How Many People Here Are actually Autistic or have Aspergers

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I'm talking of that other "A" word too, Asperger's,

To this layman, the boundary between ASD and non-ASD is fairly easy to see, as it's defined clearly in textbooks; the boundary between the various ASDs is the point of contention for many, and it's more muddled with various countries and institutions using their own concepts. Case in point, me, and two different diagnoses in the same city (Autism and Asperger's). This should be cleared up when and if they remove the "Asperger's" label.

I don't know; worldwide, "Asperger's" is fairly stable, and the prevalence is similar between countries. I don't follow people here, so I wouldn't know if they're impaired or not, but in the US, one actually needs an "impaired" clause to be diagnosed--European countries that use ICD-10 (the US criteria, but without the "impaired" clause), and Gillberg's, probably have more leeway in diagnosing "high-functioning" or "mild" individuals, but who still show the symptoms.

Still, this doesn't detract from the fact that Asperger's is hotly contested, whereas conditions like schizophrenia aren't (which is a disorder of similar severity, but of an adolescent/adult-onset, and with a less stable course, so it's even harder to diagnose).

*shoves official diagnosis in your face then starts rambling on about DeLoreans and iPhones*

Believe me yet?

Alright, you caught me. I saw how much everybody loves you aspies and said to myslef "Oi, I gotta get me a piece o' dat!". I had to move from Vancouver to Houston to attend an ASD school, but what can I say? I'm a method actor.

LOL that reminded me of this: http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=5244796090 read the description:



Weirdo wannabes...

I'm oficially diagnosed with AS but prefer to tell people I'm autistic. Well, I am.

I have a variety of mild neurological abnormalities which go with the 'Tourette syndrome with obsessive compulsive behaviour' (official diagnosis). I am socially inept, have very few friends and almost never go out (and when I do it's often on my own).

I also know that I do not fulfil the criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome and I very much doubt I have non-verbal learning disorder. I do seem to have dyssemia to a certain degree, although that it not a condition on its own, nor is it well recognised.

However, I believe dyssemia is a core part of autism and Asperger syndrome and I feel entitled to participate on these boards.

It appears that there is mild Tourette syndrome and Asperger syndrome on my mother's side of the family (in two different people).

A list of my mild neurological abnormalities/anomalies:
Tourette syndrome with obsessive compulsive behaviour (official diagnosis)
CAPD traits
Mild Asperger syndrome traits/NVLD/social-emotional processing difficulties/dyssemia
Minor tactile issues
Irritability (used to have rages)
Distractibility
Absent mindedness manifesting itself as short term/working memory problems
Organisational problems
Possible Harry Benjamin syndrome/dysmorphia
Hypodipsia
Mild synesthesia (associated type)

Basically neurologically dodgy!

I have AS.

I would have never been considered autistic BEFORE Asperger's was recognized in the United States, but since the criteria for ASD has been so broadened, I know come under that category of ASDs. During the great majority of life, I've just been different, eccentric, an introvert, a loner, etc.

I was officially diagnosed with AS, though I secretly believe that I had something in common with autistics when I mentored two autistic boys (Kanner's) while I was in high school in the early 90s. I agree with the "dash of autism theory". I didn't think the classic autistics were as different as most people did.

What is troubling to me if that all these behavioral and/or psychiatric issues are connected to the autistic spectrum. I think it's a separate issue for adults, if not children as well.

I'm also ADD but that was more of a childhood issue. The PhD that I met with thought I had pretty much resolved that on my own. AS, for me, is simply part of my personality and some challenges to work at.. not a disability. What is not right is being singled out and treated differently for being different, so it's disabling that regard, but not intrinsically for me at least.

I agree.

I believe that being anywhere on the spectrum, even if extremely mild, makes it far easier to understand others who are so. It's as if the fundamental thought patterns are the same, and all that differs is the intensity of them. Even if I don't share a particular difficulty or behavior, it's not strange to me in the way I think it would be to most 'average' people.

actually i think if i had obsessed more about it i would have opted for a solution earlier and so i think my obsession with other stuff has blinded me from the reality i now face...but i still think there is some hope there, just need to find out what is wrong and what is a part of my base personality so i can fix it as my by far biggest obsession is fixing problems.....

are you without a diagnose still then?

There is an ASD school in Houston?????

Agreed. Absolutely.

(Hooray! This is the first time I've used the quote feature. lol. Who says I'm inflexible? )

AS and O-CPD (majoring in symmetry and numbers;

I'm happy to record I feel I belong here - am very grateful to you folk - I have received more help when in extremis than I've been able to provide to others, but am not very confident; will contribute when I can (a bit slow on the uptake).

Am currently undergoing CBT for the O-CPDness - it's hard work.

Michaelmas

I think I fit all but one of the characteristics for Asperger's. So yep, I think that definitely puts me in the position to say that I have Asperger's.

oh yeah. I'm not allowed to post hyperlinks yet, but it got a webpage: monarchschool . org