Aspie dad

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Hi everyone,

I've been lurking for a few months, and have decided to finally register and post.

I won't bother with the details. I am 99% certain that I am an Aspie. I have posted my "scores" in the score thread of the members only section, if anyone is interested.

I had no idea what Asperger's was until some time after my son, who is now just 2 yrs and 8 mo., was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. I was surfing the net, trying to figure out what that meant, when I came across the description of Asperger's on Wiki, and said "Hey! That's me!"

I have no hopes of obtaining an adult diagnosis where I live, but after many months of reading, self-testing, and remembering... many memories buried intentionally... I am comfortable saying that I am, indeed, an Aspie.

Having said that, though, I will say that I am not really having any problems related to it, and have not for quite a while. I've always just figured I was "different" and accepted that a long, long time ago. College was a big turning point for me, although now that I look back, I can see quite a few "artifacts" that have carried over to the present day, and some were, in retrospect, somewhat problematic even up through my early thirties. But I didn't know that, and as far as I am concerned, I like who I am, and who I was.

I am now 38 and have a good job (environmental engineer), a wife (who may also be an Aspie, too), and two kids. My main focus in life now is my youngest son, who as I said, is PDD-NOS. My Aspie past seems to be helping me already in relating to him, even though he is considerably different (non-verbal) than I was.

I held off posting here because everyone seemed so young! But there does seem to be a lot of "older" Aspies around, so what the hey....

"DL"

Is that a fossil in your avatar pic?

I'm even older than you are.

I suspect that there are heaps more aspies out there than we know about, and a hell of a lot of adults. I can see aspie traits all through my family on both sides.

And most of the resources are for parents of aspie children - which sucks. But I'm hoping that some of us will be able to fix that. Since you have managed to make it on your own - I'm sure you have all that it takes to help your child. Nice clear instructions - none of that you figure out what I mean and I'll tell you when you're wrong game.

In my family we have farmers, engineers, doctors and scientists and a couple of job hoppers that I suspect of being aspie. The blokes seem to be doing better because aspie characteristics like eccentricity, perceived arrogance, brusqueness, and inconsiderateness are more acceptable in men than women. Quite a few of these people are self employed, and are contracted for their technical skills not their social skills. Works really well for me.

I really liked this site.
http://www.aspires-relationships.com/as_grows_up.htm

I think it provides me with something useful for explaining to close friends and family who say without knowing what they're talking about "You do not have asperger's".

In the meantime - specialists near by would be handy for specific strategies to help - but I'm doing really well with a psychologist who specialises in "cognitive behaviour therapy" ie strategies to help when your thinking gets stuck among other things. She says even if I do have aspergers - the strategies are pretty much the same.

All the best with you and yours. I'm not sure if "resources" help or hinder. Nothing worse than misguided do-gooders. I'm glad there were none when I was little - it would have been even bigger hell. I think they still need 20 years or so more research and development. We still know stuff all about the human brain.

Hi wobbegong.

My avatar pic is more of a petrified thing, than a fossil. But I won't yet divulge what it is. Maybe some of the other members will recognize it.

DL

Ohmygod, that's not a coprolite is it? Sure looks like one. Please tell me it's not?

Yeah, there aren't much in the way of resources out there for "older" Aspies, though we've been around for ages. My father was definitely Aspie. An uncle (his brother) was either Aspie or HFA. Another of the brothers was something (really peculiar, so there's no telling what.) Their mother was definitely one of the two. Her mother was noted as being "a bit odd." I am. And so is my kid. We all look like each other, too. Strikingly so. I used to want to be able to claim to have been adopted, but no luck, looking like this.

Welcome to the board. Lot of nice people here. Even some old fossils.

Nan,

You're close, but not quite there. Thanks for the welcome.

DL