all cats are autistic

[Guest guest]

I know a few autistic people who love cats including me!

This really happened this morning at my mom's: It was 5:30 something,

and I felt feet moving on my bed, but Mallow (Marshmallow) was in

Mom's room. It was a ghosty cat or Mallow's astral body or something.

It would walk on my bed next to me. I wasn't scared: I was amazed.

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All Cats are Autistic (v1.3)

Based on the DSM-IV Criteria

A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at

least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):

(1) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at

least two of the following:

(a) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors, such

as eye-to- eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to

regulate social

interaction:

Except when agitated, interpretive behavior is limited. Cats show very

little change in facial expression and posture is usually relaxed.

Eye-to-eye contact

is difficult, as cats are seemingly unable to bear looking into the

eyes for a period of time.

( failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level:

There is a marked deficiency in friendly social interaction with other

cats. Cats must have been in consistent contact with each other for an

extended period

of time (delayed achievement of " comfort zone " ) before interacting in

any sociable manner and the relationship is tenuous even then. This

often applies

to interaction with humans, as well.

© a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or

achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing,

or pointing out

objects of interest):

Cats do not point or retrieve objects for others. Cats are not

concerned about whether or not their interests are similar to those of

other entities. Cats

find your interest irrelevant.

(d) lack of social or emotional reciprocity:

Cats are concerned with their own interests only. They will not lick

your fur for the sole purpose of bringing you enjoyment. If they do so

at all, it's

either because you taste good or are dirty and need cleaning.

(2) qualitative impairments in communication, as manifested by at

least one of the following:

(a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language

(not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes

of communication

such as gesture or mime):

Many cats do not speak, or do so only occasionally. Nor are they able

to gesture their needs beyond the very basic, such as leading you to

the empty food

dish.

( in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the

ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others:

Cats do not converse well. Even in situations where it appears they

are carrying on a dialogue with a person, mutual misunderstanding of

each other's meaning

is inevitable.

© stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language:

All cats with speech perseverate on the word " meow " and its variations.

(d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative

play appropriate to developmental level:

Often, older cats will engage in play which, on a developmental level,

is more appropriate to kittens. Their pretend and imitative abilities

are limited

as well.

(3) restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior,

interests, and activities as manifested by at least one of the

following:

(a) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and

restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity

or focus:

Cats are generally fascinated and often obsessed with entomology

(insects), ornithology (birds), ichthyology (fishes). Sometimes

obsessive interests also

include string-like objects and ball shaped objects.

( apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional

routines or rituals:

Cats have little tolerance for changes in routine, including the

routines of the individuals they live with. They find it distressing

and will often attempt

to remedy the situation with control measures (waking you up at 5a.m.

on a weekend). Cats also ritually bathe.

© stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger

flapping or twisting or complex whole-body movements):

Cat's tail. 'Nuff said.

(d) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects:

Strings. Dangling parts of objects. Flying objects. Crawling objects.

Single bits of kibble. Shadows. Laser pointer lights.

B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following

areas, with onset prior to age 3 (cat) years: (1) social interaction,

(2) language as

used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.

Not enough study done in relation to normal society.

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's disorder or

childhood disintegrative disorder.

Other Symptoms Common to Autism

Sensory Issues:

Sounds

Cats are easily distracted and disturbed by a wide variety of noises.

Sudden noises are particularly distressful, although very quiet noises

are distracting

also.

On the other hand, cats are prone not to hear or understand specific

words, such as their name or " come " , causing them to appear as though

they are ignoring

the speaker, particularly when hyper-focused on another subject

(usually nothing).

Smell/Taste

Cats typically have hypersensitive smell and taste in comparison to

humans. As a result, they tend to be extremely finicky. Few cats will

eat vegetables.

Touch

Cats are often hypersensitive to touch. They may shrink away when an

attempt to touch them is made. However, rubbing/scratching certain

areas of their persons

can be quite pleasurable to them. These places include, but are not

limited to: behind the ears, cheeks, under the chin, and the

shoulders.

Self-Stimulation, or Stimming

Purring is an activity cats engage in which increases their calm and

receptivity. Stretching and scratching are also prevalent stimming

activities. Some

cats have been known to make kneading motions on soft blankets and people.

[Guest guest]

As a teenager, I was given a feral cat and I had her tamed to me in about three

days.? At first she had to be handled with gloves she was so wild.? Eventually I

left home and she stayed as a companion to my father.? It's neat to see that my

brother likes cats--he has a beautiful solid 14 pounder!!?

Fuzzy, the Maine Coon Cat, doesn't come when he is called.? What he does is when

I call him he doesn't show up and I go back inside.? Then I come out in a few

minutes and he is lying on the sidewalk as if he had been there for ages.? It's

very funny.? He is very catlike in that he likes to be the one that controls

affection.?

Carolyn