Posts by PDC

Working with Asperger's in tech: We're in this together

Re: Useful

Getting the positive diagnosis of Asperger's has been a roller coaster for me over the past 15 month, but in the main it's been a very positive thing. I've endeavoured to use the positive the traits of my autism to combat the more negative traits, and in the main it's working. I still beat myself up when I do revert to type though, as it's so frustrating.

Knowing that you are different, and why, gives you a good starting point to make sense of your life, and I'd recommend that if you feel you are on the spectrum, and that knowing for certain would make a difference, then go and get a diagnosis. Had it turned out that I wasn't on the spectrum I would have been devastated as it would have meant I had some other condition, and would have to start looking for answers elsewhere.

No longer do I make up ridiculous excuses to get out of social events. I once said I'd fallen off my shed whilst re-felting it and had concussion to get out of a formal meal. Now I just explain to people that the stress of thinking about invites might mean that I don't show, and people are in the main understanding. My work colleagues have gone out of their way to involve me in socials since disclosing to them. My employer has also made changes to help me overcome difficulties I had started to have in the workplace. Your mileage may vary of course.

The only negative comment that I remember getting was from my Wing Commander (I'm an Officer in the RAFVR(T)) who said that my access to weapons would have to be reviewed now that I had Asperger's, because that's what those in America who go on shooting sprees have. I calmly pointed out that I'd always "had" Asperger's in the 29 years I've been using weapons, including the 4 when I was appointed the shooting officer for my wing, and that being a stickler for following rules to the letter probably made me safer around weapons than others. Nothing more has been said on that subject.

I do have down days though. The reason I sought a diagnosis is because my relationship was failing, and I still screw up on that score now, but a lot less frequently. It's really hard on my partner, but she is trying her best. I used to think she was the one with issues, and now that I understand theory of mind, I realise that it must be really hard for her to cope with me, and that upsets me.

Re: Useful

Once my GP found the right person to refer me to it took about 7 weeks to go through 3 assessment appointments to getting the positive outcome. But then I understand that Bolton is 3rd best for provision for adults with autisim, so I guess I won the postcode lottery.

Re the bit about needing someone to talk to, are there no other people on the spectrum in your area?

I live in Bolton, and the PCT there provided 20 group sessions following my diagnosis. After that the group itself decided to meet up every Monday and Saturday in a coffee shop, just so that we can talk to people who are on the same level as us, and not those of lesser ability who just "don't get" us.

Like yourself I only tend to hang on in there for other people. If I didn't have people to care for, and that includes pets, I'd probably have topped myself years ago, even before I got the diagnosis.

I also find it bizarre now that I am more self aware, just how unaware of themselves and others NTs really are. As you say, they think we're the retarded, self centered (hello, that's what autistic means!), ones, yet it is they who are unaware of the thought processes of others, and are the self centered ones.

Really

Really? It barely covers anything to do with being on the spectrum.

'To read this page, please turn off your ad blocker...'

Re: Downvotes

or holidays in girly pink rooms

AIDS? Ebola? Nah – ELECTRO SMOG is our 'biggest problem', says Noel Edmonds

Re: energy and consciousness

I'm an Aspie, and I certainly don't "suffer" from it.

Yes, Samaritans, the law does apply to you. Even if you mean well

Where's The Shooting Angle?

I'd have thought a 7.62 would be your choice over a gas oven Gaz.

Computing student jailed after failing to hand over crypto keys

Re: Noggin Silly sod

Asperger's is a neurological issue, not a mental health one. Think of it as being a hardware rather than a software issue. I've my last assessment this coming Friday!

'F-CK YOU GOOGLE+' ukelele missy scoops BIG WAD of $$ - for Google

Re: You can still be anonymous

But Gaz, you can type in any old phone number. I've at least 7 Google accounts, probably more. As many as I had on ACC :o)

Your kids' chances of becoming programmers? ZERO

De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk T10

Thumbs up for mentioning the Chipmunk. Had my 100th flight in the damned thing, on the day we retired it from the ATC on 31st MArch 1996. Good memories.

Custom ringback tones: Coming to your next contract mobe?

Not just T-Mobile

Erm, it wasn't just T-Mobile. 3 had this for years, and only killed it off a few months ago. You could have up to 5 tunes at a time.

Amazon makes BEELLIONS from British customers, pays pennies in tax

Re: MP stands for Media Prozzy, right?

Your sums are wrong. If the ex-VAT price, as you've stated, is 80p, then the inc VAT price is 96p, not the £1.00 you stated.

If the inc VAT price is £1.00, then ex VAT is 1/1.2 = 83.3p

Samsung SMACKDOWN: US appeals court keeps ban on Galaxy Tab

Pants

It's not only in the US that they call trousers pants. They do that everywhere north of Stoke too. Quite confusing when you first move to Manchester.

A preview of SOPA: Web shut down before my eyes

I would "have" thought.

I would "have" thought.

Tut, tut.

Blighty's top cop quits over phone-hacking scandal

Read the police blogs

Hmm. Reading various police blogging sites, it would appear they're all pleased to see this guy go.

Careless tweets cost lives, warns MoD

Exploding Ketchup

One of the highlights of summer camp as an Air Cadet was watching security videos on day one of camp. Back then they seemed so poorly acted that they were amusing to a 13 year old. My favourite was the exploding Heinz Ketchup bottles, delivered straight to the mess by Paddy and his brother, Paddy.

Ford Focus 2011

Indicate at all times

Clearly you've not taken an IAM Advanced Driving Test if you believe that you have to indicate at all times.

Judge puts Assange behind bars ahead of extradition hearing

Treason my arse

I realise that it's an alien concept to you septics, but the world is a big place, and American law doesn't apply to all, no matter how much you would like it to.

Steve Jobs no longer Eggman as Beatles hits iTunes

Artwork

Or just use one of the many free MP3 tag editors which embed the image file in the MP3 itself. Far more sensible than storing the album art as a separate file.

Wiki crew launch attack on FBI official seal bluster

You missed the OP's point

I think you somewhat missed the OP's point. They didn't confuse Wikimedia with Wikileaks. They were saying that the FBI should have more to worry about than the infringement of copyright.

Boffins authenticate Apple 'Antennagate'

Envy?

Or rather those on lncomes scrimp and scrape to buy an iFail so people think they have money, style and taste.

I'll spend my £400 daily rate on a phone that works thank you.

Council urges army drinkers to break the law

What the current military ID card looks like

John, you imply that there is just one military id card. Which one would that be then?

I currently have the F1250 issued by the RAF, but when it expires it will be a MOD 90. There are different cards for contractors, family members, civvie workers, and even locally produced cards specific to individual stations.

Now why is it that if my age was questionable, I wouldn't be able to use an ID card that gets me access to some of the most secure premises in the country? It's ridiculous that a card that allows me to draw a bootfull of automatic weapons can't get me a pint in my local, but a card that's issued by the portland group, that doesn't require security vetting to issue, does.

1250

My F1250 gets me discounts at Burger King (only at Moto service stations though), and Dominos.

Do you actually bother asking about a military discount, or do you assume there isn't one because there is no sign?

It's not the end for stop and search

Photos of Charlie

I can't believe that this kid was hassled (again!) for taking photos of Charlie taking the salute from cadets. I was in that parade. Thousands of people were taking photos.

And contrary to official instructions, and protocol, most of those at the Garden Party afterwards were taking photos in Lizzies garden! No police harassment there.

New 3D displays use falling water drops as 'voxels'

Take That

New technology? Take That had a virtual Robbie Williams on stage with them on their tour 3 or 4 years ago, using the exact same tech.

iPhone 4: Perfect for everyone, except humans

Top Tip

VizTopTip: QUEUING for an iPhone? Don't stress about the reported manufacturing issues. They're nothing compared to your psychological ones.

Jobsian drones shackle gamer with 'lifetime' iPad ban

Invitation to treat

The price tag in the Uk is "an invitation to treat". The shop doesn't have to sell it to you at that price, it is merely an invitation to enter into a negotiation.

Not selling to someone on the grounds of race, hair colour, or anything else, is, however, discrimination.

Tories put ID cards, Contactpoint on manifesto hit list

@Think Tory manifesto is last minute dash

"Literacy / Math has improved. It doesnt matter if you consider the fact that GCSE have been dumbed down - our children are better educated then they ever been before."

Really?

I'm the Officer Commanding of an Air Cadet Sqn, and over the years the cadets that pass through are getting dumber and dumber.

Where are these educated, practical children, capable of communicating in more than just grunts?

iPhone 4.0: iAds, multitasking, and 98 tweaks

How stupid can you get?

How stupid can you get?

The OP was referring to the "android has porn" line, not the iAds stuff.

Street View plays spot the army numberplate

Not just mil format on mil vehicles

It's not just missing military formatted silver on black. You can spot a nice shiney new military police landrover outside the main guard room of RAF Cranwell, with standard plates not blurred.

More questions over biometric ID cards and national security

Old Style Passports Used

The foreign secretary said on Radio 4 a few days ago that the old style passport was cloned, not the new one with the chip in it.

However, I don't trust the word of someone who last night referred to the "British" Navy. There'll be a few members of the Royal Navy up in arms at that!

Discrimination warning over airport body scanners

Not just muslims though

Recently had a brief from what used to be called "Special Branch", regarding the current threats. It may surprise you that they say that we are as much at risk from white supremacists these days, who are out to attack muslims, as we are from muslims.

Home Office advises Police to break the law

@John Savard

Thousands of people die each year from MRSA, which the government could prevent, but don't. In 2008 over 4000 people died from being given the wrong prescription. Thousands die each year from cancer, yet much of the research is funded by charity rather than the government.

So a couple of hundred deaths at the hand of a terrorist is pissing in the wind, and isn't a reason to turn the country into a police state.