Have you ever diagnosed an aspie in the wild?

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I see AS people.

They're walking around like regular people.

They don't know they're AS.

I'm a serial diagnoser I'm afraid, but I've learned you really do have to keep your opinions to yourself, unless you know the person well!

I once emailed a TV host (who read out funny and insulting emails on air) to tell him I thought he had ADHD, based on the fact he could not tolerate having an earpiece while interviewing people (with the producer wittering in his ear at the same time ie: concentrating on two things at once) and the fact he took ages to learn to drive, like me.

I got no reply or mention in the TV show, so I guess he felt insulted.

I was also a Gary Numan fan as a kid and once I was diagnosed with ADHD and Aspergers in 2005, I wondered if Gary was too, then I found out he was diagnosed with Aspergers in 2001. No wonder I could relate to so many of his songs.

I have suspected a couple of people, but I haven't said anything. I haven't had conversations with them that would allow it to come up naturally. I think my dad might have it, but honestly, I don't know him well enough. I might mention it one day, especially if I get a diagnosis.

There is someone at my work I've wanted to talk to about AS for over a year now. Two grumpy old men coworkers kind of rudely confirmed that I wasn't imagining things. They come to me for help allot so I know then pretty well. They usually don't smoke in the normal smoking area. They were there one day because it was raining. I asked them why they never smoke in the normal area. Their response was "because that creepy guy smokes over there." I asked them who they were talking about. It was the person I suspected of having AS. I asked them why they think this kid in his 20's scared then (they are both 40+ and one is retired from the Army). They said "because he never looks at you or says anything."

Ugh! I felt so bad for him. It also made me think that other people probably see me as "creepy". I don't really talk to people I haven't worked directly with for a long time. I want to say something to the the guy, but I haven't for reasons already given in this thread.

I do not pick up the AS in people right away, I have to get to know a person for awhile.

I have a childhood friend that I am sure has AS. He has a wife and three kids, but when ever I see him, all he wants to talk about is firefighting, or the latest construction or maintence project that he is working on. He was the mayor of his community for awhile, and had problems realizing that you have to network and promote your community in order to get anything done. He also had a problem with being very blunt and saying inappropriate things at inappropriate times.

There are a few people in my church I wonder about at well.

All the time. I rarely bring it up and if I do I'm very careful about what I say.

One of our local Doctors seems very Aspie to me and I've heard other people say that. I wasn't sure if he knew or not. I had to see him about a problem. I'd been to see a GP and was referred to him. The GP had misdiagnosed my problem but sent me in the right direction. He glanced at the X-Rays and in a very brusk way said "No it's not X. It's never X when there is Y-symptom. It's awlayz Z. You have Z. I'm sending you for physical therapy." He walked out and came back with the referral paperwork.

I said, "Dr So and So, would you mind if I asked you a personal question?" He seemed a little startled but said OK. I said "It's nothing bad, but I heard something and if it's true you're a bit of a hero for my boys, especially my youngest who is very interested in medicine. I mean, you're a terrific doctor in any case. I've heard that you have Asperger's. Is that true?"

He sat down and put his hand on his chin, and said "No, I don't think so, but well you know.... I could. I've never been told that I do. Who said that?" I told him it was just some parent at a support meeting and that my kids have it otherwise I'd certainly never have wondered about it. Then we talked about some other stuff.

I had lunch with a very dear friend who has always been a bit odd. When she and I used to spend a lot of time together I knew she was really different and I liked her but I didn't know much about Asperger's or any of it. As I was on my way to meet her I was thinking about her and it hit me that she could have it. Then as we were eating and talking it seemed even more obvious. We'd been with a mutual friend as well. That friend left and she and I stayed to talk more, so I brought it up. First I talked about the kids and how great they are and how they have Asperger's and then I said "You know, I could kind of make a case for you having it too!" but I said it in a real friendly way so she could take it as a joke if she wanted to. Instead she was really interested and we talked about it for maybe an hour (the restaurant wasn't crowded). For her it doesn't change a thing. She's had two successful careers and is comfortably retired.

Parents sometimes ask me what I think about their kids. I'll say "Gee, that sounds like it could be (if it does) and I give them my Drs information to get a real dx.

I also see it in the kids I teach. In those cases it's usually not appropriate for me to say anything.

Kiley

I have seen people I suspect to have an ASD several times and have had my suspicions confirmed twice.

I never directly bring it up with people because I know it is potentially upsetting. Some people may be in denial, others may not know much about asperger's or autism and think they are being asked if they are ret*d, and still others may be fully aware and diagnosed but think if someone recognizes it in them they must be doing something strange or that everyone can tell.