Asperger's syndrome (sorry quite long but I would really appreciate advice)?

I agree with Big Bad BOB's astute analysis above.

Worst case, I think you might be a bit depressed....which would be normal, considering your parents divorce. It sounds more likely that you may have a bit of situational depression, rather than chemical. You're born with autism & Aspberger's, the symptoms don't just begin at 10, you would have noticed something much earlier. Additionally, your early outgoing social behavior is not indicative of either.

Talk to your family doctor about this, he can refer you to a good Adolescent Therapist who can get you properly tested.

Aspergers syndrome is a mystery - still today. I am in the process of writing a term paper on this diagnosis and very little in known about the roots of this disorder. There has been some compelling evidence which suggests that the problem lies in underdeveloped parts of the brain. From the incidences you have mentioned, it is hard to say. Repetion is a big sign but usually noted in motor actions (finger flicking, rocking), and not so much in speech. From the picture you have given, your son sounds wonderfully creative - repeating nursery rhymes, making up his own language. That could be what you are seeing, like a quirk which most kids do have and develop at his age. I would be concerned though if it appeared like your son was embarrassed by this (unintentional). When he repeats what you have said, like the cornfields, that is very typical. He is immitating you, as he does others, in a role-play way, he is practicing at being an adult. My sons (twins, also 3) do a lot of immitating what I have said, and repeating the same things when we do things throughout the day, like when we go over the bridge its "Look a boat! Look a boat!", even though we have seen the boat 4 times a day for the past 6 mos. Or, "lets go lady...", everytime we stop at a certain intersection (lol). Early diagnosis is essential in helping your son so be sure to insist on a comprehensive developmental screening when you see your doctor. My son just went through this, and in my state there is a rapid evaluation center where you spend an entire day visiting with every therapist you can think of (speech, behavioral, OT, physical, psych...) and in the end you get a thorough report with findings and recommendations - even an IQ score, and if needed referals for services. For the best results, of course, the sooner he receives services the better the outcome. It is especially important that this happens before school. Schools are busy, and you will want him completely prepared for the classroom by kindergarten. You will want normalcy for him in his school experience. I have to commend you first, for being the proactive parent. Secondly, be prepared for the worst and hope for the best - grieving is a normal process which parents experience after a diagnosis. Thirdly, know it is not your fault in any way, there is nothing you could have done to prevent or cause your son's disorder (that is, if a diagnosis is made). Fourth, be open to alternative medicine - DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!), has had some wonderful results though the medical community tends shun the system (parents of children with autism spectrum disorders rave about it) - use precautions when medicating your son. You should also be prepared that if your son is challenged by Asperger's disorder, the diagnosis doesnt usually come until much later than when first recognized, simply because many of the symtoms wont be evident until later on. Be aware too that if this is the case, your son will thrive in adulthood. Relationships may be challenging but overall he will succeed - Einstein and Freud are both thought to have had Asperger's, in a time before there was a name for it.

I don't think you can determine for yourself whether or not you have aspergers. You would need a qualified person to diagnose you.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have aspergers as many people without aspergers have traits but not the actually syndrome.

The fact you notice when people are being subtle about their emotions suggest you probably don't have it because people with aspergers tend not to detect peoples emotions as well as people without aspergers.

Maybe your parents divorce may have made you withdrawn from some things or maybe im wrong. I don't know you personally.

However it would not have triggered Aspergers as aspergers is something you are born with.

Even if you do have aspergers it is not necessarily a bad thing as many people with aspergers live happy and successful lives.

Some even use aspergers to their advantage. For example many people with aspergers excel in specific subjects such as science or art. As for socialising you can always try to work on this.

Issac Newton, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates and Vincent Van Gogh have been thought to have the condition.

If you can easily detect when people are being subtle about their emotions then you most likely don't have it. People with Asperger's have a lot of difficulty picking up on things like that and miss nearly all non-verbal cues.

If you do have it, then nothing can really be done about it except you would have to talk to a therapist to try to learn more about your weaknesses in social situations so you could improve upon them. Also, Asperger's is not something that can be obtained, you are born with it and there is no real 'cure' for it. If you only noticed yourself acting differently after your parents split up then it is most likely not Asperger's.

Hope this helped

You "notice things when people are being subtle about their emotions" - I thought that was the opposite of Asperger's?

Do you have trouble understanding metaphors, similes and idioms? If NO, then you probably don't have Asperger's.

32+ is probably the lower threshold rather than the average.

Many of the questions in these tests are context sensitive. They are more reliable when applied to people with "neutral" circumstances. Your situation might not be particularly "neutral" in an Asperger's sense.

I also agree with Big Bad Bob. However if this is still a serious concern,you need to seek help from a pyschologist.

people with apsergers syndrom strugle to tell how people see them and how they are percived they also struggle to feel empathetic towards people and they dont always understand others feelings. i have a friend with aspergers and he comes across very blut as he cant comprehend subtlty to not hurt others feelings.. like ill talk to him and he'll be like wow i dont care about this subject and blank it out... it doesnt sound like your an "aspy" but it sounds like your just very introverted, ull probably grow out of it.

you may want to be tested by a pro psych. take the empathy test. you can find it on the internet