A psychologist diagnosed me Aspergers when I was 17, it doesn't particularly matter to me though I rarely discuss it or think about it, people have always thought I'm weird for plenty of other reasons
edited 8th Apr '11 8:36:23 AM by faradayangel
Humour, where would we be without it? In Germany, probablyJust want to ask a small question: How accurate are Asperger diagnosis and what are the likelihood of errors of both types (i.e. getting a positive diagnosis when you are actually normal, and getting a negative diagnosis when you actually suffer from the syndrome?)
Support Taleworlds!I've been diagnosed since I was a kid. For a while (during my incredibly brief angsty faze), I developed a superiority complex of some sort, but I grew out of that pretty quickly. Now, when on-meds, I can generally pass as neurotypical in social settings. I don't choose to often, though, as I 'come out' about my Asperger's pretty soon after meeting people. It saves trouble in the long run; I've never seen the value in hiding it.
I've had extensive experience working with other autistic people from my work as a camp counselor. Through that time, I've developed a hierarchy of autistic behaviors; there are what I call 'innate' and 'learned' behaviors. 'Innate behaviors' are a direct result of a disorder and can only be managed with self-discipline and medication. 'Learned behaviors' are the result of habits picked up via upbringing (these are almost always the product of coddling and over-protection). Many parents simply shelter their autistic kids or let them get away with stuff simply because of their disorders. These parents are horrible, because they limit their children's ability to operate in the world. I've had the fortune of having parents who raised me like a 'normal' kid, and I have consistently refused to use my autism as a crutch to get what I want. I, understandably, do not get on well with parents who allow their kids to do so.
I don't believe autism can (or should) be 'cured'. That would be rather like 'curing' a sexual preference or an ethnicity. I do, however, believe that autism is a tool that its bearers should learn to master. My teenage years were spent systematically making my disorder my bitch, and I'm a much happier person because of it.
On a side note, I loathe Inspirationally Disabled stories about autism. Watching them makes me feel like a black guy watching a minstrel show. Hell, when the most realistic and relatable portrayal of Asperger's on television is Sheldon (who isn't even officially autistic), you know there's a problem. I actually prefer my fiction involving mentally disabled/different characters when the disorder is either only implied, unnamed, or completely fictitious. This is why I love Benny And Joon and hate The Rain Man.
https://www.facebook.com/emileunmedicatedanduncutas I 'come out' about my Asperger's pretty soon after meeting people
How does that work exactly? I mean, do they believe you? After all, my fairly socially normal cousin (has friends, goes outside and hangs with people a lot, got in trouble with the law over drugs and stealing) told me he thought he has Aspergers and I went off on him and told him he certainly did not. I'm the one who had the social problems, don't really understand how "going out and meeting people" fucking works, and didn't speak until he was three.
I too hate Inspirationally Disadvantaged stories... in general. And I very much agree with this: I actually prefer my fiction involving mentally disabled/different characters when the disorder is either only implied, unnamed, or completely fictitious. Well, maybe not completely fictitious, but otherwise, yeah.
Seconding (thirding?) the hate of Inspirationally Disadvantaged stories. They're just trying to milk the "special"-ness of being autistic for all it's worth.
Do not fear power... fear those who wield it.Well i'd say the only decent portrayal of someone with Aspergers on TV is JJ from the UK version of Skins, Sheldons not official and too much of a caricature.
yeah I dislike the whole i'm so special aspect of it
edited 8th Apr '11 9:42:33 AM by faradayangel
Humour, where would we be without it? In Germany, probably![]()
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Generally, people just assume that I'm charmingly half-mad when they meet me (I'm not wealthy enough to be considered eccentric), so they generally respond with some variation of 'that explains a lot' when I tell them about my Asperger's.
I mean, I don't run around shouting 'I have Asperger's so please like me!' or anything, but I try to let people know if I like them. If I get on well with someone, it's good to make sure that they understand me if we're going to work together or be friends or something. It's also useful because then I have people to let me know if I'm acting oddly (which usually means that I'm off-meds, which I try to avoid as much as possible), and it staves off people thinking that I'm being rude or shifty because of my inability to maintain eye contact for more than a few seconds at a time.
Plus at the summer camp where I work, we deal exclusively with ADHD or Asperger kids and teens, so all my co-workers there really need to know. I often consult with my co-staff regarding Asperger-related issues, and an articulate and well-adjusted co-worker with personal experience with the syndrome lends a vital perspective on the campers that even a trained psychologist can't always match.
I've never seen Skins so I'll take your word for it. I mention Sheldon because he reminds me so much of a lot of Asperger guys that I know, and not in an offensive way. I don't really see him as being a caricature, since the only real difference between him and the aforementioned people I know is that he makes snappier comebacks.
edited 8th Apr '11 9:47:02 AM by Moogi
https://www.facebook.com/emileunmedicatedanduncutI actually have both, which if my massive egotism is not mistaken, makes me an Ubermensch.
https://www.facebook.com/emileunmedicatedanduncutNo way to tell, is there? I think it's made me less confused, but much more cautious in my dealings with people and resolutely pro-cure. Self-awareness comes in little leaps and I think I'm better able to recognize and exploit them this way, but at the same time I need to constantly, consciously 'update' my interaction model to stay afloat. I absolutely don't tell people about it unless I'm specifically asked, because I have very little faith in their ability to deal with this information in a productive manner.
Same here.
edited 8th Apr '11 10:00:48 AM by Penguin4Senate
As my two cents, I can say that I typically feel a lot more comfortable around people once they know I have it. YMMV, of course, but being open about it is usually a liberating feeling for me.
https://www.facebook.com/emileunmedicatedanduncutWhen I was about 8, there was a bit of a set-to between my parents and the school because the school nurse thought I should get a "statement" which is essentially the hoop you have to jump through in the UK to access help for special needs. I think they were worried because I preferred sitting quietly in a corner reading rather than playing with the other kids. Anyway, my Mum told the authorities to get lost and nothing came of it. I'll admit to being introverted and socially awkward, but I don't think of myself as "abnormal" because I function normally. There is a tendency these days to treat any shyness/introversion as if it's some kind of crime against society.
"Well, it's a lifestyle"Perhaps I just like reading books (and I did not like the other kids very much, but that's a long story).
edited 8th Apr '11 11:54:30 AM by Carciofus
But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas.I was officially diagnosed with Asperger's back when I was 15. Sometimes I wish I'd found out sooner.
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@Ukonkivi: I am the latter, I fail at being normal.
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