Aspergers and Executive Dysfunction?

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I have huge problems with ED. While I'm of above average intelligence my ability to organize and maintain the various facets of my life is massively compromised by ED.

For those who may not know what this is try reading the definition at the following link:

Executive Dysfunction Link

While I have heard ED mentioned in the context of Aspergers I have no idea if the majority of people with AS have problems in this area or not, or to what degree, so I thought I'd take a Poll. I know ED is not limited to AS but do you think it's a common and significant aspect of Aspergers or is it not directly related to it, in your view?

Are you affected by ED and to what extent?

I answered yes but I don't know whether it is to AS. Not knowing what to do really does slow things down for me

Please don't refer to it as ED. That's just embarrassing.

It tends to cause problems for me trying to plan and organize schoolwork--I tend to do stuff at the last minute. I also have problems getting housework accomplished. Strangely when my brother comes over for supper I can get the kitchen cleaned up while he's here but alone my ability to clean seems to suffer. Not sure what the problem is really be Exec. Dys. seems to be a decent explanation. Now if only I could find a solution...

I voted "Yes, but only a little." However, I might be more effected by ED than I realize.

Yes. It affects everything. EVERYTHING.

its why i am here. and yes, i mean its completely taken my life away. most times i just feel like a hot guy walking around. nobody knows, me because my friggin' aspergers and memory problems ruin my life, LMAO.

I don't know if I'm affected by this or not. I'll try to shed some light on the situation with an example.

Doing the dishes is the best way to work me into a mental breakdown. Especially when there are alot of them.

Doing the dishes is hard because I have to:

- Remove the dishes from the sink(s)
- Rinse gunk out of the sink
- Clear a space for the dishes to dry
- Load the utensils and plates into the sink
- Make sure the water temperature won't scald my hands
- Fill the sink with water
- Add soap

And that's before anything is even accomplished. Usually by this point I'm curled up on the floor and hyperventilating. I really hate this aspect of myself. I honestly don't know why it's so hard to get through it sometimes.

I read up on the description, and it definitely sounds like it may have been behind the issues I've had at work/school.

It says that people who experience Executive Dysfunction often develop defeatist views regarding their difficulties... Ever since I had to quit my job to save my health, I've been beating myself up over it. I also haven't forgiven myself for how I've performed academically-- Elementary, High school, and College were all completely disastrous.

I don't know if I'll stop beating myself up for my past mistakes, but learning about this might help out in the long run.

It seems I am affected a lot by ED. I read the article and it describes well how I approach tasks and assignments. As a student I always noticed I had more trouble understanding the assignment requirements and planning than I did on the work I had to do to complete the assignment. I would read a question and its meaning would be all over the place, so I would just keep reading it. The meanings would become numerous, and I would probably need to talk to the lecturer about it. But once I was clear on the question I would breeze through the work.

I am not aware of any Executive Function going on in my brain, but unlike the rest of people where it goes on subconsciuosly, in my brain it doesn't go on at all.

I think this is probably the main culprit for people assuming we are stupid.

Planning is a huge problem for me. It goes both ways. I can't schedule a day to save my life. And yet I have to know about everything days in advance, or else I won't do it. It's like I need plans, but I'm terrible at them. If that makes sense.