Intro and questions
Hi, I have strong suspicions that I am an Aspie, and all of my research and those darned internet tests seem to confirm this. It would really explain a lot, to tell the truth. I also think my dad, uncle, and brother may be Aspies, too, but one thing at a time.
I just don't know what to do with this, though. Should I pursue a diagnosis? I'm 26 years old, will it benefit me now? How can I get help? I'm living in Utah, and can't seem to find who to contact about all of my questions. I came across this website doing google searches, and I'm hoping someone here can give me advice. Anything would be appreciated.
Hi, I am a mom of three and two of my children are in the spectrum. I have a 27 year old who is an aspie and a 12 year old who is autistic. My daughter is 25 and is asthmatic the three a's. lol.... Any who, I too am curious to find out if I am an aspie because in my research to learn more about the spectrum I have found the similarities in my behaviors, such as parinoia, depression and argumentativeness. My oldest son and I have butted heads in the past because I had no knowledge of aspergers and he was not diagnosed until he was 18 so needless to say he struggled in high school because that is the time when most teachers stop caring. I did everything in my power to convince him to stay in school but he refused stating that they were not going to help him. At this stage he is living on his own and able to shop and run errands with little or no supervision. My 12 year old is progressing very well as he was diagnosed at age 6 and I was able to find the appropriate setting for him. When he starting schooling he was unable to read or write now he writes his own stories and reads on his own. My daughter is a great source of support with both my boys as she was her big brothers protector as a child and would protect him now if need be, My oldest was very protective of her as well as children together and is now very protective of both his siblings. My youngest of course is the spoiled one and is protected by both his siblings and would protect them as well if need be. I of course am very protective of all my children no matter their age. I am a single mom and presently studying. I have a great desire to learn as much as I can about the spectrum and am writing a thesis on the divorce rate in families with autism and would like to find out how to go about asking people who would be willing to tell me their story or even just whether or not they are divorced. My interest in this topic is because as little as last year I became divorced and I saw it coming with the way my spouse started changing when we got the diagnoses of our youngest son, and I wonder if I am the only one that feels that having a child on the spectrum changes alot of people and the divorce rate is rising because of the stress of dealing with autism.
I know my comment is long winded but that's how I am.
Hi Ev,
I really do think that people's attitudes and perception of you change if you get diagnosed. It is good if you can get some accommodations for jobs or education but I find that people tend to become more distant. It is like as if they get scared because you represent something they don't understand. Most people have this tendancy to run from the great "Unknown." Certainty makes them feel safe and they don't want this to be threatened.
Also there are other people who used to think I was brilliant but then saw me as defective and all my abilities were seen as some light shining through the darkness of my "disability." These were mostly teachers but my Mum was like this as well. We were n ever the same after I was diagnosed. I wasn't even young when this happened. I was already 17, so I imagine it would be tough if people react to that if the Aspie is only a very young child.
I'm not sure about what a formal diagnosis would do, but understanding about AS has helped my entire family (several of whom have it). Now we talk openly about the elephant in the room and so far appear to be doing a better job of not driving one another crazy, the way we were doing before. So refreshing!
One of the greatest gifts of understanding and accepting AS is that now I can look back on my childhood and not feel so ashamed of my awkwardness and of all the sort of pointless self-torture I engaged in wanting to be "normal." Of course, I'm sad about it. So much wasted energy! But there was a lot of happiness that came from the unique gifts I've been given, and rediscovering this has been empowering. I'm also sort of in awe about what a great job my parents did. Never thought I'd say that.
Most of my friends are on or near the spectrum. I met some of them on NT forums, back when I was in denial, not so long ago. And the invective my friends spewed about family members, their spouses, etc. I guess I fear that I'll suddenly be the "enemy." It has taken a lot of courage for me to come out. I told most of my friends about my suspicions about myself, so it's not like I'm hiding anything. Some of my friends said, "Ah ha! Knew it all along! You double agent you." Others said, "Oh no way, no way, if you are then I am, and I am just not going there!"
I know it's silly and cowardly, I admit it, but I worry about having anything officially on record about me in terms of a diagnosis. We have had so many legal problems because our son is so challenged behaviorally, and our attorneys share my apprehension of what the district and other institutions might do with the information. It's one thing for them to suspect it, but to have it confirmed scares me a little.
My husband has a security clearance and fears losing it. He works in an extremely competitive field heavily hit by the economy and by lay-offs. He says his employers would not be supportive. I don't doubt it. I hope he is able to find a position at a company more accepting of diversity.
Hi There!
My suggestion would be to continue your research and become familiar with the signs, symptoms, struggles, coping mechanisms, etc... of AS and high functioning autism.
After that, if you have a therapist, psychiatrist or even primary physician, I would mention it to them.
Then, if you have any issues that you think or suspect might be AS-related, explore them with your therapist (or if you don't have one, get one), and if you don't..... carry on!!!!
So glad you joined... those darned internet tests can be helpful sometimes, eh?
Hi There!
My suggestion would be to continue your research and become familiar with the signs, symptoms, struggles, coping mechanisms, etc... of AS and high functioning autism.
After that, if you have a therapist, psychiatrist or even primary physician, I would mention it to them.
Then, if you have any issues that you think or suspect might be AS-related, explore them with your therapist (or if you don't have one, get one), and if you don't..... carry on!!!!
So glad you joined... those darned internet tests can be helpful sometimes, eh?
Hi Nimeni! It's actually really common for women and girls to go undiagnosed.
Getting a diagnosis as an adult is a personal thing. For some, though, it can help them get accommodations that they need to thrive. For others, it can alleviate depression to have a formal diagnosis, and give them a new sense of confidence.
Feel free to look around the site, and interact with some of the members. even if you don't end up getting a diagnosis, you might make some new friends, or even find someone with a similar story to your own, and that can mean the world- trust me it has helped me a lot.
WELCOME!
Savannah Nicole Logsdon-Breakstone Director of Advocacy