Salutations! New and seeking info!

Post Reply New Topic

Hello all! I've been looking around the forums here and so far this seems like a pretty cool community.

So I've recently begun to suspect that I may have AS. So much fits so well. When I look back at my past everything makes so much more sense when I think about the possibility of Aspergers. I feel like I've been looking for answers for so long for why I'm so different, can't make conversation, and can't make or keep friends. If I turn out to really have AS it would be a tremendous relief and would hopefully bring a much needed sense of closure... But I am unsure if I have it for a few reasons.

One is that my younger brother has it, and his traits are so much more obvious and have given my parents great difficulty in dealing with them. He displays many of the "typical" traits like one-sided conversations about his interests, not understanding social cues, arm flapping or spinning, and sensory issues. Very much an Aspergers child! But I feel I don't display these traits, or at least not in the same way or to the same degree.

I would like to learn more about the sensory issues that people with AS experience, and the different ways they may manifest. I sometimes feel sensitive to lights or sounds, but not to an extreme. Very loud noises or places make very nervous and upset, but I never thought this was strange. lol. For my brother they are more obvious and more trouble for my parents. Having his hair cut is a nightmare!

Another reason I have my doubts is the idea that those with AS have much difficulty in reading people, understanding expressions or intentions, or things like sarcasm. I don't feel like I've had too much trouble with this, or at least not to my recent memory. But I wonder if maybe I experience these on a level I'm not aware of, and that's why dealing with people is so difficult or exhausting at times.

It wasn't until I looked into how AS appears in females specifically that I started to think it was a possibility. (I'm a female, did I forget to mention that?) I found the list of AS traits in females on Rudy Simone's website. There were only one or two I couldn't relate to! I started reading the Women's forum here, and any stories I could find from females with AS. I could reate to so much!

Any input on whether my doubts are founded would be much appreciated! Especially from females with AS.

Should I stop comparing myself to my brother? Should I seek a diagnosis? (I would like to) How would I do that?

I feel like I has so many more questions/concerns but I will stop here for now. I'm worried about writing more than people will have the patience to read, lol.

note that the severity of the condition many times can be related to the age of the father.i'm the youngest of three and the only one w/ a dx(nld) but all my bro's have traits, my oldest dx'ed w/ adhd and the middle was on his way for a dx of asp. syndrome.
if you want a dx go ahead, but i would suggest to research and learn, learn how your traits work and how you can work with them, and go about your day.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome,
Definately read/think about whether you need or want a diagnosis. If it is Aspergers, but a milder case and tolerable without professional assistance it can be easier going on without an official diagnosis. Having it in your records, etc, is more likely to close doors rather then open them, or even just be neutral, unfortunately. I have, I believe, a milder case (though I manifest most of the common traits) and it is good to know now, but if I could go back I would not try to get a diagnosis. Society at large does not understand the nature and wide variety of it (nor the large ammount of people that have it) and it can limit your career options. I would do what I did before however to treat the more problematic symtoms which are better known and accepted by society (stress, anxiety, depression). It was just that before I didn't understand that Aspergers was an underlying factor. The dividing line (to my way of thinking) is if it becomes a problem that requires professional assistance. One, if it does become a serious issue, then by all means get help, because such things can be dangerous. Two, is that once you seek the professional's help you do have to lay your cards on the table, so that they have all the info they need to accurately figure things out & be of any assitance to you.

Welkome to WP

Mick

@danmac - That makes sense and would certainly explain why his traits are more obvious!

@Toy_Soldier - I am definitely reconsidering getting a diagnosis. First because I think it would be difficult to find someone specializing in Asperger's in adults in my area. Also because it does seem to be mild and is not causing serious problems in my life. And also because of your point that it may cause problems with employment or other areas! This is something I had been pondering earlier and meant to ask about. I plan on becoming an elementary school teacher and worry that having the label might make this difficult... For that reason I think I will avoid a diagnosis. I think the main reason I wanted it in the first place is because I would feel like I was lying if I told people I have AS without a diagnosis, but I guess this is silly.


Thank you for all the welcomes everyone! The more I read about Asperger's the more positive I am that I have it. It is nice to know that I have someplace to come to with questions or concerns. :)