Asperger's Syndrome

[Crazy Diamond]

Hello....This is my first thread here I think it's in the right place.

I was wondering if anyone else here has this ? I think a lot of people with SA will display symptoms of it but I was wondering if anyone has actually been diagnosed with this. I've never met anyone that actually has. It's only been within the last couple of years, since I've been seeing a doctor, that I have been told that I have a mild form of this. Basically I find it hard to communicate, socialise and therefore make friends. I know this sounds just like SA but this is the kind that can't exactly be "cured" as you know. As it's mild it has never been something that's really noticable by other people...well...you could probably deduce that I find it hard to communicate but it's not so obvious that you can call it Asperger's.

Since discovering that I have it it's put a lot of things into perspective. Just, for example, memories that I have of being at primary school and to some extent not socialising propery or making friends as easily as other people. And sometimes my behaviour in general in and out of school. It seemed to give an exapanation to all of that. It's not all negative. It's quite funny that there is a sort of "incentive" to having this disorder. Well, at least, people with it should or ought see it as an incentive : Often someone with this would have a particular interest in one thing meaning they would have a lot of knowledge and be highly skilled in what area it is.....it could be from playing music, having a vast knowledge of Eastenders to having an obbsession with door handles ! I've found myself having had a passion for music - listening and particularly composing. I know that's something positive I can take from this.

Anyway, I'm sort of interested in talking to people with it. I don't know of any groups at all. Things like that would be an advantage. It's only recently has this really been getting me down. I find it easier to talk over the internet rather than face-to-face. I have an OT that I see regularly but honestly, no matter how experienced and good they are or even nice they are, they just understand how I feel and that's what I want really - someone to understand my frustrations. I don't think anyone can actually help me as such...they can only support me. Only I can help myself. No doctor will come up with a solution for me. But my lack of motivation for the last few years hasn't helped me at all. I've also never told anyone about about having Asperger's. It's never a great topic of conversation. And I don't want to come across as too "negative" to any of the friends that I have just now. But I do see the advantage of letting not be like so many other people. I'm just worried about this "stigma" thing really. I have no idea how some of my friends would therefore treat me if I told them I have this. Sometimes I really feel like doing it because it gets on my nerves that particularly one of friends seems to think I have been this "lazy" person for years since I haven't had a job for years until now. But he is a good guy and perhaps would understand if I said anything. I also don't want to make a big fuss over it and keep on thinking about it ! :P

So, anyway, I think I've moaned too much...so I better go now. But I think I feel a little bit better having posted this.

[Lunarsea]

Originally Posted by Crazy Diamond

Hello....This is my first thread here I think it's in the right place.

I was wondering if anyone else here has this ? I think a lot of people with SA will display symptoms of it but I was wondering if anyone has actually been diagnosed with this. I've never met anyone that actually has. It's only been within the last couple of years, since I've been seeing a doctor, that I have been told that I have a mild form of this. Basically I find it hard to communicate, socialise and therefore make friends. I know this sounds just like SA but this is the kind that can't exactly be "cured" as you know. As it's mild it has never been something that's really noticable by other people...well...you could probably deduce that I find it hard to communicate but it's not so obvious that you can call it Asperger's.

Since discovering that I have it it's put a lot of things into perspective. Just, for example, memories that I have of being at primary school and to some extent not socialising propery or making friends as easily as other people. And sometimes my behaviour in general in and out of school. It seemed to give an exapanation to all of that. It's not all negative. It's quite funny that there is a sort of "incentive" to having this disorder. Well, at least, people with it should or ought see it as an incentive : Often someone with this would have a particular interest in one thing meaning they would have a lot of knowledge and be highly skilled in what area it is.....it could be from playing music, having a vast knowledge of Eastenders to having an obbsession with door handles ! I've found myself having had a passion for music - listening and particularly composing. I know that's something positive I can take from this.

Anyway, I'm sort of interested in talking to people with it. I don't know of any groups at all. Things like that would be an advantage. It's only recently has this really been getting me down. I find it easier to talk over the internet rather than face-to-face. I have an OT that I see regularly but honestly, no matter how experienced and good they are or even nice they are, they just understand how I feel and that's what I want really - someone to understand my frustrations. I don't think anyone can actually help me as such...they can only support me. Only I can help myself. No doctor will come up with a solution for me. But my lack of motivation for the last few years hasn't helped me at all. I've also never told anyone about about having Asperger's. It's never a great topic of conversation. And I don't want to come across as too "negative" to any of the friends that I have just now. But I do see the advantage of letting not be like so many other people. I'm just worried about this "stigma" thing really. I have no idea how some of my friends would therefore treat me if I told them I have this. Sometimes I really feel like doing it because it gets on my nerves that particularly one of friends seems to think I have been this "lazy" person for years since I haven't had a job for years until now. But he is a good guy and perhaps would understand if I said anything. I also don't want to make a big fuss over it and keep on thinking about it ! :P

So, anyway, I think I've moaned too much...so I better go now. But I think I feel a little bit better having posted this.

I was statemented with Mild Asperger's at 14 and i am now 20 so that is what say nearly 7 years and now i am not 100% convinced. I do not have a lack of understanding of the situation i just feel anxious and anxiety and depression which goes from high to low which i have said many times before on this forum. So what if i do have it and i was wrong yes i couid have AS and SA infact you can have any number of disorders combined. I mayself have a huge passion for music, I have also started playing guitar but i am pretty bad at the moment ha ha

On the lazy thing i do get that but that is due to a lack of understanding of me rather then me.

[Goldie]

I was convinced my partner has Asperger's before I found this site. I work with SEN teenagers so I know lots of kids who have been diagnosed with AS. It's a very fine line and often, as said before, it's a combination of several 'syndromes/disorders'. I'm sure you know all about AS but just for info:

Asperger's Syndrome has variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently.
AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. People with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.
This is sometimes referred to as high functioning autism or mild autism. Their average or above average intelligence can lead to feats of memory and mathematical excellence but they are not able to co-operate or interact with others at a social level.

Hard to tell where AS and SA are separated isn't it?

[Lunarsea]

Originally Posted by Goldie

I was convinced my partner has Asperger's before I found this site. I work with SEN teenagers so I know lots of kids who have been diagnosed with AS. It's a very fine line and often, as said before, it's a combination of several 'syndromes/disorders'. I'm sure you know all about AS but just for info:

Asperger's Syndrome has variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently.
AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. People with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.
This is sometimes referred to as high functioning autism or mild autism. Their average or above average intelligence can lead to feats of memory and mathematical excellence but they are not able to co-operate or interact with others at a social level.

Hard to tell where AS and SA are separated isn't it?

See reading that and other things again did not describe me then or now at all yet i was statemented at 14 with it.Even with high func mild AS people taiking and reading groups. They tend to have at least one disfunction like sensitive to sound or line up things or finding pattens in things etc.Now i am not saying my statement was wrong just that what if? I know it shouidn't matter but things like that do leave you wondering what if it is a mistake.

[Lunarsea]

I also get depression sometimes for no reason at all i couid be taiking quite happy and haif way through change anyone else relate to this?

[Lunarsea]

I did this http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

Thank you for filling out this questionnaire.

Your Aspie score: 62 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 125 of 200
You are very likely neurotypical

What does neurotypical mean?

and http://www.msnbc.com/modules/newswee...nt/default.asp

Score 16

Version 6 Thank you for filling out this questionnaire.

Your Aspie score: 127 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 72 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie

[Medea]

Version 6
Thank you for filling out this questionnaire.

Your Aspie score: 49 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 109 of 200
You are very likely neurotypical

So not Aspie.

ren

[Anus Horribilis]

Your Aspie score: 56 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 126 of 200
You are very likely neurotypical

[incommunicado]

Thank you for filling out this questionnaire.

Your Aspie score: 103 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 107 of 200
You are more neurotypical than Aspie