Who here was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome?

Asperger Syndrome is a type of autism - your brain is different to that of neurotypical ('normal') people, it means you experience and interact with the world differently, although it's considered a 'disorder' many consider it a difference...like some people have white skin and some have black skin, only our differences are more than skin deep and have both negatives and benefits. We are different, not less than neurotypical people. People with autism can be effected in a many ways and to varying degrees, and for the record typically autistic people are more intelligent than neurotypical people.

Autism only differs to Asperger's as they had developmental problems as a child, or some people with autism can have learning disabilities during childhood or going into adulthood...where as people with Asperger's don't have learning disabilities. The only real difference is in this diagnostic criteria, which is why many professionals choose to no longer make the diagnosis of 'Asperger Syndrome'. Sometimes people still use the term 'Asperger Syndrome' and often the two diagnosis are used interchangeably, in part as some wrongfully think AS is better than or not as severe as ASD.

The main symptoms autistic people experience are problems with communication and social skills - thus you may struggle to maintain friendships and struggle understanding unwritten social rules. Autistic people can also have sensory issues so we sense things more intensely, we struggle to make eye contact with people, we have lower cognitive empathy or 'mind-blindness' so can't always tell how others are feeling or their intentions, we have higher levels of 'true' empathy so when we do know how others are feeling we feel those emotions stronger, we may struggle to identify our own emotions, we think more logically, we can have meltdowns or shutdowns (uncontrollable emotional outbursts when overwhelmed), and we generally think differently to neurotypical people.

Autism itself is not a disability, but as well as effecting different people in different ways and to different severities it can also change over time or from situation to situation, so for some it can be a disability or can become a disability at different times in your life. For example some people may be unable to speak or function due to their autism, or may experience a lot of discomfort as a result of their sensory sensitivity. Another example is that as you get older your autism may improve as you learn to deal with it better or learn to negotiate social situations, but autism never goes away so if you experience stress in your life your autism may worsen again and so may become a disability.

A doctor makes a diagnosis based on what they observe of you at the time, and what they know of your childhood or experiences outside what they can see - so they may be able to tell based on how you act, for example if you don't make the right eye contact or 'stim' (repetitive movements you make to feel better - they provide sensory input you control as a means of cancelling out other excessive sensory input from your surroundings), if you struggle to talk or explain how you feel, etc. Your folks will likely explain behaviour to your doctor that will help them determine if you're autistic.

There is no medicine for Autism or Asperger Syndrome. Some people with autism have other conditions such as epilepsy, digestive problems, depression, OCD, ADHD, or depression - thus they may take medicine for these conditions, but there is no medicine for autism itself.

I was severely autistic until 7 years old as I was non-verbal, didn't acknowledge other people, had problems with day-to-day functioning, and I suffered regular meltdowns. Autism wasn't well known when I was a child and my problems were instead based on childhood abuse, thus I was mainstream schooled which helped me a lot. As an adult I function as well as neurotypical people and unless I disclose my diagnosis no one would know I'm autistic, but I still experience sensory issues, sleeping problems, meltdowns, social problems, communication difficulties, and executive functioning problems.

You might find these pages helpful;

What Is Autism? - http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-a...

What Is Asperger Syndrome? - http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-a...

All About Diagnosis - http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/all-about-di...

Edit: Prince Of Prussia. ODD is comorbid with ADHD, both are comorbid with AS/ASD. OP sounds perfectly intelligent to me, don't be rude. Autism is permanent, I am still autistic just not as severely effected as when I was younger.

Hi,

I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome 3 years ago. When I was first diagnosed I didn't know how to react, I had friends... Had a good friendship group and didn't really have an issue with socialising so I was confused on how they could have diagnosed me with this condition. I ignored the fact I had been diagnosed with this for months and months, completely shut it out my life until I got really really depressed and couldn't leave my room. It effected me in a way nothing else ever has. The worst thing to do is avoid something that is very important to engage in and learn about. I regret what I did to this very day as I still don't know all the facts about Aspergers Syndrome.

Question answered - I take anxiety medication for Aspergers which is fluoxetine. I take 6 mg of it, and it really helps!

If you ever need anybody to talk to about this diagnosis don't be afraid to mail me. Any questions you have, I can answer. I know how hard it is. Stay strong my lovely :-)

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. Autism is a non-neurotypical response to your environment. It is a disability. It is not treated by medication. It often improves in adulthood as people learn to fit into the neurotypical world better.

Adhd, Odd AND Asperger? Wow, haha odd combination, anyway, you don't sound very intelligent, which should be a trait for people with asperger, medicine? Do you even realise what it actually is? Jayjay, are you saying you were autistic until you were 7 years old? You told me it was permanent.

It's basically social dyslexia

If you make a lot of effort to learn how non aspies talk to each other till you're 20 (consistent effort)

You will mostly appear normal

It is autism

But mild

It's not anything to do with intellegence

There aren't any meds for it

I have it.