It's Official

Post Reply New Topic

I have mild Asperger's Syndrome. I had my last session with the psychologist this morning. She said I definitely have Asperger's Syndrome, but that I've learned to compensate for my differences so it presents as a mild form of AS. If I had been diagnosed several years earlier, it might have been a more pronounced presentation of AS. FYI, I'm 35 years old.

I'm not sure how I feel about it just yet. It's good to get confirmation of my own suspicions, and it definitely explains a lot about what I've experienced, felt, and thought over the years. But I guess the big question is, "What do I do next?" I'm not sure yet. I've got some thinking to do.

For me it's been an opportunity to have more realistic expectations of the settings I will do well in, directly addressing lacking social skills, and learning how to educate others about my oddness so that they find me less difficult to be around... have a more accurate interpretation of my silences, non sequitors, wierd facial expressions, etc.

I am also very mildly AS, but it was enough to cause serious social and relational difficulties. I'm hoping this new awareness smooths things out a bit.

^ Thank you for your excellence in descriptive feelings

As per new discoveries, some of us tend to be ecstatic about our need to "share"

Though it has been my experience that most people in general society are not interested in their lack of personal discovery.

That's what it seems to boil down too, the fact that you have shown initiative in an area, that most dare to investigate, and it's Your fault that They haven't.

Aspie advocacy sites galore will give you a better detailed Idea of What and What Not to disclose, these things have been a major daily task for me for quite some time, eventuallly, it's simpler, not yet easy.

Thanks. I think that's about where I'm at because it was my social issues that brought me to the diagnosis in the first place. It's interesting because it seems like now some doors are closed to me, only to have other doors open up. Does that make sense?



Thank you, too. I'm also wrestling with who to tell, and how much to share. I already know I'll tell my friend just about everything, my mom a little less, and the rest...well, one of the things to figure it out.

Hey there, just hang on there, and post your thoughts here man!

Totally. I now understand why I always get 'assassinated' in groups, and why people I have a great deal of respect for find me disrespectful. So I'm working with my therapist to develop skills that will make me less a target in some groups (classes) and to avoid other types of groups altogether (those that emphasize teamwork). Letting people know I have a great deal of respect for them and informing them about some of my difference and how it may be falsely interpreted... that's actually already made a difference in one very important mentor relationship.

There's a book, "Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum" that is very thorough in covering telling others. Although it covers people more severely impacted than you and I, it has many helpful sections on who, how, what, and how much, as well as practicing and preparing ideas. It's helpful in focusing the thoughts.

And welcome! May this new knowledge enable you, not disable you!
Blessings,
DB

That's the way to go for you...