Then verses Now

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Howdy.

The thread "What are the Defining Traits of Asperger's?" made me think of this. I seem to have had more Aspie traits when I was a child than what I do now. Many of the things that troubled me as a child, such as intense anxiety about social situations, anxiety about new situations, confusion in social situations, and narrow interests, are less intense now, partially because I've been developing many different coping mechanisms.

Unfortunately, I have what I call "flair-ups" when my mind just seems to short out if something unexpected occurs, or I suddenly experience a bolt of anxiety when approaching a cashier, ect. These "flair-ups" are extremely annoying because I can never predict when they will occur, and there are several odd traits that have carried-over from childhood which are NOT less intense (I can't trust my own brain!).

Can a person "out grow" Asperger's, or get to a point where they can cope well enough that Asperger's is no longer relevant?

PS: I apologize if this post was too long for anyone. Writing and words were/are one of my obsessions. In high school, at lunch, I used to sit in the library and read a dictionary.

I believe so. Enough training and practicing can actually restructure the brain and circumvent or override problem areas. I've heard of people outgrowing full-fledged autism, so surely Asperger's is no different.

Sorry, I'll try again

Last edited by Ghosthunter on 23 Apr 2005, 12:36 am, edited 4 times in total.

This is true. the adult age 18+ starts to grasp
various coping methods. I for example have
HFA, not AS. I can say I get better at what
I do in a possible HFA moment due to adult
awareness on how to cope.



AS or HFA coping skills are like a cold.
Your first experience cold. You react to
the cold, and become aware of future symptoms
of a cold symptom when it will later try to
resurface.

These steps are like you AS, or my HFA flairup
possibilities. I first get the glimpse of one starting,
I then use learned methods that work to lessen
it's symptoms, and with each possibility I get
better at understanding the circumstances that
may allow future prevention of this scenerio, thus
coping skills do come to aid when flairup potentials
become obvious.



I say no if it is truly Autism, one with coping
skills can GREATLY reduce the symptoms through
awareness of what causes them, thus allowing
opportunity to understand and grow further
from them.

If it is AS, then it isn't a NVLD issue. there,
based on reading I have done, shouldn't be
any issue other than social and communication.
You may work yourself around these with practice,
and since there was no early learning disability
involved and you technically(based on readings)
should have a average to genius level in most
NT things, I would say yes.

Autism is a spectrum. In my case it started with
a NVLD tag. In AS it is more or less Communication
and Behavioral that behavioral training is often
recommended at a younger age. This is why they
are PDD-aranged, not medication(like a disease)
arranged.

Over the years I've gotten a lot better in certain areas, whereas others have not.

Most noteably would be my steadily improving sensory problems. The rock concert I worked at thursday night I would have never been able to handle 15 years ago. Also is my ability to stay calm under stress. Today when I read notes my teachers sent home to my parents, I have to chuckle at some of the things that set me off back when I was in school.

However, since last year when I found out about AS, I've identified a whole slew of things that as far as my recolection goes, have not really changed. These are the things that seem hard-wired into my brain and might not never change since I've reached the age where my brain has done all the developing it will in my life.

Don't feel bad about being a walking
dictionary. I am too, and as I reached
#400 I learned how to modify my
wording so most can understand me.

Flowery words are not grasped as
well as you would like. Since I am
HFA, I tend to be technical, and often
flowery in my words. So bless you
for being like me, at least it isn't
just me.

You will also like Pyraxis, she is close
to my character. Scoots will provide
alot of good, sincere and well spoken
insight in the human element we live in.

How old are you?
•18-25
•25-35
•35-45

I ask because it will amaze you how many
people are in their 20's-40's in this site.

I hope to hear from you soon,
Ghosthunter

Last edited by Ghosthunter on 23 Apr 2005, 1:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

why is it amazing?

What's amazing? Oops, I just realize I
misread your literal meaning. How
autistic of me.

Sorry,
From Ghosthunter

Another thing I noticed about your writings
that are similar to mine. All your 10 posts
talk AT people. Trust me, this is also where
I went wrong. Allow these folks to express
themselves and be aware that literate you
may be in words, the grasping meter is still
spectrumed with many reading and literal
meaning comprehensions and mis-comprehensions
when they are talked AT like a professor.

I am trying to help you avoid the deadly
traps of being alienated like I have been to
one degree or another. They will often
read Mr.Professor, but timidly respond
because they will feel intimidated by the
larger or literal words that they may not grasp.

Literal meaning is also a pitfall in flowery
and technical writing and jargon, and do
try to limit this in your vying for a response.

I have the upmost confidence that you
will be able to grasp the meanings of my
helpful suggestions since we all are in this
literal meaning jungle together and must
live together, and not alienate ourselves.

Helpfully yours,
Ghosthunter

P.S...PM me and perhaps we can download
thoughts and idea's.

Last edited by Ghosthunter on 23 Apr 2005, 3:13 am, edited 4 times in total.

Why is this post again double sending????????

to....
Alex!

Disclaimer: Again, I apologize if this post is too long. I tend to disect posts line by line, and respond to each piece. Some people find my approach offensive, or dehumanizing. It's not meant to be, it's just the way I organize my thoughts.

Interesting, and good to know. I don't really want to have to ever go to a psychiatrist, or anything like that. Or have pills crammed down my throat.



My college professors were always telling me to modify my wording in research papers to make my work more accessible. This was difficult since I didn't understand what other students wouldn't understand. Besides, I figured anyone who didn't understand what I wrote could always go get a dictionary.



21.

.

Yes. I do tend to respond to information, not people, especially on the internet. One of the reasons I'm here is to try to learn to relate to people on a human level as opposed to potential fonts of information. Thanks for your advice.



Thanks again. I'll PM you once I think of something to talk about.



That's cool you're able to work at rock concerts. If I sit at a bar on a Saturday night for more than twenty minutes, my head starts to pound. I've gotten around much of my "sensory overload" problems by making myself go numb, and watching the things going on around me as if I was watching them on TV. Being an objective observer allows me to keep a "safe distance."

Thanks everyone!

CheckEngine:

I think you have less Aspie traits when you get older because you are most likely more mature. In regards to your question, yes, Asperger's Syndrome can be helped.