A Different Type of Autism? Help!

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The idea that to have Asperger's Syndrome you have to have "social problems" is a stereotype. AS directly causes sensory, motor, and thinking issues that mean our socialisation is more challenging or needs more effort, but not always impossible. It's easy to feel inadequate or that it's too hard. That's when the "social problems" side sets in.

A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity

If social problems was a requirement, I shouldn't be able to say "hi" to my neighbour, or the checkout operator when I buy groceries. I can, and I do have AS. Besides, I know a teenager who is more AS than me and she has friends and can socially interact. You can't measure AS by social difficulties.

I believe mechanicalgirl meant having social skills explained to you. For instance, if someone had to explain to you how to recognize sarcasm, or explicitly taught you how to carry on a two-way conversation rather than monologuing all the time about your special interest, and how to recognize signs of boredom/disinterest in others, etc. Some people are self-taught, but the learning is always explicit and effortful, rather than implicit and natural as for NTs, and it is delayed. And in general, quite imperfect.

This is SPOOKY similar to myself when I was your age. My activities involved rythmic rolling on my bed while listening to music, and having imaginary adventures in my head. This is stimming, and so is your activity.

The idea that to have Asperger's Syndrome you have to have "social problems" is a stereotype. AS directly causes sensory, motor, and thinking issues that mean our socialisation is more challenging or needs more effort, but not always impossible. It's easy to feel inadequate or that it's too hard. That's when the "social problems" side sets in.

If social problems was a requirement, I shouldn't be able to say "hi" to my neighbour, or the checkout operator when I buy groceries. I can, and I do have AS. Besides, I know a teenager who is more AS than me and she has friends and can socially interact. You can't measure AS by social difficulties.



You definately have a Social Anxiety Disorder. How do you feel about people, especially strangers and adults, knowing or finding out about your stim? Do you get anxious if you can't stim when you want to?

We must not forget as Ahaseurus2000 has pointed out that Autism is a spectrum disease and not clear cut. Also that the reason that it affects us socially is down to how badly or how well it catches us developmentally (inside reflected on the outside to varying degrees - iceberg effect).

I often wonder myself. I realize now that conversation for me is really like acting. I rarely feel like what I'm saying is authentic. I simply know that if someone said, "good morning," I know to say, "good morning," with a smile on my face and an attitude that suggests humbleness. I sometimes wonder if I've just picked up on how all small talk ought to go.

Sometimes I would rather just get to the point. "Your shirt looks particularly appealing today."... most people would find this approach disturbing.