Hi, I'm new here

Post Reply New Topic

Hi everyone, My name is Kevin. I am 35 years old. I just discovered asperger's syndrome. And It has answered a lot of questions I have had my entire life. I know I was different. I noticed things that others don't, I am oblivious to things everyone else sees, plain as day. People don't understand me when I tell them something in plain, simple English. I have always had the worst handwriting in the world, trip over my own feet. and have never gotten the whole eye contact thing. I have strangers want to fight me because I am looking at them. (Where else am I supposed to look?) I have trouble talking to strangers or sometimes people I already know.

Sometimes I don't feel comfortable in my own skin. But I don't know any other way to feel. I always felt like I was the only person like this, Thinking on this different wave length. It has been very lonely.
A few months ago I saw thread on asperger's on a different forum. Everything described looked like what has been going on with me. But for some reason, I never even finished reading the thread. After all this time of wishing I had a name for what I had, and wishing for others like me to talk to, I had found it. but, having found the rabbit hole, I was afraid to step inside.

Having a diagnosis would answer the questions and maybe help me fit in or at least understand things better, but at what cost. When I tell people I have a form of autism. they will Think "Rain man". Now that I am classified with a mental illness, will I lose my commercial drivers license? Will I not be able to own a gun? Lots of questions I still don't have answers for. I am very happy to have found this site, and eager to meet others who may have similar experiences.

Kevin

welcome to wrong planet!

Sorry I don't know any answers to your questions, but my guess is that you won't lose any license. and don't think of it as a mental illness, but rather a perk. justt because other people don't get along with us doesn't mean that they are correct and normal

also, getting a diagnosis isn't like you have to pin a star to your clothing. nobody will know unless you tell them, and when/IF you do, you decide to tell someone, you get to choose how you explain it and what you call it.

Welcome to WP

I'm 30 years old and I just found out I have AS as well. It can be a shock to suddenly find other people who think the same way after being different and alone for so long.

I worry about the social stigma attached to having Autism as well, but in the end I have to admit that have a reason for being different is worth it. I didnt really care so much what they thought before and why should that change now. This diagnosis gives me a word to use that at least some of them start to understand and every bit of understanding I get is a bonus at this point.

I dont consider this a disabilty, just a different one, and now that I know I'm not crazy you couldnt get me to switch places with an NT for the world.

Welcome to the party

Welcome to WrongPlanet!

Hi Kevin,

Welcome to WP. I finally found the answers at nearly 50 years old. I won't be telling the doc, but it is common knowledge, and friends and colleagues now know why I have to put ice-cubes in my soup and why they call me Weirdo, amongst other things.

Nice to meet you, Kevin.

I'm Jerry.

Welcome to WP!

Tim

Hi Kevin,
I can relate to you. I have known that I was different from nearly everyone else almost all of my life and finally, six years ago at the age of 35, I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. It helped to explain a lot. You may be interested to know that clinicians recognize AS to be a developmental disability, not a mental illness, though there is nothing wrong with mentally ill folks either other than the fact that they have a different set of challenges to overcome like we do. I can assure you that no one has ever tried to take my driver's liscense away because I am diagnosed with AS and I really don't know about owning a gun as I have never tried to buy one. However, I suspect you won't have any trouble there either. So welocome to WP! I hope this palce proves to be as helpful and encouraging to you as it has been for me.

Thanks you all for the warm welcome. It is indescribable to find people going through the same thing I am. I am looking forward to getting to know you all better.

alei, I watched your videos. They were very good.

Welcome wewalkamongyu,

Not a mental illness, not a disability, no treatment, no pills, just a slight differance in processing information.

This is still America, felons are not allowed guns, most CDL are strange, that is why they drive.

In North Carolina people will start a fight over the way you looked at their dog.

Most blackjack is dealt four or five deck, there are 20 cards worth 10 or 11, in each, so 100 on five deck, if less than 50 comeout in the first half, the second is 10-11 rich. Problem is, dealer is drawing from the same pile. So nothing changes. It is a scam, the house trys to get card counters to up their bets when the count is good, but the odds never change. It is a pure sucker bet.

Why tell anyone? They will not understand. We are here because we are trying to figure it out.

I call it Gifted with Super Powers, and to make room, some useless stuff had to be left out.

Take your pick, Super Powers, or some useless stuff everyone has.

You never understood people, they never understood you, welcome to your home planet where you will share understanding. In person we are us, but on the Internet, no one can tell.

I recently posted about how long haul was the best job for Aspies.

So you company or owner operator?

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Inventor, Thanks for the welcome, I don't do long haul, I do local beer delivery. I drive one of the big 16 bay beer trucks. Long haul is sounding better all the time though.

Nice bike in your avatar. I love old BMWs

Welcome! I wish I knew the answers to your questions, though I don't.