Really?
We were at a place that has abut 18 flat screen televisions. Typically, I try and avoid situations which have distractions when with Gioconda. For some reason she is not diverted by the constant stimulus.
On this particular day we got set by a set playing women's college volley ball. Ok, I'm a dyke. There is no possible way I can sit within the proximity of women's college any sport and not be completely drawn in.
I lost eye contact for a little over a minute which provoked the attack.
Gioconda: You really can't focus, I think you may have a organic brain disorder.
Jody: I am completely focused on the volley ball game, I'm just not focusing where you want me to focus. Forcing me to sit here is like placing a a bowl of rice before a starving Ethiopian. I can't keep myself from it.
It is at this point the conversation takes a turn.
Gioconda; It just seems strange to me that you are care about your relationship with animals than you do about your relationship with humans. I think you might be autistic,
Jody: I never knew autistic people even liked animals.
This is my only defense, because it is true. Although not completely convinced I am autistic-- granted I really don't like to be touched, feel utterly drained by human interaction, and sincerely desire to live away and apart from most of civilization- it is true I spend an inordinate amount of time and energy on the animals (and there are many) in my life.
I can say with out doubt, that I am less upset by cleaning up a pile of dog vomit than I am in picking up anything after one of the boys. For me it all about intent.
Are there categories I fall into in the DSM- certainly, but autistic?- I just feel like someone should have noticed before the age of 45- I mean, doesn't that seem like a late diagnosis.
" I think I would call you an introvert," my mother said.
"I hadn't really thought about you as autistic," she added, as if it was a concept she would now ponder.
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