What's Your Focus & Expertise?
This topic was suggested as a place for you to share your interests with everyone at the forum. Let us know if you have any more suggestions for this area!
I don't know if computers are my special interest so much as my first language... O.o it just feels so natural to use a computer or work with/on one.
I especially like fixing problems and building computers, but I tend to keep it local or with people I know well or I'd be forever swamped. I could probably run a computer shop for a living but I want to finish my education while I'm still in the education mindset.
Hamsters is my big interest.
I also like researching Autism as well and working on my blog.
Other hobbies (not special interests) are reading and entering contests/sweepstakes.
Trains, railways. Gotta take the cam corder out again soon. Haven't been since November.
DANCE!!! If I could, I would dance every waking moment. :-)
Two main ones...plane crashes/investigations thereof and the written word, as in languages (real and constructed), grammar, the act of writing itself, and especially writing systems. Here's one of mine that I use pretty frequently:
Computers - specifically Linux, but I'm not a full-fledged expert yet (getting there, though).
Volkswagens - been a fan since I got my first car: a 1986 VW Jetta - hence my username
Some politics, a lot about bowling.
Oh, and coffee. You'd be surprised how much science, technique, and skill goes into making those coffee drinks at a real coffee shop (not starbucks
).
- Human medicine especially child psychiatries (love it since I was young)
- Dogs and wolfes
- collecting things
- computer, photography, video games...
Web development makes me happy 
especially PHP/MySQL open source apps and CSS.
Cool writing system Elanivalae! I used to have one when I was a kid. Not nearly as nice looking as yours. Made sentences ridiculously long too.
First, writing, everything from technical writing to copywriting to journalistic pieces to creative writing. The last is my passion and has been since I was four years old.
Second, same as Corina. I was an English Major and was in heaven when I studied lit. Since graduating I belonged to book clubs and loved talking about the books we read. Now I need to find a new one, as my club of many years disbanded a few years ago.
Third, crafts, anything with my hands. I draw, crochet, do decoupage, etc.
Dancingprincess, I envy you. I have many left feet, like a one-sided centipede.
Cats! :D :D :D
Histories of Oppressed Populations/Cultural and Historical Anthropology of said populations, or how said populations figure in larger Anthropological contexts. I'm particularly interested in the histories and cultures of Mental Institutions, and of Mental Illness and Developmentally Disabled populations. I'd love to curate a collection on this topic some day.
Victorian Romanticism, as well as the Romantic movement in literature, but particularly the Gothic movement and the influence of Occultism and the macabre in Victorian Romanticism. From conversations I've had with Corina, Basically the era of English Lit that she has the least interest in, I have the most. This interest intertwines with the previous one sometimes, as the depiction of MH and DD individuals and populations- among other oppressed populations- in contemporaneous literature can give a sense of the societal views that are their context.
And, of course, Advocacy and Self Advocacy. :D
Savannah Nicole Logsdon-Breakstone Director of Advocacy 
CATS! That's my #1! Also Japan (Japanese language, culture, anime, fashion, etc) and Star Trek (TNG!)
I also like writing in different writing systems, and teaching myself new ones. One of my favorites is shorthand because it looks like nonsense scribbles X3
I absolutely love helping people look at things from a perspective that they hadn't seen previously. I love doing this with people individually and in groups. One of my "AS gifts" as I call it, even though it drove me crazy in work environments, is being able to see the big picture in terms of group dynamics. I suppose this was because I never fit into the group, so I got a different view from the outside. I love to think - and am always coming up with "I wonder if..."
I cycle through my interests....and often have short term (but often these are the most intense) obsessions.
Recently....Suduku. Especially 'Speed Suduku' where you race against others online.
Autism/ADHD - I used to work as a therapist with children with autism. I was planning on setting up an early intervention centre however do not really have the skills with communicating with the parents very well.
psychology (life long ammusment!) - Especially behaviour psychology. When I was a child it was mainly about animal behaviour though and I progressed to people. (yeah reinforcer is a word I use daily) I think this interest the most helps me to survive in the social world....I wonder how many people realise that whilst they are talking to me I am constantly psycho analysing them instead of actually being interested in what they are saying!
Neuroscience - The human brain is the most fascinating thing in this world. I think the attraction is also in that it is still very new territory, it is like the ultimate puzzle....and I love puzzles.
oh and I fairly enjoy the new series of Dr Who.
Previous topics- family history which combines two others....etymology and dates. Hexagons (especially of the magic variety), and the colour blue :)
interacting and empathizing with
human energy fields, animals, plants,
inner color, music,
and healing
*Renee Danielle*
Blessings, *Renee Danielle*
Nice to meet you,
look forward to hearing more.
:)
Blessings, *Renee Danielle*
My Special Interests:
Historic Livestock breeds with an emphasis on Poultry
Heirloom Plants & Herbiculture
Asperger/ASD research
Historical Cross Stitch Samplers
My main interest that I seem to get called out for is and I seem to focus on without even realizing it is I can fix pretty much any Mac or Windows software issues and most hardware problems.
I am back in school learning web design and now this is all coming out of my head.......I love computers ever since I was given my first Mac for Christmas of 1995, by that April I was tutoring the now defunct Aldus freehand and fixing printer interface problems on Windows 3.1 machines at the local Vo-tech. I do have a hard time with written book instructions as I am uber visual. I have been urged a multitude of times to do programming but as of yet I can't find a purpose to it and the first class I took the professor was a real jerk, I was advised this by one of the NTs taking his class too. I think the reason to learn will be Java eventually if I can find someone I can watch do it.
I wont go off on side interests of which i have many.........
Carl Jung and gestalt psychology, archetypes, patterns in mythology and fairy tales.
Painting/drawing
Writing (journaling, poetry, prose fiction)
Lets see... aquarium fish;Photography(#1); Cub scouts-planning and doing the activities with my son; creating art and working on crafts; researching things on the internet; learning new facts; my cats, dog, and rats.
Toxicology and Pharmacology - reading about drugs and poisons and how they affect the human body and how they act different at different doses makes me so happy - I could do that for hours.
To a lesser degree - figure skating (not the people doing it, the science behind it - hence one of my fav movies being "Ice Princess")...
I used to be obsessed with cats when I was in primary school!
One other special interest that I keep hidden most of the time is my belief in Intelligent Design or creationism. I stopped talking about it in highschool after being bullied relentlessly for it. I learnt people didn't actually want to hear about it, they just wanted to use my different belief to mock me.
Oops - I completely forgot one that is totally in built. RUBIK'S CUBES!!! I love them and love making models and patterns with them. I have worked out how to solve them mathematically up to a 6 by 6 cube (which I'm not even sure physically exists - but it was exciting to work out. I've been playing with "The cube" since age 6! Hence my picture. Now my psychologist even encourages me to understand social intereactions and emotions and emotion management using the same strategies I use to fix up all my rubik's cubes.
I recently did a 3 hour time management seminar for final year medical students (to prepare them for when they are doctors post graduation) using 10 Rubik's Cubes as models and and analogy during the presentation. Not ONE of those kids has an ASD, but they loved the analogy and found it really really helpful! The nursing staff heard about it too and want the same tutorial!
Mine would have to be:
- Autism/Asperger's Issues and Research
- Dragons
- Cats
- Medical Science
- Anime
- Video Games
- Computers
- Pandas
- Japan
- Researching topics of interest when they pop up.
I think I've recently developed another intense interest/focus. I think I'd like to do postgraduate research on it.
I'd like to look at the medical profession understanding ASDs and being able to identify them PROPERLY. SInce so many doctors are all absorbed in their judgemental self righteous brains (and therefore judge instead of seeing what's going on) I think doctors would benefit from an assessment tool specifically designed for the MEDICAL PROFESSION (doctors seem to snub off tools used by psychologists which I think is ridiculous).
I would also like to write a LONG paper on the presentation of depression in people with ASDs - addressing both female and male presentations and how to manage these in the medical setting.
Basically I want my own professions to stop being so ignorent and acting like a group of judgemental bastards towards people with ASDs. I want to hold my profession accountable for actually excluding a cohort of consumers from appropriate services through their ignorance. Half of them don't even seem interested in learning.
OK - rant over, but it's the passion behind that rant which is driving this interest.
"No longer will the medical profession be allowed to use ignorance as an excuse for the misdiagnosis and maltreatment of those with autism spectrum disorders; no matter where on the spectrum someone is!"
Sounds Good.
:)
The medical profession does need a little kick to move forward.
Gently or not....................
Have fun with the research!!!!!!
*Renee*
Blessings, *Renee Danielle*
@Patchmonk83 - Hear hear! Especially the part about holding professionals accountable for their quackery. We need a good inside person. 
Best of luck with it!
Hmmmm - not sure if I count as an inside person since my profession aren't overly accepting of me...
Regardless, I have asked my hospital if I can do a presentation on ASDs, understanding and recognising adult patients with ASDs, meeting the needs of those on the spectrum etc at one of our "Grand Rounds" [weekly medical lectures for all doctors who aren't totally overloaded].
I'm waiting for approval (or the more likely request for "further information"). Not everyone at work knows I have Asperger's and part of me worries they'll recognise it in me during the presentation and stop focusing on the information and focus on my idiosyncrasities instead.
Our medical director is trying to get me approval to use our hospital as a venue for a large Drawtism event in May. so that would be a stating place for some 'education'.
Meanwhile, just for fun... I am trying to write a DSM-V style diagnostic criteria for "Pathologic neurotypicality"! Basically anything that could be perceived as negative or as an impairment in the NT population I'm putting into a diagnostic criteria to try and illustrate that really it's all about perception whether you think Aspie's are "impaired" in certain areas.
I've noticed when I hang out with groups of people with ASDs, most of our so called 'difficulties' don't matter or show up because we simply don't operate that way or expect certain things. So if we can function well as a group without NTs, is it really a disorder??? because it looks more like a different "culture" if everyone with it gets along fine... I won't take the analogy too far, but I think that we are at times over pathlogised by the NT population who simply don't understand and are scared.
"Hmmmm - not sure if I count as an inside person since my profession aren't overly accepting of me..."
It's nice to be "accepted", but for pedantic purposes, I don't think it matters a whole lot. If you're in the profession, part of the workplace, educating from the inside, then I'd say you're on the inside. 
"Meanwhile, just for fun... I am trying to write a DSM-V style diagnostic criteria for 'Pathologic neurotypicality'! Basically anything that could be perceived as negative or as an impairment in the NT population I'm putting into a diagnostic criteria to try and illustrate that really it's all about perception whether you think Aspie's are 'impaired' in certain areas."
Have you seen this? Neurotypical Syndrome
I especially like the part about Neurotypical Savants.
"I've noticed when I hang out with groups of people with ASDs, most of our so called 'difficulties' don't matter or show up because we simply don't operate that way or expect certain things. So if we can function well as a group without NTs, is it really a disorder??? because it looks more like a different "culture" if everyone with it gets along fine... I won't take the analogy too far, but I think that we are at times over pathlogised by the NT population who simply don't understand and are scared."
I completely agree!
OMG - I LOVED the Neurotypical Syndrome article. ROFLMAO.
As for working in the profession. I haven't been allowed to be at work since January. Basically our Board don't want a doctor who has Asperger's Syndrome and who has tried to kill themself (secondary to all the bullying from the Board and various others who simply, as described in the NT Syndrome article, are not interested in hearing logic or understanding someine who is different).
My hospital are supportive of me, and I think I can even go so far as to say now that they value a lot of my Aspie-ness at work because it's lead to solutions when we otherwise were stuck. Problem is the NT idiots on our Board who simply can't imagine perhaps they're incorrect in their assuptions about me. The court hearing (where they try and kick me out for good) starts on 31st May and goes for that whole week.
So yeah, I'm not "at work" at the moment. And when I have been I don't know how much of an impact I have made. I know at least one team I worked for appreciated my differences, but there was another team who practically totured me because of them. Even being so low as to hide my stethoscope on top of a 6 foot bookshelf simply so I couldn't find it. I nearly bought a new one when a very tall nurse found it after I sent out an email to the whole hospital asking if anyone had located my stethoscope (cost $400 - so I'm glad I didn't have to replace it).
Neurotypical Syndrome appears to be an unstoppable pandemic! LOL
I'm into language/s, writing, art, reading, fantasy and sci-fi, history and genealogy (have researched a lot of my family history), also architecture and house plans, old buildings, especially those with stone archways. Other interests come and go, but these are the bedrock. Also spirituality, but not psychic stuff or religion (except as it pertains to history).
I love the 'neurotypical syndrome' stuff too. I can't recall where i read it now (have the article bookmarked somewhere, but can't remember which one), but this guy was talking about NTs, and said how THEIR obsession is relating to others. That everything they do, from getting up in the morning, to going to bed at nite, is geared towards engaging with other human beings. That's their big need, and their primary focus in life, and just about anything and everything can be sacrificed to it. Put that way, it does seem pathological.
Wow, Elanivalae...your script is beautiful...almost like a work of art. How did you develop it?
Stories, what's in stories and how they are told in different mediums.
~ Corina
Your friendly Director of Networking and Forum Moderator
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” ~Mahatma Gandhi