aspergers

[Vincent]

Anyone out there that identifies with the symptoms of asps?

According to some books, social phobia is common amongst people with it.

Im finding that aspergers fits better than SP, which seems only part of the equation, it doesn't explain on a more physical and wholistical way why its so hard to live.

 

[SocialMess]

I often think I have it, especially given my unnatural and non-human ability to focus on tasks for long periods of time. I've been called robot before. I can see the big picture but I am naturally at home focusing on meaningless detail.
I am especially suspicious of aspbergers, as I am female (most nerdy males are social retards who can focus on unimportant dorky things; few females do).

Considering the social problems, and my gender, some autism might be a'foot for me.

 

[Emma]

When I was nine, I got sent to a child psychologist..and she told my mother, that based on the fact that I was either unable or unwilling to communicate with people, that I couldn't look at people when I did speak, that my movements were so robotic, I must have been either mildly autistic or have Aspergers......hmmm two choices, which one am I?? :?

 

[Doomed2Die]

I have been diagnosed with it apparently, though I often cannot point out the symptoms so I gather it must be a 'lesser' form of Aspergers. Or at all actually... at the time my parents knew nothing about SA and its ilk and pretty much told the doctor they thought it was aspergers.

I am especially suspicious of aspbergers, as I am female (most nerdy males are social retards who can focus on unimportant dorky things; few females do).

An Inspiring generalization im sure.

 

[Day_Tripper]

Over the past few months, I've been taking a closer look at myself, and I think I might have a very mild form of it. I hate labeling myself with something that has a bad name like this, but it does explain a lot about me. I have much more self awareness and social skills than most people with it, but it's been said that I've had trouble interacting with people ever since I was a toddler. Plus, I'm more mathematical and pattern orientated than most people, so I probably use different parts of my brain or something. I never thought of myself as having a "disorder" like this, but it does make some sense.

 

[Moonie]

I remember that some school counselors suggested that I might be mildly autistic, too. Can't anyone just be shy or have social anxiety anymore?

 

[Day_Tripper]

I remember that some school counselors suggested that I might be mildly autistic, too. Can't anyone just be shy or have social anxiety anymore?

Good question. I think everyone here should research it, because a lot of us show a bunch of the symptoms. People forget that it's not an absolute thing were either you have it or you don't. There's a whole spectrum, some have it more than others. Too much of society think of it as being mentally retarded and having speech problems. But that's all a stereotype.

BTW, people speculate (including his wife), that Tim Burton may have traces of aspergers.

 

[ignisfatuus]

it doesn't explain on a more physical and holistical way why its so hard to live.

Have you looked into Avoidance Personality Disorder? It is much more in line with the pervasiveness of symptoms you are talking about. I dismissed Asperger's as a possible diagnosis for myself because of the key feature "lack of empathy". I feel my own and others emotions so strongly that I do everything I can to avoid that hypersensitivity.

 

[ignisfatuus]

A lot has happened since this thread appeared, some of which is ironic considering my earlier response. For some reason this thread made me re-evaluate Asperger's as an option for myself. I set the ball rolling by contacting the local autism specialist and was finally diagnosed with Asperger's yesterday.

I just wanted to say thanks for creating the initial impetus that led to the discovery.

 

[IBM]

I have a hard time to understand figures of speech. But i suspect that this is due to my social anxiety because when i'm with people i'm concerned what other people is thinking of me.

 

[IBM]

BTW any video showing the behaviour of a aspie?

 

[bleach]

most nerdy males are social retards who can focus on unimportant dorky things; few females do

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[Dave_McFadden]

Over the years I've wondered if I had this. Especially the part about body language, I seem to be bad at picking up non-verbal "cues" from people. Also, I've had several "tics" throughout my life. Sometimes I go through a phase where I twitch my neck, sometimes my shoulder. I do kooky little movements with my fingers sometimes. I think this sort of stuff is called "stimming".

I never went and got myself tested, though. I always figured that the only thing that would happen then is that they would put me some drugs or something which would have side effects that were as bad as the condition in the first place.

I'm kind of glad this condition wasn't well-known when I was a kid though. Unfortunately, it's too easy to twist Dr. Asperger's name in ways that sound funny to 8-year olds and the last thing I would have needed is my classmates making fun of me for THAT as well.

 

[ignisfatuus]

wow!! That's really cool. Where do you go from here?

Receiving the label was sort of anti-climactic because of the lack of services available to adults. There are still a lot of legal cases being tried in both Canada and the U.S. concerning the broadening of help for people with Asperger's.

It is helpful though, because the counsellors I had been seeing up until now had been trying to use CBT for SA, a method which Asperger's is highly resistant to. Also, because it is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, it is the way the brain is wired that is causing difficulties in a neuro-typical (Aspergians (those with Asperger's) refer to normal people as NTs) world and not a mental illness.

How do they test you?

In the past three years, the interview used to screen for Asperger's Syndrome (AS) has been streamlined so the process now only takes about an hour and a half. My parents were also interviewed to find out if I exhibited symptoms at age four or five.

and what is the biggest sign of having it?

According to Tony Atwood, one of the most recognised psychologists dealing with Asperger's, social impairment is the keystone feature. Other symptoms, such as hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli, perseverations and quickness to anger may vary in individuals, but social impairment is always present.

Here is a link to an excellent article discussing the symptoms more in depth: http://www.aspires-relationships.com/as_grows_up_introduction.htm

Here is the Gillberg criteria, which is favoured by many researchers over the DSM-IV description:

1.Severe impairment in reciprocal social interaction (at least two of the following)
(a) inability to interact with peers
(b) lack of desire to interact with peers
(c) lack of appreciation of social cues
(d) socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior

2.All-absorbing narrow interest (at least one of the following)
(a) exclusion of other activities
(b) repetitive adherence
(c) more rote than meaning

3.Imposition of routines and interests (at least one of the following)
(a) on self, in aspects of life
(b) on others

4.Speech and language problems (at least three of the following)
(a) delayed development
(b) superficially perfect expressive language
(c) formal, pedantic language
(d) odd prosody, peculiar voice characteristics
(e) impairment of comprehension including misinterpretations of literal/implied meanings

5.Non-verbal communication problems (at least one of the following)
(a) limited use of gestures
(b) clumsy/gauche body language
(c) limited facial expression
(d) inappropriate expression
(e) peculiar, stiff gaze

6.Motor clumsiness: poor performance on neurodevelopmental examination

(All six criteria must be met for confirmation of diagnosis.)

 

[IBM]

ignisfatuus could you help me out:

I recognize some limitations, you described, in myself:

1a)
1c)
1d)

2a)

3a)
3b)

4d)
4e)

5b)
5c)
5e)

But i think those things are due to my social phobia and extreme anxiety and depression.

 

[Doomed2Die]

There is a huge lack of service and/or help for those with Aspergers, example... I have been lumped in with groups of kids with learning disability, behavioral problems, and generally things that do anything but help. Also jobs and benefits are highly difficult to obtain since the average person with Aspergers appears smart and more than able to learn when in reality, can huge problems in holding a job.

Here in the UK anyway.

 

[asubscriber99]

aspergers have difficulty communicating, e.g: they don't get the idea of a joke, they take it literally.

I don't think i have asperger.

i read once these article written by CNN manager who discovered that she has asperger:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/28/autism.essay/index.html

hope it help!

 

[IBM]

Doomed2Die so you're saying that Aspergers cant do their job? They cant hold their job but by themselves or because they have poor performance and get fired?

 

[Doomed2Die]

Most notably anything involving social requirements, but of course it varies alot depending on the individual. Problems within the office, misinterpreting assignments, timetables changing ect.

Possible anxiety/depression caused by difficulty socialising also play a role. As mentioned beforehand. Furthermore problems in school also can have a huge impact on job opportunites later on.

 

[IBM]

Most notably anything involving social requirements, but of course it varies alot depending on the individual. Problems within the office, misinterpreting assignments, timetables changing ect.

Possible anxiety/depression caused by difficulty socialising also play a role. As mentioned beforehand. Furthermore problems in school also can have a huge impact on job opportunites later on.

But, most of the times, its their will to leave the job or they get fired