Just wondering if there are any other trappers here that are on the Autism spectrum?

I feel like being autistic has helped me stay extremely organized throughout the trapping season and be very pragmatic about managing my time and mapping out my trapline. It’s also had its downfalls.

For instance, I get so overstimulated and overwhelmed in anticipation of opening day and setting a new line or location that I get severely anxious and then physically ill and nauseated. I also get the same way about the potential of other people setting up my spots before I get there. Another thing is that I’m extremely prone to burnout with trapping, skinning, and fur shed work - even if I’m not even running that big of a line - which can be so intense that I’ll actually have to pull my line and take a few days to recover.

Maybe there’s a few other trappers on the autism spectrum that can relate?

I don't know a lot about your condition, but surely appreciate you sharing your story on here. We're all brothers and sisters on here enjoying this pastime. We certainly aren't all going to be alike.

I read that different levels of autism exist and that is is not uncommon. Hopefully others will chime in, you undoubtably would not be alone.

Tell me what your diagnosis of this is.
I enjoy social gatherings with lots of people, wedding celabrations, Christmas parties, etc., however I notice that at some ponit during the gathering (especially if it is noisy), it's like I reach my decible saturation load, I then have to leave; immediately.

I am not. I do manage two fellas that are on the spectrum. I find them to be highly detail oriented, to the point it slows them down. But they are highly reliable and deliver nothing but the best, more than asked most of the time.
I give them very high scores in my annual reviews of their performance.

Honestly, I had no idea that ASD was as prevalent of a condition as it is. My eyes have been opened to it.

I've posted this before , but one of most highly rated (my opinion) of books to learn about animals and their behavior , is written by an autistic woman by the name of Temple Grandin. Her autism in her particular case puts her on a level of idiot/savant with animals in a way that science/biology has never seen. Ground breaking , now world famous and her teaching have become industry standards. Highly , highly respected by her peers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animals_in_Translation

Get this book. It will totally change the way you think about animals.

Waggler - My diagnosis is Autism Spectrum Disorder 1. If you are familiar with Asperger’s, this has also been lumped into that category and they have done away with the former diagnosis. There are 3 levels, with ASD 3 being extremely challenged and unable to live alone and 1 being a higher functioning end of the Autism Spectrum.

I can absolutely relate to your social gathering anecdote. Those kinds of things caused me to have extreme meltdowns when I was a child, but now I either avoid those situations entirely or leave and get to a quiet place to decompress if things get too loud and overwhelming.

Mad_Mike - Absolutely. I had a hard time understanding this about myself and went through about 10 years of adulthood without ever being able to hold down a job. I probably had over 40 different jobs but was fortunate enough to find one that was solitary, individual, and required extreme attention to fine detail and I have excelled at it to an unbelievable level. Within about a 2-3 month period I was the most proficient worker in the entire department that included employees with 20+ years of seniority. I’ve been there for about 5 years now, and was so fortunate to have found my niche in the workforce. Before that, I felt like the single most useless individual on the planet. I give all the glory to God on that one.

I've had three crewman who are on the spectrum to various degrees, things I've noticed about them is they never complain about adverse conditions, they aren't the fastest fish pickers, but they plod along without letting up, and the one thing that concerned me the most is they are oblivious to potentialy dangerous situations.

Yes! Huge fan of Dr. Temple Grandin. I’ve seen all of her lectures that are available online, and plan on reading all of her books as well. She is very inspiring and completely revolutionized the cattle industry.

Nostalgia, I am not on the spectrum but I have raised two daughters who are. They are on the high end and are hard working productive adults.

Keep your head up, it sounds like you are doing well.

They made a documentary about her as well. She was speaking ar a conference we were planing on going to but something came up and we didnt get to make it. I was looking forward to hearing her in person.