloof and distant, not because I don't understand but to engage myself socially would drain me (EDIT: would shatter my psyche). I mean I am going to be a psychology student soon (Bachelor's of Science), Psychology would be my special interest, thoughts, intentions and feelings of others have always taken precedent over my own thoughts. I used to volunteer with autistic children, they are identifiable as like-me, but they lack this visceral awareness I had as a child, it was quite disconcerting for me.

Still is, I am a freak amongst freaks.

Different time zone oh no, hope I can get a reply!

How unusual is it for an individual with ASD to have better Theory of mind/cognitive and affective empathy than their Non-autistic peers? I ask because I am like this, I can provide lots of evidence for my behaviour, However, I have not found any research or pieces of scientific literature where individuals or an individual presents with an ASD like I do.