Skaters on the spectrum

[ferguu]

It's pretty common knowledge that Rodney Mullen is autistic, not sure if it's ever been confirmed but it's certainly evident. I love Rodney, so it got me thinking about other neuro-atypical individuals in the skate world, and how different brain chemistries have affected the trajectory of skateboarding. Obviously for a lot of these we can only speculate, but here are some I've been thinkin of:

&&
Gonz
Harold Hunter
Evan Smith? I could be misreading his shroom brain.

It's interesting to think how much impact autistic / atypical skaters have had on the space. Thoughts? Can you guys think of any?

[GardenSkater77]

It's pretty common knowledge that Rodney Mullen is autistic, not sure if it's ever been confirmed but it's certainly evident. I love Rodney, so it got me thinking about other neuro-atypical individuals in the skate world, and how different brain chemistries have affected the trajectory of skateboarding. Obviously for a lot of these we can only speculate, but here are some I've been thinkin of:

&&
Gonz
Harold Hunter
Evan Smith? I could be misreading his shroom brain.

It's interesting to think how much impact autistic / atypical skaters have had on the space. Thoughts? Can you guys think of any?

I think anyone who ever picked up a board and stuck with it is on the spectrum.

[spooky electric]

Expand Quote

It's pretty common knowledge that Rodney Mullen is autistic, not sure if it's ever been confirmed but it's certainly evident. I love Rodney, so it got me thinking about other neuro-atypical individuals in the skate world, and how different brain chemistries have affected the trajectory of skateboarding. Obviously for a lot of these we can only speculate, but here are some I've been thinkin of:

&&
Gonz
Harold Hunter
Evan Smith? I could be misreading his shroom brain.

It's interesting to think how much impact autistic / atypical skaters have had on the space. Thoughts? Can you guys think of any?

[close]

I think anyone who ever picked up a board and stuck with it is on the spectrum.

Was going to say this also - I think most skaters are certainly in the realm of ASD/ADHD/PTSD neurodivergence. You don't have to be eccentric as your examples are kind of suggesting.

[ferguu]

Well, even that is interesting in itself! What is it about a plank of wood on wheels that draws neurodivergent individuals in?

[GardenSkater77]

Neurodivergent individuals exhibit repetitive behavior that consumes much of their time. If that isn’t skateboarding I don’t know what is.

I was a better baseball player than a skateboarder, but I didn’t want to have a coach tell me what to do and how to do it. Skateboarding may be performed in a group, but it is really only about the individual’s connection with the object under their feet.

[ferguu]

Neurodivergent individuals exhibit repetitive behavior that consumes much of their time. If that isn’t skateboarding I don’t know what is.

I was a better baseball player than a skateboarder, but I didn’t want to have a coach tell me what to do and how to do it. Skateboarding may be performed in a group, but it is really only about the individual’s connection with the object under their feet.

I've never been diagnosed but I can definitely identify with that sentiment. There's something extremely comforting about being able to freely try something over and over (without anyone judging) until you get it... or not as my sessions tend to go haha. Such is the beauty of our craft!

I've always felt a kinship with skaters, even if I just met them, and now I think I know why; We're all just being freakin' weird together, and that's pretty special. Thanks for the insight guys!

[Nom De Plume]

Gotta give Auby Taylor some shine, he talks about it in interviews. Dig this part. The throw down slam at :20 and ender of the line at :149 are standouts. Never really see anyone skate the out ledge over the rail at J-KWON.

[ferguu]

Just got round to watching this... GODDAMN! How had I not heard of Auby before? Incredible.

[Dental Dan]

Me! I think.
I haven't been diagnosed but I believe I meet enough criteria to claim full or partial membership.

[ferguu]

Me! I think.
I haven't been diagnosed but I believe I meet enough criteria to claim full or partial membership.

Hey, that's good enough for me! Screw the criteria anyway.

That's the problem though right? Everyone is a lil weird, but I usually feel EXTREMELY weird compared to most people. I don't want to claim anything without a diagnosis tho.... Skateboarding is good because you can forget about dumb stuff like that.

[brycickle]

Me! I think.
I haven't been diagnosed but I believe I meet enough criteria to claim full or partial membership.

[Dental Dan]

I'm posting privately under a pseudonym on a forum. That bit sucked and your comparison is off base.

[brycickle]

That bit definitely doesn't suck, and stop trying to self diagnose yourself. If you have a suspicion that you may be, then go get tested. It's not a "cool" trend that you can just glom onto. It is a serious medical condition that can have huge implications for both the patient and all of their loved ones.

[Unkle Fleak]

I don’t

That bit definitely doesn't suck, and stop trying to self diagnose yourself. If you have a suspicion that you may be, then go get tested. It's not a "cool" trend that you can just glom onto. It is a serious medical condition that can have huge implications for both the patient and all of their loved ones.

I back this.

[Dental Dan]

I am interested in a professional diagnosis, but also understandably apprehensive about being forever diagnosed with a life changing condition.

In March of last year I realized I was likely on the spectrum. I would describe the period following as grieving. I don't know if or when I'll seek medical help with it. My initial post is the only time I've mentioned it outside of speaking with my partner. It's fucked to assert I am jumping on some type of tik tok bandwagon.

[GardenSkater77]

I am interested in a professional diagnosis, but also understandably apprehensive about being forever diagnosed with a life changing condition.

In March of last year I realized I was likely on the spectrum. I would describe the period following as grieving. I don't know if or when I'll seek medical help with it. My initial post is the only time I've mentioned it outside of speaking with my partner. It's fucked to assert I am jumping on some type of tik tok bandwagon.

You shouldn’t be upset by self realization. Being told you have Asperger’s shouldn’t be viewed as a negative. If you are just discovering that you may be on the spectrum then chances are you have a mild case. Psychologists can’t tell you exactly what your abnormality is. They develop a custom solution tailored to help your condition. You report back and they tweak the plan. It’s R&D, but it should help you feel better and respond to fellow humans in a more effective way.

[Sick_McCrank_]

I’ve been diagnosed last year in my mid 30‘s and it’s pretty hard to realize you’ve been living your whole life as a lie and now you have to act the way you actually are. Yeah who exactly am I? My whole existence seems like I played a role to fit in for 30 years and it sucked so much energy out of me. The real me got lost somewhere on the way.

I had a burnout and had to fight to get actually checked for real, which took years.
If you have a mild case and are able to somewhat fit in, it’s pretty hard to get help. It’s easier and cheaper  for them to just diagnose you with depression and whatever the symptoms of undiagnosed autism are than actually looking at the root cause of your suffering.

Getting back in touch with your real self seems impossible now. Not to mention how people around you are gonna take it if you suddenly have slightly special needs. Maybe best to leave your old life behind and start all over. I probably should quit my job and do some traveling.

Plus thanks to Elon, no one and that snowman from NY  dude people think every Asperger is an asshole 

Also I’d like to ad Forest Edwards to the list of probably autistic skaters.

[ferguu]

I’ve been diagnosed last year in my mid 30‘s and it’s pretty hard to realize you’ve been living your whole life as a lie and now you have to act the way you actually are. Yeah who exactly am I? My whole existence seems like I played a role to fit in for 30 years and it sucked so much energy out of me. The real me got lost somewhere on the way.

I had a burnout and had to fight to get actually checked for real, which took years.
If you have a mild case and are able to somewhat fit in, it’s pretty hard to get help. It’s easier and cheaper  for them to just diagnose you with depression and whatever the symptoms of undiagnosed autism are than actually looking at the root cause of your suffering.

Getting back in touch with your real self seems impossible now. Not to mention how people around you are gonna take it if you suddenly have slightly special needs. Maybe best to leave your old life behind and start all over. I probably should quit my job and do some traveling.

Plus thanks to Elon, no one and that snowman from NY dude people think every Asperger is an asshole 

Also I’d like to ad Forest Edwards to the list of probably autistic skaters.

I'm pretty young, but what you describe here is exactly what I'm scared of. Some days it feels easy to say "Well, I'm just weird and that's OK." and other days I wish the label had never been invented. I don't really like the word.

I have to say though, diagnosis or not, you are the same person you have always been. Reminds me of a quote:

“Everybody has a secret world inside of them. I mean everybody. All of the people in the whole world, I mean everybody — no matter how dull and boring they are on the outside. Inside them they’ve all got unimaginable, magnificent, wonderful, stupid, amazing worlds… Not just one world. Hundreds of them. Thousands, maybe.” – Neil Gaiman

[j....soy.....]

These are just guesses but: Mota, PJ?

[Marion Stoked]

These are just guesses but: Mota, PJ?

"What's a falafel?" Yea, I would say that checks out.

[ferguu]

PJ is a good one, I've always seen him as the Rodney of ledge skating. (Maybe with better steez...)

Thanks to this thread I went to the doctors and booked a diagnosis. I get a call on Feb 10th. Seems like the earlier I understand who I am, the more help I can get in dealing with it. Thanks @Sick_McCrank_