Do I have Asperger's?

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I've been reading about Asperger's for the last week (I did the same thing a few months earlier, but I didn't notice this site before) and I'm skeptic as to whether I have it or not. I saw a few posts asking the same question, so I decided to make this post.

I certainly have what you call "special interest" and I usually spend most (if not all) of my time researching about it after I get home from school, it changes every week or so depending on its depth. I spend a lot of time thinking about it and I look forward to getting home and finding answers to my questions.
I really dislike being in a place where there are many sounds, especially if they're loud, I start feeling physically bad and I cannot concentrate and think.
My social skills are very low, and I usually hate talking about things that have no depth (except if I'm talking to the girl I like, which doesn't happen very often since I don't know how to start a conversation or how to keep it going). By deep things I mean those that are very complicated or have strong implications. The only way for me to be relaxed in a conversation is to either have my full attention in the topic (problem) and not the conversation or that I'm talking about what you would call my "special interest" or my previous interests (rather recent, though. For some reason I get bored when I talk about something I was interested in too much time ago). I also feel somewhat more at ease with younger people (although I get very bored with them, I do not feel nervous) and some older people who seem be willing to discuss things with me more than people my own age.
When I was young my father always complained that I did not look at his eyes when I spoke, although now it happens almost in a natural way. However, when I actually "concentrate" on the eyes of whoever I'm talking about I feel very uncomfortable and immediately feel urged to stop looking at them.
I find it very hard to describe my feelings. Usually when I'm asked to describe them I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what to say, mumbling.
I sometimes repeat in my head what people have said, especially when I'm thinking. Most of the time it seems to be a way to remember and keep it "on hold" while I try to figure out the phrase or whatever I'm thinking about. Sometimes I keep thinking about phrases said by people as if trying to figure out something about them.
I tend to focus a lot of details (except when my mind is very tired) and I find it very hard to summarize information. In fact, I remember the first summary I ever wrote (at first grade) was longer than the book (which of course was about 10 pages long and no more than 20 words per page), as I pointed out inferences (and it wasn't that I didn't understand the concept of summary, everything seems to be important).
*I have poor coordination. It's really hard for me to learn some movements that require coordination and consequently I'm really bad at sports. Not that I care that much, most sports bore me (the only exception would be skiing. I find skiing relaxing and quite enjoyable for some reason).
I'm not sure how relevant this is, but I'm usually told I'm absent-minded. Frequently when I think I lose awareness of everything around me, even failing to notice when people call me out by my name.
I have trouble sleeping, it usually takes me over 3 hours to fall asleep and if I fall asleep immediately I usually wake up at about 2 A.M. The last time I slept over six hours was about 3 months ago

What really makes me doubt having Asperger's is that I usually pick up non-verbal information when talking. The only thing I really have trouble with are rhetorical questions. I usually understand sarcasm (without restricting its meaning to mocking, which I'm not sure whether is correct or not), in fact, I greatly enjoy using it in a conversation. Most of the non-serious conversations I enjoy with my friends have sarcasm in almost every response (of course it's notably easier to figure out whether it is sarcasm or not, as in such context it seems to be the only meaning the words could have as otherwise they make close to no sense.). That or relating the topic to something that's amazing or funny (which reminds me, I have no lack of humor. I usually understand why people laugh, although what I find really funny seems to not be that funny or funny at all for most people).

I think I missed something.
I would like to know whether it's possible that I have mild Asperger's or if there is anything else that I fit criteria for. I don't really care if I have anything, as knowing or not knowing doesn't affect who I am, but it would make it really easier to tell some people that I have mild asperger's or something so they don't try to talk to me.

*I took the Aspie-quiz and scored 135 for aspie and 61 for NT. Scored 32 on the AQ test.

*edit

Last edited by CLT723 on 17 May 2009, 10:47 am, edited 2 times in total.

It sounds to me like you're a normal 15 year old.

I ask that myself. My wife wants me to see a counselor to see if I have Aspergers. I guess that'll be the only way to get a diagnosis. Maybe you might need to do that also.

Might anyone know about finding doctors that can make an accurate diagnosis?

If you're not having trouble in school or need accomodations / special ed don't worry about it.

If this is the case, however, go see someone who can professional diagnose you. You can get a diagnosis from the school.

You just sound like a smart 15 year old to me.

Let's hope you have Asperger's
Cuz its goooooooddd...

If you are seeking a diagnosis, make sure you get a second opinion. An accurate diagnosis can be a great benefit, but a misdiagnosis can put you at a disadvantage. I have strategies in place at school etc to help with some of my problems, but it also has a negative side to things as well (I have to get a medical certificate every year saying I'm fit to drive, for example).

Thanks for the replies, and sorry to have bothered.
As I mentioned, the reason I made this post was because I have been reading about AS and it seemed to describe my behavior quite well, but I lacked its main characteristic (lack of empathy). I think my ability to empathize is only slightly worse than average, as I think I realize what other people are feeling (not what they're thinking, as some people seem to be able to do).
I like these forums though, it doesn't seem like I'm that far from people who post here, at least I'm "closer" than from most people I know (did that make sense?).

Well, we don't lack empathy. Certainly not, but knowing how to react to other people's emotions (sometimes even our own) can be very difficult. It's a very misinformed view.

And it's completely possible to have AS traits, but not AS. It's a collection of symptoms afterall. So you're more than welcome hang out here

I was talking to me sister-in-law about my wife thinking I have Aspergers, and her thought was that maybe I do have it. I have very little empathy, can't pick up non-verbal communication, have no friends, despise being interupted, and have inappropriate social skills among other things. But then again, I'm normal in other ways. So then I get to wondering if I have it or not.

Might there be a way to tell without having to go to a doctor? If I get a diagnosis, I'll have to disclose it to the FAA and might get my medical denied. Bye bye flying career, even though I haven't had any problems.

Besides, I kinda like talking with controllers because the communication is mostly information transfer, with little drama or emotion.

Anyhow, suggestions?

I completely agree. The guy i am seeing has Arperger's and he is the most amazing guy i know. Very smart and funny and just generally a great guy. It took some getting use to but after a while you kinda forget about the fact they have Asperger's. I think people with Asperger's are the most interesting people in the world.

You might be interested in something called Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NLD). There's a sticky thread on this forum about it. Where AS begins and NLD ends (and whether they are related) is completely unclear, and I believe that NLD isn't even an "official" diagnosis yet.

Some also seem to believe that people with "just" NLD are higher functioning than people with AS... but others don't.

From what you describe, it sounds much like my experience when I was your age, even down to the maintaining eye contact part. I had to wait almost 20 years longer than you, but I have been diagnosed with Aspergers and ADHD without hyperactivity. Whatever label it has, I think it's important thing to identify what isn't working for you and get appropriate therapy for that. While there is no "cure" for AS, often there are co-existing conditions that can be treated such as anxiety, major depression and ADHD; treating these can have a real positive impact on your life. When I went to Adderall after taking anti-depressants for 20 years, it was like the fog lifted and I didn't have to struggle so much to get things done and be effective. The Asperger's diagnosis is almost a list of pitfalls for me to avoid, as well as understanding and taking advantage of the things I'm very, very good at.

I suggest keeping in mind that Asperger's and other pervasive developmental disorders is a continuum, where many people will show only some signs. For example, I have spoken in front of 300 people and have not been the least bit nervous. Yet, that fearlessness is the same thing that has me giving long, one-sided diatribes to people without checking in to whether they are actually interested. I feel AS is more like a toolbox where any tool can be very helpful, but detrimental if not used properly. Being rigid and rules-based is a big problem in social life, but can be helpful in law, computer programming, science, etc. I can see in you that you are very articulate and have a writing style and insights far beyond the abilities of many 15 year olds. If you understand that, then you can use it to your advantage, but also be responsible for "dumbing down" your conversations when talking with others your age when necessary.

I think at 15 it is hard to distinguish what is simply the concerns of a teenager and what is something that can be problematic later on. Standing in your shoes, I would make an appointment with someone who is experienced with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and who can give appropriate testing. The diagnosis is helpful, but is not the end. All it does is to guide areas you need to work on to be everything you want in life. Last, give yourself credit for being someone who is open to new things and willing to try it on, especially at such a young age.