This is my second post since rebranding the site to “The Divergent Mountain Biker.” I’ve gotta explain why I’m not your average person. This list took me two months. Knowing what sets me apart is key because it shapes how I see the world, whether I’m at work or just chilling at home. So, here’s a rundown of the quirks and traits that make me, well, me.

1. Need for Solitude: I love my friends and family, but I need quality alone time to recharge and regulate myself. If I don’t, I burn out quickly from the energy it takes to process everything – conversations, events, feelings, and all. I identify with Jinjer here.
   Neurotypical people often gain energy from social interactions and may not need as much alone time to recharge.
2. Dysregulated Sensitivity: I may experience hypersensitivity (over-experiencing) or hyposensitivity (under-experiencing) to things like light, touch, sound, smell, and taste, which often leads me to avoid certain environments. I can’t stand bright lights, water, fireworks, or gunshots. On the flip side, I love touching nature and pets. And corn? Yuck!
   Neurotypical people usually have a more balanced sensitivity to sensory inputs and may not be as affected by environmental factors.
3. Unique Communication Styles: I communicate differently, often being labeled as quirky or different. I may ask many questions, interrupt frequently, and have a direct way of speaking.
   Neurotypical people often follow social norms more closely in communication and may find directness less comfortable.
4. Special Interests and Inward Focus: I devote a lot of time and energy to specific interests like mountain bikes. These passions bring me joy and a sense of purpose, which can sometimes be seen as inward-focused. Past friends have often told me to “get over yourself.” Boo to you, jerks!
   Neurotypical people might have a wider range of interests and spend less intense focus on any single one.
5. Masking and Camouflaging: From a young age, I developed strategies to fit in socially by suppressing my true self and pretending to be neurotypical.
   Neurotypical people do not usually need to hide their true selves to fit into social situations.
6. Emotional Regulation Challenges: I may have intense emotional outbursts or seem emotionless, due to difficulties in identifying and processing emotions.
   Neurotypical people often have an easier time identifying, processing, and expressing their emotions.
7. Difficulty with Change and Reliance on Routine: I struggle with changes to my daily routine, relying on strict schedules for comfort and to manage anxiety.
   Neurotypical people are generally more adaptable to changes in routine and less reliant on strict schedules.
8. Literal Thinking: I take things very literally and logically, often struggling with abstract concepts and figurative language.
   Neurotypical people are usually more comfortable with abstract thinking and figurative language.
9. Attention to Detail: I have a strong focus on small details and the minutiae of life, which can be beneficial in many situations.
   Neurotypical people might overlook small details and focus more on the bigger picture.
10. Hyperfocus and Flow State: I can become intensely absorbed in activities or subjects, but sometimes neglect other responsibilities. So, what do you think I’m doing all the time? Mountain biking, of course! I mean, REALLY! If I’m not riding, I’m working on my bikes, watching YouTube videos, or playing with new technologies. Don’t get me started, lol.
    Neurotypical people might have a more balanced focus, able to switch attention more easily between tasks.
11. Difficulty Reading Social Cues: I struggle with interpreting body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues.
    Neurotypical people generally find it easier to read and respond to social cues.
12. Monotone Voice: I don’t think I speak in a monotone voice, which might seem like I lack emotion or interest, but I do have a weird speech pattern. In my gut, I feel like I can’t use my voice to show emphasis or concern. It feels fake when I try to do that.
    Neurotypical people usually have more variation in their tone of voice, which can convey more emotion.
13. Strong Sense of Fairness and Justice: I have a strong sense of right and wrong, fairness, and justice, which is why I hate politics for example.
    Neurotypical people might have a more flexible view of fairness and justice, influenced by social contexts.
14. Clumsiness or Coordination Challenges: I often experience motor skill and coordination challenges, making me feel clumsy at times. I run into corners and stumble a lot when hiking. But on my bike? It’s like my gyroscope, keeping me balanced.
    Neurotypical people generally have better motor coordination and spatial awareness.
15. Preference for Written Communication: I often prefer written communication for its clarity and the ability to process interactions at my own pace. I despise phones and people that wanna “talk”.
    Neurotypical people often find verbal communication more natural and may prefer it over written forms.
16. Strong Memory and Knowledge Retention: I often have exceptional memories, especially about my passions and special interests. Not what you want me to remember.
    Neurotypical people may have a more balanced memory, remembering a broader range of topics.
17. Difficulty with Abstract Concepts: I struggle with abstract thinking, preferring concrete, logical, and literal concepts.
    Neurotypical people are generally more comfortable with abstract and figurative thinking.
18. Difficulty Initiating and Maintaining Conversations: I may struggle with the nuances of starting and maintaining conversations, often preferring direct and specific interactions. Small talk is STUPID!
    Neurotypical people usually find it easier to engage in and sustain casual conversations and small talk.
19. Sensory Seeking Behavior: I engage in repetitive behaviors or movements to regulate and soothe myself, often seen as sensory seeking. Mom always wanted me to stop rocking or shaking my leg.
    Neurotypical people generally do not need to engage in repetitive behaviors for self-regulation.
20. Directness and Honesty: I tend to speak my mind without a social filter, being direct and honest, which can sometimes be perceived as blunt or rude.
    Neurotypical people often use social filters and may be more indirect in their communication to avoid offending others.
21. Difficulty with Hierarchies: I may not easily understand or recognize social and societal hierarchies, leading to misunderstandings. Societal hierarchies will set me off into a rage, then burnout.
    Neurotypical people typically have a better grasp of social hierarchies and norms.
22. High Levels of Anxiety: I experience high levels of anxiety due to various factors like sensory overload, changes in routine, and social interactions.
    Neurotypical people usually experience less anxiety in similar situations.
23. Exceptional Long-term Memory: I often have a remarkable long-term memory for facts and detailed information, especially related to my interests. I remember what tire you have on your bike but I don’t know your name or what I ate for breakfast.
    Neurotypical people may not have as strong a long-term memory for specific details.
24. Strong Preference for Familiarity: I feel more comfortable in known environments and around familiar people, and can become distressed in unfamiliar situations.
    Neurotypical people are generally more comfortable with new experiences and environments.
25. Sensitivity to Emotional Atmospheres: I can be highly sensitive to the emotions of others and emotional atmospheres, which can be overwhelming.
    Neurotypical people might not be as affected by the emotional states of others or the atmosphere.
26. Strong Need for Predictability: I thrive in predictable environments and routines, which help maintain regulation and reduce anxiety.
    Neurotypical people are usually more adaptable to unpredictability and change.
27. Intense Expertise in Interests: My intense interests can develop into significant expertise on specific topics or activities. Well, just mountain biking … lol.
    Neurotypical people might have a broader range of interests but may not develop the same level of expertise in a single area.
28. Difficulty with Eye Contact: I may avoid eye contact, especially when disregulated, as it helps me process information better. I learned that eye contact is important but when I get stressed I fixate away from the eyes to try and figure things out.
    Neurotypical people generally find making eye contact more natural and important for social interaction.
29. Literal Honesty: I often say things as I see them, being honest and factual, sometimes lacking tact.
    Neurotypical people might use more tact and subtlety in their communication to avoid hurting others’ feelings.
30. Resistance to Being Touched: I may have hypersensitivity to touch, which leads to discomfort with certain types of clothing, hugs, or contact points. I like being touched by people I know, but I can’t stand how my clothes feel.
    Neurotypical people are generally more comfortable with physical touch and different textures.
31. Hyperlexia: I may read but may not always understand the meaning behind the words. I was once told in school that I would, “never learn to read”. Thank you ChatGPT for explaining things.
    Neurotypical people usually develop reading skills and comprehension at a more typical pace.
32. Strong Moral Compass: I have a pretty good sense of what is right and wrong, often guided by a strong internal belief. I don’t blindly follow laws designed to benefit the wealthy but instead weigh things based on their impact on others and nature
    Neurotypical people might have a more flexible moral perspective influenced by social contexts.
33. Distinctive Learning Styles: I may have unique ways of learning, requiring more hands-on, visual aids, or repetition to grasp concepts.
    Neurotypical people often benefit from standard teaching methods and may not require specialized learning approaches.
34. Difficulty with Small Talk: I struggle with the purposelessness of small talk, preferring substantive discussions. I have learned (masking) to ask the default questions like “how is your day”. But I ask it sometimes because I really care, not just to socially bond. F-that!
    Neurotypical people often engage in small talk as a social bonding activity and find it more natural.
35. Strong Visual Memory: I have a strong visual memory, allowing me to recall detailed information about scenes, objects, and places. Bikes!
    Neurotypical people might rely less on visual memory and more on other types of memory.
36. Tendency to Monologue: I can talk at length about topics I’m passionate about, often without realizing it. I also narrate while I go about my day, which drives Mo nuts.
    Neurotypical people usually engage in more reciprocal conversations and may not monologue as frequently.
37. Difficulty with Implicit Rules and Social Norms: I struggle with understanding and following unwritten rules and social norms, which often leads to misunderstandings. Honestly, I don’t even know what half of this stuff is. I copied it from an autism paper.
    Neurotypical people generally grasp and follow implicit social rules more easily.
38. Enhanced Pattern Recognition: I can recognize patterns in data, environments, and behavior at a higher level than my neurotypical peers. This is my SUPER POWER!
    Neurotypical people might not have as strong a focus on patterns and may overlook them.

And there you have it – a comprehensive list of what makes me uniquely “me.” If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You now know more about me than most of my friends do, though they’ve already got their own way of defining me. Why blend in when you can stand out? Happy trails!