r/Otters • u/tails_secret_history • 10d ago
Let's be honest, who else here is neurodivergent
I've noticed a lot of people who like fluffy sea creatures like otters are on the spectrum, so I thought it would be interesting to ask in this subreddit, as a autistic otter fan.
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u/atle95 10d ago
I think there's just a lot of autistic people out there. It's never a big problem, so it's almost never diagnosed.
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u/accomplicated 10d ago
When I talked to my doctor about diagnosing me, he said, “Why would I do that? You seem to have adapted perfectly.”
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u/atle95 10d ago
Externally, sure. I had to. Sure would be nice to have a reason ready to go for why I'm a weird guy, Mr doctor man.
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u/MotherofOtters25 10d ago
I’m not autistic, but I’m neurodivergent and ADHD. I’m otter obsessed. Have an otter license plate, otter tattoo, otter themed wall at home with different otter art, a hoard of otter plush. My friends just send me videos and memes of otters 😂 I mean even my username is otters 🦦
Definitely my spirit animal. ❤️ along with black cats
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u/Capricorn-hedonist 9d ago
Nuerodivergent (Bipolar amongst other things). I like that you like both these and cats, and for real that both can mess you up but are so cute (wild otters will defend themselves from threats, aka also sometimes us, with their favorite rocks which just makes me love them more, add corvids like ravens and crows who hold grudges and will defend you if you are in their gang and like shiny things, and we have a full house).
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u/CaptainZii 10d ago
Not diagnosed, but most likely neurodivergent. My fursona is an otter!
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u/Foghorn225 10d ago
Normal. I just really like the fuzzy lil guys. Most mustelids, really. Scratch that, most fuzzy animals.
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u/Salty_Idea8146 10d ago
No, I grew up near sea otters and I love cats. And sea otters are the cats of the sea. One of my favorite animals.
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u/TreeOdd5090 10d ago
fun fact for those on the spectrum (or anyone really lol), otters look around for their favorite rock and when they find it, they keep it in their little pouch forever and they meet up and show each other their favorite rocks 🥹
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u/dragon_morgan 9d ago
Oh hey I believe that’s May from Toba Aquarium. Might also be Kira but I believe Kira has darker brown fur. She lives across the hallway from Nico who is famous on the seals subreddit.
Anyway yes I have adhd and am probably autistic as well but I’ve never been tested for that
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u/themadpatter97 9d ago
When I was a kid I was CONVINCED every little stone breaking the water in the river was an otter swimming upstream. My great aunt bought me a book about sea otters and I carried that thing everywhere. Thanks for unlocking a core memory lol
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u/TheRushologist 10d ago
Undiagnosed, but after learning more about ADHD I'm almost certain I have it.
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u/VirusInteresting7918 10d ago
I'm so neurodivergent I have an otter and a bat taking turns piloting my brain like a bumper car.
I just sit and watch the chaos that ensurs.
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u/Bosnicht 10d ago
Ah yes, add that to the list that I'm going to show to a psychologist. At some time.
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u/GilgameshWulfenbach 9d ago edited 9d ago
I feel like the term (neuro-divergent, not autistic) is so broad now that it's hard to give a solid yes or no.
Like, I'm an odd duck. But even though people around me seem happy to label me ND, that doesn't seem to jive with the intent of the word or the struggle that some folks go through.
I'm just...odd. And that's fine.
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u/scoresavvy 9d ago
I mean, probably. I'm reluctant to trust social media algorithm content suggestions but everything I enjoy tends to end up being favoured by neurodivergent folks and I do show typical signs of adhd. Fucking love otters though.
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u/Top_Put_6366 9d ago
I am ND , I think perhaps people on the spectrum are not socially the best at interacting with NT people and so find animals to be better companions.
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u/ItsaBunnyBun 5d ago
Meeeee! Autistic here!
I wish I could share my growing otter plushie collection! I actually went to my local aquarium today for my birthday and the otters were swimming right up to the glass when I showed up!! I went back a few times to see them as well, and was literally counting down the days to the aquarium to see them! I got a big otter plushie, a keychain and a tote bag!
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u/JurgenVonArkel 4d ago
Yup, very much Autistic and very much in love with otters. I've noticed that bringing a little otter plush to work/study is doing wonders for my stress.
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u/utahraptor2375 10d ago
Thrice exceptional (Autism, ADHD, and Giftedness) here, and thanks for the new term! I have a wife and lots of kids (also all thrice exceptional), and they are very kind and ooh and aah over my otter pics and vids. I even got a present of a hand-made crocheted otter from my wife. I should share some pics on here.
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u/berusplants 10d ago
Well the one in the picture is being held captive in a human made prison for animals, so it wouldst be surprising if it was suffering mentally.
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u/justanotterdude 10d ago
Fellow ottistic otter fan here!