HFA + peace and quiet I was diagnosed with high functioning autism last year and I have no doubt it plays a role in my passion and talent for scientific fields. I left school at 15 but managed to get into college now at 22. Keeping up with coursework is a joke but I like to do my own research to and although I can spend full days learning and love it I need absolute peace and quiet or I get distracted perpetually. Its not easy because everyone around me is always trying to grab my attention all day everyday. I think they do it outta good will because maybe most people are happy when they're active but I'm happy absorbing massive amounts of knowledge and I can't do that with people constantly asking me questions and getting me to go out and do things with them. Its mainly my family that sway my attention my friends leave me be when I tell them I'm busy. I think my family assume that if someone isn't active and going around doing things that theres something wrong with them. Anyone else have a similar issue? Well... no not really . But I dont know what your circumstances are, like do you live at home or in a dorm? When I was in collage I set aside times to do things. If I had homework that would be done during study period in between class, or after class that evening. Once that was done then I would go out sometimes, go party, or hang out at home with the parents. Its about cutting people off and budgeting time. Figure out what time you need to get what done, and what time is avalible for friends and family. Study time for me required time alone in quiet. Friends calls would be ignroed or instant messaging I wouldnt respond. Parents knew I had other stuff going on and so they knew to let me be. I think you just gotta tell um that education is number 1 priority and that time alone is absolutly nessissary to graduate. I'm not ASD, but I have a suggestion. I travel alot for business and sometimes I really want to enjoy peace and quiet during these rare times I'm away from the kids.  Sometimes when I'm on the plane I take out my ipod, put the headphones on, but leave it turned off.  The person sitting on the plane doesn't talk to me because they think I'm listening to music and can't hear them anyway.  It's a great way to keep people away when I need my quiet time. So, maybe when you're studying you can put a headset on and "pretend" to be listening to something.  Most people are hesitant to start chattering away at someone when they are wearing a headphones.  Just a thought....
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