Aspergers is not only a social handicap, right?

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All depending on where I read about Aspergers Syndrome very different views on the syndrome are given. From

1. "Aspergers is simply a different cognitive style - having AS is just as 'good' as being NT"

to

2. "Aspergers is mostly a social handicap that can give great trouble in social interactions."

to

3. "People with Aspergers are severely handicapped - it brings about severe trouble in daily life".


I guess all statements are true because AS affects people so differently.


It is just difficult for me to exactly quantify how handicapped I am. It is such a weird thing because I ain't stupid, but still it is a mental handicap.


I am not all sure where I want to go with this. It just frustrates me that people don't have inherent worth. Or more rightly said, that you are mentally challenged if you believe they have.

I don't think it is acceptable that ASD is so poorly defined.

As things stand, you are correct to say that 'all statements are true', but that is just a licence to sow confusion.

Aspies are within the "autism spectrum." As reflected by its "spectrum" status, Asperger's (and autism in general) comes in many colors, shapes, and sizes.

Some of HFA/Asperger's common symtoms might actually arise from comorbid syndromes such as GED (general anxiety disorder) or OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I think that many aspies have an anxiety disorder. Asperger's is definitely on the autism spectrum; the DSM-5 got rid of Asperger's in favor of a more generalized ASD (autism spectrum disorder) classification. So, it is true that your three statements will hold true for some and not for others. "[Autism spectrum] disorders are characterized by social deficits and communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests, and in some cases, cognitive delays" (Wikipedia). The description for Asperger's is similar (altho a tad bit more specific).

So while Asperger's is a pattern of symptoms, you could perhaps say that Asperger's is a syndrome marked by impairred social skills, stereotyped behaviors, obsessive interests, and sometimes other symtoms such as increased auditor/visual perception or increased anxiety as well. You could mention that people with Asperger's tend to take things literally.

Here is where I got my information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum

Some of HFA/Asperger's common symtoms might actually arise from comorbid syndromes such as GED (general anxiety disorder) or OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I think that many aspies have an anxiety disorder. Asperger's is definitely on the autism spectrum; the DSM-5 got rid of Asperger's in favor of a more generalized ASD (autism spectrum disorder) classification. So, it is true that your three statements will hold true for some and not for others. "[Autism spectrum] disorders are characterized by social deficits and communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests, and in some cases, cognitive delays" (Wikipedia). The description for Asperger's is similar (altho a tad bit more specific).

So while Asperger's is a pattern of symptoms, you could perhaps say that Asperger's is a syndrome marked by impairred social skills, stereotyped behaviors, obsessive interests, and sometimes other symtoms such as increased auditor/visual perception or increased anxiety as well. You could mention that people with Asperger's tend to take things literally.

Here is where I got my information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum

The Aspergers/HFA part of the spectrum is itself a spectrum. There are people who are very, very heavily impacted in dramatic and obvious ways and other people who can pass for normal unless they are in certain situations, like a conversation.

Wanting it to be simple or have a single definition is a sort of category error. Some labels point to a single thing, others point to collections. "homo sapiens sapiens" for example, refers to an even more broadly defined group than aspergers or ASD. And that's OK. It is how it should be.

Its a spectrum disorder. There is also evidence that AS is distinct from autism in general (different cause but shared symptoms).

Primarily it is a socializing disorder to those who are NT living in an NT world.

Personally I see it as a different culture brought about by unique biological reasons. I hate to make the comparison but its very similar to dwarfism in the sense that the world sees them and interacts different with them... and they interact differently with them and see them differently... just like they with us and we do with them (NTs).

If there was such a thing as an 'AS country' on the map we'd be seen as a different culture not a disorder.

have never understood this approach to aspergers/HFA.
just because an autistic doesnt have intelectual disability [AKA AS] doesnt mean their AS isnt mild,moderate or severe.

everyone knows autism is a gradual spectrum from one end to another,the only real difference between those of us with classic autism and aspergers is that aspies have by default; a higher intelectual/mental capacity which makes their autism present diferently;theyre better able to learn coping skills, better able to understand the world around them,better able to take part in mainstream society, more independant, have very unequal skills which often but not always alows them to be very good in specific areas of lifeskills, communication,education,work etc which for some aspies gives them great success.

many diagnosed aspies have some complex needs,these are needs which are very difficult to manage or find ways around,this is what clashes with a unprepared society and causes the disability of HFA.

then there are the aspies who are not disabled by their 'disability',it is a difference-a social dyslexia to them and they usualy try to distance themselves from autism.
whether this group shoud even be labeled with a official disability is something that needs to be sorted out for the next DSM/ICD,as it negatively affects them in many ways and can make them end up not trying anymore, but it also affects more severely affected aspies who need that disability label to get services, benefits, and/or understanding and accomodations etc.

Yes it's more than just a social handicap...it's a pervasive developmental disorder. Pervasive means it impacts multiple areas of life, and it can impact any aspect of your life, not just how you function socially. It can impact basic daily life skills like being able to do your own shopping or prepare a meal for yourself. It can affect your ability to have a job, other than the social aspects of the job, like doing the actual job tasks that are expected of you.

Also keep in mind, ADHD is a common comorbid for Asperger's. I have seen the rate of comorbidity estimated to be as high as 80%. In actuality it is probably lower than that, but in any case, having Asperger's increases the likelihood that you have ADHD.

Dyslexia is a difference, but it is also a disability that heavily impacts kids growing up and prevents their fitting in.

But otherwise, yes. It's extremely confusing to me why someone would acknowledge having an AS diagnosis if they don't want to be associated with people with autism.

There are the sensory processing issues too. For me these are as big an issue as social interaction.

Yes, I was going to bring up sensory processing issues. For me, autism starts at how I process the world. I might actually have information processing issues on top of my ADHD symptoms which makes my executive dysfunctions worse. It's also become much worse since my sensory issues went from hyposensitive, to sensitive to extremely sensitive.

It feels like my autism is more of a result of my brain's own coping mechanism. The environment is too overwhelming to me so I develop these very narrow interests, even narrow my own point of view, and because I can't cope with a lot of information that constantly changes I stick to rigid routines.

I actually think progress (as NTs see it) has given me more anxiety and increased sensory issues.

Its mostly a social disorder, but social skills are so far reaching that it effects almost every area of our lives

In addition to the sensory processing issues there are also the coordination/dyspraxic issues that can present just as many issues as is the social deficits.

I think that is a very precise evaluation. Social skills are needed to keep a job, keep a spouse, have kids, etc. Everything you need to be considered "mature", really.

Honestly, I think that the vast majority of the ASD phenotype comes from a combination of sensory processing issues and monotropic thought process (as opposed to NTs, who are polytropic). The social stuff is a result of the sensory problems, monotropism, and anxiety. ASD is only thought of as a "social disorder," not a full-body sensory and processing difference, because from an outsider NT perspective the social problems are the most obvious.