[Hellion]

Do all people on the autism spectrum need routines? I mean I will admit there are things I get used to and don't like to be thrown into an entirly new situation out of nowhere....but I don't have the concentration or short term memory to actually stick to a 'specific' routine. So I guess I am kinda questioning if being on the Autism spectrum is whats going on or if it's something else...I just really don't know

I am just so scatterbrained and I've noticed a lot of people on the autism spectrum seem to really need very specific routine and are able to somehow stick to that routine. I can hardly even stick to a simple routine of anything...I don't even remember to brush my teeth every day like i should.

[manwithnofriends]

The autism spectrum is very wide, not every autistic person shares all the traits listed in the DSM-IV.

Common saying: "If you've met one person with autism... you've met one person with autism."

If there is any comorbidity that you identify with, this can further complicate matters as it may mean you present atypically to some degree.

[Hellion]

I do have anxiety, depression and potentially PTSD...just haven't gotten a fully official diagnoses even though mental health professionals have said I have it. So perhaps those things interfere a bit.

[rosska]

As you mentioned not brushing your teeth daily, I'd like to point out that could be down to your depression. Back when I first had to give up my job, I was very deeply depressed and that led to me taking very bad care of myself. It's only since the depression lifted a bit that I've gotten self grooming back into my daily routines.

Like the others have said though, you don't have to have every symptom of autism/AS to be on the spectrum. I do follow routines and I become very upset if there is any disruption to them, though I don't follow times just events.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by rosska

As you mentioned not brushing your teeth daily, I'd like to point out that could be down to your depression. Back when I first had to give up my job, I was very deeply depressed and that led to me taking very bad care of myself. It's only since the depression lifted a bit that I've gotten self grooming back into my daily routines.

Like the others have said though, you don't have to have every symptom of autism/AS to be on the spectrum. I do follow routines and I become very upset if there is any disruption to them, though I don't follow times just events.

Maybe that could be part of depression, but it happens even when my depression isn't so bad...sometimes it lifts some and I feel ok, and I still forget things like that, even end up forgetting to brush my hair and will have trouble with a specific routine. I don't like sudden extreme changes or situations its better if such things come on gradually. When my depression is bad sometimes I remember things I should do but am not motivated, don't care and don't have the energy. So I don't know maybe it is a mixture of just generally forgetting things and depression decreasing my motivation/energy.