Asperger's syndrome

EmilyMayWilcha said:

Really? Were you late talking and walking? Do you struggle with jokes, sarcasm, and other statements not meant to be taken literally?

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It doesn't affect everybody the same. I was early in speaking and reading, average in physical development (but clumsy/uncoordinated). Strange obsessions, peculiar phobias, odd collections, weird rituals, hyperfocus, very "little professor", very "Sheldon" (:lol3, taking idioms too literally, trouble with reading facial expressions, deciphering verbal inflection, making emotional connection, using names, being touched, and eye contact is veryvery uncomfortable for me. A lot of symptoms have faded as I've gotten older, but using names and making eye contact are still hard. Sensory issues-- I can hear (and am distracted by) fluorescent lights, TVs on mute, other electronics, etc. and I can't wear makeup or nail polish because I can FEEL it, every molecule touching me. Ick. Texture of food is everything--even when I was a baby I couldn't eat baby food or other mushy stuff without gagging. I couldn't wear footie pajamas without panicking, and if I was put to bed with socks on, they would be off before too long (even when I was thought to be too little to take them off!). Even now I can't wear socks to bed.

I also believe my dad, youngest brother, and nephew have AS, and I really think my paternal grandmother did, too. She was considered "eccentric". So it runs pretty strong in the family. I don't think I'll ever pursue a diagnosis, but it's easier for me to think that I have some neurological hinkiness than to think that I'm just plain weird :tongue2:. Because the harder I try to "act normal", the worse it turns out.

EmilyMayWilcha said:

Yes, I can see that now after going back to the thread.

 RIP Cali.

 I hope Tori is not mad at me for that.

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I instantly interpreted it as you didn't read all the replies in the thread which could have happened for many reasons - like your screen didn't refresh.

Some people choose to see conflict and antagonism where there is really none.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us Emily. I have a few family members with disorders in the Autism spectrum, so I truly understand your struggle.

Gosh, this really does explain a lot, and it also may explain why you never seem to get upset when people get upset with you.  I'm so glad you confided in us, and maybe we will all be more tolerant and open minded  in the future.

Willowy said:

It doesn't affect everybody the same. I was early in speaking and reading, average in physical development (but clumsy/uncoordinated). Strange obsessions, peculiar phobias, odd collections, weird rituals, hyperfocus, very "little professor", very "Sheldon", taking idioms too literally, trouble with reading facial expressions, deciphering verbal inflection, making emotional connection, using names, being touched, and eye contact is veryvery uncomfortable for me. A lot of symptoms have faded as I've gotten older, but using names and making eye contact are still hard. Sensory issues-- I can hear (and am distracted by) fluorescent lights, TVs on mute, other electronics, etc. and I can't wear makeup or nail polish because I can FEEL it, every molecule touching me. Ick. Texture of food is everything--even when I was a baby I couldn't eat baby food or other mushy stuff without gagging. I couldn't wear footie pajamas without panicking, and if I was put to bed with socks on, they would be off before too long (even when I was thought to be too little to take them off!). Even now I can't wear socks to bed.
I also believe my dad, youngest brother, and nephew have AS, and I really think my paternal grandmother did, too. She was considered "eccentric". So it runs pretty strong in the family. I don't think I'll ever pursue a diagnosis, but it's easier for me to think that I have some neurological hinkiness than to think that I'm just plain weird. Because the harder I try to "act normal", the worse it turns out.

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I have senory issues too. When I was little I could not touch the cheese on a pizza or a sweating cup. I still hate sunscreen, lotion, and cream. Clipping toenails hurts and I am very ticklish. I also can't block out background noise, especially kids.

Taking statements too literally: I usually can't recognize sarcasm or jokes. Almost every time, I take them seriously. Once at work a caller said he will call again in a few minutes when I told him the lady he wanted was out of the room. When my coworker came back she was mad that I did not ask for his name and phone number.

Obsessions: Everything must be perfectly straight. All crumbs on the table are wiped off ASAP. At my last job, I drove people nuts being a big neat freak and one supervisor said I have OCD.

Odd collections: Pretty napkins were among the many objects I kept in a drawer. I also kept a locket I never wore for many years.

I also started talking and walking late and have always talked too loud, which is another symptom of AS. No amount of speech therapy can fix that completely because part of it is psychological (like when I am emphasizing a point or very excited).

My paternal grandma was eccentric too. She thought she was perfect, so she never sought psychiatric help, but it was obvious she needed it. My dad knew much better than she did how to take care of kids, but I inherited some abnormal behaviors from him.

It is normal for AS symptoms to become less severe in adulthood, which probably is why most people think it is a kid disorder.

My husband and I are both Aspies so we totally get it.

While looking at my books to see how I can fit all of them on the shelf after finishing Buyer Beware, I suddenly got an idea. One of my books - a moving-away gift from my last counselor - is All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome by Kathy Hoopmann. This is it:


It uses cat pictures to show what it is like to be a kid with AS. I think that is a great idea because in some ways, such as how I react to change (very badly) and being curious about everything, I am like a cat. It has only 65 pages, all with huge color photographs and big bold letters, so I can copy all of it here for you if that is allowed under TCS rules.

Is the book copyrighted?  Likely so and illegal  there are a few view inside links on that book though
 

I love those Look Inside links. It makes you want to buy that book after seeing how cute the kitties are.

Awwwwwww I almost died of cuteness because of those look inside links. Such beautiful kitties!

Emily thank you so much for sharing this.  It makes such a difference to understanding. 

And you are very wise and kind to share as it makes it much easier for others.

Here are some links for more information about Asperger's syndrome:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome

http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/aspergers-syndrome/

http://www.aspergerssociety.org/forum?gclid=CKbw1cf5urECFSZeTAodxQUAGg

Sorry to bump a four-week-old topic, but I had to say hello to another autistic on TCS Cats have always been a special interest for me. I'm pretty sure my first cat taught me a lot about how to interact with people, actually. Before I started interacting with cats, I couldn't even do conversations!

I should recommend www.wrongplanet.net to anybody who wants to chat with random autistic people over the internet; also some parents/spouses/friends. It is very useful to compare experiences and tips.

I totally understand the problem of saying the wrong thing and not understanding that it annoys somebody. I put "autistic" in my sig so that people know I'm probably just being clumsy. I'm considering adding "If I'm doing something annoying, tell me so I can stop!" because people are so annoyingly polite sometimes: They don't tell you when you're making a mistake because they're afraid they will hurt your feelings, and then you never get clued in, and keep on doing it, and people get more and more annoyed until suddenly somebody yells at you over seemingly nothing and you feel horrible because you realize you've been annoying or even hurting them for ages and you had no clue...

Yeah, can you tell that's happened to me before?

So for the record: If I'm doing something annoying, for goodness sakes tell me! I might be embarrassed initially, but I would much rather be told the first time than be allowed to do it dozens of times and only realize afterward.

My 15 year old son was diagnosed with ASD a year ago.  we adopted him when he was almost 5. I have struggled with his behaviours and told professionals all along there was something different with my son. I am so glad to know he has ASD. I now understand why he does and says the things he does. Understanding him has made all of our lives much better.

Hi All ,

I have Asperger's syndrome as well. However, I do not think, I have it, as bad as, some people describe it. I am almost thirty years old . I have three bachelor of science degrees and a masters in genetics. I work a full time job, as, a college professor. But, I work with computers and students. Don't ask, how, I ended up doing this, since, I am not always sure . Yes, I ended up getting certified in different computer languages and taking some teaching education classes, as well.

Okay, so, the point of all that is two fold. One, people on the autism spectrum are certainly not stupid. However, the more important point, in my humble opinion, is people with this disorder live "normal lives". I now have a fiance, he and I have two children, one is from his previous marriage and one is adopted. I can keep house (I am neurotically clean ), work, and can be social. I teach, so, I have to be somewhat social . But, seriously, yes I am a little scared still, talking to new people. However, over the years, I have gotten much better at it. I have some very good friends. I used to have more, but, recently, a few have passed away.

Somethings, I do not handle well. One of them is loss. I mean, no one, likes, when someone dies. However, for me, it is VERY hard to get over. As some of you know, I have VERY different views, then, people on this forum. I am not sure, if, that is from this disorder or how I grew up. However, it is what it is.

Maybe, this will help some of you understand me better ?

While I am a NT, I have always found the autism spectrum fascinating, ever since I read the book Son Rise when I was a youngster, maybe 11 or so.

I recommend it to everyone on this thread for the incredibly compelling portrayal of what it is like to live with an autistic child. While their methods and claims of their son being "cured" have been criticized, it's still incredibly interesting to read about Raun and his behavior from the perspective of his father.

My son is a smart kid. He prefers to be alone. He has one friend off and on. He loves movies. His favorite thing to do is watch a movie in the dark in his room. His big upset is being interupted. He wants everything his way. He has a hard time understanding other people have thoughts, Ideas and feelings. Now he and I understand , there is a reason for his behaviours. I am able to talk to him and explain the other side of a situation, life if easier for all of us. I think he will succeed at what ever he wants to do. He is a smart, capable, honest and trust worthy young man