Asperger's syndrome

[Superwoman Prime]

I'll come out as being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome back in 2004. The doctor noticed my lack of eye contact when having a conversation, my strange gestures. . . and my family mentioned to him that I had an odd habit of taking apart household objects. Pens, watches, lighters, etc. For some, including myself, a large part of AS is being fascinated with the parts of things. How they work together to make up a whole. Usually with gadgets.

And I've always suffered (yes, suffered) with being extremely obsessed with certain topics for usually months at a time. For me it almost always pertains to superheroes. I'll latch onto one character from comics, learn everything I can before I get burned out, and then I'll move on to another character. Sometimes it's a cycle. . . for example, I got back into X-Men recently. I'll watch the various X-Men animated series, watch the films, read the comics, and have very little interest in other titles at the moment. I know I'll get burned out soon enough, and return to it later for the same deal.

Anyway. Since 2004 I've come a long way in improving my social skills. It's a never-ending battle, though. I can improve for many years to come by practicing body language and eye contact... but I will always stand out without trying. Sometimes being so distinctive is uncomfortable. But it keeps life interesting, I suppose.

 

[Shemtov]

I have asbergers.....and OCD.
With that combo.....I get obssesed about every little detail very easily.

 

[UltimateJustin]

I'm not putting down the people who go and get checked out...I'm just saying that you hear and see more people with many problems today because they are diagnosed with them now as opposed to years ago.

Yeah. But it's just people taking advantage of modern medical advances, which is why we continue to progress as a society, to enjoy the advances. I would like to have been a kid during the original Star Wars trilogy instead of during the prequels, but on the other hand I wouldn't have liked being told to "suck it up" or "just quit it" any time I was suffering from a legitimate disorder.

Though of course, that doesn't equal it out and I would still have rather been a kid in the later 70's/early 80's than have to deal with knowledge of Count Dooku.

 

[Hobgoblin]

It's also said that George Lucas, Tim Burton, and Bob Dylan might have it.

I thought Tim Burton was bipolar. I was glad we had something in common.

 

[d.k.]

Just about 100% sure a friend of mine has Asperger's. He struggles socially, especially when he's without one of his best friends, can't seem to make eye contact, has very odd hand gestures/movements that he does often when he's speaking, gets really fixated on certain things until the point where it's almost all he talks about.
It doesn't impact our friendship that all that much, it is however a little bit restricting in social situations with other people.

 

[Silvermoth]

oh yeah this thread! Time for a happy update!

You see, I started this thread because although I never had troubles with having Asperger's in school I soon found the "real world" (post university life) to be unbearable and I thought I could never get a job because I was odd and no-one would want to employ a weirdo.

Well, I found the perfect place! My job is to read the news and tick relevent information for clients. It's quiet, independent work, I get to work with computers, I'm allowed to work solo but there's plenty of help if I want it and my boss loves that I can do the things I do well.

You see, although it's fantastic work for me, some would find it boring and repetitive, not to mention isolating. Since this is not a problem all is well

So good luck to everyone else out there. I'm sure if I can do it, you can all find your perfect place too.

 

[Matt Mortem]

I've got Aspergers Syndrome. I'm on disability for it. Nice to see there are others out there with similar afflictions. I've never met anyone else with the disorder.

 

[Silvermoth]

I told my partner about my Asperger’s today. It went really well! He said he always sort of knew haha. But I’m just glad I told him as I said so it explains a few things. Also we’re due to get married soon!

 

[Erzengel]

Congrats on your upcoming nuptials.

 

[squeekness]

My daughter has Aspergers and she's never gotten that far in a relationship, so it's nice to see someone who is. Congratulations.

 

[Silvermoth]

Thank you! Yes he is very patient haha. But he helps me so much and I love him more than anything

 

[Hobgoblin]

My ex-brother in law is an aspie. I never knew one before him so it was interesting. He also has a schizoid personality, so I'm not sure how much that played into his condition. He was kind of difficult. He treated our house like his own and played video games all night, even if I had wanted to watch TV. He repeated a lot of his parents bigotry.

I knew I had to be patient with him because he couldn't help it, but sometimes I think he knew what he was doing. Even my ex said so. Everyone said he was asexual and I've heard that that is not uncommon in Aspergers. Is that something that folks here have noticed?

I don't mean to imply that all people on the spectrum are like my former in law, there was a lot more going on than just his condition.

 

[squeekness]

My ex-brother in law is an aspie. I never knew one before him so it was interesting. He also has a schizoid personality, so I'm not sure how much that played into his condition. He was kind of difficult. He treated our house like his own and played video games all night, even if I had wanted to watch TV. He repeated a lot of his parents bigotry.

I knew I had to be patient with him because he couldn't help it, but sometimes I think he knew what he was doing. Even my ex said so. Everyone said he was asexual and I've heard that that is not uncommon in Aspergers. Is that something that folks here have noticed?

I don't mean to imply that all people on the spectrum are like my former in law, there was a lot more going on than just his condition.

My daughter claims she is Trans, but I'm dubious because she dresses very girlie. I'm inclined to think she's asexual with a bi leaning more towards lesbian. She doesn't like men touching her. She isn't in a relationship and doesn't plan to be. She doesn't understand what the big deal is about sex the way her online peers do. Her cousins who also seem to be on the spectrum are one gay, one Trans who is transitioning to male, and one cis. I do think there is some disconnect or discomfort(?) with the body that applies to the few spectrum people I know, so think it's possible there is greater gender fluidity among aspers. Seems the best for me is to just support them whatever they have going on.

 

[Hobgoblin]

Thanks for the insight.