I posted an intro when I first found the site, and I would like to now present a revised intro now that I've done more thorough research and self-examination. For more detail feel free to view my blog, in which I kept track of my thoughts as I conducted research on ASD/HFA as it related to my 25 years so far on this planet.
As a child I was diagnosed ADHD. I've recently learned I may actually have Asperger's syndrome, which much more adequately explains my various social challenges and emotional impairments along with less developed executive function associated with the ADHD diagnosis.
I don't feel a full spectrum of emotion, and have difficulty expressing or showing the emotional energy I do possess. I cannot easily read or repair emotion intuitively. I often have poor control over my tone when speaking, and can speak too rapidly or with too much detail. The rhythm and pulse of human social interaction eludes me. I do not easily make new friends or jive with workplace politics. I have strong interests in which I take pride in building my expertise, and a capability for extremely abstract thought and reasoning. I also have some motor difficulty (extremely poor handwriting, some mild coordination impacts, and a few "tics" which are involuntary habits such as nail/lip biting) along with slightly altered sensory experiences, especially in the realm of audio.
Despite how the traits affect me presently, I've grown out of many. Due to sensory sensitivity I was beyond picky, to the point my parents thought I would get malnourished because I refused to eat most things as a child. In adolescence I suffered from impulsivity, often associated with impaired executive function. This caused me to be disruptive and unable to concentrate in school.
Realizing that diagnosis is just a clinical opinion, I'm currently actively seeking strategies that will help me improve myself in these weaknesses while at the same time learning how to better harness my unique talents. I look forward to learning from others here in the community and the opportunity to offer my experiences and opinions.
10 Jun 2010, 11:02 pm
