Am I aspergian or not?

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I have come to question whether or not I am on the autism spectrum. I had a diagnosis when I was little, but that was a long time ago. So, a year or two ago, I did research it online for several monthes and was sure of the diagnosis of aspergers. Today, I didn't feel so sure. Therefore, I decided to tell you about it all and ask your blunt opinion. I do have social difficulties. I have real trouble speaking well and am very socially awkward, but I am pretty good at being witty, random, and funny(at least people tell me I am all three of these) while having good comebacks. Taking social hints is a skill that I had to be taught along with social skills, some of which I am good at without trying. However I am very good at empathy and showing emotion even though I can to a certain degree hide them. I do have special interests, but I do not have routines. I am not usually a blunt person because I enjoy subtleties way too much(even though I am trying to be blunt through out this post). I learn best through repetition, and I could listen to, watch, or read my favorite things so many times. I can have a great sense of focus to the point of being oblivious to surroundings, but on the other hand I do find myself drifting of into daydreaming and staring off into space. I do have sensory overload

What is your honest opinion?

Part of what makes me unsure is that I am socially awkward and eccentric, but that doesn't necessarily mean I am on the spectrum

Last edited by jovialwilliams on 21 Jan 2012, 11:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.

And I do understand the way lots of neurotypical think and yet not so much other aspies(if I am one. as I said I am unsure)

Should I get a diagnosis?

Could I have your opinion?

Is there any reason this thread is being skipped over? No one is answering my question. I could take just a yes or a no, even though i do prefer a little bit of reasoning in addition.

I'd like to help you. But i hope you understand it's difficult to give an opinion on this. I can relate to the things you mentioned. Still no one can tell if you have it or not. Only a professional can do that. To get a diagnosis or not is a decision you need to make yourself, not others. If this really worries you and you suspect you might have it, i'd get a diagnosis.

Doesn't worry me. Some things I just don't like wondering about.

The only way to stop wondering about it and to know for sure, is to get a diagnosis.

AS becomes less severe as you get older. It is a developmental Delay meaning it takes longer for you to develop in some areas but you do develop socially...just takes alot longer than same age peers. The severity peaks in grade school, but then lessens into late adolecence and early adulthood and afterwards.

I am 34, and I can pass as an NT at first impression, but when I was little I had to be taught english as a second language because I did not congerate verbs very well at all. Most social skills I have were taught to me. I did not understand much of what others said to me until I was 12. As a child, I banged my head on the floor when I got mad, then cried cuz it hurt, only to repeat the same thing over and over.

There are others here that did not talk till they were 9 years old, and are now computer programers and can pass as NT at first glance too.

There is sooo much emphasis on Autism in kids, and not much is studied about how autism presents itself in late teens and adults.

So to answer your question, Yes...based on what you said, I am pretty sure you are an aspie.

But to be sure, find an autism specialist to diagnose you, not just any psychologist cause most psychologists dont understand how AS presents itself in teens and adults

Jojo

There are definitely degrees with Autism, as you know.

My opinion means nothing, but I'll offer that perhaps since you were diagnosed when you were young, and you mentioned "learning" some social skills, I think you maybe have a mild version of it and you've learned to adapt and assimilate.

I like humor too, but I don't always "get" jokes. I always say, "I hope I die laughing".

Wit (used especially in song lyrics) is something I love. Sparks (the Mael brothers) is my favourite band. I think their lyrics are witty and funny.....but I don't think that means that I'm not on the spectrum.

I am not professionally diagnosed (yet), but I seem to have many traits....but the traits I have don't necessarily point to a positive diagnosis.


I'm sure that wasn't very helpful.

More humor is probably needed here. I hope you'll stick around.





Edit: I can be a grammar freak on myself

Perhaps you are someone with Aspergers who has done well at adapting, and as such, no longer has many of the difficulties associated with the disorder. Most people improve as they get older, some less, some more. Yours could have been less severe, or you could have just improved a lot, or a combination.

I think what matters is to know that that Aspergers is why you are that way. It doesn't matter if you would currently fit in the diagnosis, but you did at one time fit into it.

jojobean, how do find an autism specialist? atomsk, I have adapted, but I do have a fair amount of difficulty. goodwitchy, maybe this forum could use a bit more humor if that's what everyone wants(I certainly wouldn't mind), but as the saying goes used every terrible joke in the book(I do joke about having written that book)

Thanks for your opinions. I will consider getting a diagnosis.

Adaptation does not mean difficulty goes away, it just is a way to deal with it. Getting a confirmed diagnosis would probably be a good idea. A diagnosis might not be necessary, if you're not seeking disability assistance of some sort, but it may give you peace of mind or something like that.

BAP BAP BAP BAP BAP BAP BAP. if you have traits you are at least among the broad phenotype. in reality there must be a range of BAP approaching aspergers, where to draw the line is arbitrary. even if you are technically no where on the spectrum, do you relate to people on the spectrum? is that why you are here? if you fit in stay. associate. dont worry about rules and technicalities and labels.

personally i feel i wander between BAP and AS, different degrees day to day. on occasion i even feel normal, and other days i feel totally impaired. I have not yet gotten a formal diagnosis, i too had an informal diagnosis as a child.

when i found this place, i found people talking about things i could relate to, that I have never shared with anyone. I dont think there is anything wrong with finding these affinities and flying with a flock of humans similar to myself, that i did not know existed until relatively recently. Regardless of what a doctor says about me once i get to seeing one, I feel like I belong among people like this. Even if i could say i were neurologically normal, what would be wrong with feeling comfortable here, speaking with people here? Sorry if i am being redundant, just trying to make my point clear.

OH and look up Eusocial Hominid Hypothesis.