People with Aspergers Syndrome

[rex3]

Has any body encountered someone with Aspergers Syndrome?

what do you think of the condition?

[Sasha]

Originally posted by rex3
Has any body encountered someone with Aspergers Syndrome?

what do you think of the condition?

I have encountered people with it........ i am not sure what u mean about thinking. But its lifes down sides i guess

[J.C.]

There has been a very interesting link posted about this condition by a member on this forum.I will try and find it, and he may also want to post again.:thumbs:

[rex3]

i mean how did they come across to you when you met them, and did you know that they had AS just by meeting them? or did some one tell you.

[Sasha]

Originally posted by rex3
i mean how did they come across to you when you met them, and did you know that they had AS just by meeting them? or did some one tell you.

I am informed when i meet people with AS, sometimes i am not and spot it - austism i mean, the signs are easy to spot if you know what your looking for

[J.C.]

Originally posted by rex3
i mean how did they come across to you when you met them, and did you know that they had AS just by meeting them? or did some one tell you.

Sorry, I see what you mean about meeting someone with
it.I haven`t but I just remembered being very intrigued when I read about it.

[James]

I know someone with it, I think.

[Nicola]

Yeah, as it happens, that is a subject very close to my own heart. I often wonder whether people with AS can come across as "different" or whether you don't know unless you tell them. From what I've heard, read and encountered, they can feel as though they don't fit in and that they see things through different perspectives, that not everybody can understand, and that they can feel that people don't always relate to them.

I know it was a term not commonly used until recent years, I've heard that people with AS can be labelled as "different" or just "odd". I tend to see the person that they are and not the traits that they have (anyone who wants an explanation of my post, in case I'm not clear, just U2U or MSN me)

[Red Moon]

I have come across a few people with it over the years. Most of them have worked hard to overcome their problems and despite them have gone on to achieve educationally the what they are capable of. Like any disabilities it has down side and up side.

[Siouxsie]

Yes i work with kids who have it
There are many different kinds of aspergers syndrome.
Its a special need and they can live a normal life with help

[Nicola]

Yeah, from my personal experiences that's just what I've found, like some have achieved fame and fortune, others personal achievement, whilst others are still finding "their place" in life.

[Siouxsie]

It depends on where you are in the spectrum as to what you can and cannot achieve in life

[Siouxsie]

Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".

[Nicola]

Originally posted by Siouxsie
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".

Yeah, some of those explanations certainly ring a bell from my own experiences. I've found that AS people can struggle to mix with others, have set routines and obsessive interests and also misread signals and body language (e.g. finding it hard to take a joke or reading too much into what someone has said). I've also found them to seem aloof and unresponsive, like they're not interested, and that can turn people away from them, even though there's nothing wrong.

[Siouxsie]

:thumbs: hit the nail on the head nicola I work with a kid who is completely in a worl of his own. Poor kid. He has difficulty with communicating and you have to have a set routine for him . If his routine is changed he gets so distressed its so sad

[James]

Another symptom is not enjoying story-writing.

[Sticks]

Actually I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2005.

I am now a member of a group called North East Neuro Diverse Adults (http://www.neurodiversity-northeast.org.uk/) and I look after the website

We have had a few problems over the last year but are hoping to relaunch this year.

I am also a member of the National Autistic Society (http://www.nas.org.uk)

[Sticks]

I forgot to add that when we do meet, at the moment it is at the Old George in Cloth Market, Newcastle upon Tyne.

[rex3]

I have Mild Asperger's Syndrome, but I cant get my self professionally diagnosed, coz my doctors a total bastard, he keeps telling me "its a lack of confidence that you have", when iv diagnosed my self through the internet and a couple of books, I also phoned the National Autestic Society and the receptionist told me i have Aspergers Syndrome.

I really want to do this so i can just show my mum and everybody i have this, and people at work.

[lily.]

Originally posted by Siouxsie
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".

Source (http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html)

Thanks for that Sue. I wasn't really aware of what the condition was before to be honest.

[Nicola]

I'd like to speak out and tell you I was diagnosed with Asperger's at the age of 6, I've kept quiet about it on the Internet until now but thought as there's people out there like me I may as well say something, and hope that people will understand as I do find it difficult to talk sometimes in case people think less of me.

I found school difficult because of all the bullying I endured over people not understanding or accepting me for who I am, they saw that I was "different" but didn't always see the good in me. I've also helped a friend through a bad time in finding a diagnosis, I feel that through my experiences I encouraged him in a way to get diagnosed - he only found out recently that he had it and also endured some bad times like me.

I hope that you will all understand how I feel sometimes and accept me for what I am, as you can imagine it has been difficult for me to write this post.

[MarkWaldorf]

Aw Nicola, that was a great post. No one on here would treat you differently even if you hadn't been diagnosed with it. :thumbs:

[Sticks]

Our treasurer for our area at the link previously given has advised people on getting diagnosed if you are in the north east of England and want to follow the links through

[Nicola]

Yeah, as I said I was diagnosed quite young, and I can always show my friend the links if he wants to see them - he comes round quite a bit and often looks at what sites I'm on.

[Siouxsie]

Originally posted by Stropz
Originally posted by Siouxsie
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".

Source (http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html)

Thanks for that Sue. I wasn't really aware of what the condition was before to be honest.

I done it as part of my Degree course stropz On Special educational Needs .Its a topic i find really interesting

[Siouxsie]

Originally posted by Nicola
I'd like to speak out and tell you I was diagnosed with Asperger's at the age of 6, I've kept quiet about it on the Internet until now but thought as there's people out there like me I may as well say something, and hope that people will understand as I do find it difficult to talk sometimes in case people think less of me.

I found school difficult because of all the bullying I endured over people not understanding or accepting me for who I am, they saw that I was "different" but didn't always see the good in me. I've also helped a friend through a bad time in finding a diagnosis, I feel that through my experiences I encouraged him in a way to get diagnosed - he only found out recently that he had it and also endured some bad times like me.

I hope that you will all understand how I feel sometimes and accept me for what I am, as you can imagine it has been difficult for me to write this post.
Actually nicola its a lot popular than most people think there are 4 children in the class i teach in with iy out of a class of 21. So it is not a rare thing.

[Nicola]

Originally posted by Siouxsie
Originally posted by Nicola
I'd like to speak out and tell you I was diagnosed with Asperger's at the age of 6, I've kept quiet about it on the Internet until now but thought as there's people out there like me I may as well say something, and hope that people will understand as I do find it difficult to talk sometimes in case people think less of me.

I found school difficult because of all the bullying I endured over people not understanding or accepting me for who I am, they saw that I was "different" but didn't always see the good in me. I've also helped a friend through a bad time in finding a diagnosis, I feel that through my experiences I encouraged him in a way to get diagnosed - he only found out recently that he had it and also endured some bad times like me.

I hope that you will all understand how I feel sometimes and accept me for what I am, as you can imagine it has been difficult for me to write this post.
Actually nicola its a lot popular than most people think there are 4 children in the class i teach in with iy out of a class of 21. So it is not a rare thing.

I've learned to realise it's not a rare thing, I felt I was in a minority for a long time as I didn't know or speak to anyone who had it. I first found out I wasn't the only one in the world who had Asperger's when I read an autobiography of someone who had it, it's only been the last year or so that I've really opened up to my friend and that's helped. Hopefully I'll be more open about it now I've spoken out on a forum, believe me that took some courage to do but I'm glad I did it now!

[Siouxsie]

well done nicola :hug: you will feel a lot better in youreself now :flowers:

[rex3]

the key with aspergers, is to all ways be your self. You have a condition that cannot be changed so no matter how hard you try, just be your self; and you might find worth-while friends.

I personally cannot understand Neurologically Typical people becuase of things like:-

- the ability to be so serious, yet so pretentious.
- the ability to think above me in a social situation.
- the level of materialism, is just beyond logic.
- they are so wired, the determination of having a social atmosphere, when your trying to "relax" is just complex.
- the air-headed-ness

*no offy to NT people, but just might give a sense*

Theres no need to worry, people with AS always get better! You'll of had time to cherry-pick the right people of who you get on with and things just seem good later on.

if any AS person needs help: - www.wrongplanet.com

[Psylocke]

Join the club.........

[Sunny_01]

I have had experiences in my work of young people with AS. There are 3 key areas that people with AS "generally" struggle with. Communication is one key area, this includes inappropraite body language, facial expressions when talking etc.. then there is Imagination, people with AS are often very rigid in their thinking which limits their ability to debate! They also commonly reject normal body contact. The last key area is Socialisation, by this I mean people with AS dont like normal relationships with people that involve body contact etc....

Many people know AS as clumsy child syndrome! which is what initial symptoms are often thought of being. People with AS tend to have probelms with balance, and co-ordination which is where the "clumsy" comes from.

High functioning Autistic is another way people with AS are often described as.

For all the descriptions though they are just people and as long as you encourage people with AS to be involved then problems decrease! and their feelings of self worth increase.

My friends son has AS and Tourettes (not the sweary type lol) and he is a very sweet little boy who simply needs extra encouragement to consider other people.

[rex3]

I have mild aspergers syndrome, slighly nearer to normal people on the Autistic spectrum.

So I am on the border line with Aspergers, I can sense the way i think is, very computery which is why its sometimes hard to "socialise" but when im in a relaxed mood, and theres a relaxed atmosphere, i can be my self and so on...

I dont know about clumsy, that may be people more with Austism.

People with AS are generally are very clever (im not boasting) and meticulate, Im studying Architecture and have active creativity, the problem is people with AS think too Much!

When it comes to facial expressions, its becuase people with AS are generally very thoughtful and honest (im not boasting), for example, AS people's facial exprssions always shows how there feeling inside and what there thinking. e.g. I frequently get told, im a bad liarer. (im not boasting)

A disadvantage of this, im one to know, Is that sometimes, I (and most AS people) say truthful things that may hurt the feelings of others. e.g "You spent how much on that hair-doo?"


Uni is alright for me, because there are people who are more intelectual and I can get on with... which is a world away from where I live... North London. Which im really growing to hate.

[Sticks]

Clumsey Schild syndrome is a symptom of Dyspraxia not Asperger, although it is still classed as a neurodiverse condition.

[Sunny_01]

Originally posted by Sticks
Clumsey Schild syndrome is a symptom of Dyspraxia not Asperger, although it is still classed as a neurodiverse condition.

You are so right I had my syndromes mixed up lol. However people with AS do generally have mild problems with motor skills.

At least I didnt just copy and paste stuff lol

[Nicola]

Originally posted by Sunny_01
Originally posted by Sticks
Clumsey Schild syndrome is a symptom of Dyspraxia not Asperger, although it is still classed as a neurodiverse condition.

You are so right I had my syndromes mixed up lol. However people with AS do generally have mild problems with motor skills.

At least I didnt just copy and paste stuff lol

Yeah the "motor skills" comment sounds like me, I had problems with motor skills and co-ordination, I could never manage PE because of it and often needed extra help with "motor skills" activities in school. I did wonder at one time whether I did have dyspraxia after seeing a news article about it but that was unfounded. Another thing that confused me before the AS was explained was the fact that I accidentally swallowed some tablets when I was 3 and thought that's what had affected me, but apparently the signs came on sooner than that.

[Siouxsie]

yea the signs are usually found at an early age

[Nicola]

Yeah, my 2-year-old daughter has had developmental delays, I first picked up on it when she was 9 months old. I've always wondered whether she's inherited similar genes to me as I was also delayed at her age, and feel concerned that she might have the same as me or worse - I've heard there can be genetic links, although nobody else in my family has AS or autism as far as I'm aware.

[Sunny_01]

With reagrds to your daughter I would just give it time, try not to be to eager to give her a label! all to often people rush in when really given time and the right developmental support many children end up just fine!

As long as your daughter is eventually reaching developmental milestones I would give her plenty of time and additional stimulation to help her achieve things. She is still so young bless her give it time.

I bet she is gorgeoous though!