New here + looking for info.

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Hi.

My name is Glenn. I'm 35 year old, live in Sweden and i am currently undiagnosed with Aspergers Syndrom, but i am currently undergoing a diagnosis to see if i have it.

It basically started when a new friend of mine (she is diagnosed with AS) said that "You really should check if you have it". I was currently talking to a psychologist at the time because i was depressed, but left because it didnt lead anywhere, also tried light therapy, walking (etc). After we (my friend an i) had a talk, i contacted my psychologist again and she was glad that i did and when i mentioned AS, she told me that she "suspected it the first time we met".

I have always been the kid who prefers to play alone, i have very small social needs and i dont want people touching me. The only time i ever felt comfortable with being touched was with my one (and only) girlfriend. I have taken martial arts, which i have heard is quite unusual, but it helped me become aware of how my body moves and the surrounding area, it feels like a 6'th sense!

Something i know is usual is that i "play around" with computers like 95% of the day, and i have been tinkering with computers since 1983 when i got my first 8 bit micro. I am an autodidact with a good intuision and i have been programming in pretty much every major language and then some, been installing/administrating database servers, writing my own security applications, working with network hardware and ofcourse - i am a HUGE gamer (Anyone still wonder why i spend 95% of my day behind the keyboard?). I feel more comfortable in a hall with servers than in a crowd with people Most of my jobs have been with IT, but they havent lasted very long (1 year tops), mostly because of social things .

I rarely leave my house and go out. Sure i would love to have a girlfriend again, and i have been trying to date several girls, but given what is available out there, i am not very intrested and i rather be alone than with someone i do not fully appreciate. When i have been going out to clubs, i rarely ever spoke to anyone, just hanged around my friend(s) i went out with, but i was never really "with them". But i (soft of) gave up going out around 25, and after that i have only been going out to have a bit of drink maby once or twice a year.

I have learned myself lots of social protocols, i have had several jobs and have learned much about how to interact with people, even though there have been conflicts on most places. Now i have learned that i should NEVER EVER tell anyone about my private life, even if they say they are "open minded" The last job i had i was given the oppertunity to "come back when i "felt better" because they felt that i wasnt quite what they expected, but i knew that i cannot just magically start to "be normal" since i have ALWAYS been like this. However, like i said, lessons learned...

Intrestingly enough, i found out from work/school that i can do somethings that most regular people are afraid to do: I can easily go up on stage and hold seminars, i also think it is fun to teach and learn people things. Well, at least the ones that want to learn... I rarely care about my looks, as long as i look human-ish when i check the mirror - thats ok for me. But i understand the need for some people to surround themselves with people that look "proper", even though if i ran my own business it would be all shorts, sneakers and t-shirts.

Anyway, while i am awaiting my diagnosis, would like pointers and links to information (forum threads are ok, i have been trying to search/browse the site but didnt find much):

- How you others discovered that you had AS?
- What is the exact difference between HFA and AS? (Seems very unclear)
- If you got another diagnosis (not AS), what was it?
- At work: What advantages/disadvantages have you experienced telling others that you have AS?
- Any other information that may be relevant for grown ups with AS.

Thanks in advance,
Glenn

Hi, Glenn, and Welcome to Wrong Planet!

I read in another thread (can't remember the title) that the difference between HFA and AS has to do with whether you started talking later than normal as a toddler or not. The HFA, as I recall, is the one that talks at a late age.

I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist, after I became too physically disabled to work any longer, so I can't speak to telling others about my diagnosis.

Good luck getting more and better answers to your questions, and in your quest for a diagnosis.

"Hello,” Glenn. Nice to meet you and glad to see you aboard Wrong Planet.