Any other autistic riders?

[Ascent]

I'm just wondering if there are any other autistic riders on this forum. I've always enjoyed riding although not always known I'm autistic.

I read something recently that suggested that cycling was a good hobby for autists due to the rythmic nature of it, and thinking about it this makes sense to me. When I'm cycling I like to get into a steady rythm which I don't like to break, even to the point I won't stop for a break during a ride when I really should. I also find it difficult to slow my pace down when I should be taking it easy.

If you're autistic do you have the same experience?

 

[MikeG]

Yeah, my daughter. She isn't a member of the forum, but she has high-functioning Asperger's, and she cycles. A lot. She commutes by bike though the Swedish winter. Predictably, the mechanics of how the bike works and what is necessary to keep it working are an utter mystery to her.

 

[Alan O]

Interesting subject, and close to me as there's high-functioning Asperger's in my family (and friends from the past too). I can be quite obsessive about things myself, and I suspect it's related, though I don't seem to share the common social interaction issues - at least not now, but looking back on my childhood I frequently preferred the company of books and other things to that of people.

I'm no expert, but I really don't like the way autism is so poorly classified (in my opinion, anyway). It seems clear to me that the spectrum is huge, and it's definitely not one-dimensional - and I think sticking a "disorder" label on someone can frequently denigrate their abilities.

Autism in its many forms does often appear to bring with it an ability to focus that many people lack. And that must surely confer an evolutionary advantage in various situations - and that's part of what makes me see it as more a part of our natural psychological variation than a "disorder".

But yes, I'm sure the focus and perseverance that many "autistic" people possess can be an aid in cycling as in so many fields - and I wouldn't be at all surprised if a disproportionate number of people at the top of all sorts of achievements were "autistic" to some extent.

Anyway, that's just some non-expert rambling - but that is what I do best.

 

[User10119]

and that's part of what makes me see it as more a part of our natural psychological variation than a "disorder".

The diagnosis these days is generally for ASC - Autistic Spectrum Condition. I can't remember when the terminology change happened here - it was before the EldestCub's Aspie diagnosis, which must have been about 5 years ago.

 

[JhnBssll]

I've got lots of aspie traits but have never felt the need to get the official diagnosis

 

[Alan O]

[QUOTE 5250443, member: 10119"]The diagnosis these days is generally for ASC - Autistic Spectrum Condition. I can't remember when the terminology change happened here - it was before the EldestCub's Aspie diagnosis, which must have been about 5 years ago.[/QUOTE]
Ah yes, but it's still imposing a demarcation (between ASC and non-ASC) that is surely very blurred at best.

 

[Nebulous]

Ah yes, but it's still imposing a demarcation (between ASC and non-ASC) that is surely very blurred at best.

My experience, from several years ago, was that professionals were very reluctant to give a diagnosis, partly because of the labelling you have described.

Families however were desperate for one and often saw a reluctance to diagnose as an attempt to deprive their child of services. So there was this ongoing battle, on the one hand to get the security of 'knowing what the issue is' and on the other of waiting until it was more easily defined.

 

[User10119]

Ah yes, but it's still imposing a demarcation (between ASC and non-ASC) that is surely very blurred at best.

Diagnosis was hugely beneficial for my son. It is really useful to him to know that he is neuro-divergent; so many things make a lot more sense to him now. He understands the world and himself much better. He doesnt, and never has, see his autism as a bad thing and both my kids are pretty cool about and inclusive of neurodiversity.

 

[Ascent]

It is indeed a very wide spectrum but it all comes down to the brains operating system being wired slightly differently. We process information differently which is why our senses can be over or under sensitive as well as having coordination issues on top the social issues.

Personally I've encountered no issues with diagnosis for me or my son. Mine took longer, but I'm an adult and it didn't really make a huge amount of difference to me.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I am new to Audax and very enthusiastic about it. I have picked up there are quite a few riders with characteristics of autism and Aspergers although only a couple have told me about their advantageous traits. Audax is an ideal past time and I enjoy meeting up with the regulars on the rides I do. I guess this might be down to it being a very accepting community and the steady-state nature of the sport.

 

[JhnBssll]

[QUOTE 5250496, member: 10119"]Diagnosis was hugely beneficial for my son. It is really useful to him to know that he is neuro-divergent; so many things make a lot more sense to him now. He understands the world and himself much better. He doesnt, and never has, see his autism as a bad thing and both my kids are pretty cool about and inclusive of neurodiversity.[/QUOTE]

My wife first made me aware of my traits fairly early in our relationship. I was in my mid twenties but remember well the moment numerous previously inexplicable childhood memories suddenly made sense

 

[User10119]

Indeed - I have a few diagnosed-aspie-as-adults friends who have commented that when the penny dropped, it was followed by a metaphorical ker-ching reminiscent of a massive jackpot as an awful lot of stuff fell into place!

I should be clear that my point here
[QUOTE 5250443, member: 10119"]The diagnosis these days is generally for ASC - Autistic Spectrum Condition. I can't remember when the terminology change happened here - it was before the EldestCub's Aspie diagnosis, which must have been about 5 years ago.[/QUOTE]
wasn't about the nature of the spectrum, more that the current terminology seems to be 'condition' not 'disorder', in response to

and I think sticking a "disorder" label on someone can frequently denigrate their abilities.

I found this article http://autisticnotweird.com/stop-saying/ an interesting take on the "we're on the spectrum" idea - and their comment about how surprisingly easy it is to acquire autistic habits when working in a special school also goes for living with/parenting someone with autism. An old uni friend of mine sometimes jokes that she could swear it's contagious

M'boy and I used to cycle together a lot when he was younger, sometimes with other people and including the odd audax, and a massive advantage for him of socialising on a bike was that nobody expected eye contact and he could always talk about bikes if he didn't know what else to say.

 

[Serge]

[QUOTE 5250443, member: 10119"]The diagnosis these days is generally for ASC - Autistic Spectrum Condition. I can't remember when the terminology change happened here - it was before the EldestCub's Aspie diagnosis, which must have been about 5 years ago.[/QUOTE]
That probably ties in with the publication of DSM 5 in 2013.

Bloody awful piece of faux science in my opinion but that probably deserves it's own thread.

 

[Ascent]

My wife first made me aware of my traits fairly early in our relationship. I was in my mid twenties but remember well the moment numerous previously inexplicable childhood memories suddenly made sense

For me it was my early forties watching an episode of Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners of all things. It suddenly made sense for both me and my son. My son was very happy when he got his diagnosis as he now knew why he was different.

 

[Sharky]

My daugher is severe non verbal, cannot look after herself. Now 39 and no longer rides, but when she was younger used to enjoy riding on the back of our tandem trike. Still have the beast and have posted a couple of times.