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Who here was officially diagnosed with autism or Asperger's?

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1whowillmakeEnzeru Since: Jan, 2011
#101: Feb 5th 2011 at 3:37:34 PM

@Ukonkivi: I am the latter, I fail at being normal.

Now posting as Enzeru, this serves as an emergency avatar backup account
DonZabu Since: May, 2009
#102: Feb 5th 2011 at 5:11:46 PM

My mother still thinks it was the vaccines that did it.

edited 5th Feb '11 5:12:04 PM by DonZabu

"Wax on, wax off..." "But Mr. Miyagi, I don't see how this is helping me do Karate..." "Pubic hair is weakness, Daniel-san!"
rmctagg09 The Wanderer from Brooklyn, NY (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: I won't say I'm in love
The Wanderer
#103: Feb 5th 2011 at 5:18:29 PM

[up] That sounds familiar.

Hugging a Vanillite will give you frostbite.
BonsaiForest Since: Jan, 2001
#104: Apr 8th 2011 at 8:20:01 AM

Bumping this thread. Any more tropers able to throw their hat in?

faradayangel electrifying from Gallifrey Since: Nov, 2010
electrifying
#105: Apr 8th 2011 at 8:33:39 AM

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, probably
ArgeusthePaladin from Byzantine. Since: May, 2010
#106: Apr 8th 2011 at 8:34:43 AM

Just 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?)

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Carciofus Is that cake frosting? from Alpha Tucanae I Since: May, 2010
Is that cake frosting?
#107: Apr 8th 2011 at 8:54:26 AM

Another question: how did being diagnosed with Asperger's or autism change your lives? In particular, what is it that you do now that you would do differently if you did not know about your condition?

But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas.
Moogi A Mediocre Khan from everywhy Since: Jan, 2001
A Mediocre Khan
#108: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:16:59 AM

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/emileunmedicatedanduncut
Mezzopiano You're shivering. Are you afraid? from That Cold Place Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
You're shivering. Are you afraid?
#109: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:19:13 AM

I've been officially diagnosed with Asperger's since I was 8 or so. From my perspective, it doesn't really mean much, but that's mainly because I don't have a neurotypical perspective to compare it to.

Do not fear power... fear those who wield it.
BonsaiForest Since: Jan, 2001
#110: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:23:00 AM

as 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.

Mezzopiano You're shivering. Are you afraid? from That Cold Place Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
You're shivering. Are you afraid?
#111: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:29:53 AM

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.
faradayangel electrifying from Gallifrey Since: Nov, 2010
electrifying
#112: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:39:51 AM

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.

[up] 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
Moogi A Mediocre Khan from everywhy Since: Jan, 2001
A Mediocre Khan
#113: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:44:44 AM

[up][up][up] 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.

[up] 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/emileunmedicatedanduncut
petcarcharodon Since: Sep, 2010
#114: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:53:41 AM

I was diagnosed when I was nine. My school always assumed I had ADHD.

[down]One of my friends has both. You pretty much cannot keep him on one topic for more than a minute.

edited 8th Apr '11 9:59:17 AM by petcarcharodon

Moogi A Mediocre Khan from everywhy Since: Jan, 2001
A Mediocre Khan
#115: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:56:24 AM

I actually have both, which if my massive egotism is not mistaken, makes me an Ubermensch.

https://www.facebook.com/emileunmedicatedanduncut
Penguin4Senate Since: Aug, 2009
#116: Apr 8th 2011 at 9:59:53 AM

In particular, what is it that you do now that you would do differently if you did not know about your condition?

No 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.

One of my friends has both. You pretty much cannot keep him on one topic for more than a minute.

Same here.

edited 8th Apr '11 10:00:48 AM by Penguin4Senate

Blueeyedrat Since: Oct, 2010
#117: Apr 8th 2011 at 10:03:50 AM

Diagnosed with AS when I was... 12? Either way, I've never brought it up to anyone I know. And to be honest, I don't plan to.

Moogi A Mediocre Khan from everywhy Since: Jan, 2001
A Mediocre Khan
#118: Apr 8th 2011 at 10:07:14 AM

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/emileunmedicatedanduncut
petcarcharodon Since: Sep, 2010
#119: Apr 8th 2011 at 10:08:07 AM

I remember that just a couple weeks before I was diagnosed, I had an assignment at school to draw myself "when I was younger". I then proceeded to draw a five week old embryo. I saw this as perfectly normal.

My teachers never liked me.

edited 8th Apr '11 10:10:13 AM by petcarcharodon

captainbrass2 from the United Kingdom Since: Mar, 2011
#120: Apr 8th 2011 at 11:33:30 AM

When 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"
Carciofus Is that cake frosting? from Alpha Tucanae I Since: May, 2010
Is that cake frosting?
#121: Apr 8th 2011 at 11:50:47 AM

There is a tendency these days to treat any shyness/introversion as if it's some kind of crime against society.
This. I had something like that happen to me (non-autistic and non-Aspergers, as far as I can tell) because I was sitting in a corner reading a book instead of playing with the other kids.

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.
rmctagg09 The Wanderer from Brooklyn, NY (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: I won't say I'm in love
The Wanderer
#122: Apr 8th 2011 at 12:21:47 PM

I was officially diagnosed with Asperger's back when I was 15. Sometimes I wish I'd found out sooner.

Hugging a Vanillite will give you frostbite.
BonsaiForest Since: Jan, 2001
#123: Apr 8th 2011 at 1:22:43 PM

Yeah, I was always introverted. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. Though I was very socially inappropriate when I was social.

Nightwire Since: Feb, 2010
#124: Apr 8th 2011 at 5:39:14 PM

I was diagnosed with autism when I was 9. Although, at that time both of my parents didn't know what that meant.

tnu1138 Dracula Since: Apr, 2009
Dracula
#125: Apr 8th 2011 at 5:46:11 PM

Aspergers' here took forever to find a specialist but it helped to explain alot. I don't bring itup much because I know ab out the associaitons people round here have with it.

We must survive, all of us. The blood of a human for me, a cooked bird for you. Where is the difference?

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