Hello, I'm new here

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Hello everyone.

I've been browsing this site for a while now and was hoping to join in too.

I'm a mother of three. My two sons are diagnosed with Autism, my daughter isn't , but I suspect she isn't exactly N.T. either.

Since my eldest son was diagnosed (about four years ago), I have been reading everything I can find on the internet, pretty much every night. Forums (fora ?) are especially helpful.

Initially I wanted to learn about ASD in order to try to understand and help my son. Also, as I was expecting my second son at the time, I wanted to find out what environmental factor triggered it off so that I could avoid it, if possible. I was convinced that something must be to blame – whether it be MMR, mercury, oxytocin....there quite a number of factors that have been suggested.

Anyway, after avoiding everything I could, my second son developed Autism in exactly the same way that my eldest son did and I was forced to accept the uncomfortable fact that genetics were probably responsible (to a large extent).

I became somewhat obsessive about the whole AS/ASD thing and the more I read, the more it dawned on me that my family weren't quite as 'normal' as I had thought. My Dad definitely has Aspergers (even my Mum's convinced of this), although he doesn't know it. My cousin's son has Autism. I seem to fit the AS profile too, which is the main reason that I ended up here.

I completed three on-line tests:

1) http://www.thegeeksyndrome.com/

I scored 30

2) http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

Your Aspie score: 133 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 59 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie

3) http://glennrowe.net/BaronCohen/AutismS ... tient.aspx

Your score: 33

32 - 50 is very high (most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism score about 35)

3 out of 3 is probably a reasonable indication that I'm somewhere on the spectrum and would explain why I find certain things difficult/stressful and why I've always felt different/detached. I've got no intention of getting a formal diagnosis, as I don't think it would help, but I could do with having a chat with other people in a similar situation and getting some ideas for how to handle things better.

I could ramble on about this for quite a while, by which time you'll probably be unconscious, so I 'd better end here by saying 'Thank You' for running this Forum and I hope you don't mind having another newbie with lots of questions.

By the way, I've used the name appassionata (as in Beethoven) because it's my favourite Sonate and has been for as long as I can remember (and also because I can't be bothered to spend half the night trying to think of something more interesting)

Welcome

Welcome to the forum! My son is mildly autistic but AS seems to run on both my side and my husband's side of the family. You have a point with thinking that your family is not as 'normal' as you once thought. I felt the same way once I started looking at them through the lens of the autism spectrum.

I'm also in the same boat you're in with regard to highly suspecting yourself as an Aspie but not wanting an official diagnosis. Gee, it sure explains a lot, doesn't it?

I am also new to this forum. I have a nephew that was diagnosed as an aspie; my brothers son. When he and his wife were learning of my nephew's "condition", she said, "sounds like they are describing your brother!" That was a year ago. I have read many books and have seen many similar traits in common with my nephew.

I just found this site!

Love the site name!

Took the three tests through the posted links.

The Geek Test; scored 31
The Aspie-Quiz; said I was more aspie than neurotypical, duh...
The Autism Spectrum quotient; scored 32

Doctor, doctor, I'm cured!

hi disneyhound

hi! --please dont be offended that I forgot your name already! but barring my inability to remember most (alot) of names--welcome! welcome! welcome!





Hi Disneyhound! Im also in pnw-recently discovered and well I just started some therapy to understand NTs, figure out life, ect ect--well if you need a plug that you don't already have, let me know via e' there is a lady/org in olympia who's really been my angel-though I'm swimming in a sea of confusion. Oh....and if you come by way of any not.in.seattle aspie things--I'm having trouble getting connected and would TOTALLY appreciate a plug.


sorry to jump on thread It's a social misunderstanding I promise!!

Hi Alex.

Hi SeaBright. I grew up in the Los Angeles area; settled in a small Oregon coastal town. I have not done the therapy thing.

But enough about me...

Hi and welcome.

Your route to awareness of your AS is pretty much the same as mine.

My 4 year old son was diagnosed ASD about a year ago. During the learning process I came across Tony Attwood's book on Aspergers and it opened my eyes to the root cause of all the issues I had been experiencing throughout my life. I also went through self tests and AD is where I ended up. My 2 year old son is now going through assessment and it is likely he will be diagnosed ASD.

My initial reaction was an overwhelming feeling of guilt, but now I am much more positive as I see the way in which the boys are developing and how totally happy they are.

Thanks for replies everyone, you've made me feel welcome

hello and welcome appassionata, I also discovered AS through my son, and recognized myself in the description. I too believe it is genetic as my father has traits (but is not as severe as I am, just as I am not as severe as my son).

Hi!

Welcome to Wrongplanet!

I apologize for the late welcome. I've been busy.

I hope you enjoy posting here!

Sebright:
What, exactly, are you looking for, because there are all kinds of people here from all over the world, with all kinds of connections and ideas.
btdt

Bore dda!