Question about therapy

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About a month ago, I found out what AS was. Upon noticing how well it matched me, I thought I might have it. I joined as AS forum, like this one, and found that I have alot of similarities with those diagnosed with AS. My question is, does a person who suspects they have Asperger's Syndrome get therapy, even if there is no significant difficulties?

The only real problem I think I have is occasional mood swings which either leave me very lazy or very hyper, as well as the total inability to talk to people. I would have social anxiety, but most people have gotten used to my weird behavior so they don't bat an eye if I say or do something awkward; I've generally stopped caring what others think of me. I'm almost 100% certain I have AS: I've got almost all the symptoms, I've had them well since I was a little kid. If you have any questions about my symptoms, feel free to ask.

For me, Canada is a nice country to live. In another country, I probably would've had my ass kicked in school just because of who I am. I'm also alright at school, I've got decent grades and I enjoy being there. I only occasionally grow tired of not having a 'life', but when I do socialise it's a pretty difficult thing to do and I continually find myself wishing I was alone. Although I worry about my future: I am not exagerrating when I say I can't talk to people, it's a hard mental struggle. I know that I'm going to act weird when I get a job, it's inevitable. If I got diagnosed AS positive, would that give me employment benefits?

Overall, I'm wondering if I should look into having myself checked out.

You could have it. You haven't even sai enough to make me think you may, but you did mention some good symptoms.

There is no real therapy. The best therapy would be trying to overcome things YOU see as problems.

Frankly, I'm going to change my goals/negotiations based on what I found out. I only wish I found out much earlier.

Steve

Sorry, it just came to me that it might be in my best interest to state some of my symptoms. I mean, what's the use in asking 'Should I take my dilemna to professionals' when you haven't even got a clear idea of my dilemna.

Well let's see, I think I'm over-sensitive to things tactile and auditory. Certain wearing certain clothes is so ridiculously uncomfortable for me if makes me wanna get naked, and when I'm in a place that's too noisy the stress sets in to the point where I have to leave for no apparent reason. This also has it's benefits, sometimes playing with my fingers and toes can be very relaxing, and I've got a sharp ear for certain sounds. I have many stims: thumb biting, rocking back and forth, I rub my lower body fairly often (ie legs, knees, feet), pacing in relatively well-organised circles, thumb/finger biting, cracking joints, biting lips, when I sit down my legs keep shaking, I feel uncomfortable sitting if I don't prop my legs onto something (Usually the chair itself, I sit with my feet on the chair, knees upwards). I've got a pretty extensive vocabulary, and have a decent memory for useless things. Throughout my life I've had various obsessions, for some reason getting huge amounts of information can be very comforting for me. I have a hard time understand people talk though; auditory language is alot harder for me to interpret than written word. I tend to stare at things all the time, for me staring at things is like a fun way to pass time. Apparently this makes me look like I'm lost, my friend says I have the most confused looking face he's seen. I'm extremely picky about things, be it clothes, food, the chair I sit on, the sounds I hear (ie closing my windows if I can't stand listening to cars and pedestrians, then turning on my fan to block out sounds), and I have a preference for the 'tried and true' with all of them. For example, every lunch I have includes a peanut butter sandwiche, and everyday after school I eat dinner, change into my PJ's and nap. My habits as well as my obsessions tend to become very well imbedded into my lifestyle, but sometimes I'll just spontaneously change them. The most important thing is my relationships with people. I have never been able to make friends easily, as a child I had a natural tendency to play with toys by myself. I had a great need to collect certain sets of toys, I had about 10 or 12 Batmans, several Barney's, various Harry Potter merchandise. I also had a great need to organise things properly, like I'd sometimes make stacks of certain types of lego blocks, and used to LOVE making domino lines. There are many, in hindsight, embarassing occasions where I've stacked things a certain way and then showed them to people proudly. I recall once showing my teacher how I carefully managed to stuff all the waste from my lunch into a yogurt container, then seal it with the lid, or how I balanced a bunch of screws on top of eachother in a candlewick and gave them to my dad as a present. My life is pretty boring, by choice. I've stayed home all day reading, playing games, listening to music, cooking, cleaning up, I'm well-to-do in my solitary devices. Even when I get lonely I can't stand it when other people intrude on my personal planet, drives me straight up the wall.

Well I'm sure I've given you a delicious, unorganised text-dump of symptoms. Bon Appetit.

P.S. Darned forgetfulness. I should have mentioned I'm a 15 year old boy, as I'm sure that statistic will bear some relevance.

YEP, You sound AS!

Since you are 15, you might find it easier and CHEAPER to get diagnosed.

Steve

I am in Canada too, If you are in the GTA, then there are several places you can go for a DX. The first stop will probably be to a GP, and then off to a Peadiatrician, who may then refer you to a specialist. Having a DX for AS should open up the door for special accomidations in school, both HS and college / university.

If you want to "overcome it" generally you need to identify one or two things at a time and just "work" on those issues. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it does not. I am trying to think if there are any books that may help with social interactions... but I am drawing a blank... Besides possibly gettings some "social skills" classes, which you probably don't need, I don't think you will find much available to therapy in Canada, parents of full blown Autistics have a hard enough time getting their kids treatment! However, you may find a regular therapist helps, that is usually covered provincially!

What exactly do you mean by this. And to EarthCalling, much thanks for your information.