Asperger's Syndrome

[iCandiBallPythons]

I have a cousin diagnosed with Asperger's.There is an undiagnosed strain of it in my family. It's nothing more than a mild case of autism. Mild enough that the person should be able to live a normal life, to work, marry, have children etc. The strength of Asperger's is that the person can think and reason more objectively without being unduly influenced by emotion and to be able to concentrate very deeply on something. The weakness is that understanding nonverbal communication such as body language and polite indirect hints that is intuitive to others must be learned either by instruction or painful trial and error. The tendency to avoid eye contact will attract bullies unless overcome. There is a somewhat interesting article that can be found on the internet about how not to attract bullies that was written by a famous author that posts on this site.

You have to understand that Aspergers is not as cut and dry as alot of people may think. It is a very very broad spectrum, and we are all very different. I don't believe that there can be a "status queue." Aspergers, just because one may have a particular trait doesn't mean the next 5 in line will have the same exact trait. The spectrum can vary greatly from person to person. For example, with what you spoke about "the weakness" part of your post, I always make direct eye contact with someone, and I understand non verbal communication extremely well. Also Autism and Aspergers, contrary to popular belief are 2 different worlds.

[p3titexburial]

Yup, autism, pddnos, and aspergers are related, but different enough that they are categorized on their own. I'm a psych major and we have classes exclusively on the topic of autism and related illnesses, and the only sure thing about it is that it really is an extremely broad spectrum. So much that many psychologists think that most, if not everyone, exhibits to a certain extent the symptoms that are described for aspergers, the only difference being severity and how much it affects one's life. A psychological issue doesn't become an issue until it negatively impacts a person's quality of life.

i.e. a phobia of flying isn't an issue that needs treatment for someone who doesn't travel, but it is if the person needs it for work. Or, if someone is petrified of clowns, the only time it may matter is if they work for the circus.

The criteria for it is also very broad, and just because someone diagnosed has one symptom doesn't mean he/she will necessarily have another. It makes it very difficult to distinguish normal behavior from ones related to aspergers--for example, if someone have problems understanding metaphors or sarcasm, but are extremely social (yet slightly awkward,) and though he/she exhibits some fixation on certain topics, he/she is able to hold great conversation on others, they may be clumsy meeting new people, but don't lack the motivation to do so--some psychologists may diagnose this is aspergers, some may not.

We may think this is normal behavior because who hasn't been in that awkward stage where you're clumsy in everything you do and catch onto things a bit slow? Who doesn't have certain topics that are loved and just a bit obsessed over? Then again, if it causes issues in their relationships and affect the general well being of their lives, then it might become necessary to seek help for it.

Then you have some who have more severe symptoms, like having difficulty empathizing with others, may appear insensitive, have repetitive movements, fixate or obsess over a topic, and have issues understanding figurative speech--but what of it? They may still be social, have friends, and live through life undiagnosed but happy, and as it has been shown over and over again, the majority are also incredibly smart and intellectual.

Sometimes we're too much in a hurry to categorize and place a name on things, we forget that it may not be as severe as it may seem. A diagnosis isn't something to be sad or unhappy or feel stigmatized about, rather it simply sheds light on how to cope with it better. If you're someone who other people think is insensitive because certain behaviors don't come intuitively to you, it gives you a chance to be aware of it and correct it when you can.

Like everyone else said, they might appear a little quirky, but hey, that's character.

[dsirkle]

You have to understand that Aspergers is not as cut and dry as alot of people may think. It is a very very broad spectrum, and we are all very different. I don't believe that there can be a "status queue." Aspergers, just because one may have a particular trait doesn't mean the next 5 in line will have the same exact trait. The spectrum can vary greatly from person to person. For example, with what you spoke about "the weakness" part of your post, I always make direct eye contact with someone, and I understand non verbal communication extremely well. Also Autism and Aspergers, contrary to popular belief are 2 different worlds.

Asperger's syndrome is no more than a title, can't be determined by science and therefore can't be cut and dried. But the fact remains that Hans Asperger coined this term in 1944 when he identified a strata of what at that time was considered the Autistic Spectrum and he wanted to separate it because of the lesser severity of symptoms and the expectation that these children could lead normal lives in comparison the typical autistic child. The traits that I mentioned are the typical identifying traits along with ticks of varying kinds. The traits usually are found in varying degrees within family groups and appears to be genetic. It runs in my family and I have some of the traits. If you think that are in a position to lecture me on the subject after I have read about it, observed it and lived it for 57 years go right ahead. As skiploader noted a peculiar sense of humor is also a trait.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Quote:
Originally Posted by abuja
Thanks. I think it takes a lot of confidence to admit to it. Now that I know someone else on here has it, I feel like I can admit to having it as well. I'm still learning to be proud of it, just found out a week ago about it.

You don't need to be proud of it.

You also don't need to be ashamed of it.

NO ONE is perfect.

Live your life to the best of your abilities. Don't worry about any labels people or doctors give you.

Maybe not "proud" persay, but once you find out about this its a whole lot better than being told you are/or feeling like, you're crazy. It can actually bring about a feeling of relief.

It's alot easier to be proud of being a high functioning autistic with personality quirks, than it is to be proud of being depressed, bipolar, OCD, PPD, or any of the other things many people with AS are misdiagnosed with.

Of course certain things cannot be scientifically proven but with AS there is an "abnormal" functioning in the brain which can be seen in brain scans. Although I know this is true with many of the other things I mentioned as well. That was just a point made. (we also like to argue)

The most interestig part about this thread being posted here on BP.net is the fact that most of us here are very obsessed with our hobby. Hmmmm.

[WingedWolfPsion]

For example, with what you spoke about "the weakness" part of your post, I always make direct eye contact with someone, and I understand non verbal communication extremely well. Also Autism and Aspergers, contrary to popular belief are 2 different worlds.

It is my understanding that a deficiency in inherent social skills is part of the defining characteristics of Autism/Asperger's. This is not to say that persons with these conditions cannot learn to read body language, or make eye contact--just that it does not come naturally. If a person does appear to engage in non-verbal communication, understand it, and make eye contact normally without training themselves, I would actually suspect a misdiagnosis of Asperger's.

For my part, I use eye contact to assure others of my sincerity, since they seem to require that--or to dominate them. <lol> I have an easier time understanding animal body language than human body language, but I have learned a few things to look for over the years. I still think most humans behave in an irrational manner, and while I've come to expect many things, and understand why they do it, it's like understanding animal behaviors--I wouldn't do such a thing myself, and don't see why they can't override their impulses with logic.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

It is my understanding that a deficiency in inherent social skills is part of the defining characteristics of Autism/Asperger's. This is not to say that persons with these conditions cannot learn to read body language, or make eye contact--just that it does not come naturally. If a person does appear to engage in non-verbal communication, understand it, and make eye contact normally without training themselves, I would actually suspect a misdiagnosis of Asperger's.

For my part, I use eye contact to assure others of my sincerity, since they seem to require that--or to dominate them. <lol> I have an easier time understanding animal body language than human body language, but I have learned a few things to look for over the years. I still think most humans behave in an irrational manner, and while I've come to expect many things, and understand why they do it, it's like understanding animal behaviors--I wouldn't do such a thing myself, and don't see why they can't override their impulses with logic.

I agree here. Not being able make and maintain eye contact is a huge part of AS. Those with AS do train themselves to make eye contact. It is not so much a social anxiety thing either. It is a natural way of being. Then when one figures out how society is supposed to be (learning through childhood and conquering these issues) they make it a point to make eye contact. And like said here,, usually to try to convey their feelings or sincerity, as well as to fit in and seem normal like everyone else.

Its like feeling like an alien or an oddity in a human body who interprets things differently, cannot understand "humanity" or lack thereof, societal norms or even physical norms.

I think too many people are not fully informed about this subject. The "symptoms" are all very clear and to anyone else may seem like they should not coincide but to people with AS who have every single "symptom" and sign ever listed, its more than obvious how it all connects.

When you consider the child-like actions and feelings an adult with AS may have, the intelligence level, manner of speaking and conversing, the awkwardness, the way humor is interpreted differently and often taken too literal, the specialization and obsession in one or two areas of interest, nervous ticks.. The list goes on..

It is a form of autism, and if for some reason it is not.. It is closer to autism than any other form of mental or neurological problem out there.

As for understanding non verbal communication? Those with AS usually can. In fact they are more prone to having a much higher understanding of certain things. Much more sensitive to emotion, spiritual, etc.. Which in turn makes it difficult to convey. Nothing in the world is harder to fully explain than Asperger's because those with it are on a different level and those without it dont understand it. Thats what makes it hardest. Always being stuck in your mind because others dont get you.