i am aged 24 years, and have recently (around 720 hours ago) that it is very likely I am living the the shallow end of autism (aspergers syn. i suppose). I have been aware in the least that i had 'attention deficit' issues from 3rd grade, a couple years ago in my broad studies as a wikipedia junkie (i would like to purchase a subscription to britannica if i had the extra money to) i stumbled across aspergers and was somewhat astounded with the similarities of its description with my own pecularities. I discussed it with my then fiance (now wife), she dismissed it because she had once had a friend with a formal diagnosis and said i was not like him. Based on her description of him i think he would be better placed farther down the spectrum, nearer typical autism.
Apologies for the meandering. Anyway it was during the month of December that a childhood memory surfaced which revived my curiousity unto this matter. During elementary schooling, there were several times my mother told me that an invitation had been extended to me to attend a private school for the 'gifted'. I am curious now through which circuits these invitations arrived. The name of the school was Spectrum Academy. Like most memories of my childhood it is coulded with much vagueness. I have long ago (early as middle school years?) identified this strange pattern in my memories, that i recall the way i general emotions i had towards various events, but not neccesarily what caused certain feelings.
I recall as a child being interested in learning more about the school i was invited too, possibly even desiring to attend, but also not wanting to seperate from the famiar surroundings of the public school i attended. I however have a sense that i may have been prompted by my mother that, did i really want to go away from all my friends? In reality didnt have many attatchment to my classmates. It was 5th grade before i ever had more than one friend. In previous years i had a different 'best friend' every year, and i am now curious as to if these children considered me much a friend or i just followed them around.
So anyway the last December the name of this SPECTRUM Academy got me wondering. Autism spectrum? on the 21st i got around to googling the institution, which endeavor confirmed that the Academy was established for children with Aspergers, HFA, Etcetera.
More later, just realized im 15 late for Anthropology Class.
20 Jan 2011, 11:17 am
