Asperger's Syndrome

[fvgazi]

In short: just because you can diagnose yourself with a few symptoms doesn't mean you have a disorder. The DSMIV (aka DSM4, a standard for diagnosing psychological disorders) has certain requirements you must meet, and in the case of autism (and asperger's by association) they must be socially dampening. They must control parts of your life, make it difficult to function normally. You need to have a medical professional check you out in order for you to truly be able to say you have a disorder, because chances are if your friends or family can't identify the problem, you don't have it.

-CC10

The diagnoses for Autism and Asperger's are very precise. While they are related disorders, in order to be "autistic", speech must be delayed until age 3 or 4. People with Asperger's Syndrome do not have delays in their speech development.

I've been working with a range of Asperger and Autistic adults for about 4 years now. One thing I know is that if you have a disorder like this, do not let it limit you at all. There are some crazy statistics out there that show nearly half of all engineering / mathematics professionals are on the spectrum.

Also, just because you think you have Asperger "symptoms" doesn't mean you have it. I work with some people who are grouped into Asperger treatment because they are diagnosed PDD-NOS. "Pervasive Developmental Disorder, not otherwise specified". Most of these people have dual diagnosis with spectrum-like-sympoms and a psychiatric/Intellectual Disabilty (new term everyone uses for MR) issue.

Just because you have Aspergers DO NOT MEAN YOU NEED MEDICATION. Most people who take medication are on it for a secondary psychiatric diagnosis, such as a mood disorder. Aspergers it self does not need to be treated with medicine. High functioning people do absolutely fine with a little bit of therapy or even none at all. I work with an individual (who is also into video games!) and he takes nothing. He has some behavioral issues, but don't we all?

The most important thing about treatment is just getting someone to live as independently as possible. If you can do that, then who cares about having a disorder?

[fvgazi]

I really hate being hugged by strangers. Likewise I hate shaking hands with people. It makes interviews very awkward for me, because I'm very anxious when meeting somebody knew to begin with, knowing that I'm going to have to shake hands with my interviewer makes that 10x worse. I end up babbling because I'm just thinking about how/where I can wash my hands next.

Some autistic people have sensory problems. A dead give away is if you can see flourescent lights cycling (50hz i think). A high percentage of people on the spectrum have haptic problems where a gentle touch could be extremely painful.
On the otherhand, they could high pain tolerance.

A great movie to watch on HBO is Temple Grandin. I saw her speak 2 years ago and she is a huge advocate for people with Autism. She explains a lot about her sensory problems and the movie really grasps what it's like to have Autism as well.

Temple Grandin revolutionized the cattle industry because her "obsession" with building things and love for animals enabled her to "think like a cow" and make slaughtering them much more humane and efficient (even though it seems morbid).

She even built a self hugging machine because when she got anxious, she realized the strong compressions relieved her anxiety.

[jeffro11]

Guess I'm "normal"... sigh....

[Niode]

I really hate being hugged by strangers. Likewise I hate shaking hands with people. It makes interviews very awkward for me, because I'm very anxious when meeting somebody knew to begin with, knowing that I'm going to have to shake hands with my interviewer makes that 10x worse. I end up babbling because I'm just thinking about how/where I can wash my hands next.

Some autistic people have sensory problems. A dead give away is if you can see flourescent lights cycling (50hz i think). A high percentage of people on the spectrum have haptic problems where a gentle touch could be extremely painful.
On the otherhand, they could high pain tolerance.
.

I don't have the haptic thing but I can see TV/monitors/flourescent lights flickering in my peripheral vision or if I don't focus on it but doesn't everybody have that? The not shaking hands thing is probably my mysophobia. I compulsively clean everything, including myself, I HATE being dirty. It drives me nuts until I can get clean again. If I spill something on my shirt I will have change instantly otherwise it will put me in a foul mood until I can sort it. Eating out is a big problem, I compulsively clean any cutlery I get. Don't even get me started on public toilets *shudders*.

[fvgazi]

I don't have the haptic thing but I can see TV/monitors/flourescent lights flickering in my peripheral vision or if I don't focus on it but doesn't everybody have that? The not shaking hands thing is probably my mysophobia. I compulsively clean everything, including myself, I HATE being dirty. It drives me nuts until I can get clean again. If I spill something on my shirt I will have change instantly otherwise it will put me in a foul mood until I can sort it. Eating out is a big problem, I compulsively clean any cutlery I get. Don't even get me started on public toilets *shudders*.

Yea, some people can see the flickering, but for some Autistic people seeing the flickering can cause pain, nausea, and be extremely distracting. It's similar to synethesia.

What you're describing doesn't sound autism. Probably something more close to OCD. It depends on the root of the problem. Could just be a personal preference and not even a disorder.

Psychiatric / Developmental illness only becomes an illness when you cannot function in your day to day routine "normally".

[coastercrazy10]

In short: just because you can diagnose yourself with a few symptoms doesn't mean you have a disorder. The DSMIV (aka DSM4, a standard for diagnosing psychological disorders) has certain requirements you must meet, and in the case of autism (and asperger's by association) they must be socially dampening. They must control parts of your life, make it difficult to function normally. You need to have a medical professional check you out in order for you to truly be able to say you have a disorder, because chances are if your friends or family can't identify the problem, you don't have it.

-CC10

The diagnoses for Autism and Asperger's are very precise. While they are related disorders, in order to be "autistic", speech must be delayed until age 3 or 4. People with Asperger's Syndrome do not have delays in their speech development.

If i implied that there are speech development delays, i didn't mean to. I meant to imply that there is an impact in a asperger's sufferer's social development.

For more reference to Asperger's information, check out the DSM IV criteria for diagnosis:
http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.html

Site is kinda 90's but all the info is there.

-CC10

[Niode]

I don't have the haptic thing but I can see TV/monitors/flourescent lights flickering in my peripheral vision or if I don't focus on it but doesn't everybody have that? The not shaking hands thing is probably my mysophobia. I compulsively clean everything, including myself, I HATE being dirty. It drives me nuts until I can get clean again. If I spill something on my shirt I will have change instantly otherwise it will put me in a foul mood until I can sort it. Eating out is a big problem, I compulsively clean any cutlery I get. Don't even get me started on public toilets *shudders*.

Yea, some people can see the flickering, but for some Autistic people seeing the flickering can cause pain, nausea, and be extremely distracting. It's similar to synethesia.

What you're describing doesn't sound autism. Probably something more close to OCD. It depends on the root of the problem. Could just be a personal preference and not even a disorder.

Psychiatric / Developmental illness only becomes an illness when you cannot function in your day to day routine "normally".

I never said I was autistic, or even suspect to be autistic.

[GSZX1337]

Here's the results for my test:

Your Aspie score: 156 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 42 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie

[fvgazi]

In short: just because you can diagnose yourself with a few symptoms doesn't mean you have a disorder. The DSMIV (aka DSM4, a standard for diagnosing psychological disorders) has certain requirements you must meet, and in the case of autism (and asperger's by association) they must be socially dampening. They must control parts of your life, make it difficult to function normally. You need to have a medical professional check you out in order for you to truly be able to say you have a disorder, because chances are if your friends or family can't identify the problem, you don't have it.

-CC10

The diagnoses for Autism and Asperger's are very precise. While they are related disorders, in order to be "autistic", speech must be delayed until age 3 or 4. People with Asperger's Syndrome do not have delays in their speech development.

If i implied that there are speech development delays, i didn't mean to. I meant to imply that there is an impact in a asperger's sufferer's social development.

For more reference to Asperger's information, check out the DSM IV criteria for diagnosis:
http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.html

Site is kinda 90's but all the info is there.

-CC10

I was just adding to what you said, not contradicting it. Sorry if I came off in the wrong way.

I don't have the haptic thing but I can see TV/monitors/flourescent lights flickering in my peripheral vision or if I don't focus on it but doesn't everybody have that? The not shaking hands thing is probably my mysophobia. I compulsively clean everything, including myself, I HATE being dirty. It drives me nuts until I can get clean again. If I spill something on my shirt I will have change instantly otherwise it will put me in a foul mood until I can sort it. Eating out is a big problem, I compulsively clean any cutlery I get. Don't even get me started on public toilets *shudders*.

Yea, some people can see the flickering, but for some Autistic people seeing the flickering can cause pain, nausea, and be extremely distracting. It's similar to synethesia.

What you're describing doesn't sound autism. Probably something more close to OCD. It depends on the root of the problem. Could just be a personal preference and not even a disorder.

Psychiatric / Developmental illness only becomes an illness when you cannot function in your day to day routine "normally".

I never said I was autistic, or even suspect to be autistic.

I just found it interesting when you said you disliked being touched and it reminded me of a few things.