I think I have mild AS...

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Hi there,

The jury's still out on whether I have Aspergers or not. The clinical psychologist I used to see (about relationship problems) told me I don't have autism, but I think I have AS. I don't feel the need to be officially diagnosed by a professional, but would like to get to know other people who are a bit like me.

For example, I...
- hate parties (small talk / chit-chat drains me)
- tend to zone out when other people are having conversation at the table
- can get worked up by something others may regard as trivial (not often, but it happens)
- have no interest what so ever in gossip
- tend to think too much
- used to talk about "deep and meaningful" with other "weird cast-outs" like me in library while at school
- totally suck at dealing with people I don't like - I withdraw into my shell, giving them the impression that I'm a stuck-up b***h (not true!)

However, I...
- don't have OCD, ADHD or depression
- don't have any rituals or obsessions
- can easily initiate conversation with strangers at a bus stop, supermarket check-out etc
- can tell what people are feeling from their facial expressions and other non-verbal cues
- can "read between the lines" and get what they really mean that they aren't saying
- understand sarcasm, irony and figure of speech
- am normal/social enough to be married to a NT husband

I'm getting better at handling high-stress situations as I get older, but my inter-personal skills aren't that great. It's good to know I'm not alone here

You sound like me on some things. I fit a lot of the criteria for AS but I pass pretty well as NT because I've learnt how to do social interaction (I'm pretty sure I learnt social skills in theatre class actually hahaha) and I don't have routines/rituals (or I don't realize). But it was way more obvious as a child, I looked like the textbook aspie as a teen.
Right now you don't seem to fit a lot of traits (no offense) but maybe you've learnt.

So just... how were you when you were younger ?

It's a possibility. I could pass for "normal" now, but only after a few years of learning and changing.

Welcome

> So just... how were you when you were younger ?

I didn't have imaginary friends, but spent a lot of time daydreaming. I was bullied at elementary school (age 6 to 12) partly because I spoke like grown-ups and didn't fit in. Other kids would say something like "She's doing the 'genius talk' again, how annoying." I hated it when teachers made positive remarks on my achievements in front of the other kids because that fueled their dislike towards me.

By the time I was a teenager I had lost desire to fit in or to be understood, so I pretty much ignored bullies and went on my own way and studied hard. I had a couple of good friends, and that was enough for me, couldn't care less about the others.

I think it was better that way, otherwise i'd have ended up being severely depressed or even suicidal. Perhaps my brain worked like that as a way of self-defence, to cope with all the emotions I had but couldn't name or put into words.

So yes, I was definitely more awkward socially when younger. More detached and noticeably so. I've always been very observant. I think that trait has helped me to learn social cues and copy them along the line.

Hello.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

wow, i identify alot with the 'for example list'

Hello!

To be honest you just sound like an introvert, not everybody has the natural desire to socialize. Asperger's is primarily characterized by difficulties in social communication, of which you seem to have very little.

I've always felt that getting a professional diagnosis is the best way to go. That way you aren't constantly wondering what's going on and why you act the way you act. I know it was a relief for me when I had the diagnosis given to me.

Welcome!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!