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One @actuallyautistic trait I haven't seen mentioned is what I'll call "efficienct routines".
I'm slow to learn a task, but once I know it I get faster and find more efficient ways to complete it. Doing the task without error and as quickly as possible is important. I can't stop halfway through or leave the task partially completed.
When I vacuum I do it exactly the same way every time. I know where to position it so I only plug in once. I despise being interrupted.
Is this common?
Oh, I think this is extremely common! Not only do I find the most efficient way to do something, it becomes almost physically painful to see it done any other way.
@unabogie @darrellpf @actuallyautistic YES
It drives me nuts how unaware people are of what they're doing sometimes
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic omg! I do this and I have never understood why other people don't simply pay attention to their tasks, continuously optimizing their performance of said tasks so that eventually they have a truly efficient way to perform them.
@SallyStrange @darrellpf @actuallyautistic Because it requires that they sustain attention for longer than they are accustomed to. They could train themselves.
IMO, we should add practice in sustained attention to school curriculums. I’m hearing that kids who grew up with smartphones/tablets are entering college with low reading ability, having been trained out of directing their own attention by devices telling them what to pay attention to & rewarding compliance.
@actuallyautistic @darrellpf yes. When I do something like that (say, vacuuming or mowing the lawn), I am constantly thinking of what I’m doing and how to get to the next thing. I develop and fine-tune the process until it’s right and then that’s how I do it 
the routine means I don’t have to reconsider the process next time, which I WILL do until & unless I’ve internalized it (where I can remember it automatically) but I’m still aware of it “next, I will…” “remember to…” etc
@seanwithwords @actuallyautistic @darrellpf so much this 
less overhead
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic
I'm some kind of neuro-spicy and I constantly opine to my partner about "proper technique" when doing a task. Sounds very similar.
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic This has me written all over it. Thank you for sharing!
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic I've noticed that I do this most noticeably in tasks I have to do repeatedly but don't like doing, like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping. Trying to spend as little energy and time as possible so I can get on to more interesting things. For stuff I enjoy doing, I can't think of any examples.
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic I don’t if it is common, but I certainly can relate to this.
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic I honestly thought that was the ADHD part of my experience with hyperfocus and getting wound up into a temporary manic phase, mixed with the autism desire for repetitive patterns and efficiency and organization...things definitely get messy in figuring out what and when.
ADHD here but find this very true for me, but also only in some specific ways while totally blind to others.
Eg., after 15 years in the same house, I have what I think are perfected routines when it comes to doing anything in the kitchen, and they have served me well.
Yet, just a few months ago I realized that where I was storing some things like kitchen knives and oven mitts made no sense, farther from where they're used than they should or needed to be.
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic This is me at work. I don’t get interrupted often (and no one cold calls me ever 
) but sooo hard when i have to stop one thing for another. Re-orientation can take longer than the amended task
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic Reminds me of the routine I have while hanging up the washing. I sort according to category and thickness of material, have specific slots where categories go, and arrange the clothes so the colour distribution is spread evenly amid all the black. Started out in childhood as a way to get the clothes to dry more efficiently by giving thicker clothes more air than thin ones. Still updating this method when it can be optimised. Can not hang up the clothes in another way or I'll be bothered by it. Anyone else does this?
breaking ranks. 
@soren @darrellpf @actuallyautistic IT ME!
Large towels hang beneath smaller items so that the air can "browse through", I always alternate long/big items left and then right big/long items, and on the sides I tend to hang light weight items [from heavier to lightest] to not overburden the poor laundry rack 
@rebekka_m @darrellpf @actuallyautistic I also alternate the weight, but haven't thought about the short to long on the sides, will adopt this technique 
@darrellpf at work i often do the same tasks my colleagues do at a much faster pace out of learned repetition—however, the way i accomplish the tasks comes across as hostile and not being a team player
Optimising.
I do this a lot and I find it soothing.
What sequence to do a task in so that no time is wasted and movements are as efficient as possible.
@darrellpf @actuallyautistic I think it's like, learning the best/most efficient or effective way to do a task is almost a guaranteed trigger for entering a little moment of flow-space. And flow-space is such a balm after spending a lot of my waking life attempting to manage overstimulation. It's almost healing.
So I resent anything that interrupts it. And if something does, both my ability and motivation to finish the task just disappears.