My Very Best Friend Has Asperger's & I Want To Learn Mor

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Hi! I decided to join this group because my best friend in the world has Asperger's syndrome. Initially we didn't talk about it much, but focused instead on the myriad interests and hobbies that we have in common. Then, I began to realize how I had the ability to help him with certain aspects of his AS and so we started talking about it more. I have realized that AS is not so much a disability as a fascinating, unique way of viewing the world and perceiving reality. It is not always erroneous, in fact, it is just as often briliant and insightful. At least, that's what I've learned from him.

I've come here to learn more about AS simply because it really intrigues me and because a lot of this will help me to understand how I can help my best friend (who is brilliant) learn the adult life skills that he needs, such as how to drive, cook, do housework, and so on.

Both of us are in our late 20's. I'm 27 and Erik is 29. He knows that I'm going to websites and talking to people about Asperger's, and he is surprised (pleasantly) and not alarmed that I'm doing so, if anyone wondered.

Also, I must add, though it may sound strange, that if any of you on here are SHAMANS with AS (or other diagnoses on the autistic spectrum), or have an interest in SHAMANISM, JOURNEYING, and/ or TRANCE WORK in any capacity, I would absolutely love to talk with you!! Erik and I are both very into shamanic work and he's experiencing some difficulties that he'd like help with.

Oh and I just took an Aspie quiz, and here's how I did:

Your neurodiversity (Aspie) score: 84 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 131 of 200
You are very likely neurotypical

I guess I expected I'd have more AS traits than I actually do, as it has always seemed to me that Erik shares all of my interests and many of my personality traits! I've started wondering whether I could have a touch of autistic thinking as well, but perhaps not.

I was going to post a link to this test, but was told that I cannot as I am a new member and could possibly be posting spam. Lol.

That'll suffice for now. I hope to receive some replies back, though I know I'm not the usual sort of person to join this forum (as I don't have AS and neither do any of my family members). I really am here to learn and talk with interesting people!

*Krista The Pixie*

Welcome Krista_The_Pixie!

You've come to the right place.

I am so happy to see your positive attitude! Not many people with AS have such great Neurotypical friends like you who see all the awesomeness in them. You and your friend are very lucky. Has he been here? It would probably benefit him as well. Kudos to you!! !!



For those of you aspies who like to spout all sorts of gibberish about how all NTs are the scum of the earth, please take note: They're not. I myself know plenty of wonderful ones myself and this woman is also a fine example.

Hey thanks for the replies. I think this site is awesome and there are many intriguing people on here!!

My friend Erik would love to visit Wrong Planet as well, I'm sure, but he is... errr... prohibited from using the computer, most unfortunately.

Oh & thanks for assuring the community here that I'm not scum of the earth! That's great. I must admit, I was worried about being an outsider here. I do understand how some aspies could feel that NTs are horrid due to perhaps the horrid experiences they've had with them & with the world in general. I'll try not to take any of it too personally in lieu of that.

And I do, by the way, have anxiety disorder & problems with OCD... not that this has anything to do with autism BUT it means that I'm not this perfect person even if neurotypical.

A lot of us have ocd and anxiety too. There is also lots of ADD, and depression around here, some bipolar, some other things as well. Its all good.

Yeah there is only a small fraction of people here who hate NTs but I always find their closed-minded posts quite troubling. Some of my best friends are NT too, but my boyfriend is aspie.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Hi Krista and welcome.

As I understand it (and perhaps a more experienced WP member can clarify) this site is intended for anyone interested in better understanding AS (and other ASDs) and the people who have it (or think they might). That includes neurotypicals too--regardless of whether or not they are personally affected by it through a family member, friend, professional colleague, etc.

I think it's great that you're making the effort--both in general and to help your friend Erik in particular. I myself have several NTs in my life I'm close to and think they would also benefit from participating here. Some may even become members after I tell them about it.

I think it would be counterproductive for this to be an AS-only forum--provided participants are indeed open and honest about who they are (i.e., not pretending to be AS or NT to deceive, manipulate and further ulterior motives). We all need to learn to better communicate and socialize with one another. That applies to all personal interactions: AS-AS, AS-NT and even NT-NT.

I hope both you and Erik find the experience here beneficial.

-DJ

Nice to meet you, Krista.

Hi, you are most welcome. I didnt score that highly on the test - I was about 103 Aspie and 83 NT, but I feel very welcome here. It is useful to get the opinion of NTs, particularly for all those 'is xxxx an aspie trait?' questions - the consensus is usually yes because there are always a lot of people (with AS) who say - 'I do that too', but maybe there are also lots of NTs who do these things also and we just never realise because there arent enough of you on this site.

As no one has actually given the link, I thought I would... the Aspie Quiz can be found at the RDOS site.

And welcome, Krista_The_Pixie,

There would have been no objection to you posting the link - particularly as no one has posted it here for quite some time.

Hello Krista and welcome to WrongPlanet.

You are so lucky to have discovered the wonderful world of Asperger's.

I am a neurotypical Mum of 3 sons - my older 2 have Asperger's. I have learned so much from them.

You sound like a good friend. Welcome!

Hi Krista_The_Pixie

welcome to WP.

Erik is very lucky to have you as such an understanding friend. If only there were more people like you, this world would be a better place.
You are more than welcome here. There are a few people i've seen around the forums who are NT and here for their friends who have AS. I think it's great.

Hi all,

First of all, thanks so much for the very warm welcome! It's more than I could have hoped for and I'm really happy to be here. If only my best friend could also visit this site, he too would be really excited about it. He doesn't know anyone else with Asperger's and so it's me who is telling him all of the positive, useful, and intriguing things about his way of thinking. If only there were gatherings or something in our part of Ohio that we could attend, I think it would really benefit him. (Are there?) People on this site seem to have such healthy self esteem and sense of self pride! That is great!

I also wanted to apologize for confusing everyone with my message about not being able to post links!! I actually had jumped to the wrong conclusion about that. So I will now explain. When I first joined this site, I attempted to post a link. I believe that I actually tried posting it in my profile. I received an automated error message telling me that new members could not post links until they were assurred of not being spammers. I thus wrongly believed that I could not post links anywhere on the site until I had been a member for some time and had met some quota of posts to ensure I was a real person.

That's apparently not correct. I could have posted them at any time, but I just didn't realize it. So, I'm sorry about that!

Since I can, in fact, post links, I'm going to post some photos now in the Real Me photo collection!!

Thanks again for the welcome!! !! See you around.

Welcome to WP!

Welcome Krista, and like others have said, it's absolutely wonderful that you're interested in being so supportive of your friend.

Haha, I also answered your question of me about anthropology in my own introductory post. Whoops...