Is it really Aspergers Syndrome?

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As much as this "label" fits me, as much as I see myself when I research the subject more, there is still this part of me that says, "no, it is something else." I recently read Thomas Sowell's Late-Talking Children and The Einstein Syndrome, and an essay by Temple Grandin. They both mention (though Sowell is far more in depth than Grandin) the new tendency of gifted children getting labels that might not apply.

I know I have problems that affect almost every facet of my life. I know I have all sorts of trouble socially, and I know that I would much rather spend my time reading books than doing anything else. But I wasn't really certain when I was diagnosed, and now I am even more uncertain.

I just don't know, and I don't know where else to look. I figured that this particular label, no matter how life-altering, was it, that I had my answer and I could go on from there. And it has helped me figure out ways to compensate for my deficiencies, and to stop feeling so terrible about myself. But is it really the right label, or was I just on the receiving end of a brand new, fresh out of med school psychiatrist?

Does anyone else wonder?

I would think that being gifted exists also with symtomotological traits of A.S.D's. However the subjective reality of the individual to the group still exists the reality of the individual. It's simply a label, all of these things are.

I do not believe in labels.

Of course, though that itself is a symptom, as many human beings appear not to reach that level of self-awareness.



I had that in all my years before the diagnosis of AS arose. And although that's a better fit than anything else that's come up, by a long way, I don't consider it done, dusted, and tidied away. There is a tendency to want tidy patterns and categories, We are wired to see them, which helps us handle the world, but this can push us to see them when they are not there, (pictures in clouds, anthropomorphising moving triangles...)



The "little professor" effect need not mean Asperger's: I had to account for my place in the world before that was available as a diagnosis. Depressive illness, poor bonding with affection-lacking parents, simple lack of peers when growing up... Lots of ways of thinking, all with some degree of merit, some measure of fitting (but the crucial thing: pointing to different therapies and courses of action. That's where the "fits" proved better and worse) Best fit in my case till Asperger's emerged over the horizon came when I discovered Colin Wilson's "The Outsider" and Hesse's Steppenwolf. (As I've just written in another post) They described other ways of not fitting in with the crowd, and reasons for it, that really resonated with me.

Does there have to be one neat label? In my field of optometry the correct diagnosis is important, but so is bearing in mind that more than one thing might be going on at the same time.
I read lots of books as a child. That was enough to put of most of my schoolmates. So I read more... so... Self reinforcing.

That is very true. I know it, I guess I just never stop looking, just keep on evolving.

Does it really matter if its the right label? Or, does it matter more that it has helped you to see things about yourself that you can work on? I have never personally sought a definite diagnosis because I don't really see how it would help me more. Just finding about AS has helped me to see where some things are not exactly in the 'norm' so I can work on them, or learn to accept them. For me personally, having a deeper understanding about myself is more important than knowing what type of label the medical establishment wishes to classify me in. Is it not?

For some a diagnostic label might be justification for difficulties or differences experienced in life.

I am a vergen. I am not sure why but I gave up two women at ounce well girls. They were both hot and they wanted to meet me after school. I never went. I had a girl mad about me and it scared me. This happened when I was younger and since then I have been ignored. I work out and am getting a fantastic body but I am too nervous. My drive is becoming obessive. I will never know what it is that holds me back. I have plenty of social skills. And through writting here I found out am a chatter box just like my bipolar mom. I am usually quiet though. I had a bad family since birth I am always fighting with my mom he when I was born . My birth almost killed her and we had different blood types. She has rhd u a- blood super rare black person blood but she is not black. She thinks she is a caring mother but that is everyother day cause she is moody. My biological dad tried to kill her and my mom said me and my brother as babies held tried to hold him back. I got maid fun of cause I was quiet and choose to be alone. I was and still to nervous for friendships or relationships even though I want them. My therapist said it was the autistic process, but he amits he does not know which came first the chicken or the egg. My heart starts racing and then the thoughts. They are going to hurt me make fun of me they are. I have never had any friends or women. I had short friendships with trouble makers but my mom did want me to be with him. I wanted out cause I was too nervous. You guys would kill me because I have the skill and it is wasted. I definitely learned what not to do from my parents. This website is my first real shot in 23 years. Probably all I need is someone that will be nice to me. This just an unfortunate sort of events. My mood is finally raised and I have no one to share it with. Then I got cancer too final stages but I am making it supposed to die in 1 year its been 3. I am smart can't get a job or go to college of pstd. My mom would say he can do physics easy. Back then It was hard for me to look in the mirror cause I didnot like the way I looked. I would see imperfections. Now that my mood is changed I remember I rarely ever get zits but I have quite a few freckiles. A hair cut helps two. I love mirrors know muscle so big. My dad does it too. He says I get better looking everyday. Who is he kidding he is an alcholic 6feet tall weight 203 lbs. He does not work out he sleeps all day when he can. I can't stop smiling I know what a model feals like. I just found out know I have to be in the mood to listen to music. I am trapped and want out. I figure if eat better keep doing whats best for me keep up the therapy my therapist and maybe I can get my life going for I have missed 23 year already.