Hi there, introducing myself.

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Hi all,

My name is Brandon I am 28 years of age, I was diagnosed with AS around two years ago. I am here seeking support, and new ideas.

I work in the IT industry. I recently decided to go back to university to finish my degree. I have forgotten how frustrating certain subjects can be for me. I am currently taking an english class, and I just cannot seem to grasp critical thinking and inference. Does anyone have any suggestions on mastering these topics?

I have been studying very hard but I over analyze these concepts to frustration.

I have been successful in dealing with my undiagnosed AS for most of my life, I am by most standards very successful.

There are personal goals I want to reach with traditional academics, its just so frustrating dealing with certain subjects again, that make me feel hopeless and dumb.

Kindest regards,
Brandon

Greetings

Brandon- I have nothing to offer in the way of coping skills for your situation. I dropped out after 3 semesters of college and never looked back. Surely there are more experienced (and smarter than me?) people on this forum that can give you the insight you're searching for. Just hang in there.

And welcome!

When I realized at age 45 that I had asperger's I could look back and suddenly understand why I had so much difficulty with vague or abstract subjects. Taking mostly hard science classes helped.

Nice to meet you, Brandon.

All,

Thank so much for the kind welcome.

It's good to know there are others out there that struggle with the same issues, comforting in a way.

I aced the sentence structure, vocabulary, chart & graph reading.... Just 0'd on critical reading and inference.

I have always done well in math and science, that is why I ended up working in Information Technology.

I am a software engineer without a college education. Not having that piece of paper really makes me feel inferior to my peers, although, a lot of them consider me the best at what I do here.

I rarely have to look at IT related material before I take an exam.

I obsess about such crazy things, when I was younger it was my fathers computer and programming books, I would just get so lost in them, learning every single detail.

Now as I have matured some I obsess with various hobbies, which I soon lose interest in because I learn everything I can possibly learn about them, and the interest fades away. (Fly fishing, cigars, cars, building electronics, yardwork/landscaping, bonsai, etc,etc.) I have a huge room where all my obsessions have gone to die.

I have tried various medications, right now I am currently taking Seroquel, which helps my focus, but makes me really lethargic.

I do not claim my AS with work, or school, and probably never will. I am not sure I ever will. My Mother didnt even know about AS until I gave her a bunch of information on the subject, and asked her if it sounded familiar.

It's just so hard being around people that cannot begin to comprehend what we have to go through.

We try to function and assimilate into society like normal people, but are often enough reminded that we are not 'normal'.

I hope I can find some friends here!

Welcome

Glad to meet you, Brandon, and welcome to Wrong Planet. Thanks for sharing those two great posts. Wishing you all the best with your English class, which always made me feel "hopeless and dumb." Take great care of yourself, Brandon, all the WP best in finishing your degree, and keep those posts coming.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Welcome to WP!

Welcome BrandonJ

Why are you taking Seroquel? If it is just to help with focus, maybe there are other less dangerous medications you could try?

"Seroquel
Generic name: quetiapine
Use: Psychosis, rage/aggression.

Action, if known: Atypical neuroleptic-this drug is believed to increase the availability of serotonin and dopamine at specific receptors in the brain.
Side effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, sedation, agitation, nausea, changes in appetite, weight gain or loss, or sexual dysfunction may occur. Seroquel lowers the seizure threshold. It also carries a danger of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), extrapyramidal side effects, and tardive dyskinesia.

Known interaction hazards: The effects of this drug can be made dangerously strong by alcohol and all CNS depressants, including tranquilizers, sedatives, OTC sleep aids, and narcotics, as well as the anti-epilepsy drug phenytoin. It may interfere with the effects of drugs for high blood pressure. Seroquel's action may be increased by other drugs, including ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, diltiazem, verapamil, and nefazodone.

Tips: This drug can cause extra-sensitivity to heat. People with liver or kidney problems, heart disease, thyroid problems, or low blood pressure should be monitored while taking Seroquel. You may want to supplement with vitamin E, which may protect against tardive dyskinesia."

http://oreilly.com/medical/autism/news/ ... rence.html

hi BrandonJ

i think we met here, didn't we

Welcome to WP!

Thank you for the information!

There are quite a few other reasons I take Seroquel, the focus is just one of the major benefits that came to find.

It's tranquilizer effects are another, and of course the major one is the good ole serotonin and dopamine.

It shuts me down at night, without it I would just lay in bed with my brain running at mach I. I would usually stay up till 4am, needing to be at work at 7am.

My girlfriends mom works at a herb shop, I want to investigate some possible natural remedies. Anyone have any luck with that approach?

I really don't like taking medication, but right now the benefits outweigh the side effects, however, I have cut down from 200mg to around 10mg!

Welcome BrandonJ

Why are you taking Seroquel? If it is just to help with focus, maybe there are other less dangerous medications you could try?

"Seroquel
Generic name: quetiapine
Use: Psychosis, rage/aggression.

Action, if known: Atypical neuroleptic-this drug is believed to increase the availability of serotonin and dopamine at specific receptors in the brain.
Side effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, sedation, agitation, nausea, changes in appetite, weight gain or loss, or sexual dysfunction may occur. Seroquel lowers the seizure threshold. It also carries a danger of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), extrapyramidal side effects, and tardive dyskinesia.

Known interaction hazards: The effects of this drug can be made dangerously strong by alcohol and all CNS depressants, including tranquilizers, sedatives, OTC sleep aids, and narcotics, as well as the anti-epilepsy drug phenytoin. It may interfere with the effects of drugs for high blood pressure. Seroquel's action may be increased by other drugs, including ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, diltiazem, verapamil, and nefazodone.

Tips: This drug can cause extra-sensitivity to heat. People with liver or kidney problems, heart disease, thyroid problems, or low blood pressure should be monitored while taking Seroquel. You may want to supplement with vitamin E, which may protect against tardive dyskinesia."

http://oreilly.com/medical/autism/news/ ... rence.html