Do I have AS or a computer addiction?

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I have been diagnosed with a few things, Depression (Confirmed to be wrong), AS and ADHD. I believed I had AS until today. I really like computers, I have a very strong interest in almost every aspect of them. I enjoy games, 3D modelling, learning programming, and all sorts of other stuff. My other interests have to do with science. I spend most of my 'free' time using computers, I built my own computer in September, and it is my main computer. I got in an argument today with my family over my use of the computer (no, it wasn't about sharing, as I have my own computer), it was because they were 'worried'. They think I use it too much. As a result, I performed a Google search containing the following:

Aspergers computer addiction

I got quite a few results about heavy computer use can 'cause' aspergers or very autism-like symptoms to appear. Is this propaganda crap or is it to be believed?

A few details:

- I have been interested in computers since the age of 4

- I do not sneak a laptop into bed and play games

- I use a personal laptop for most of my school assignments

- I don't pass on social events to spend more time on the computer, though my family believes this. I don't like social events because they can get awkward and people often ask stupid, inconsequential questions such as "How are you?", "Do you want something?".

EDIT: - I am 13

I will update if I think of anything else, for now, please tell me what you think.

Some questions and answers:

Do you have poor eye contact?

Yes, I don't look at people who are talking to me, I usually look at something behind them.

Awkward hand-eye coordination?

No, I think, and have been told that I have good hand-eye coordination.

Do you have that urgent need to stop what you're doing and pace around and be lost in your own head?

Sometimes, if I am pondering a difficult question. Also, I sometimes just freak out and walk in a circle if I am stressed out about something.

Do you just not understand or have trouble getting along with people outside of yourself?

I get along with people pretty well usually, but I am sometimes frustrated by other people's complicated emotions and thoughts. Also, I sometimes misinterpret people's feelings, which leads to awkward moments or accidentally insulting the other person. For instance, asking why they are angry if they are simply tired can lead to a bad situation.

Do you prefer being alone all the time?

Usually, yes.

Do things frustrate you easily?

Generally, no. Unless it is some one else making a stupid decision, even if it has nothing to do with me.

I've had a life-long computer addiction and got into trouble for using the internet too much back in the day when you paid for every minute you were connected with your 33.6kbps modem.

But I stuck through and now my family acknowledge that I am a total computer-junkie.

Forgot to mention this, but I am 13 years old.

My family already knows that I like computers, but yet they, especially my mother, are still very unhappy with me (or that could be misinterpretation, which is likely). Any thoughts on the 'heavy computer use causes aspergers' thing? Perform the google search that I performed, and you will see what I mean.

I dunno.

There's still a few physical aspects to having Asperger's

It's not enough to be hooked to your computer.

Do you have poor eye contact?

Awkward hand-eye coordination?

Do you have that urgent need to stop what you're doing and pace around and be lost in your own head?

Do you just not understand or have trouble getting along with people outside of yourself?

Do you prefer being alone all the time?

Do things frustrate you easily?

If every aspie was defined by how long they spent at a computer I would say about 90% of the population would have it!

Do you have poor eye contact?

Yes, I don't look at people who are talking to me, I usually look at something behind them.

Awkward hand-eye coordination?

No, I think, and have been told that I have good hand-eye coordination.

Do you have that urgent need to stop what you're doing and pace around and be lost in your own head?

Sometimes, if I am pondering a difficult question. Also, I sometimes just freak out and walk in a circle if I am stressed out about something.

Do you just not understand or have trouble getting along with people outside of yourself?

I get along with people pretty well usually, but I am sometimes frustrated by other people's complicated emotions and thoughts. Also, I sometimes misinterpret people's feelings, which leads to awkward moments or accidentally insulting the other person. For instance, asking why they are angry if they are simply tired can lead to a bad situation.

Do you prefer being alone all the time?

Usually, yes.

Do things frustrate you easily?

Generally, no. Unless it is some one else making a stupid decision, even if it has nothing to do with me.

You can have both and I think it's more common for aspies to be addicted to computers because online communication is so much easier.

From some of the things you say, you do sound like an aspie.

Heavy computer usage does not cause Asperger's. You are born with it, but symptoms do not often show until you are in school or later on in adolescence because of the stress of highschool.
People with AS, however, can be so very obsessed with their interests that they can spend hours on it. I think that is your case. Those other questions you answered, especially about how you react to peoples emotions sound like AS. The lack of eye contact is a big giveaway too.

It sounds to me as if you are an aspie with a computer fascination. Its been shown that aspies are very attracted to computers because they fulfill so many of our needs. I can understand your family's concern for you though. Being 13, you should be more interested in spending time with your friends goofing off, and oogling girls. Thats what would be 'normal' for someone your age, but thats just not in the aspie character. If we had had the internet when I was in school I would be exactly the same. As it was, instead of the computer I had books.

Honestly, I'm a bit jealous that your family would take the time to even be concerned that you spend too much time on the computer. All through high school I stayed in my room and read books, no one said a word, or even bothered to try and talk me out. I know it seems right now that they are trying to stop you from doing things you like to do, but at least they care about you. Try to look at it in that light. And take some heed to what they're telling you. You dont want to make the computer your whole life, trust me on this, it gets very lonely after a while.