A little help

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I have a very enormous concern. There's something which has vexed me for ages (well, since a few years ago): processing speed. Namely I am disconcerted over the fact I scored pitifully low on the WISC (29th Percentile). I am wondering if processing speed deficits like this are inherent in Asperger’s and whether there is a remedy for it. I know that at the time (and to this day still suffer from) had acute hyperglycemia which causes mild cognitive dysfunction (including reduced processing speed) in Type I diabetics. I am resolute on improving my status in this regard. But how intrinsic is slow processing speeds and Asperger’s? Is it a common trait or characteristic subtype among neuropsychological profiles of Aspies?

My main question is simply: how optimistic should I be?

This is a real source of disconcertment. I am trying everything from vitamin B12 to online cognitive fitness games to improve this perceived shortcoming. I could greatly use some advice.

And, no, it was not just that one test which verified my slow processing speed. I've noticed that it takes me substantially more time than my peers to complete homework assignments, as by a factor of four.

Thanks for reading.

This may or may not be what you are looking for.

My child has aspergers and does have a 20-25 second verbal processing delay at times. I am not diagnosed and would be so mild if I do have it it wouldn't be worth diagnosing. I do, however, remember my mother getting on me about asking "what" when she knew I heard her. Well, I would automatically ask what because whatever she said didn't make a lick of sense until about the time I finished asking that "what". (I only figured that out recently.)

Things that help to "cover" it: 1. Get organized to the point that some things are done on autopilot. Always separate your assignments and get basic supplies ready first (After a while you just kind of do it and can use the time not thinking about it to figure out what to do next.) 2. Get together a couple of "stock phrases". Replies to be used in certain circumstances so that when it pops up that phrase just comes out all by it's lonesome. 3. Accept that, annoyingly, some days are better than others. Some days that annoying delay is going to pop up much more. I've gotten to the point where on bad days ,(the days I still say "what" without thinking), I am just ready with a "sorry, I heard you, it just took a little while to sink in." 4. If you need it, allow yourself a transition time. If you feel compelled to fix your pencil, stick your hand in your pocket or fiddle with your cell phone, let yourself. If you are doing something it seems a little less obvious.

With the homework assignments try to schedule little mini-breaks. I remember 4 hour nights of doing homework in middle school and high school with almost nothing to show for them. I think grabbing a drink or just walking around or peeking in the fridge every so often would have helped to break that time up a little for me. (too bad I didn't think of that before I needed it.)

I don't know much about vitamins and all that, sorry there.

(I don't know what WISC is, but I assume it's some sort of standardized test.)

I have had a processing delay (mostly for verbal information) all my life. It was always a mystery to me why I was so slow with a comeback in a lively discussion (and extremely frustrating.) Since I've learned about AS in the last few months (newly diagnosed at the age of 50), I've started to work out specific strategies for dealing with it.

First of all, if I know I'm going into a situation where I'll have to think on my feet - I try to prepare myself mentally beforehand (sort of a mental pep talk.) Then, I give full attention to the person or persons speaking (it really gets difficult, the more people involved) - meaning, I don't try to take notes while they're talking - I just listen closely & think about what the words mean. If there's a break, I can write some stuff down, which works better for me than taking notes when the information is being presented (because I've had time to *process* what I've heard.)

If I'm required to give input, I start by summarizing what I've heard & ask for confirmation to see if my understanding is correct. This seems to have the added benefit of reinforcing the information in my mind & often helps to clear things up for others in the group who weren't paying attention.

@Detren - I like your tip #3 - I do that a lot (and it does take the pressure off to just accept that some days I'm not going to be at the top of my game.)

I myself have a slight verbal processing delay, though oddly it isn't as bad when I'm slightly hyper and in a good mood(weird right?). Detren seems to have the right idea though, I'd take the advice and try to put it in action. It's true though, some days are worse than others, and all you can really do is deal, and try not to let it bother you.

Thanks for the advice. Right now I'm hoping that a reduction in blood glucose levels will slightly speed up processing speed.

As for my delay, I think it is most noticable for performance tasks and abstract (or written, at least) verbal reasoning. When it comes to auditory conversations, I have not noticed a delay.

My verbal IQ is significantly higher than my performance IQ, by the way.

If you're still in school, you should be able to get accomadations for your test. I have my high IQ, but I have trouble focusing in regular rooms, so I test in special, rooms and get a longer time for my test. Maybe that will help you.

While this may not be what you were looking for as a reply, I can tell you that while I don't have a noticable speech delay, I was tested and turns out I do have a delay on reacting towards information, I guess my brain like to take things easy, so when someone gives me a question, it takes me about 30 seconds or so before I can actually respond with a logical awnser. Which I find quite odd considering, I was told that I had a high IQ result ( though I was never told what it was )

Do you have a 504 plan? I do. If you're interested in something like this, ask me.

I have difficulty processing large amounts of information in noisy settings, and have difficulty concentrating, as well as hypersensitive hearing and sensory overload difficulty. In high school I was ignorant of my rights and found the situation to be problematic, but when I came to university, I found a wonderful professor who informed me of my rights, and I now take all tests in private rooms with earplugs and double-time, so that I may have equal footing with my neurotypical classmates. I encourage everyone to look for a Disability Services coordinator at their school, they're rather helpful.

Wow Asperger's really does explain sooo many of my quirks! I too have always said "what?" After someone says something to me, only to basically feel like I actually heard them after the what. I had no idea this was like a thing! Lol people ask me all the time if I am hard of hearing, but its either from hyperfocus, being distracted, and most commonly saying "what?" A lot! It's amazing how much Asperger's explains about me and the weird things I do!