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Mindset difference across spectrum

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Ashariel
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16 Jan 2017, 9:41 am

Ashariel wrote:
I'm extremely withdrawn, and dislike socializing. Diagnosed Asperger's.


I feel like I ought to clarify, I didn't mean to imply that Asperger's is superior to Autism, just that I was diagnosed with it in 2012, before it was merged with ASD.

As for the perception that 'Aspies' are more outward-focused, it could be that the outward-focused ones are more noticeable and prominent, and the inward-focused ones are quietly sitting at home, not being seen by anyone. But we do exist!



TheSilentOne
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16 Jan 2017, 10:00 am

My official diagnosis is HFA and I definitely am the type that wants to escape into their own mind and shut out everything else. I do occasionally like socializing, but only for really short periods of time. I can only socialize for a couple of hours without getting overwhelmed and needing a nap.


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ASPartOfMe
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16 Jan 2017, 9:05 pm

mr_bigmouth_502 wrote:
iliketrees wrote:
mr_bigmouth_502 wrote:
iliketrees wrote:
mr_bigmouth_502 wrote:
iliketrees wrote:
Nope, I'm diagnosed Asperger's but I'm not at all extroverted. Even wrongplanet gets too much and I keep taking breaks from here. I really just prefer being by myself. I don't seek people out like I assume your roommate does.

I'll be honest, I'm tired of people talking about "Asperger's" being a different condition than autism. "Asperger's" IS autism

I agree. Some people here keep insisting it's different though which I don't get. I wonder if the diagnostic labels on our profiles will ever change, especially when the ICD 11 comes out, removing "other autism spectrum disorder" and having "ASD" instead of "Aspergers".

I think part of the reason people try to insist that it's different is because they don't want to face the stigma of being "autistic". Like I mentioned before, the only real difference seems to be a lesser (apparent) degree of severity, with people diagnosed with "Aspergers" often not experiencing the language delays associated with "classic" autism.

I guess "Aspergers" could be used as a label for people on the higher-functioning end of the spectrum, but really, isn't it kind of redundant? Autism is a spectrum disorder, and people on the spectrum tend to have different challenges in different areas. Some people have more significant language issues, some people have more significant sensory issues, etc.

That could explain people diagnosed with AS who say they're different, but what about people like OP who are diagnosed with HFA and say they're different?

No two people on the spectrum are the same, but I think defining "Asperger's Syndrome" as a separate condition is kind of pointless. It really just means mild autism without a language delay.

Of course, what really pisses me off about it is when people use it to draw a line in the sand, saying things like "I'm not autistic, I just have Asperger's". Umm, you ARE autistic, and there's nothing wrong with admitting it. Then you also have people who say "I have Asperger's, therefore I'm superior to people with autism." You're NOT superior, and frankly no one is. We're all human here. We may have different neurotypes, but we're all still the same species.


I blame in part the DSM for creating the Aspie Supremacy problem (and indirectly the false perception that it is widespread or that all people that identify as "Aspie" do that to seperate themselves from the "lesser" autistics). By making it a totally seperate diagnosis instead of a subcategory of Autism they gave licence to this type of thinking.


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ASPartOfMe
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16 Jan 2017, 9:29 pm

Why did this idea that traditional Autistics are super introverts into thier own world and Aspies are failed social animals become conventional wisdom? This is not and never has been defined diagnostic criteria for Aspergers anywhere. Even proffesionals are claiming this now. When I was diagnosed with Aspergers back in 2013 my specialist with 30 years experience said there were these differences were two sub catagories of people with Aspergers. I am the into my own world type(which WP is a big part of). Now that Aspergers is mostly a colloquial term the definition of does not include me because I am into my own world and I am not gifted/high intellegence


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Bumble_Bee
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16 Jan 2017, 10:06 pm

I want to be social but struggle with living in a world that expects me to beat up on myself. To clarify Im still on the waiting list for diagnosis so I'm still stuck with all the depressed people (mostly cause I have a wobbly sleep thing going on...im a bit nocturnal and the drs think this is insomnia. Ps I sleep fine if i go to sleep when im sleepy regardless of time). Anyway, the process of diagnosis has been 3 years now (im making a complaint to the local council about the time span). Ive been without social contacts for 6 years plus. On the bright side i have concluded that i no longer have to adhere to societies social rules as it seems I am exclude from them. What with being denied a social life an' all.

This doesnt make me feel bad about myself. It makes me want to raise hell society wise.

I have no problem with taking the piss out of a system that thinks its above a little bit of difference.....

Difference is not always bad, sometimes difference might actually be good...or even just neutral. Whatever.

I just want society to treat people better. It's time for someone to teach society to be kind.



mr_bigmouth_502
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18 Jan 2017, 2:30 am

ASPartOfMe wrote:
mr_bigmouth_502 wrote:
iliketrees wrote:
mr_bigmouth_502 wrote:
iliketrees wrote:
mr_bigmouth_502 wrote:
iliketrees wrote:
Nope, I'm diagnosed Asperger's but I'm not at all extroverted. Even wrongplanet gets too much and I keep taking breaks from here. I really just prefer being by myself. I don't seek people out like I assume your roommate does.

I'll be honest, I'm tired of people talking about "Asperger's" being a different condition than autism. "Asperger's" IS autism

I agree. Some people here keep insisting it's different though which I don't get. I wonder if the diagnostic labels on our profiles will ever change, especially when the ICD 11 comes out, removing "other autism spectrum disorder" and having "ASD" instead of "Aspergers".

I think part of the reason people try to insist that it's different is because they don't want to face the stigma of being "autistic". Like I mentioned before, the only real difference seems to be a lesser (apparent) degree of severity, with people diagnosed with "Aspergers" often not experiencing the language delays associated with "classic" autism.

I guess "Aspergers" could be used as a label for people on the higher-functioning end of the spectrum, but really, isn't it kind of redundant? Autism is a spectrum disorder, and people on the spectrum tend to have different challenges in different areas. Some people have more significant language issues, some people have more significant sensory issues, etc.

That could explain people diagnosed with AS who say they're different, but what about people like OP who are diagnosed with HFA and say they're different?

No two people on the spectrum are the same, but I think defining "Asperger's Syndrome" as a separate condition is kind of pointless. It really just means mild autism without a language delay.

Of course, what really pisses me off about it is when people use it to draw a line in the sand, saying things like "I'm not autistic, I just have Asperger's". Umm, you ARE autistic, and there's nothing wrong with admitting it. Then you also have people who say "I have Asperger's, therefore I'm superior to people with autism." You're NOT superior, and frankly no one is. We're all human here. We may have different neurotypes, but we're all still the same species.


I blame in part the DSM for creating the Aspie Supremacy problem (and indirectly the false perception that it is widespread or that all people that identify as "Aspie" do that to seperate themselves from the "lesser" autistics). By making it a totally seperate diagnosis instead of a subcategory of Autism they gave licence to this type of thinking.

Quoted for truth. I don't necessarily mind seeing Asperger's Syndrome as a subtype of autism, but making it a separate diagnosis was a mistake.


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iliketrees
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18 Jan 2017, 7:46 am

It was, but you can't change the past. They've removed it (or will do) and it should go out of use by people over time now it's outdated.



ASPartOfMe
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18 Jan 2017, 7:44 pm

iliketrees wrote:
It was, but you can't change the past. They've removed it (or will do) and it should go out of use by people over time now it's outdated.


I thought it would going out of style a lot more than it has by now. I should not have been surprised. Idiocy and Imbecility were official diagnoses a century ago and they remain in colloquial use.


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iliketrees
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19 Jan 2017, 12:39 am

ASPartOfMe wrote:
iliketrees wrote:
It was, but you can't change the past. They've removed it (or will do) and it should go out of use by people over time now it's outdated.


I thought it would going out of style a lot more than it has by now. I should not have been surprised. Idiocy and Imbecility were official diagnoses a century ago and they remain in colloquial use.

Very few people actually keep up to date with the DSM V or ICD 11, there's no reason to unless you're in the field. And then you get people who know but don't care because they're stuck in their ways. But it will eventually go out, especially after 2018 when it'll be outdated in terms of being a diagnosis. How long it'll take here on WP I really don't know.