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Two words: Temple Grandin. Everyone, please view her youtube sessions on learning styles. She doesn't have Asperger's, but she has autism and a PhD. She provides great insight to the different ways our brains work and how we think and learn. If nothing else, it should help you feel less badly about yourself. (She blames the rigid educational system and the disappearing trades/hands-on education.) Fascinating stuff. She's written some great books, too.
Just curious, how does one get diagnosed as an adult to have Asperger's?
In my case it was a combination of a personal test and a sit down interview with a specialist who looks for signs such as body motions and other clues. He picked up that I had been counting (ceiling tiles and other objects) by watching my eyes and fingers. My sister didn’t believe the diagnosis so she red up on Aspergers and said she saw all the symptoms in me especially in my younger years.
Four years ago I figured out that my then 30-year old son who lives with me has Asperger's. I've never told him because he gets offended and defensive easily. He has childish obsessions he can't get out of his head. If other people witnessed these acts, they'd think he was nuts. OTOH, he has great communication skills and no one can beat him at strategy games.
The medication I’m on has helped to lessen my obsessions. Negative side effect is a reduction in motivation and weight gain. Some of my previous obsessions have gotten me into trouble. Some were great learning obsessions. Right now it’s Japanese anime. Not into the violent nor perverted stuff. Mostly like the comedy and lighthearted slice of life type shows. Some titles are very good but too depressing for someone with depression and PTSD on top of Aspergers. In the 70s and 80s I had the TV Guide memorized for primetime. I knew all the vehicles available at the local Chevrolet dealership including engine options. I can still recite the vehicles I’ve owned, the size engines they had, the type and gear transmission they had, and their horsepower.
The sad thing about these obsessions is we don’t get to pick and choose what to get focused on. Something clicks and that’s the obsession until it runs out and switches to something else.
Good cautionary post by OP some months ago. Never had a formal diagnoses, I'm 54. If there's a spectrum, I'm close if and only if self-administered tests are valid. Self-diagnosing is always hazardous but if the shoe fits...and yes self-medicating with substances never ends well.
Funny how we learn to keep quiet about our distractions. Others remind me sometimes when I go down a rathole. That comes from compassion. Non-friends skip the compassion and just split. That too is educational! Eventually (we) wise up.
I admire that OP: 1) discovered the affliction 2) accepted the diagnosis and 3) took steps. Wondering if the change in routine at the hospital is exacerbating the disruption, (we) don't like changes to routines too much if at-all.
To the thread's theme, I found it best to focus on what I do well as a high-functioning person working around the matter vs. seeking help. Some of (us) have skills that can be turned marketable. This enables a higher-end lifestyle in terms of comforts. Fulfilling to me, eschewed by others though for various reasons.
In my case it was a combination of a personal test and a sit down interview with a specialist who looks for signs such as body motions and other clues. He picked up that I had been counting (ceiling tiles and other objects) by watching my eyes and fingers. My sister didn’t believe the diagnosis so she red up on Aspergers and said she saw all the symptoms in me especially in my younger years.
Did you have 'tics'? I remember a psychologist asking me if my son had tics. I thought he meant like Tourette's Syndrome, and said 'no'. But then, later, realized a tic could be any kind of repetitive motion...and then I realized..."Oh yeah. There's tics alright."
My son was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 15. You know...for he and I, having an actual diagnosis helped...it helped a lot. Knowing WHY he did some of the things he did, it helped us both.
Good cautionary post by OP some months ago. Never had a formal diagnoses, I'm 54. If there's a spectrum, I'm close if and only if self-administered tests are valid. Self-diagnosing is always hazardous but if the shoe fits...and yes self-medicating with substances never ends well.
Funny how we learn to keep quiet about our distractions. Others remind me sometimes when I go down a rathole. That comes from compassion. Non-friends skip the compassion and just split. That too is educational! Eventually (we) wise up.
I admire that OP: 1) discovered the affliction 2) accepted the diagnosis and 3) took steps. Wondering if the change in routine at the hospital is exacerbating the disruption, (we) don't like changes to routines too much if at-all.
To the thread's theme, I found it best to focus on what I do well as a high-functioning person working around the matter vs. seeking help. Some of (us) have skills that can be turned marketable. This enables a higher-end lifestyle in terms of comforts. Fulfilling to me, eschewed by others though for various reasons.
The 8 years in the Navy standing watch in the engine room helped with the shift change. One positive aspect of my condition is the ability to see a building in my head and move through it mentally to know what is where. Our hospital is fairly large and is ever expanding. When someone ask me where a certain equipment is located and where it serves I close my eyes and see it’s location to describe to them how to get there. Was useful in the Navy because my repair locker (aka battle station) job was investigator. I had to know all compartments that shared walls, floors, and ceiling with the effected space on fire or suffering flooding damage and inspect the areas for signs the fire or flooding is spreading.
Did you have 'tics'? I remember a psychologist asking me if my son had tics. I thought he meant like Tourette's Syndrome, and said 'no'. But then, later, realized a tic could be any kind of repetitive motion...and then I realized..."Oh yeah. There's tics alright."
My son was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 15. You know...for he and I, having an actual diagnosis helped...it helped a lot. Knowing WHY he did some of the things he did, it helped us both.
I’m a nail biter to the point of bleeding. I also am a hair twister to the point of knots. Also bite the inside of my lips and cheeks. Then there’s also the knuckle cracking and I count the number of cracked knuckles which also includes popping my wrist and elbows and toes.
Congratulations to you and your family for "managing" your disease.
When you received your diagnosis, you were a mature man, able to grasp the implications of the disease. You had a family structure to help. Your past actions probably became more understandable to you once you had the diagnosis.
Unfortunately your friend's son is a teenager with rampant hormones. These are probably the most difficult years and the stress of his diagnosis is probably just too much for him to absorb right now. Teenagers are in the midst of becoming separate from their parents and challenge parental controls. This is normal. However, this boy is torn between his independence and his parents' concerns. A difficult position.
Asperger's is not a disease. It is a neurological condition (or "disorder) on the Autism spectrum.
what engine would be best to install in the 1984 Buick Skyhawk I had as my second car if I still had the car. I turn on the tv to something to try to distract my mind from the thoughts, try listening to music through headphones, try watching YouTube videos, and try watching anime videos but once I close my eyes my mind returns to “would a 94 Cavalier 2.2L 120 hp engine be better than a more powerful 2.2L Ecotec engine at 140 hp or would a GM 1.4L turbo at 138 hp fit and work in the 84 Skyhawk?
When you have this condition you don’t get to choose what you become hyper focused on. When it happens it’s incredibly difficult to get off the topic. I’m mature enough to know other people don’t share the interest nor fascination in the things my mind has become hyper focused upon so I don’t bring it up in conversations at work nor with family. .
I do this too sometimes. Not an '84 Skyhawk per se, but other things from my past. I thought I was the only one 'til I read your post.
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