I don't think I've got Asperger's anymore...?

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SmallFruitSong
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26 Jul 2010, 3:24 am

Agree with some of the others - you either have ASD or you don't. Some people are able to learn coping strategies for things like social situations - I know I have, through lots of trial and error [emphasis on error].

The other option is that you have sub-clinical traits of ASD which don't quite put you onto the spectrum clinically.


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FireMinstrel
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26 Jul 2010, 5:44 am

My spatial relations and perfect pitch have over the years allowed me to learn intonation and facial expressions by rote. I think that's part of why I'm simply diagnosed with a cognitive disorder instead of actual Asperger Syndrome. I still find this site very helpful, though.



Another_Alien
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26 Jul 2010, 9:55 am

Spazzergasm - I created a thread along, pretty much, the same lines not long ago, which was met with some scepticism (though that may have been because I used controversial words like 'recover')!

Aspergers CAN improve - sometimes dramatically, sometimes more moderately; sometimes in childhood, sometimes when we're much older. Dr. Nancy Minshew, one of the world's top experts in Autism, has told me that (by email), whilst several studies like this one have produced similar results:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/ ... 092607.php

There will always be some people on WP who will argue that ASD is something you have for life, and you can't really get over it, etc.. Whilst I respect their opinions I believe their analysis is simplistic. ASD is caused by uneven brain development, in comparison to NTs, resulting in particular disabilities, e.g. poor social skills, certain personality quirks and, perhaps, some gifts (though no two cases of ASD are identical; especially at the milder end). However, just because a brain doesn't develop 'normally' during pregnancy DOESN'T mean that you can't 'catch up' at some future point (if not completely then at least partially). Our brains, obviously, continue to develop after birth, and depending on the severity of the ASD at birth, and our upbringing/life experiences, more rapid post-natal brain development can compensate for pre-natal brain underdevelopment.

The sceptics who say that ASD can't improve (much) are wrong on 2 counts:

1 - ASD isn't a black and white condition; it's a multi dimensional continum and we're not necessarily stuck in one spot on this continum for life. However, some people on WP do seem to view ASD as an all-or-nothing condition, like pregnancy, which is wooly thinking, frankly. Ironically, this all-or-nothing perception of ASD is exactly what the 'Autism can be cured' brigade are also guilty of!

2 - Science is still continuing to unravel the mysteries of the brain. One woman in the US leads a relatively normal life despite half her brain being destroyed by a massive pre-natal stroke. The other half of her brain has, basically, taken over the duties which would normally be done by the missing half. More and more doctors are acknowledging the plasticy, and unpredictable nature, of brain development.

So, yes, I believe you! :)



Spazzergasm
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26 Jul 2010, 10:51 am

Thanks for the wise words and input, guys. :P I still want an evaluation at some point. And I'm glad I'm welcome, still! If i wasn't, I would cry, lol. XD

Oh, and Blindspot, I would like to hear the results of your evaluation. :D



rmgh
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26 Jul 2010, 2:08 pm

Spazzergasm wrote:
Thanks. :) It makes me feel better. I was browsing an asexual forum a few days ago, and they aren't nearly as nice as the people here.

The gay ones are the same. Uch. They're awful. But there's a few really nice people hidden away.



Spazzergasm
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26 Jul 2010, 2:14 pm

Well, there are nice people hidden everywhere. :D. I used to be a part of a reptile forum when I was 9, and everyone was cruel to me, and kept calling me a "troll" because I acted immature, and made sexual jokes. I don't think they believed I was actually 9 :? .



rmgh
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26 Jul 2010, 2:15 pm

You were making sexual jokes at 9?? I didn't even know what sex was at 9 :lol:



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26 Jul 2010, 2:17 pm

Ahahaha, whoops! No, I meant they made sexual jokes about me. I didn't find out what being "covered in herpes" meant until much later...XD



rmgh
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26 Jul 2010, 2:26 pm

Ahhh hahaha. Ok, now it makes sense. I was, however, sexually attracted to boys at about 10 or 11. So there you go :P



Spazzergasm
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26 Jul 2010, 2:48 pm

That is quite young. :P Are you gay? Or was it just back then?



rmgh
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26 Jul 2010, 2:52 pm

Yeah I am. But I didn't realise the romantic feelings til I was 14. Those are the most important to me :D



Spazzergasm
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26 Jul 2010, 2:59 pm

Oh, I see. :P It would have been funny if you were only gay when you were 10. :P I've wondered what it would be like to be attracted to women. How do you meet gay guys? Do you really have to just go to gay bars?



rmgh
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26 Jul 2010, 3:09 pm

Lol yeah, well, before 14, I always thought the feelings were normal for being straight, which they are. But they never went away. Boy did I try to make them! And I can't answer that question because I've only ever met 2 gay guys who knew I am gay. I'm getting ready to start a new life being myself, so all this is still to come!



rmgh
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26 Jul 2010, 3:13 pm

But, gay bars aren't the only way to meet people. Apart from online dating, there's gay support groups, gay events etc etc. But it's also just like straight people. You can meet anyone anywhere. For example the two guys I have met were from two different websites, neither of which had anything to do with sexaulity. It's not so likely that you will find people in day to day life, but it's possible.



Spazzergasm
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26 Jul 2010, 3:31 pm

Oh, well, I'm glad you are coming at peace with it. :D And I hope you will meet lots of nice gay people in the future. :P
Yeah, that makes sense. Still, it must be weird though, how do you know someone you're meeting is gay? I mean with straight people, it's just kind of assumed they're straight, but you can't just assume people are gay. :P It would be awkward to flirt with a straight person, and not realise it, I'd imagine.



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26 Jul 2010, 3:51 pm

On the internet, it's easier to get around that subject and discover it without too much fear of what could happen. But it's possible to do in real life as well. Treading carefully :P But I guess you just sometimes know. That's the ideal situation, when you can just click and not need to ask. And thank you :) I'm sure I will, it's not impossible.

And I almost forgot to reply to your original post. Of course you have Asperger's because you are still on this website! Otherwise, you would have got bored by now :P