Hello Everyone!

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Stringy
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 24 May 2014
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 38
Location: Brazil

28 May 2014, 9:20 pm

Hi and welcome from me too (quite new here myself).

So far I've only discussed my aspies (easier name for it) with my family (mother and sister). No surprises there, they always knew I wasn't exactly normal. If I do decide to share it with anyone else I know off here I'll be inclined to also give a list some of the more famous aspies.... people who've achieved more in their lives than most NT's could ever dream about. If they still view the condition only negatively then they're not worthy of my respect... or time.... or company for that matter.

ArtAttack
Butterfly

Joined: 14 May 2014
Age: 58
Gender: Female
Posts: 10

28 May 2014, 10:47 pm

Rocket319 wrote:

Hi ArtAttack, welcome aboard!. You are definitely not alone here. I am a semi-undiagnosed 51 year old. My son was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 7 and his doctor strongly implied that I likely have it as well. I also always come up as "very likely" on the various online tests available. My late husband was my conduit to the NT world and since he passed away I have had more trouble managing this world on my own. I would probably get officially diagnosed if I didn't have such crappy insurance. On the bright side, don't worry too much about the procreation thing. I was driving home with my son the other day (he is now 15 and in high school) and he said "Asperger's is the curse of being awesome". I told him not to say that too loud or everyone will want to do it. :wink:

Edited to add:

I'm back in school too, trying to finally earn a degree, so we have that in common too!

Thank you Rocket, you may certainly message me.

I did the online tests, but being tested by the psychologist was very different. I went in with the attitude that I wanted to rule out every possible thing that could exist, and told him about family history on both sides, so he did a pretty thorough assessment before deciding to test. It was a bit frightening, because we say we want to know the truth about ourselves, but when it comes down to it, it can be pretty intimidating.

As for passing this down, I am only concerned because there is a wide spectrum, from high to very low functioning, and the degree of severity varies as well. So it's a bit of a lottery. I come (from my father's side) from not one, but two consecutive generations of first cousins as well.. So my great grandparents, and my great great-grandparents on my father's side were both first cousins! Talk about an interesting and confusing genealogy chart! But his is the side that has the autism so it is a pretty big concern for me. My kids are own their own, I will make no judgments and they have to decide what they want to do with the info.

I was married for a very long time, and yes, that was a bridge to the NT world. I have been single for four years now. I do think that it is harder on my own so I agree with what you are saying. I am so sorry for your loss, by the way. I can't imagine that.

I am close to graduating, only a semester away, but could not finish a class due to one of my parents dying a few weeks ago, so I might have to take one extra semester. I don't think I am up to a 15 credit semester this fall.

Re: what your son said... How wonderful that he has this attitude! I was training today for a volunteer/residency position and I fully disclose my condition (that and a seizure disorder) so that they might better place me. It was a bit tricky because of the chance of discrimination, but they seem delighted because I think they like my focus on art and detail. The seizure thing actually is more freaky to them (as it is to everyone, because of the image of television-type grand mal seizures pop into their heads) so I am going to be watched so they can determine the length of the absence seizures before they know where to place me, but it'll be fine.

ArtAttack
Butterfly

Joined: 14 May 2014
Age: 58
Gender: Female
Posts: 10

28 May 2014, 10:54 pm

Stringy wrote:

Stringy, Thank you for your input. Yes, I think some people are quite uncomfortable with any type of illness or disorder, or else they seem to feel that the diagnosis is not valid. Their problem, agreed. :-)

Rocket319
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 24 May 2014
Age: 61
Gender: Female
Posts: 29
Location: Connecticut

29 May 2014, 2:50 am

Thanks for your kind words ArtAttack. I'm sorry for your loss as well. I work full time and take only one or two classes per 8 week semester and I can't imagine trying to do even that after such a loss. 15 credits would be a lot to handle right now. Taking a break may indeed be best. Good luck on the residency position. I think it's great that you disclosed your diagnosis and they were so cool with it. Very enlightened!

DreamOperator
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 18 May 2014
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Posts: 28
Location: Scandinavia

29 May 2014, 3:08 am

Congrats with finally getting diagnosed. The diagnose itself is not by any means anything to cheer about of course, but the good thing is that now being diagnosed things will hopefully make more sence to you, and also now knowing your struggles caused by your "diagnosed difference" you are now able to pinpoint them, practise and lessen their negative impact, naybe even rid of some bad habits. You can only get better from here, if you gave the right mindset. And its important you accept it, and yourself still as much. Hope you'll find your life taking a more brighter path now.

And welcome to Wrongplanet :-)

_________________
"I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find you're not, i hope you have the strength to start all over again." | F. Scott Fitzgerald

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