Asperger's Syndrome

[Big Orange]

I've got Asperger's Syndrome, a rare personality disorder that has some similarities to Autism and the details about the disorder are covered here on the BBC website. I have heard conflicting information about AS: supposedly many historical geniuses had AS, such as Albert Einstein, but then again you get AS sufferers with low IQs and a childlike disposition (like the poor sap from Exeter, UK, caught for terrorism). And some experts state that Asperger's Syndrome is as delibitating to the mind as being blind or having both legs missing (although I would've thought Autism is more akin to those serious physical disabilities).

Does anybody have their take on this?

[Superman]

You're new here, aren't you?

[SirNitram]

1) Don't invest too heavily in the 'Geniuses before we even knew Autism, much less Aspergers, were ASD!' claptrap. It's very often an attempt at validation by those who feel the desperate need to turn the disorder into a sort of badge of honor.

2) These 'experts' are full of shit. Seriously, low functioning Autism will change your life as much as those disabilities, but Aspergers is different because, since you develop speech at the normal time, often much lower in impact.

My 'take' is some other things.

1) Depending on your severity, you may find it helpful to adjust yourself a bit. Your main problems will all boil down to stress, so find ways to unwind when it gets too hectic without causing interruption to those around you.

2) Become at peace with the idea you're now on the Autism Spectrum. Yes, this one gave me trouble.

3) Find people you're comfortable with sharing any concerns you have over this. Talking to people about this can be a huge help.

4) If anyone suggests drugs, particularly antipsychotics, because they're certain it'll help Aspergers, walk away. I've never heard anything good come from that, and quite a few awful things.

That's all I can directly offer. Each case is ultimately unique.

[HippyRipper]

My only advice is don't try to justify douchebaggery with having Asperger's. Too many people falsely diagnose themselves to try and excuse being a total dick. (If any offense is taken, sorry, wasn't trying to offend.)

[SirNitram]

My only advice is don't try to justify douchebaggery with having Asperger's. Too many people falsely diagnose themselves to try and excuse being a total dick. (If any offense is taken, sorry, wasn't trying to offend.)

We have a nice selection of former members who tried that shit.

[Stark]

For what it's worth, I didn't develop speech until a reasonably late point in my life (like, 3ish I think, which I believe is unusual but not terrible).

Stress management will be important, but as Nitram says, it's pretty frustrating constantly running up against stress-related limitations.

[defanatic]

I have been diagnosed with Asperger's (by a professional, not by myself), but I rarely bring it up. Which is the way it should be. You shouldn't use it to justify behavior that would otherwise be unacceptable. Or to try to get free stuff or sympathy or whatever.

Indeed, everything is the same before and after diagnosis, unless you end up with drugs or something I guess.

[The Yosemite Bear]

I'm now quite clear and no bones about what I have, and what I'm taking with my bosses and co-workers. Still my need to organize things has it's uses at work.

Though fictional, I would say that Mycroft or Sherlock almost sound like they are suffering from some form of autism spectrum disorder, particularly in mind with Mycroft's OCD problems.

[Rye]

If you believe the advocacy groups, Einstein was probably autistic, dyslexic, couldn't tie his shoelaces and nearly aborted. It doesn't give you superpowers and Einstein was just a very smart man. From those I've met with it, it can be dealt with constructively and isn't a barrier to an ultimately fulfilling life, so don't treat it like it's the be all and end all of your personality.

[Zixinus]

My advice: don't think too much about it. It explains some of your habbits or differences, that's all. You are still the same guy you were as before.

[Andrew J.]

My advice: don't think too much about it. It explains some of your habbits or differences, that's all. You are still the same guy you were as before.

Exactly. I have Asperger's (I got diagnosed before it was cool, man!) and all it really means to me is that I'm shy and I like collecting stuff.

[Shaka Nyorai]

My advice: don't think too much about it. It explains some of your habbits or differences, that's all. You are still the same guy you were as before.

Exactly. I have Asperger's (I got diagnosed before it was cool, man!) and all it really means to me is that I'm shy and I like collecting stuff.

You sound lucky in that as some people might not have it so good. Imagine if it interfered with holding down a job in the future or difficulty with relationships. It's one thing to be disabled and have a circle of friends to support you, and another to be alone with your problems. Yeah, you have it pretty good if that's all it means to you.

PS: It was never cool or trendy.

[Dartzap]

Aspergers is on the increase, diagnoses wise. my Dad is filling out several DLA forms a week for people with it.

I can recommend Jessica Kingsley for some information on the various Autistic spectrum disorders. They have the market cornered for well made and informative books on the subject.

[Big Orange]

Aspergers is on the increase, diagnoses wise. my Dad is filling out several DLA forms a week for people with it.

DLA? As in Disability Living Allowance? I'm on it now, but that it is because of my temporarily wonky ankle, although I may likely need some moderate assistance to induct me into work, and I don't want to leech off the State much longer.

They say Asperger's Syndrome not only induces awkward social skills and hard to suppress fixations, but make sufferers hard to read facial expressions nor have much of an imagination; I have no genuine trouble in reading facial expressions or the tone of voices and I don't lack imagination, but I have a social defect in that I'm less inclined to pick up on many subtle social and behavioural taboos that 'normal' people take for granted. Also I can occasionally have a vicious temper and have pushed furniture over or thrown/broke objects, although 'normal' people can have tantrums too.

[Sidewinder]

My psychologist diagnosed me with Asperger's Syndrome, and discussed some of the symptoms with me. One reason there's conflicting info on Asperger's is because it's not well understood, as a standardized diagnosis didn't exist until the mid-90s. Some physicians believe it's a form of high-functioning autism; some (including mine) believe it's not; and the Wikipedia article states it's still unknown how autism and Asperger's are related, if at all.

As for SirNitram's advice to avoid antipsychotics... Well, his symptoms are different from mine. I frequently engage in obsessive thinking and behavior (I was prescribed antipsychotics because I was obsessed with violence images), but he doesn't, so it probably depends on your symptoms and a (hopefully) competent psychiatrist's diagnosis and prescription.

[The Yosemite Bear]

I'm on bi-polar meds, and when I was first told the psychitrist said I was very, highly functional autistic.

[Saxtonite]

and the Wikipedia article states it's still unknown how autism and Asperger's are related, if at all.

Aspergers is included in the Autism Spectrum actually.

[The Romulan Republic]

I've been told I have Aspergers. I'm not sure weather I agree or not (God knows I've had bad experiences with quack psychiatrists), but as long as I can still live my life I don't really care that much.

[Maxentius]

When I was regularly seeing a psychiatrist, he told me that I displayed several symptoms of Aspberger's, but was ultimately hesitant to make a concrete diagnosis, due to, as others have stated, the nebulous definition of the condition as a whole. I just kind of shrugged it off, really. So what if you have it? The knowledge isn't going to dramatically alter your life, and it doesn't sound as if this has impaired you all that much.

Just be careful how you use it, I would say. Don't let it become a crutch, and don't let yourself start suddenly thinking that every little nuance to your personality has been affected by this; some people are just shy by nature, some people have nasty tempers when they're stressed. If your quality of life starts to take hits, then perhaps you should worry, but that shouldn't happen so long as you can keep a clear head and keep forging forwards.

[Dartzap]

Aspergers is on the increase, diagnoses wise. my Dad is filling out several DLA forms a week for people with it.

DLA? As in Disability Living Allowance? I'm on it now, but that it is because of my temporarily wonky ankle, although I may likely need some moderate assistance to induct me into work, and I don't want to leech off the State much longer.

Indeed. When my dad started at his job 14 years ago, he would usually get 2 cases of autism per year. This has now reached an average of 3 per week.

DLA is a tricky one for autism, it can affect someone by making them have substandard social skills, or, at the other end of scale: A client with dyspraxia got so utterly confused how to cross from one railway platform to anouther (dispite the obvious great big bridge) he ran across the rails to get there. As you can imagine, the BTP is after him like a pack of hounds.

Another problem is that health and social services are still struggling to comprehend what kind of condition it is. It aint a mental health condition, it aint a learning disability (although the spectrum does cover many conditions that are) Its a neurological condition, and many local authorities certainly don't have a department for those who are diagnosed in adulthood (And by the by, don't get started on the transition period, anouther farcical state of affairs...)

Thank the merry hells of a Devonian cream tea that I just deal with the Paranoid Schizophrenics....

[Edward Yee]

many local authorities certainly don't have a department for those who are diagnosed in adulthood (And by the by, don't get started on the transition period, anouther farcical state of affairs...)

The transition period between what? Incidentally, regarding adult diagnosis, my sister told me that she could find many a resource (i.e. support) for children diagnosed with Asperger's, but nothing for adults.

Ironically, the apparently lack of a really defined consensus as to what Asperger's is actually helps me not internalize them; there's not enough that I know (for sure) to say that I have them or use as a crutch.

They say Asperger's Syndrome not only induces awkward social skills and hard to suppress fixations, but make sufferers hard to read facial expressions nor have much of an imagination; I have no genuine trouble in reading facial expressions or the tone of voices and I don't lack imagination,

Lucky you... in the imagination department. I can't think of one original idea I've had...

[Dartzap]

The transition period between what?

Between teenagehood and adulthood. Support for people should, by law, be closely monitored, and plans set in place as to what sort of care plan or further education needs a person has. Because of an apparent lack of resources (social workers and the like) schools rarely if ever do them, and when someone hits the age of 19, the support disappears in a puff of ill-thought out bureaucracy.

[Darth Servo]

I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my 30s. I just always felt I was a typical socially awkward nerd.

[Big Orange]

I was diagnosed relatively earlier in comparison, when I was in my very late teens. The disturbing thing about Asperger's Syndrome is used as a defence in murder cases. Why not use sociopathy too, as a defence?

[The Yosemite Bear]

Orange, Twinkies and Junk Food have been used as a murder defense for a hate crime.