This is an extrapolation of information based on my own situation and does not mean it is fact.  

I have not been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome or any Autism Spectrum related issues.  

I’m just trying to put the pieces together for myself and hopefully help others who might read this.

The connection to being a non secretor seems to fit very well.  Many of the “symptoms” of being a nonnie match to the descriptions of Aspergers Syndrome.



I’ve always known that something was different about me and how I process information.  When someone is speaking at a seminar or product demonstration I always seem to be able to pick something out that was said that I took as matter of fact but others would say “that’s not what was meant.”  

I have asked questions about products or the performance of products that the promoter or salesman would reply “no one has ever asked that question in the 20 years I’ve been in the business.”  They do not have an answer to what I thought was an obvious question that needed to be answered.  

I cannot exactly relate to someone else’s pain, suffering or emotional state.  I can only relate to that situation on how I would feel and react in the same situation.  The two do not mean the same thing, especially to the other person who gets the impression that you don’t care and are unsympathetic or just oblivious – which means you are stupid, ignorant, etc.

Rules:  Why have rules and not enforce them?  Don’t tell me I can’t do the same thing someone else is allowed to do – I don’t care!  Get rid of the rule or make everyone follow it.

Learning:  If you teach in a linear fashion, test in a linear fashion.  Don’t expect me to be able to put together sections a, b, f, r, and z on one question and then ask me to put together sections c, d, j, m and w on the next if you are not going to teach the information that way.

My wife says that when I get on a subject like ERFYT, I just can’t stop.  She claims the people I talk to lose interest and get bored.  I look at it like “if they stop asking questions, I’ll stop answering.”


These are a few examples of the similarities between Nonnies and Aspergers syndrome.



I found this doing some research on Aspergers.  It’s by Kate Goldfield and much - but not all of it, I can relate to.

http://aspiefrommaine.webs.com/


Here’s an online test to take that will give you an idea if you might have Aspergers Syndrome.  Take the test the way it is formatted and get your score.  If you are like me, I noticed on the very first question that “the way they asked the question doesn’t fit the answers provided.  It should be a yes or no type question to get the desired answer.”    
Many of the other questions were the same way - to me.  I scored right at the median level ( 18 ) compared to others who took the test.  Over the years some of the situations I have adapted to and can handle them to a certain extent.  

Take the test a second time but this time only answer the extremes of definitely agree or definitely disagree even if it doesn’t apply exactly and then check your score.  I scored a 38 which put me in the Aspergers range.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html




I don’t know where this might lead, but it would explain a lot.

Very interesting Tom...I took the test and scored 21.  

hmmm I'm always sceptical with the *syndromes* ... if you'd like to read more about INTJ's so don't hesitate and give a try in the enneagram...5/6 or google about it and/or read also in the booklet of briggs-myers *gifts differing*...
infos in the books of Keirsey: "please understand me" is great help as well.... you are a rare type..only about 1% in the whole world!!! You see....

You made a clear and concise statement above.. I have not yet tested my self, but I appreciate the links to see. later..

I would love to see you tell us how BTD helped .. when how and all the other questions I would like to ask of you..  

I scored a 33, answering the four categories (I'll go back and answer only those I strongly agree or strongly disagree with, just to see what comes out), but I'm actually very good at reading other people's feelings - visually that is, and feeling the *energy* of their presence.  I can walk into a room and do that easily.  My social reciprocity is good, but I have to force myself into social situations at times because I'm really happier doing things on my own.  I dislike interruptions and changes of routine.  I enjoy going deeply into a subject, and I become very irritated at not being allowed to do so.  I hate when my husband won't let me read.  I think he's ADHD, he's always on several tracks at once, and my preference is definitely linear and one track.  I want to completely exhaust a subject before I move on.  Unless I get bored first.  And he wants to start a conversation somewhere in the middle, talk around in circles about five other things before he gets back to where he started - if he gets back.  Drives me nuts!  

Quoted from Goldie

You made a clear and concise statement above.. I have not yet tested my self, but I appreciate the links to see. later..

I would love to see you tell us how BTD helped .. when how and all the other questions I would like to ask of you..  

I can't say that eating right for my type did or did not directly help.
I can say that always wanting to know "why" and help others is what fuels my ERFYT passion.

If you have questions, I'll do my best to answer.  PM me if you need to.

I got a 25- what does that mean exactly?

You may be interested in our previous discussion of this  test:

http://www.dadamo.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1248372279/s-51/#num52

Interesting. Not a nonnie, but i scored 32  - borderline perhaps hehe

Wow Tom, I had no idea I wasn't the only one like this. Not that I believe I have this syndrome, but i'll do the test for curiosities sake. thanks

Oh. 37. Wow. :O

I am a nonnie and I scored a 14, so I guess one size fits none.

Quoted from Patty H

I am a nonnie and I scored a 14, so I guess one size fits none.

I'm just curious if you took the test both ways I suggested.

I tested 30, both with and without the extreme answers.

The diet does help me to be more focused and less distracted or annoyed by things.  If I avoid most grains, and sugars, then it helps even more.

Scored 4 in the past with extreme, scored 5 with non extreme.  I think there are too many introverts on this particular board to make correlations between Aspergers and nonnies. Extreme introverts will often test as aspergers.

Quoted from jeanb

Scored 4 in the past with extreme, scored 5 with non extreme.  I think there are too many introverts on this particular board to make correlations between Aspergers and nonnies. Extreme introverts will often test as aspergers.

That's what I think, too.     I scored about 14 answering only extreme questions and leaving the middle ones blank.

Quoted from Tom Martens

I'm just curious if you took the test both ways I suggested.

I didn't Tom.  I will go back to your original post and re-read what you are asking and re-test.  But in throwing out the data that you don't either strongly agree or disagree, does that really give an accurate interpretation of the test and doesn't that skew the results?  It seems to me that the other options are there for a reason, no?

Tom, I went back and answered the questions, but only using the extremes.  I scored lower than my first test, with a 10.

I am an extrovert, which makes sense that I would score a 14 and a 10.  I can't be the only nonnie extrovert out there . . .

I was nearly right confonded I with E ....1/2 in the enneagram   a beautiful psychogram, has nothing to do with any *syndrome* which always points out that docs doesn't really know what they are talkin about.....

often nous, les NT's do have a problem to get understood, we talk directly to people, this is sometimes confronting yup but often people can't hold on and try to
escape ... we don't think in boxes... but people prefer the f-communication
and here we get lost

I scored 6 both times

The Kate Goldfield article doesn't resonate with me at all.
I'm am definitely not an introvert  

There is a thread here somewhere along the lines of  "you know you are a nonnie, if..." which for the most part didn't apply to me either.

Being a nonnie is part of who I am, but it's probably not the defining factor.

Quoted from Amazone I.

often nous, les NT's do have a problem to get understood, we talk directly to people, this is sometimes confronting yup but often people can't hold on and try to
escape ... we don't think in boxes... but people prefer the f-communication
and here we get lost

Lol!  

Minnie- I identify with a lot of the "typical nonnie characteristics" but I still don't know my secretor status. I just might be a "quirky secretor."

I do have to wonder if message boards in general have more introverts on them; if the extroverts are out there doing stuff with people IRL and the introverts get most of their social needs met in quieter settings, including online.

Quoted from Patty H

I didn't Tom.  I will go back to your original post and re-read what you are asking and re-test.  But in throwing out the data that you don't either strongly agree or disagree, does that really give an accurate interpretation of the test and doesn't that skew the results?  It seems to me that the other options are there for a reason, no?

For me, a lot of the questions didn't make sense with the answers provided.  Other questions didn't apply at all.  In my case, when given the choice of an answer that was middle ground, I took it only because the question wasn't put forth in a way to match a solid answer.

No worries with the results being skewed, that's the whole idea!

That's what I do...answer a question in the middle if I don't feel it applies one way or the other.  And I *imagine* the slightly disagree or slightly agree part, *as if* it did apply.  Which is why I don't like these kinds of tests, or the Meyers-Briggs either for that matter, because I can always sort of fantasize to myself what something might be like whether or not I've ever experienced it, and that will influence my answers when they should just be left blank.  I am moody, too.  Maybe I'm feeling more a particular way one day, and not so much like that on another.  I don't like being pegged into a slot without an escape hatch!     I guess I just don't know how to take these tets.

too funny O in V    = she did it her way