Asperger's Syndrome

In 1944, Asperger's Syndrome was first described and named after the Austrian doctor, Hans Asperger. He described individuals who showed odd-like behaviours, a lot like the symptoms thought to be shown by Albert Einstein and Bill Gates.

Asperger's Syndrome is a form of autism that affects how a person communicates and relates with others. This means that they commonly have difficulty in social relationships, in communicating, and have limitations in imagination and creative play

Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome are quite often easily understood, and have intelligible speech before being 4 years old. Their grammar and vocabulary are usually very good, but they often repeat what they say and partake in conversations that revolve around themselves. They are usually obsessed with complex topics like patterns, weather, music, and technology.

IQ's of people with Asperger's Syndrome fall along the full spectrum, but many are above normal for verbal abilities and below average in performance. Many have dyslexia, writing problems and difficulty with mathematics. They mainly have concrete thinking and often lack common sense.

People with Asperger's Syndrome have odd forms of self-stimulatory behaviour and their movements are often clumsy and awkward. They are often overly sensitive to sounds, taste, smells, and sights; preferring soft clothing, certain foods, and can be bothered by sounds or lights no one else can see or hear.

They have a great deal of difficulty reading body language, have trouble determining personal body space, and are socially aware but often react the wrong way. It is because of this that those with Asperger's Syndrome are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying.

People with Asperger's Syndrome are often punctuality, reliability and dedication.

Sometimes people assume everyone who has autism and is high-functioning has Asperger's syndrome. However, it appears that there are several forms of high-functioning autism, and Asperger's syndrome is one form. Asperger's Syndrome is probably hereditary in nature as many families report having an "odd" relative or two. It is often reported in those also with depression and bipolar disorders.

Asperger's syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that affects the brain and the people who have it seem very "normal" and people with Asperger's Syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. As a guess there is about 1 in every 500 people in the US have this dysfunction which can include everything from language disabilities to sensory problems and physical awkwardness. These people are very intelligent, extremely structured and have no social awareness; they are often very literal. Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with Asperger's Syndrome 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.

It's important to remember that the person with Asperger's Syndrome perceives the world very differently. Therefore, much behaviour that seems odd or unusual is due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behaviour, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".

Most individuals (although not all) exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality. People with Asperger's Syndrome often develop an almost obsessive interest in a hobby or collecting. Usually their interest involves arranging or memorising facts about a special subject, such as train timetables, Derby winners or the dimensions of cathedrals.

As soon as we meet a person we make judgements about them. Just by looking we can guess their age or status, and by the expression on their face or the tone of their voice we can tell immediately if they are happy, angry or sad and respond accordingly. Not everyone has this natural ability. People with Asperger's Syndrome find it more difficult to read the signals which most of us take for granted. As a result they find it more difficult to communicate and interact with others and have a large problem with social interaction. Meanwhile they often develop overwhelmingly obsessive interests, which can preoccupy them (but may form an ideal basis for a job).

People with Asperger's Syndrome often find change upsetting.

Young children may impose their routines, such as insisting on always walking the same route to school. At school, sudden changes, such as an alteration to the timetable, may upset them. People with Asperger's Syndrome often prefer to order their day according to a set pattern. If they work set hours then any unexpected delay, such as a traffic hold-up, or a late train, can make them anxious or upset.

The causes of autism and Asperger's Syndrome are still being investigated. Many experts believe that the pattern of behaviour from which Asperger's Syndrome is diagnosed may not result from a single cause. There is strong evidence to suggest that Asperger's Syndrome can be caused by a variety of physical factors, all of which affect brain development - it is not due to emotional deprivation or the way a person has been brought up. There is not treatment.

Asperger's Syndrome is most likely hereditary in nature as many families report having an "odd" relative or two.

As they get older, they may realise that they are different from other people and feel isolated and depressed. People with Asperger's Syndrome often want to be sociable and are upset by the fact that they find it hard to make friends. But Adults with Asperger's Syndrome can and do go on to live fulfilling lives, to further education and employment and to develop friendships. Many lead productive lives, living independently, working effectively at a job (many are college professors, computer programmers, dentists), and raising a family.

A Visitor Commented that "Those with Asperger's Syndrome have normal scores on IQ tests and are of average or above average intelligence. You should know that normal menas a score above 70. You create the impression that those with AS are all very bright. This is not so. Incidentally, current research suggests that there are good reasons for not differentiating between autistism and Asperger's Syndrome."

Tags: Asperger Syndrome, Autism, Miscellaneous, Nld, Pdd-nos

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Comments / Replies

richard Says:
7 April, 2007 at 6:43 pm

As a possible Asperger's person (diagnosed by family but not yet by clinicians) it seems to me that Asperger's Syndrome is part of a continuum with Autism at one end and "normal" at the other and that "mild" Asperger's could include just about everyone, and in particular just about every male, while "severe" Asperger's is sufficiently different from "normal" that it is recognisable by the lay person and not just the specialist. While it is no doubt interesting to categorise people it is of more interest to those of us with varying degrees of difference from normality to be able to find appropriate treatments. Most of the available literature seems to offer help to those diagnosed as children. Those of us who have reached adulthood undiagnosed would be interested in what research is available to help us too.
Dan Says:
22 October, 2007 at 6:23 am

You mention in this article that "Asperger's Syndrome is most likely hereditary in nature as many families report having an "odd" relative or two". This is wholly untrue and at best an unfounded supposition, entirely unsuited for an informational article such as this.

The National Autistic Society defines the probably causes of Aspergers as follows:

"The causes of autism and Asperger syndrome are still being investigated. Many experts believe that the pattern of behaviour from which Asperger syndrome is diagnosed may not result from a single cause. There is strong evidence to suggest that Asperger syndrome can be caused by a variety of physical factors, all of which affect brain development - it is not due to emotional deprivation or the way a person has been brought up."

As a member of a family in which one member has Aspergers, I would appreciate your publishing the above correction lest any of your readers be misinformed on this particularly sensitive issue. Many articles to back up my complaint are readily available online.

Not only is the description of an Aspergers sufferer as "odd" massively insensitive, your definition of the condition as "probably hereditary" is entirely without foundation. I hope the rest of your resource is not similarly flawed.
Dan 2 Says:
15 April, 2008 at 6:04 am

Dan clearly has Asperger's, otherwise he would not be posting absurd comments on the internet to somebody who will never read it. Ladies and gentleman, this is a diagnosis.

(It makes sense if he is related to someone with it)
heather williams Says:
28 September, 2008 at 10:14 am

I have a child that we are taking to get tested for Aspergers. He is odd and I mean that in the best way. And I do have a brother and second cousin(male) that fit this to a "T".
They are very smart people but you must be honest with yourself about what's going on with the people you lovel
Brandie Kincaid Says:
12 January, 2009 at 12:02 pm

I think those who were diagnosed with this and find that another is wrong about it should do one of two things....One re-examine the qualifications of the "clinician" who evaluated you. and Two, did it occure to you that maybe you haven't experience that extraordinary thing you may be great at! It is a big world out there and lots of thing i even don't know about. My obsession and the thing i have found i am great at is music, words and their meaning and the fact I like to collect and learn about other cultures. I seem to have Developed a taste to embrace my diagnosis and make it work as an asset in my life. And for those who think the IQ of a person with this "ability" being low....MINE is 250. ANd that was the last time i took the Test when I was Fifteen. Just because I am one of the few i can tell you that No matter what a person is diagnosed with still has a varent on how it works in each.
Claire Metcalf Says:
1 February, 2009 at 4:25 am

I am a 27 year old female, diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of 21, after years of failed jobs and no ability to form relationships. Living alone for the first time, aged 22, I was extremely socially isolated and suffered clinical depression. Despite having a Mensa confirmed IQ of 134, I could not hold down a job or get a profession. Thus, the article above is overly optimistic. NOT everybody with Asperger's goes on to lead a successful career. Indeed, the majority, principally those who are obviously, to the onlooker, considerably disturbed in their social skills, suffer immensely in developing relationships and holding down jobs. I myself, acquired a social worker aged 23 and in 2007, aged 25, I moved into supported housing run by the National Autistic Society, in a self-contained flat within a block of 4 flats, where 24 hour support is provided to ensure the safety and wellbeing of myself and the other residents. Within the NAS, I have encounted Asperger people who need continuous 1:1 supervision for their own safety and I am sure there will be thousands more out in society, who for whatever reason, failed to gain support from Social Services and continue to struggle, alone and desperate. Mildly affected? "But Adults with Asperger's Syndrome can and do go on to live fulfilling lives, to further education and employment and to develop friendships. Many lead productive lives, living independently, working effectively at a job (many are college professors, computer programmers, dentists), and raising a family"???? I DON'T THINK SO for the MAJORITY!
Frank Heizler Says:
1 March, 2009 at 12:04 am

I my self has Asperger's Im 15. I have recently started to get an extreme intrest in this disorder but I myself don't think of it as a disorder but as an improvement to intelegence. Many who have had Asperger's have grown to be the brightest and most successful people who ever lived. One thing that is common with this disorder is lack of social skills for me I have this but one thing is I can strike a conversation quite well with an adult or extremely educated person reason for an educated person is because those who keep a deep intrest are intelectually supierior to others. My intrest is abroad but is most extreme with computers, technology, electric, michanical, and more. I own a internet meta base search engine which i developed i am also a network engineer and ive been building computers since i was 11 now let me make it clear i don't mean to make those feel bad or any harm it's just to explain a further extentsion of information associated with Asperger's. I don't have friends i lack social skills mostly verbal with those my own age but i have realized how immature the other students are in my class i plan on attending college MIT and recieve my PhD in EECS (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) and then plan to work for IBM as a product engineer. Regaurdless i still plan on owning my search engine im also optimistic as you can tell. So in reality society should try to conform to this so called disorder because of the level of inteligence found in many of the people with Asperger's along with other ASP related disorder's syndroms ect. In the world we live in today there is such a shortage of intelegence found. Those who have this higher level are rejected from society. Rather it's cause of intelectual suiriority or odd behavior which is common with Asperger's. I really didn't make much a point to this but to make it most honest as I can we should conform to Asperger's and not fight it. The world needs people with intrests especially those who have intrest in important topics not music or art. But in science, math, and every day life. If you wish to help my search engine but indexing sites or joining my blog which i host all on my own servers you can by going to www.wava.gotdns.com This post has been made on 3/1/2009 this web site may not work until the 28th due to server redevelopment.

I also have my own email server ect if you ever need help with your computer please feel free to email me at frank@wava.gotdns.com
David Cleverly Says:
28 March, 2009 at 6:22 pm

if you are planning on having kids with someone with mild aspergers, does it mean that ur children will definately have it as well or just a chance that they will get it?

Her mother and her brother have it as well to different degrees
Frank Heizler Says:
3 April, 2009 at 9:39 pm

It's hard to say Mary NH. It is know to be hereditary but sometimes people don't always get it my father had it but his was serious. Mine is Serious but im not a nut like him :P . Anyways if you are concerned that your kid will have it and you don't want them to get it then i have one thing to say it stupid. Would you raither have a Genius kid or some dumb social kid who by the way usually are pot heads drunks ect now im not saying it's what will happen cause no one knows the future only the person decides on that but those with aspergers are very smart and good with there hands and there are social skill training rehab centers up near MA, In Cambridge. I went to one it was part of Harvard Research. They teach people with Asperger's social skills which actually worked great. But it is needed for a long period of time. And it's 4000 USD. For one month.
Wesley Says:
1 May, 2009 at 8:14 pm

I was diagnosed with Apserger's at 23 and have found out that one thing I am good at is school. I have done good there with one degree and working on another. I feel like it is a special gift most of the time and burden at others.
sue maxwell Says:
8 June, 2009 at 6:42 pm

My husband of 30 years has AS- full blown case; he is 78 and now in a withdrawal and depression state. How I figured this out is another story. But I am wondering if it can show up in different ways in people. For example, from what I have heard from a relative of his, it sounds like his gt grandfather may have had it; one of their sons, could not learn more than one subject at a time, but taught himself first one and then another; he became a great historian and is on Wikepedia- Hu Maxwell; there is something going on with my husband's daughter by his first marriage; her first daughter was diagnosed, when young, with adhd, and has had two disastrous marriages, has a boy with a reading problem, and is now in a withdrawn depression herself; she takes no responsibility for her children. She is coming for a 4 day visit this week, and since I have not spent alot of time with her, I am going to watch carefully and ask questions. I think my husband is self destructing at the moment and it is scary to watch. There is definately something going on in this family and I am wondering if it can manifest itself in different ways in each generation. Sue
Siobhan Downey Says:
10 June, 2009 at 1:37 am

My sister was diagnosed with Asperger's at 13. She is now 28 and hides away in a room in my Mother's house, completely forgotten by society. In Ireland, there is no support for "borderline" Asperger's. Borderline, my ass. She has no social skills, is completely excentric and thinks the whole world is against her. She is a lost cause in the eyes of the government who will never contribute by holding down a job etc. She won't communicate with anyone and suffers from severe depression.

I admire those of you with the condition who are able to post comments on this site. It shows that you can communicate with society. I wish you all the best in your futures.

My nephew is currently undergoing tests to determine if he has the condition. This is devestating for the whole family as we know his future will be bleak if he has it. He's only 8 years old and has showed all the symptoms for the last few years.
haylie Says:
10 June, 2009 at 6:07 am

hi, im haylie. im 28 yrs old and my younger brother ( 13 yrs old) has been diagnosed with add, aspergers and borderline autism. i have read thru ur comments and see a wide range of how people with these disorders live. my daughter who is 5 yrs old has recently been diagnosed with dyspraxia. my mothers sister son was diagnosed with add at the age of 18. my mothers brother i now see looking back at how he was growing up and even now as a 34 yr old man..shows all the signs of these disorders also. i worry about my other younger brother (25 yrs old) who has always sufferd emotionally and is in a high state of depression. i am troubled and confussed and feel a strong evidence in my family's history to suggest that these disorders are hereditory. i wouldnt refurr to any ofÂ the memebers in my family ..by saying they display odd behaviour, as i see them struggling daily thru no fault of thier own. the word odd should only ever be used with.. the odd socks lol and people are people no two personalities will ever be the same. so really i believe we are all odd if thats the case :) im trying to research all of these disorders and have a very open mind as to how hard or easy things may come for my loved ones. so far all i have seen is thier struggles and i feel helpless that i cant fix it. i want to help all of them the best way i can. my heart breaks when i look at my 5 yr old daughter struggling to speak. she has so much inside of her to offer and i can see her heartache as she cannot communicate with other people. i would love it if you read this and could offer me any advice as to ...helping me help my love ones cope andÂ ways for me to cope and stay strong to support them. i got the news today that my 13 yr old brother has been accepted into a very high regarded school here in sydney to enable him to be the best he can be. im so excited that he is finally about to get the help he needs. my daughter and i are working closley with speech support and praying that an extra support person can placed to help at school.

thankyou haylie :)
Frank Says:
25 June, 2009 at 8:40 pm

AS is not a bad thing regardless if it is a serious as can be, You have to remember people, research has proven that those with AS show to have a large intellect very smart, cleaver, what ever you would want to call it. Now for some people who look at it as a problem it isn't a problem to think of it and do research many of the modern day and even past inventions have been formed from those with AS such as Henry Ford, Ludwig van Beethoven, Van Goah, also 91% of the moden day computer engineers have AS. Now to think if we didn't have AS would we even have half of the current day technologies including especially in the medicle profession. Now lets say we didn't have all these computers and technologies like that, would we even be able to servive? What if electricity wasn't avalible ? Would we survive then?

Regardless of having a lack in social skills for parents who planned to have children and most definitly cares about there children would need to think of this, If you have a social life you are more likely to get into certain trouble now im not saying that ok social life social skills ect ect your child wimost likely get into trouble no. But it is best and remember what ever makes you happy and the fact that world after you feeling or not but it's more of iritibillity then it just being a defect. You wouldn't know what it feels like until you have it.

Now honestly having AS and all I get this feeling alot, and I tend to hide from it but I still have some what an ability to talk to others however others tend to takes things the wrong way when I say them rather it being wording or just saying it they need to remember this the person would have AS you can't expect them or anyone to say something that you would want to hear. Example I can't explain how my network at home works but I can for darn sure show you. I'm more hands on learner.
Aspergur Mom Says:
12 August, 2009 at 3:32 pm

Brandie Kincaid...you say you have an IQ of 250????? Did you know that the highest recorded IQ in the Guiness World Book of Records is only 210?
Maybe you should contact them. Sounds like you have the potential for being famous!!!!!
Annie Dbally Says:
17 August, 2009 at 10:50 am

Re: Asperger's syndrome.

I agree with Ms Claire Metcalf regarding a few points.

I am about to be assessed for Asperger's syndrome as I am a strong contender for this disorder plus ADHD. I am in my early forties but I still cannot relate to my peers and even find some older people stressful now. I feel in the age group of a very mature pre-teen mentally. I have had the same problems with relationships; employment; education etc.

The Social Services have actually stated to me "You are just being difficult" when it comes to hearing sounds or perceptual concerns.

What suprises me is how I must act "normal" when it suits others. For insistance I suffer from the disability side of dyslexia and at University it was stated I could use a tape recorder for my notes and also in company to help with my short term memory loss problems- however outside of learning I am expected to remember everything- as it is a criminal offence to record. Socially I am isolated and now actually prefer it but my concern is understanding laws pertainting to disabilities. I suspose I should ask NAS who I may add, have supported me in a lot enquires. I have lived in a self-contained flat (unsupported) since nine years- I am now looking to either re-housing to a bungalow or supported living as I cannot cope with out support any longer- so much for living a independant life- they must have a very mild form of AS.

And as for employment- I have tried many types of jobs from fashion modelling to managing an Art gallergy neither agreed- I will now consider self employment working from home. The way some people address me - you would think to hear them that I have hunderds of years on this planet- everything takes forever to get down!

Has anyone heard of the "Indigo-Asperger's syndrome?"
Jane Bernt Says:
29 August, 2009 at 10:23 pm

I think my sister has AS. She is very smart, always on the computer and playing video games. She only socializes through the internet She is kind to her oldest daughter but harsh to her son. Her odd behavior is to mark things around the house with an "x." We have x's all over our place and her place also. She also removes one screw out of some items. Her husband, which she meet over the internet, is at at loss. Her symtoms are so subtle they are hardly noticable but yet they are there and are odd.
dorian Says:
8 December, 2009 at 9:55 pm

Frank,

You're links are bogus and spelling & grammar atrocious.

I read your email's with great interest. My wife just got hired as a disability services case manager in UMASS/Lowell and she did mention that I myself may have it (I'm a geek too and she's very people oriented). I'm sure that this is not the case, however almost every individual on this planet exhibits at least one aspergers symptoms.

I vehemently disagree on you're opinion that there's a "shortage of intelligence". It may often seem so but that's because intelligence is not collective while on the other hand stupidity is.

In any case you may want to consider UMASS. I know that UMASS Lowell has a good Engineering school and it really doesn't matter where you get you're undergraduate degree, if you're convinced that you'll go on to post grad endeavors.

Take Care & good luck.

Dorian...
Christian H. Says:
26 December, 2009 at 7:31 pm

I have Asperger's and I am in my 40's. I have lived my entire life trying to 'fit in'. My IQ is 148. I completed an advanced degree and worked somewhat successfully my whole life, although I am currently un-employed due to my choice of professions, architecture, and the recessions effects on my industry.

I knew my whole life I was different. I KNEW I was alien to 'regular' people (btw this is something that we all see, but AS people know it because we live it, we see the differences)...but I wanted to fit in desperately. I felt that my 'safety' depended on blending in with the great homogeneous majority of humanity. Instinct told me that humans were on the whole a vengeful, illogical, mostly ignorant and intolerant majority. As I got older, school age, it seemed more imperative to 'fit in' as I learned human history and the 'culling' of anyone different meant my instincts were very correct to try to blend in unnoticed.

We are very different from them...as anyone with Asperger's knows in their heart, they feel the 'alien' nature every day. When I first saw videos of people with Asperger's on youtube, I KNEW these were my people, and I celebrated intensely because I was no longer alone (35ish years of being someone you are NOT because you feel your future depends on 'blending in' as a response to perceived threat will take its toll). In fact, now that I no longer feel the need to 'fit in', I can evaluate more carefully what it means to be me, as opposed to wasting so much time on the process of 'fitting in'.

I was 'humanly' successful at blending in but my closest friends and family know that there are differences in the way we think that will not be bridged despite our efforts. IMO people with AS are different in a good way, I am proud to be who I am and wonder what we have suffered at the hands of our homogeneous humans society (though some of them caused us suffering without intent; indeed loved us but could not provide for our needs because of a fundamental lack of understanding 'what we needed').

Historically humanity has persecuted, ostracized and killed the people who didn't belong till there is less variation and variety in homogeneous human society than in a family of chimpanzees. IMO instinctively we, people with AS know what is as stake here...this is the driver for our longing to fit in...but we are not like them and although we may be parallel in experience, we are different enough to need to be cared for by our own kind.

The real questions remain...what is our destiny as a variant of humanity? Will we have a chance to realize who we are, a variant on humanity before they have a chance to 'cure' us? I don't want to be 'cured' I want a chance to realize who I can be and see who I am with having to worry about the meaningless rules, insensitivity and inane limits imposed on me by this homogeneous humanity.

I am tired of having my increased empathy and sensitivity wasted on regular humans who have no capacity to feel or see the way I do. I have problems with authority because I don't believe that people deserve to have authority over me, they haven't proved themselves, so far, at even basic understanding or reasoning...I am tired of being forced to fit into their mold when I know that it is not appropriate for my style of humanity, learning or growth. I am angry that any of us could be made to feel lesser, depressed or psychologically ruined because we require a more refined sensitivity, teaching and insight into human nature that cannot be matched by regular homogeneous humans.

Evidence indicates that there are 191 million of us on planet earth right now and that our numbers are rising in unprecedented numbers (take that for what you will, but someday there will be more of us than there are of homogeneous humans).

We don't need to 'fit' into humanities systems of society, we need to make our own, so that our potential and destiny are not wasted bashing our heads into a brick wall of their making. Traditionally we have been your 'thinkers', geniuses, and creators while being servile to your societies framework, but we are more than that...we deserve more than that...we deserve to reach our potential and not to be 'ruined' by being made to fit in to homogeneous humanities understandings or worried about conforming to your meaningless and often illogical rules.

IMO whether regular homogeneous humans like it or not, we are the future, either by the worlds purpose or by pollution or by God's design, it is time we stopped letting the future of our kind be compromised by regular human 'understanding' and began to develop systems and societal structure for our own furthering and future. We CAN'T always be 'gray' for 'them' at some point we will have to develop systems that will allow us to thrive without fear or misunderstanding.

Christian H.
John Doe Says:
12 January, 2010 at 9:51 pm

I have Aspergers. You grow up knowing your different but not knowing why. Its until you find out about Aspergers that you can take information that other people have gathered and contrast it with your life and then you realize, crap!!!Aspergers sucks in a few ways but I know I fit the description. Alot of us are really intelligent, we just dont understand people. So some of the "normals" think we are stupid but those idiots are just ignorant. The thing is, we are very different. Its the DNA, during the ice age 2 sets of people evolved in different parts of the globe. and now our DNA is mixed. Aspie DNA is more dominant in many ways, this is why there are more of us each year.

"Normals" know how to operate in groups, but aspies are stronger as individuals.
Eva leary Says:
16 March, 2010 at 5:49 am

There is so much more information now days out there about aspergers which makes it easier to recognise, like you mention years ago cases might have gone down as a little odd!!
Jesse Says:
25 April, 2010 at 2:11 am

Why is it that every time Nero typical people find something different they label it as being a bad thing and try to " cure " it ? most of the comments left by true aspies support a lot of truth. we are the ones who are shunned by society but support the Burdon of making the advancements for our species.

All of my life I have always known I was different. the nerotypicals always made me feel sub human. even to the extent as I don’t like going out in public places during the day where I know there are going to be a lot of people. I don’t have a problem striking up a conversation with people but when I do it doesn't take long for them to come to realize that I am not like them. A lot of times I find people asking me where I am from when all the while I have lived in the same place they have for a long time now. I just use a wider range of vocabulary than they do.

Funny enough learning about aspergers syndrome has came with me returning to collage and taking a psychology class. My question is .. if a person was to have a feeling that they might fall into this category how dose one go about getting tested ? If diagnosed it would answer a lot of questions I have always had as to who I am. I'm now 30 years old and would like to finally find my true identity so to speak. perhaps it could assist me in finding people more like me that are on the same page as I.
Elizabeth Noel Hines Says:
14 June, 2010 at 8:15 am

My brother, who is now 57, recently { within the last decade ]learned he has AS. He was originally misdiagnosed when he was 16 with paranoid schizophrenia and needless to say was "mis" treated by the medical community as well as the private sector of our population. He has maintained a meager yet an independent lifestyle having faced a lifetime of enormous challenge. I have strongly encouraged him to seek assistance, support and/or guidance that might be available to him with a proper diagnosis but; get this. He will not seek assistance because he can't tolerate the process of being scrutinized, nor can he tolerate a change in his lifestyle or personal routine no matter how beneficial the changes might be. This is to me a horrible irony. He is an honest, gentle person, highly gifted in many ways that could benefit society. He has an amazing mind and high IQ, yet he lives in poverty working 2 meanial jobs in in his hometown which is a tiny mountain community where he is viewed as the "Wierdo Loner"..................The Town Fool.

I, also, have AS, a fact I have very recently learned when I began wondering why my brother is the only person I can easily understand and began researching. I am 60 years old. I don't believe there is much help for older adults like us. I see clearly why it is important to be properly diagnosed before reaching the older years. As I think on......perhaps one day there will be help available for AS in the older population.
Mike Says:
18 June, 2010 at 4:36 pm

I am a 17 year old male with AS, diagnosed when I was around 8 or 9. I started elementary school, and was a bit different than my peers, although I did not know it at the time. I had quite a few behavioral outbursts, which led to me being placed in a BD (Behavioral Disorder) class setting. At one point things got so out of hand that my principal wanted to send me to a full BD school. I was lucky that my parents loved me enough to fight for me to stay, because they foresaw that this was not the right choice. I also had a wonderful teacher at the time who said I was too intelligent to be sent to the BD school. The result of all my parents' love and my teacher's passion was that I was able to stay at my school and finish up 4th and 5th grade. Eventually it was time for middle school. By then my problems weren't so much BD as they were emotional.The best class setting they had for me was a combined ED (Emotional Disorder) BD classroom, which proved to be detrimental later, as I will explain. I was always ostracised by my peers in elementary school, but we all know kids get even more mean in middle school, especially the BD kids. I pretty much had no friends in 6th grade, but I made it through, my self-esteem relatively unscathed. It wasn't until 7th grade, in the same type of classroom setting that things got really bad. The kids tormented me all day every school day, which eventually led to me contemplating suicide, which I got help for at a behavioral health hospital. At the end of 7th grade, I was in pretty bad shape, with several BHH (Behavioral Health Hospital) visits, all for different problems. When 8th grade started things got even worse. By the middle of the school year I had had enough of everything. I pretty much just cracked, and ended up totaling a classroom. That incident led to a meeting between my principal, vice principal, parents, and teachers. They all suggested this new school founded for the purpose of helping children/teenagers with AS, and my parents enrolled me there because we had no other options. In the beginning of my time there, it was a welcome respite from life's agony that I had endured. My second year at the school I got a new teacher who herself had 2 children diagnosed with AS. I still currently have her as a teacher, and she seems to glow with her passion for her job, if that is even possible. I recently got my ACT scores back with a score of 25, which could have even been higher had I not been neglected to be taught higher levels of math. I completely disagree with this page's saying most of us AS people lack common sense and the understanding of math. I also disagree on this page's statement that AS people have "no social awareness", as I am very perceptive to the moods of other people, and of my surroundings, perhaps even more so than other people; and I definitely do NOT believe AS to be an impairment in life, because I for one, as I can't speak for everyone, am doing quite well. AS people do tend to develop a specific interest, and I am no exception. Music is my outlet. Singing is my main passion, and it will lead to me getting college scholarships, that of which I have no doubt in my mind, and unlike what this page has stated, that we AS people lack creativity, I am EXTREMELY creative in my renditions of songs, and it shows in my performances. That is why I encourage any parents of AS children to help their child to find a hobby and develop their talents, because it could lead to greater things. Look up Temple Grandin and what she did, she was revolutionary in the meat packing industry. Also, I would like to say I disagree with this page's saying that AS is "probably hereditary in nature", as I am the only one in my family ever to have it, and most of my friends with AS don't have any other family members with it either. In the end, don't take everything you read about AS as a fact, because not everyone with AS will have nearly all of these so called impairments. I have found out it only takes a few of these symptoms to be diagnosed with AS, and everyone with AS is different. It really isn't quite as bad as society makes it out to be.

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