hiya

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Hey everyone, what a great place this is!! I am a 33 y/o married mom of 2 kids (one of them being under the spectrum as well as I am). I do not have AS, and according to my psych but I am definitely under the spectrum at the very mild end. I was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, ADHD and anxiety. I did not speak until I was closer to 6, all they did for me was throw me into special ed and all of a sudden I "blossomed" and was in a mainstream class by grade 3. I had sensory issues when I was really young but overcame them. I have ALWAYS been ritualistic and used to be stimmy (not anymore other than occasionally twirling my hair with my finger and shaking my leg while sitting like many other NT's do ) and have had my obsessions (which I still do but know enough not to talk about it unless its appropriate). I did struggle with social skills in junior high and was bulled which has had a negative impact on my self esteem . However I started to all of a sudden fit in much better from 15 years old onward on. How? I don't know.. perhaps I learned a lot from my NT peers. But I had a fun time in college! I still prefer to be alone, but I have no problems with being in social settings and sometimes I am in the mood for it, I can maintain conversations, I understand humor (and always have funny enough) and I have also always pretty much been able to recognize gestures for the most part anyway. I am able to maintain somewhat satisfactory eye contact but not great.. Why did he diagnose me with PDD-NOS instead of AS? Well for starters, according to him you cannot have a history of speech delay and have AS! If that was true, then how did Dr. Temple Grandin end up with a final dx of AS? Didn't she start speaking at 4? Correct me if I am wrong but that is what I had read about her. AND he also said because my social skills are pretty good, I do not fit into the AS category. And HFA alone is not a dx!! (his words, not mine!) So.. I guess I was thrown into the "misceleanous" category, aka PDD-NOS. Okay whatever! My son is 4 and has the same thing... he is in therapy and making progress all the time! Anyway, just thought I would introduce myself Looking forward to being a part of this community (even though I am not an Aspie, technically)

Mir

Hi welcome Lionesss, many of us are self diagnosed, because to be honest often the professional world in regards to the autism spectrum, do not have a clue... looks like you need to find someone else to access you... of course when we are older many of us have had to change and adapt, often at our own expense medically. Firstly I do not really agree with high / Low functioning autism, we are on the autism spectrum or not. But would love to know if HFA High Functioning Autism is not a dx - what is it!! !

Like yourself I am a mother with 2 children, one now diagnosed with none verbal learning, crosses over with Asperger traits... they like to unnecessarily complicate things, when they themselves are not sure! I was diagnosed myself just over 1 year ago with Aspergers. But instead of getting the support and help, it was like I had to help them understand and also convince...

Some of my story may help you a little, to know if your on the autuism spectrum or not...
Making Sense 1 year after being diagnosed - last update July 2008
http://asplanet.info/index.php?option=c ... Itemid=129

For self diagnosis a few things you can do:
So before being diagnosed, write down as much information as you can will really help, back to when you were a child. As we get older we learn to change and adapt, does not mean we do not still have those differences, do what your doing now research and read as much as you can and then decide, if you feel you are I always say its best to know for sure and be diagnosed, as its not about the label, its about true identity.

Some things you can do, list, criteria ands test:
AS Symtoms (Full Official Criteria):
http://asplanet.info/index.php?option=co...
The Official Aspergers AQ TEST - Could you be on the spectrum !
http://asplanet.info/forum/index.php?top...
My list of Characteristics of Children to Adolescences AS symptoms
http://asplanet.info/forum/index.php?top...

Good luck, as it can take some time.. finding a good specialist really helps, highly recommend.. If in UK contact National Autistic Society UK http://www.nas.org.uk/ one of the more helpful bigger national sites...

Thanks for the reply and I read your blog!! I also previously took that AQ test and I am DEFINITELY under the spectrum but I don't have enough traits to have a specific dx (and because of the language delay I would not be AS *according to my psych!*) So I guess that explains the PDD-NOS dx I also KNEW I was "different" growing up and was made to feel that way by my peers which was painful but... at least knowing that I AM under the spectrum (somewhere there anyway) explains a lot!! Thanks again

Nice to meet you, lionesss.

To WrongPlanet!! !
Sometimes our experiences are evidence enough to indicate being on the spectrum, click my blog button to see my story...

A pleasure to meet you, ionesss.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome to WP!

yo

Hi Lioness,

Welcome to WP!

The brain is such a complex thing; that's why, fortunately, we have an "autistic spectrum" rather than merely "autism." I also didn't speak until I was "closer to 6." They "diagnosed" me with all kinds of things (the diagnostic atmosphere was very different in the 1960's--"brain-damaged" was a catch-all label for many of those with mild language/social challenges. In fact, there used to be an organization my parents were a member of, known as the New York Association of BRAIN-INJURED Children.

They have a clue, and they don't, is my view. Paradoxical? Yes--but it's true. The trouble is that clinicians and researchers sometimes believe in their own omnipotence; hence, good intentions go by the wayside. They don't observe things from the viewpoint of the client. They might "know" the general treatment, but not the treatment specific to the individual person.

I have a bachelor's in speech pathology. I going for my MSW starting this Thursday. I want to specialize in assisting aspies and HFA's in attaining their full and complete independence.

Again, welcome.

Don

Thanks for sharing this Don, and good for you for doing what you are doing to help those under the spectrum live a full and independent life. It's amazing what little was known back in the old days. Again thanks for the welcome. I have been participating here for a few days now and like it a lot