Outing a friends autism

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Last summer when I realized I has AS, the first thing I thought was that another person I knew also had it also.

His name is Troy, and like myself, things just seemed to suddenly make sense. But since I wasn't him, I refrained from saying anything substantal. Anyways I hadn't really thought about it. Him and I both worked the same shift at the store stocking grocreies on the shelf, and quite often he would be the victim of everyone else. As the one of the people at work kindly put it for me once "If he's here, then we make fun of him, and if he's not, we make fun of you".

I felt bad for him, I didn't like seeing them pick on him, I refrained from doing so, but I would force a laugh to make it look like I was like everyone else.

Anyway, last month he moved down to florida to live with his grandparents, and last night at work, there was remaniscing going on, as the conversation turned, someone said something that stuck with me.

Yikes, my thoughts of last summer came rushing back. I made a quick audit of him. It interesting to consider that I was the only one he was able to hit it off with at work. I first met him when he came to work where I did in December of 2000, and in that time frame I can conclude the following about him as it relates to AS.

[Social Ability]
- Generally none to speak of, odd man out where ever he goes, has an intense hatred for society
- Has no patients for things, needs to have things right the first time, and the only time.
- Has a hard time with other people's point of view.

[Vocal qualities]
- His voice has raspy quality to it and it goes up about 2 octaves when he get's excited

[Motor issues]
- Can't throw very well, can't catch at all, he has the characteristic odd gait, can trip over just about anything.
- Flaps hands when excited

[Fiscal skills]
- Very little, has no savings, sinks all of his money into computer equipment, which he subsequently gives away in hopes of making friends

[Overload issues]
- Cannot work a 40 hr week, gets burned out after only 24 hours, ends up calling in sick.

[Obsessions]
- Anything that's related to wolves, he has. Was talking about getting a wolf-hybrid dog.

So, with that in mind, I feel renewed sense of urgency to try and help him possibly shed some light on his life. However I really don't know a good way to go about doing it. He generally is resistant to people trying to help him and I feel that with his hatred towards society as it is now, any revelations on my part might only make him feel worse.

Any ideas....

Thanks for your story. I have no advice for you. But Good luck.

Scoots,

Does he know that you have AS? If so, maybe you can mention a Web site, such as this one, that has helped you cope with your problems.

I agree....don't necessarily out him but let him know you were thinking of him. Go on and update him on your life, you know, you are back at the store and OH-YES you are now a mod on WrongPlanet.net. Maybe he'd like to drop in and check out the site.

Let him look around and decide if knowing more about AS will help him. If not, no face lost on either side. (important because he may not want the help, as you said)

BeeBee

PS- this

would have set me off to no end. Perhaps, because of my age and the fact that I don't have to work with them, I could get away with explaining it was probably due to a neurologoical difference and ask if the speaker also makes fun out of people in wheelchairs.


(unless I'm reading that incorrectly and the person was stating it as some sort of fact, not a jab at Troy)

Are you bringing back strange memories of yours?

Didn't you say he moved? Then there probably isn't anything you can do about it. If you still see or contact him, maybe you should tell him about your AS instead of telling him about how you think he has AS. If he doesn't seem to be interested, then I would leave it.

As for the people at work, if your friend isn't around when they are making fun of him, then it's best just to ignore it.

Smart move!! !! When John outed me of my
autism, I was first reactive, denial, misread
into things, then properly disected things,
and out of desperation....sought local support
groups to no avail....Then found WrongPlanet.
This too a while to sink in upon the outing,
and each individual is different in how they react.



In what way were you and he victim?



In what way were both of you made fun of?



That is a normal, "I am trying to fit in" reaction.
Once it is transcended and awareness prevails,
guilt and being ashamed would be a reaction?

If so, don't, awareness and helping him is
the best action. Just tailor it to his character!



How old is Troy? If he is over 25 and doesn't
fit a independent living profile, like myself
until 36, this would fit well into the pattern.



Well said! What else?



Good Eye!


Yep! Definely autism if attached to other behaviours!



Sounds like me!



No offense, a bit short in characteristics!
Please add some more details to his
characteristics, like speech, eye contact,
ect.....!




Yep! sounds like the past me(pre-outing)
or "Please be my friend" syndrome! and
autism behaviour! How much of this syndome
also are contained in his character!



Not enough information on other work ethic
characteristics! Too vague and can apply
to a generally lazy NT if need be.



Unusual hobbies and interests does apply.
How much fact to how much fiction to his
obsessions?



Very Good!



Like I said tread around his character! I was the
same way when I was outed!



I will return in a few minutes to swap a module
to CD and cut and paste my first survey I did
online just after I was outed!

Sincerely,
Ghosthunter

From DSM IV (p77):

Diagnostic Criteria FOR 299.80 Asperger's Disorder

A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)

4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity
B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects


C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia


GILLBERG'S CRITERIA FOR ASPERGER'S DISORDER



1. Severe impairment in reciprocal social interaction
(at least two of the following)
* (a) inability to interact with peers
YES...
•I HAVE THIS MOST OF MY LIFE
•I HAVE BEEN MISUSED BY THEM AND NOW I DON'T TRUST PEOPLE
* (b) lack of desire to interact with peers
YES...
•AGAIN, I HAVE BEEN MISUSED BY THEM AND I DON'T TRUST

* (c) lack of appreciation of social cues
YES...
•BY BEING ON DEFENSIVE, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT.

* (d) socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior
HMM? WHAT IS CONSIDERED SOCIALLY INAPPROPRIATE?
BUT OVERALL, YES...

I HAVE SPENT A LIFETIME FOLLOWING OTHERS IN THE
AGENDA OF BEING ACCEPTED AND LEFT WITH A EMPTINESS
BECAUSE I DIDN'T FOCUS ON MY STRENGTHS, BUT ALLOWED
MYSELF TO BE ABUSED OTHERS FOR THEIR GOALS. I HAVE
COME TO REALIZE MY STRENGTHS AND DUE TO PAST EVENTS
I HAVE PAID LITTLE ATTENTION TO THIS AREA(SOCIALLY INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR?).

2. All-absorbing narrow interest
(at least one of the following)
* (a) exclusion of other activities
YES...
•SINCE I HAVE SPENT LITTLE, OR NO TIME ON MY STRENGTHS,
I HAVE LOST 35 YEARS OF MY LIFE. I TURN 38 AND I AM JUST
NOW SEEING MY STRENGTHS.
* (b) repetitive adherence
YES...
•I HAVE BECOME VERY STUBORN. I HAVE NEVER INVESTED
IN MYSELF, IT HAS BEEN MOSTLY IN OTHERS, AND THIS IS
PROBLY WHY.
* (c) more rote than meaning
YES...
•I HAVE ALOT TO SAY BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO CONVEY IT.
AND THERE IS MUCH MORE TO MAKE UP FOR LATER DAYS.

3. Imposition of routines and interests
(at least one of the following)
* (a) on self, in aspects of life
IMPOSING DRILLS UPON MYSELF? YES...
•THIS IS TO KEEP FOCUS ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE ACHIEVED.
* (b) on others
IMPOSING MYSELF ON OTHERS? YES...
•THIS IS TO BE HEARD, BUT AS IT SEEMS MORE OF A TURN OFF
FOR OTHERS.

4. Speech and language problems
(at least three of the following)
* (a) delayed development
YES...
•HELD BACK IN SCHOOL 2 TIMES!
•SPEECH THERAPY UNTIL 13YEARS, AND I HAD MUCH NEGATIVES
BY THEN TO DRAW UPON ABOUT MY PEERS, IT IS NO WONDER
I TURNED TO ADULTS FOR WISDOM BY 18.
•SELF-STUDY GOT ME MY G.E.D AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
FROM A FRIEND WAS WHAT MADE IT POSSIBLE.
* (b) superficially perfect expressive language
YES...
•"JUST BEING ME", I THINK? ("SUP..PERF..EXP..LANG..HMM???)
* (c) formal, pedantic language
YES...
•WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?
* (d) odd prosody, peculiar voice characteristics
YES..I THINK?
•ODD TONE? (YES, I AM LOUD..IS THIS THE QUESTION?)
* (e) impairment of comprehension including misinterpretations of literal/implied meanings
YES...
•I HAVE A WEIRD SENSE OF HUMOR
•I CAN'T ALWAYS TELL WHEN SOMEONE IS JOKING?

THIS IDEA ABOUT COMMUNICATION APPLIES TO ME SINCE
I HAVE HAD DELAYED SPEECH IMPAIRMENT. I REALLY DON'T
KNOW HOW TO EXPRESS VERBALLY, AND THAT IS ME, AND
IT HAS HINDERED MOST OF MY RELATIONSHIPS IN THE PAST.

5. Non-verbal communication problems
(at least one of the following)
* (a) limited use of gestures
LIMITED GESTURES? IF THIS IS THE QUESTION THEN
NO. I HAVE MUCH BODY MOVEMENT.
* (b) clumsy/gauche body language
DEFINELY WHEN I AM GETTING NERVOUS!
* (c) limited facial expression
YES. I AM NOT REALLY HAPPY ABOUT MUCH.
* (d) inappropriate expression
YES. I HAVE THE TENDENCY GIVE IN APPROPRIATE EXPRESSIONS
AND THAT IS WHY I AM NOT EAGER IN PUBLIC VIEW.
* (e) peculiar, stiff gaze
DEFINELY, I AM EASILY LEARY OF MY FRIENDS AND
OTHER PEOPLE.

6. Motor clumsiness: poor performance on neurodevelopmental examination
ONLY WHEN I AM REALLY NERVOUS.

(All six criteria must be met for confirmation of diagnosis.)


A More Down-to-Earth Description by Lois Freisleben-Cook.

NOTE:(This was originally a post to the bit.listserv.autism newsgroup/listserv)

I saw that someone posted the DSM IV criteria for Asperger's but I thought it might be good to provide a more down to earth description. Asperger's Syndrome is a term used when a child or adult has some features of autism but may not have the full blown clinical picture. There is some disagreement about where it fits in the PDD spectrum. A few people with Asperger's syndrome are very successful and until recently were not diagnosed with anything but were seen as brilliant, eccentric, absent minded, socially inept, and a little awkward physically.

Although the criteria state no significant delay in the development of language milestones, what you might see is a "different" way of using language. A child may have a wonderful vocabulary and even demonstrate hyperlexia but not truly understand the nuances of language and have difficulty with language pragmatics. Social pragmatics also tend be weak, leading the person to appear to be walking to the beat of a "different drum". Motor dyspraxia can be reflected in a tendency to be clumsy.

In social interaction, many people with Asperger's syndrome demonstrate gaze avoidance and may actually turn away at the same moment as greeting another. The children I have known do desire interaction with others but have trouble knowing how to make it work. They are, however, able to learn social skills much like you or I would learn to play the piano.

There is a general impression that Asperger's syndrome carries with it superior intelligence and a tendency to become very interested in and preoccupied with a particular subject. Often this preoccupation leads to a specific career at which the adult is very successful. At younger ages, one might see the child being a bit more rigid and apprehensive about changes or about adhering to routines. This can lead to a consideration of OCD but it is not the same phenomenon.

Many of the weaknesses can be remediated with specific types of therapy aimed at teaching social and pragmatic skills. Anxiety leading to significant rigidity can be also treated medically. Although it is harder, adults with Asperger's can have relationships, families, happy and productive lives.
(Blue-Pill Pushing)
Dr. Lois Freisleben-Cook
*


"Asperger's Syndrome Characteristics"

by Roger Meyer
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below is a list of Asperger’s Syndrome characteristics. Most have been extracted from medical diagnostic criteria, descriptions offered by medical and counseling professionals, articles by educators and from employment biographies of approximately a dozen independent-living, medically or self-diagnosed AS adults over the age of 25. While every adult occasionally manifests these characteristics, what distinguishes adults with AS is their consistency of appearance, their intensity, and the sheer number of them appearing simultaneously. Some characteristics do not apply to everyone, so persons consulting this list should not feel compelled to find them all. Adults with AS who wish to compose employment biographies for their own enlightenment and/or as contributions to research should weigh the significance of the ones they share, and have their compositions accurately reflect that impact.

Social Characteristics

* Difficulty in accepting criticism or correction
YES, I GET DEFENSIVE
* Difficulty in offering correction or criticism without appearing harsh, pedantic or insensitive
DEFINELY SO!
* Difficulty in perceiving and applying unwritten social rules or protocols
YES, I AM IMPOLITE AND INTRUSIVE.
* "Immature" manners
YES, I DO POUT WHEN I DON'T GET MY WAY, IS THIS CORRECT?
* Failure to distinguish between private and public personal care habits: i.e., brushing, public attention to skin problems, nose picking, teeth picking, ear canal cleaning, clothing arrangement
YES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESS = CREATIVE ENDEAVERMENT SINCE AGE 15 AND KARL.
* Naïve trust in others
NOT NOW. I USE TO FALL INTO THIS TRAP OUT OF DESPERATION
FOR ATTENTION FROM OTHERS BAD AND WORSE.
* Shyness
NO, I AM AS OF LATELY OVERVOCAL ABOUT THINGS SO THERE
IS NO VENUM.
* Low or no conversational participation in group meetings or conferences
YES, AND THIS IS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO EXPRESS IN
THE PAST AND I HAVE MY WELL-BEING BEYOND OTHERS
TO CONSIDER. I NO LONGER PUT ASIDE FREELY MY GOALS
SO OTHERS CAN LEAVE AND I ACHIEVE NOTHING.
* Constant anxiety about performance and acceptance, despite recognition and commendation
DEFINELY, AND A WELL SAID STATEMENT AS WELL.
* Scrupulous honesty, often expressed in an apparently disarming or inappropriate manner or setting
DEFINELY, AND THIS IS COMING TO LIGHT AS INAPPROPRIATE
IN JOB RELATED ISSUES AND INTERVIEWS. THE REASON I DO
THIS IS "I WEAR NO MASK BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE LYING TO
MYSELF"; BESIDES I AM MY WORST ENEMY IF I DO.
* Bluntness in emotional expression
DEFINELY
* "Flat affect"
NOT SURE?
* Discomfort manipulating or "playing games" with others
YES, I DO NOT WEAR MASKS BECAUSE I AM MY WORST
ENEMY IF I LIE TO MYSELF.
* Unmodulated reaction in being manipulated, patronized, or "handled" by others
DENFINELY, DEFINELY, AND...ECT! I SAY THIS BECAUSE I HAVE
BEEN MISUSED BY OTHERS AND WILL NOT TOLERATE IT.
* Low to medium level of paranoia
WHAT IS CONSIDER PARANOIA? IF I SEE POTENTIAL ABUSE
MY WAY I WILL LET IT BE KNOWN.
* Low to no apparent sense of humor; bizarre sense of humor (often stemming from a "private" internal thread of humor being inserted in public conversation without preparation or warming others up to the reason for the "punchline")
YES
* Difficulty with reciprocal displays of pleasantries and greetings
YES, I AM NOT EMPATHIC AND DO NOT DISPLAY PROPER
CONSERATION FOR OTHERS FEELINGS IN THEIR TRAGEDIES,
YET EXPECT THEM TO BE EMPHATIC TO MINE.
* Problems expressing empathy or comfort to/with others: sadness, condolence, congratulations, etc.
SEE THE ABOVE ANSWER....!
* Pouting,, ruminating, fixating on bad experiences with people or events for an inordinate length of time
DEFINELY, DEFINELY,DEFINELY......ECT. I HAVE NO LOVE IN
MY HEART TO GIVE SINCE I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GIVE
LOVE TO MYSELF UNTIL RECENTLY.
* Difficulty with adopting a social mask to obscure real feelings, moods, reactions
DEFINELY, AND THAT IS BECAUSE I AM MY WORST ENEMY
IF I LIE TO MYSELF.
* Using social masks inappropriately (you are "xv" while everyone else is ????)
NOT SURE?
* Abrupt and strong expression of likes and dislikes
DEFINELY, I KEEP BALANCE BY REGULARITY IN WHAT I DO.
* Rigid adherence to rules and social conventions where flexibility is desirable
YES, AND THIS HAS AFFECTED MY PAST EMPLOYMENT AND
THAT IS WHY I AM SITTING HERE EVALUATING THIS TOPIC,
AND THAT I CAN HAVE A BALANCED I-PHYSICAL, AND SELF
RELATIONSHIP WITH MYSELF.
* Apparent absence of relaxation, recreational, or "time out" activities
NO, I HAVE LEARNED AS I GOT OLDER I STOPPED DWELLING
IN OTHER PEOPLES UNIVERSES AND FOCUS ON MY OWN.
NO ONE ELSE WILL.
* "Serious" all the time
DEFINELY!
* Known for single-mindedness
DEFINELY!
* Flash temper
DEFINELY, AND MORE SO LATELY SINCE I WILL NOT TOLERAT
BEING ABUSED BY OTHERS. I ACCEPTED THIS IN THE PAST
BECAUSE IT WAS ALL I HAD KNOWN. I AM NOW WILLING TO
CHANGE THE TIDE BY ADDRESSING THINGS OPENLY.
* Tantrums
YES, BUT NOT AS MUCH.
* Excessive talk
YES. THAT IS BECAUSE I AM STILL ALWAYS FINDING A NON-
STANLEY HATER AND I CAN BE MYSELF AND REFLECT MYSELF
WITHOUT MASKS.
* Difficulty in forming friendships and intimate relationships; difficulty in distinguishing between acquaintance and friendship
USE TO. NOW I JUST DON'T BOTHER. I LET PEOPLE FIND ME.
I HAVE LOST 35 YEARS FOR OTHERS AND TO NO AVAIL.
* Social isolation and intense concern for privacy
DEFINELY, DEFINELY.......ECT! YOU CAN ONLY BE HURT SO
MUCH, AND WEARING MASKS NEED NOT APPLY.
* Limited clothing preference; discomfort with formal attire or uniforms
NO, THE EXTREME OPPOSITE. FORMAL WEAR IS PREFERED.
* Preference for bland or bare environments in living arrangements
THIS IS TRICKY. I AM STILL WORKING ON THIS. I USE TO REMOVE
MYSELF AND BELONGINGS FROM MYSELF FOR THE SAKE OF
OTHERS. I WOULD THEN BE ABANDONED, THEN HOMELESS,
THEN START OVER, AND OVER LIKE A REPETATIVE RECORD.
I AM GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO PUT MY STUFF FORM 95'-2004'
AWAY SO IN TIMES OF DANGER I STILL RETAIN MY TRUE SELF.
* Difficulty judging others’ personal space
YES.
* Limited by intensely pursued interests
YES, THIS ALLOWS ME TO SEE RESULTS OF COMPLETION.
* Often perceived as "being in their own world"
DEFINELY, BECAUSE IN OTHER PEOPLES WORLDS I AM A BUM
IN THE STREET, AND DISPOSABLE WHEN THEIR USE IS DONE
WITH ME.


Physical Manifestations

* Strong sensory sensitivities: touch and tactile sensations, sounds, lighting and colors, odors, taste
YES, VERY STRONG IN THIS AREA.
* Clumsiness
YES, BUT ONLY WHEN I GO INTO DECAY FROM ABUSE, NERVOUSNESS.
* Balance difficulties
YES, BUT SINCE I STARTED DOING STRETCHING EXCERSICES
I CAN LEARN TO GAIN BALANCE. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, MUCH
MORE SO.
* Difficulty in judging distances, height, depth
NOT SURE?
* Difficulty in recognizing others’ faces (prosopagnosia)
READING FACES? IF THIS IS THE QUESTION, THEN YES.
* Stims (self-stimulatory behavior serving to reduce anxiety, stress, or to express pleasure)
NOT SURE HOW TO INTERPRET THIS. AS A GUESS...
I HAVE CERTAIN FIGITS AND DRAMATIC PAUSES OTHER
FIND ANNOYING TO ADJUST INTO A SITUATION. I WILL
OFTEN GO INTO A PANIC IF I CANNOT CREATE THIS PARTICULAR
BALANCE. THIS HAS BECOME MORE APPARANT AT QUIZNO'S
WHEN I CANNOT COMPREHEND A TASK(SANDWICHES, ECT..)
AND JOHN HAS TO SHOW INFINITE PATIENCE WITH ME. OTHERWISE I DON'T HAVE ANY PARTICULAR RECOLLECTION
AT THIS MOMENT.
* Self-injurious or disfiguring behaviors
DEFINELY, ESPECIALLY ON MY EARLIER BIRTHDAY. FOR THE
RECORD I NOW DREAD THE BIRTHDAYS SINCE THERE IS NOTHING TO LOOK FORWARD, EXCEPT A LAST PAYCHECK,
BEING KICKED OUT OF THE HOSTEL AND HAVE TO BE HOMELESS
AGAIN.
BUT IN MY EARLIER BIRTHDAYS I BROKE MY BONES, AND
THINGS I HAVE BLOCKED OUT. HAPPY "F...ING" BIRTHDAY.
* Nail-biting
NO.
* Unusual gait, stance, posture
YES, I STRETCH WHEN POSSIBLE TO PRACTICE FOCUS AND
KEEP MYSELF FIT.
* Gross or fine motor coordination problems
NOT SURE?
* Low apparent sexual interest
DEFINELY, HOW CAN I LOVE SOMEONE IF I JUST NOW WORKING
ON LOVING MYSELF.
* Depression
NO, I USE DEPRESSING MUSIC TO PURGE MY VENOM OF THINGS
AND FLUSH MY SYSTEM AND EMOTIONS. SO I WILL CREATE ONE
DELIBERATELY. BEATS MY PAST REPRESSIONS OF MY FEELINGS
THAT HAD SEXUAL RELEASES(GAY, BECAUSE OF CONVIENCE, STRAIGHT, MORE MY INCLINATION) AND OTHER FORM OF NEGATIVE RELEASES OF NEGATIVE DANGEROUS VENOMOUS TIMES.
* Anxiety
YES, BUT ONLY WHEN I AM BEING PUSHED IN AREAS OF
UNCOMFORTABLE OR VENMOUS TENDACIES.
* Sleep difficulties
NO.
* Verbosity
OVEREXPRESSIVE? YES, IF THAT IS WHAT VEBOSITY MEANS.
* Difficulty expressing anger (excessive or "bottled up")
YES.
* Flat or monotone vocal expression; limited range of inflection
NOT SURE?
* Difficulty with initiating or maintaining eye contact
YES, ESPECIALLY WHEN ON A CUSTOMER SERVICE JOB.
NO, IF I BECOMING VENOMOUS TO SOMEONE!
* Elevated voice volume during periods of stress and frustration
DEFINELY, AND WELL PHRASED QUESTION.
* Strong food preferences and aversions
AVERSIANS IS MORE APPLICABLE.
* Unusual and rigidly adhered to eating behaviors
YES
* Bad or unusual personal hygiene
NOT SURE?


Morbid (shared, dual, multiple) Diagnostic Conditions

* Learning Disability
YES, BUT SELF-TAUGHT AFTER 10TH GRADE, AND SOME
COLLEGES AND ONLY SEEING C'S(HIGH) AND F'S(LOW)
ACADEMICALLY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO BE TAUGHT CONVENTIONALLY AND FOUND REPITITION WORKED;
ESPECIALLY IN MATH.
* Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
NO, EMOTIONAL DEFICIT IS MORE APPLICABLE HERE.
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
YES, IF YOU COUNT OBSESSIVE, BUT COMPLETED SELF-INTEREST HOBBIES. REMEMBER, I AM NOT HERE
TO LOSE MYSELF FOR OTHERS COMPLETIONS AND THEN BE
ABANDONED.
* Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ONES GIFTS.....!
* Hyperlexia
NOT SURE?
* Depression
SELF INDUCED BY DEPRESSING MUSIC TO REMOVE VENOM.
* Anxiety
WHEN PUSHED INTO A UNCOMFORTABLE SPACE.
* Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)
YES, READING PEOPLE HAS NEVER BEEN A STRONG POINT.
* Hypertension
YES, ESPECIALLY IN CUSTOMER SERVICE, USING QUIZNO'S
AS A MODEL FOR THIS.
* Semantic Pragmatic Language Disorder
NOT SURE?
* Tourette’s Syndrome
NOT SURE?
* Dysthymia
NOT SURE?


Cognitive Characteristics

* Susceptibility to distraction
YES, I AM NOT A MULTI-TASKER, INSTEAD IF I START SOMETHING
I WANT TO COMPLETE. THIS ONE OF WAYS TO PUT ME IN A POTENTIAL PANIC.
* Difficulty in expressing emotions
YES, IF I HAVE NO LOVE IN MY HEART, HOW CAN I EXPRESS
WITHOUT A MASK, AND AS YOU KNOW I DON'T WEAR MASKS.
* Resistance to or failure to respond to talk therapy
NOT SURE?
* Mental shutdown response to conflicting demands and multi-tasking
YES
* Generalized confusion during periods of stress
YES, THIS IS WHEN I DO BALANCING TACTICS SO I DON'T
PANIC. YOU WILL FIND ME SELF-REGULATING.
* Low understanding of the reciprocal rules of conversation: interrupting, dominating, minimum participation, difficult in shifting topics, problem with initiating or terminating conversation, subject perseveration
YES, NEED I SAY MORE.
* Insensitivity to the non-verbal cues of others (stance, posture, facial expressions)
YES, NEED I SAY MORE.
* Perseveration best characterized by the term "bulldog tenacity"
BARGING IN TACTIC? IF SO YES.
* Literal interpretation of instructions (failure to read between the lines)
•IN LITATURE NO, I AM PROFICIENT THERE.
•IN TECHNOLOGIY NO. I AM PROFICENT THERE.
•IN CONVERSATIONS YES.
* Interpreting words and phrases literally (problem with colloquialisms, cliches, neologism, turns of phrase, common humorous expressions)
THIS IS MIX BAG THAT NEEDS MORE INTERPRETATION.
* Preference for visually oriented instruction and training
DEFINELY.....!
* Dependence on step-by-step learning procedures (disorientation occurs when a step is assumed, deleted, or otherwise overlooked in instruction)
NOT ALWAYS....! I WILL AGREE THAT A STEP..BY..STEP WITH
COMPLETION WORKS FINE, BUT NO MULTI-TASKING. AND IF
YOU MULTI-TASK ME AND DO NOT ALLOW A BALANCING TACTIC,
WELL THAT WOULD BE BAD, AND I DEGRADE IN PERFORMANCE.
* Difficulty in generalizing
NOT SURE?
* Preference for repetitive, often simple routines
DEFINELY.
* Difficulty in understanding rules for games of social entertainment
YES, I DO NOT WEAR
* Missing or misconstruing others’ agendas, priorities, preferences
* Impulsiveness
DEFINELY? BUT NOT SURE ABOUT STATEMENT OVERALL?
* Compelling need to finish one task completely before starting another
BIG-TIME.....! !! !! !! !! !! !
* Rigid adherence to rules and routines
YES, UPON ACTIONS ACHIEVED AND KNOW-HOW APPLIED.
* Difficulty in interpreting meaning to others’ activities; difficulty in drawing relationships between an activity or event and ideas
NO. I AM QUITE INTELLIGENT TO PIECE DATA, OR INFORMATION
TOGETHER(INANIMATE TYPE), BUT WITH PEOPLE, I HAVE TO SAY
YES.....! I DON'T ALWAYS KNOW HOW TO READ THEIR INTENT
UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.
* Exquisite attention to detail, principally visual, or details which can be visualized ("Thinking in Pictures") or cognitive details (often those learned by rote)
BIG ONE ALSO....! !! !! !!
* Concrete thinking
NOT SURE? OPININATED FROM EXPERIENCE, DEFINELY.
* Distractibility due to focus on external or internal sensations, thoughts, and/or sensory input (appearing to be in a world of one’s own or day-dreaming)
IF YOUR SAYING I WANDER IN MY MIND IN OTHER DIRECTIONS
OTHER THAN A SPECIFIC ONE NEEDING ADDRESSING, THEN
YES. THIS IS USUALLY BECAUSE I HAVE OTHER AGENDA'S
ON MY MIND AS WELL.
* Difficulty in assessing relative importance of details (an aspect o the trees/forest problem)
NO. I AM A DETAIL ORIENTATED PERSON, BUT I AM NOT
A ENVIREMENTALIST. I AM PROFICIENT IN RESEARCHING
AS WELL. YOU COULD SAY I CAN BE OBSESSIVE TO A
MAJOR DEGREE, THEN I MOVE ONTO TO ANOTHER TASK
AFTER A SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THE PRIOR.
* Poor judgment of when a task is finished (often attributable to perfectionism or an apparent unwillingness to follow differential standards for quality)
YES AND NO. NO, IF YOU MEAN IF I STICK TO A PRESCRIBED
FORMULA. YES, AND MORE SO IF I AM DETAILED AND WANT
TO GO BEYOND WHAT YOU REQUIRE. THIS APPLIES TO ALOT
OF WHAT I DO BEYOND I-PHYSICAL. I AM THEN A EXTREME
PERFECTIONIST TO A FAULT.
* Difficulty in imagining others’ thoughts in a similar or identical event or circumstance that are different from one’s own ("Theory of Mind" issues)
IF YOU MEAN SELF-ABSORBED, YES.
* Difficulty with organizing and sequencing (planning and execution; successful performance of tasks in a logical, functional order)
I AM VERY ORGANIZED IN TASKS I WILL DO, BE IT A COMPUTER,
A PROJECT, A BURNED CD, A ....... TASK ON HAND THAT I AM
COMFORTABLE WITH.
* Difficulty in assessing cause and effect relationships (behaviors and consequences)
IF YOU MEAN MAINTAINING A RELATIONSHIP OF MOST KIND, NO.
* An apparent lack of "common sense"
IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE COMMONE SENSE, I HAVE VERY GOOD
COMMON THEN.
* Relaxation techniques and developing recreational "release" interest may require formal instruction
NO, I HAVE SO FAR HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BALANCE MY I-PHYSICAL TASKS(THAT I AM GOOD AT) WITH SELF-RELATED
TASKS(THAT I ENJOY). I WILL NOT ROB MYSELF FOR OTHERS.
* Rage, tantrum, shutdown, self-isolating reactions appearing "out of nowhere"
YES, BUT NOT AS COMMON.
* Substantial hidden self-anger, anger towards others, and resentment
BIG ONE......."VENOM INDEED"!
* Difficulty in estimating time to complete tasks
NO
* Difficulty in learning self-monitoring techniques
NO, I HAVE BEEN GETTING GOOD A SELF-MONITORING TECHNIQUES BECAUSE WHY WOULD I BE DOING THIS.
I DON'T THINK THIS WAS A ACCIDENT, INSTEAD PART OF
A GREATER PROJECT...ME, MY SPIRIT, MY SELF, MY I-PHYSICAL
WELL BEING AND HOPEFULLY SOME HAPPINESS IN MY HEART.
* Disinclination to produce expected results in an orthodox manner
YES
* Psychometric testing shows great deviance between verbal and performance results
NOT SURE?
* Extreme reaction to changes in routine, surroundings, people
* Stilted, pedantic conversational style ("The Professor")
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE "PROFESSOR", BUT WHAT I CAN SAY
IS CHANGE REQUIRE PATIENCE IN ALL PARTS TO BE ABSORBED
RESPECTIVELY.


Work Characteristics

Many of the manifestations found in the categories above can immediately translate into work behaviors or preferences. Here are some additional ones:

* Difficulty with "teamwork"
* Deliberate withholding of peak performance due to belief that one’s best efforts may remain unrecognized, unrewarded, or appropriated by others
* Intense pride in expertise or performance, often perceived by others as "flouting behavior"
* Sarcasm, negativism, criticism
* Difficulty in accepting compliments, often responding with quizzical or self-deprecatory language
* Tendency to "lose it" during sensory overload, multitask demands, or when contradictory and confusing priorities have been set
* Difficult in starting project
* Discomfort with competition, out of scale reactions to losing
* Low motivation to perform tasks of no immediate personal interest
* Oversight or forgetting of tasks without formal reminders such as lists or schedules
* Great concern about order and appearance of personal work area
* Slow performance
* Perfectionism
* Difficult with unstructured time
* Reluctance to ask for help or seek comfort
* Excessive questions
* Low sensitivity to risks in the environment to self and/or others
* Difficulty with writing and reports
* Reliance on internal speech process to "talk" oneself through a task or procedure
* Stress, frustration and anger reaction to interruptions
* Difficulty in negotiating either in conflict situations or as a self-advocate
* Ver low level of assertiveness
* Reluctance to accept positions of authority or supervision
* Strong desire to coach or mentor newcomers
* Difficulty in handling relationships with authority figures
* Often viewed as vulnerable or less able to resist harassment and badgering by others
* Punctual and conscientious
* Avoids socializing, "hanging out," or small talk on and off the job



Asperger Definitions


* What is AS? - Bend Redmond Asperger Syndrome Support
* What Is Asperger Syndrome? - On-Line Asperger's Syndrome Information and Support - OASIS
* What Is Asperger Syndrome? - Asperger's Disorder Homepage
* THE AUSTRALIAN SCALE FOR ASPERGER'S SYNDROME - M.S. Garnett and A.J. Attwood
* What is Asperger's Syndrome? An Inside Perspective

* Tony Attwood's Homepage
* Asperger's Syndrome: Guidelines for Assesment and Diagnosis by Ami Klin, Ph.D., and Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. Yale Child Study Center, Published by the Learning Disabilities Association of America, June 1995
* Asperger's Syndrome: Guidelines for Treatment and Intervention by Ami Klin, Ph.D., and Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. Yale Child Study Center, Published by the Learning Disabilities Association of America, March, 1996





Links checked March 18th, 2004

I hope this gives some insight to pre-devenomized
days before WrongPlanet and a little after being outed!

I hope it helps give you perspective!

Sincerely,
Ghosthunter

Even with out reading all of that (which I have done so in the past) I now feel convinced he is on the spectrum.

I have him on my Yahoo! messenger list and that's how I talk with him.

Just general "Were only kidding!" type of verbal harrasment and the occasional laser pointer being shined in our eyes.



He was born in 1972.



Speech, well, he has a habit of overdoing his syallables, but his speech is normal as far as fluency and speed.

Eye contact, he looks at people when he talks to them, but I think he's like me where I end up looking at the nose or mouth instead of going straight for the eye's.



Well, like me, he need's his quiet time, and at his parents house there were too many distractions going on for him to get any sleep, and as a result, he would come to work burned out, get yelled at by the manager for something which would put him in a bad mood and things would spiral downhill from there. Esentially my work environment was not supportive to him.

Of course I was never interviened like you were. I think an intervention might be good for him becasue he's told me time and time again all he wants are friends who won't stab him in the back, and getting him to meet other people of his own kind (like me) might lift his spirits.[/quote]

The manager type is Heather(supervisor I don't like)
and the one I wrote "Are you drunk" about!

The making failing and further failing mistakes
is John expecting speed from me, but a clumbsy
Oooof! instead.

You now know why I only get 10-15 hours a week.
John outed me by my characteristics(just like
what you are doing for your friend) and has
since then been accomadating.

Sincerely,
Ghosthunter

Scoots, I would like to meet you
in my greyhound travels. If you
don't, can we make arrangements.
PM me as I will PM you back!

Sincerely,
Ghosthunter

I think that you should simply interact with him. Learn about him. Chances are he is frustrated with the world and there will be no shortage of crap you can get him to talk about himself and his life. Sometime during your interactions if the theme of the conversation moves in that way, mention that you are AS, and explain what that is. Mention this after enough clues pop up that would indicate that he has it. Try to find out if he knows he has it. If he doesn't, then after enough clues and enough exchanging of understanding, explain that you think he has AS or something and that his difficulties may have been due to biological circumstances beyond his control.

Personally I would try to alleviate this persons hatred of the world. Make him more happy, more accepting of the twists and turns of the world. But I have a deep seated urge to try to help people who are social outcasts. Because I identify with them. I've managed to engineer a pretty decent strategy for living by my own drum, but others are still very frustrated and lost.

It's a really tough call. Do you still keep in touch with him?I see bits and pieces of myself in him as well. One of the things that you may be overlooking is the fact that he may already know he has AS.

Secondly, Towards the end of your quote, you speak as if any revealtions on you part might only make him feel worse. --Sorry, but he's been gone for a month. Action or inaction on your part, what happened in the past is done, and therefore a dead issue,unless he happens to get sick of Florida, and move back.

Sorry, I didn't realise that you were keeping in touch with him via Yahoo Messager, my bad (added 16 hours after original posting on 06.27.05 @ 12:15AM)[i]

However, if he moves back, and you run into him, you might try reach out to him, and be a freind to him. However, as far as the subject of AS is concerned, you might want to tell him that you have AS, and let him ask any pertinent questions about what it is.

For the record, I have been close to people who were similar to myself on a couple of occaisions, two of them I had amicable realtions with. However that was not the case when I was a in my teens/early twenties. I was 14 when I met two kids that I saw shades of myself in. I either actively took part in harassing one of them, and avoided the other one altogeather. --I hated them due to the fact that they were similar to me, and the parts of myself that I truly hated. They scared me because watching them was like looking in a mirror.
The third person I met in my early twenties, and I also took pains to avoid him at first, but a few years later, I started to talk with him. I wouldn't say that we're 'freinds' but we got along ok. The last time I saw him was last year, as he was headed off to South America, and ultimately Vietnam.
A fourth person I knew when I lived in Charlotte, and we hit it off ok, as we had some intensely common interests, and we could relate to each other.

Let me repeat myself, if he ever moves back to Wisconsin and you run into him, try to find some form of commonality with him aside from AS. If he's as full of hatred of society as you say he is, he may look upon your 'being nice' to him as yet another way of somebody f--king with him. --I know this, because I ask myself that quite often when people seemingly go out of their way to be nice to me.[i]