My obsessive analysis of DSM criteria

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I'm trying to figure out which of these apply to me, and I'm having a hell of a time. Most of this stuff seems to fit me now, but I'm trying to remember myself as a child and see how it might have fit, and I don't know. So, I'm going to go through some of these, one by one, and try to analyze them to death. I would love to hear other people's comments.



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

(A) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction

I certainly lack whatever mysterious force enables people to intuitively know how to exist in the middle of a group situation, or how to play kickball, or how to sit down on the first day of work and just know what to do. It's clear to me, at this stage in my life, that other people have this mysterious ability, and that I do not have it. It has been a major problem in every job I ever had, and I consistently get told that I need to "take the initiative" or improve my "attitude", or "be a team player"...but no one ever explains how to do specifically do that in that situation. So, perhaps I can assume that the "mysterious force" has something to do with nonverbal skills, but I don't know. ??? I always thought I was okay at reading facial expressions and body language; but maybe I'm so bad at it that I don't even know I'm bad at it. I'm certainly missing something.

(B) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

What is appropriate? As a 41 year old woman, who spends all day at home with an AS kid whose own special interests keep him glued to his Legos and/or computer, what kind of peer relationships am I supposed to have? Well, okay, I have NONE, except for my husband. If it means I'm supposed to be active on the PTA, then screw that. That's too much like having a job (see above). But I've had friends here and there, and never felt any great lack of friends...except when I had to invite people to my wedding to justify having a traditional wedding dress and big cake, and realized that I didn't know anyone. But I'd go nuts if I had to juggle relationships with multiple friends. It's all I can do to manage my own little family. When I was a kid, no one ever suggested that I was lacking in the "peer relationships" department, but I come from an extremely non-social family, and I don't think any adult ever really noticed my peer relationships one way or another. As a teenager, I shunned my peers completely (except one hippy/punk friend), and associated with middle-aged men with names like "Animal" and "Gypsy." Gosh, I'm answering my own question as I go along, aren't I?

(C) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interest or achievements with other people, (e.g.. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)

I feel a George Thorogood song coming on: "I drink alone. Yeah, with nobody else. You know, when I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself. " Actually, I don't drink alone, simply because my only opportunity to drink is after the kids are in bed, and my husband is right there, and by that time it's nearly time for bed anyway. But I digress. Which "other people" are they referring to here? Random strangers? Coworkers? If I happen to be with someone who I think might be interested, then I'll share. When my mother comes to visit, I show her my knitting projects, because she's an avid knitter. In fact, I share many things with her, because she shares a lot of the same interests. I don't share things with people who have not already demonstrated that they might be appreciative, though. This criterion seems like something that is meant to apply to a young child, and I honestly don't know if that was ever a concern. No one ever mentioned it, but my parents wouldn't have been analyzing my every move back then.

(D) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

I assume this means returning greetings or acknowledging when someone is sharing their feelings. I return greetings, although sometimes just with a nod of the head, depending on the situation. I don't think I'm pathologically weird in this respect, but no one will ever accuse me of being a social butterfly. I've been known to cross to the other side of the street rather than have to greet an acquaintance. I have learned that if I do attempt to be all bubbly and "OMG, it so good to seeee you!!" then it makes them act all weird, and the whole thing gets creepy. I also do not bubble over with enthusiasm when given a gift that I didn't want in the first place, or any of that fake stuff, but I will say "thank you" and try to make a positive, appreciative comment.


(II) Restricted repetitive & stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

(A) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

I have two or three topics that occupy most of my thoughts, and often find it difficult or unpleasant to break away from those in order to get something else done. I'm not sure how "abnormal in intensity or focus" they are, though. Certainly NT's have interests that they think about to some extent, right? I'm not constantly quoting Alan Rickman movies at people, but I would if I thought they'd appreciate it. I don't know what kinds of thoughts NT's have, but I do have some very specific, restricted scenarios that I enjoy playing in my mind over and over again. I suspect that isn't a very NT thing, but how would I know? Before learning about AS, I never would have questioned it. It does seem like other people are able to think of a wider variety of things than I am, though. I always perceived this as other people having more hours in their day.

(B) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals


I don't think I really have this, at least not to any major extent,. One day is pretty much like another, but if my AS son wasn't so absurdly inflexible, I'd probably have a bit more variety in my life, and be fine with that. Gotta have oatmeal and tea for breakfast every morning, I admit, but I won't have a meltdown if I don't get it.

(C) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

I have a couple of little things that I do, like brushing my lips with my finger and twirling my finger in circles, but I'm pretty good at not doing it in public. No one has ever called any of these things to my attention. Then again, since I only know three people, and none of them actually seem to notice anything I do, they wouldn't, would they?


(D) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

I don't think I have this characteristic in any major way.


(III) The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Well, I'm almost 42 and have nobody that I could put as a job reference, and don't even know what I'd do if I needed to look for a job. I have a four-year degree in anthopology, and at my age, would be expected to have some kind of competence in doing whatever the hell it is that people do in jobs. I lack the social skills to help my son organize a small birthday party, and may have recently lost my only girlfriend because I told her she's been telling me too many intimate details about her husband's sexual problems. So...yeah.


(IV) There is no clinically significant general delay in language (E.G. single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

True.

(V) There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood.

True.

(VI) Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia."


True.


Well...there you go. What do you all think? Not that I need permission, but is it okay for me to just call myself an aspie (in my own head, at least), and not worry about shelling out $800 for a diagnosis? I get about 133 ("you might be an aspie") on that rdos quiz, and between 37 and 42 on that AQ quiz (which feels less accurate to me, because it seems to equate "introvert" with "AS".) I have no need to bring up the topic of autism to anyone outside of this board anyway, but don't want be thought of as a fraud if I answer as if I am properly diagnosed. It's just that I can imagine people that I know saying, "What?! No WAY!! ! You are SO NOT an aspie!! !" because I had a normal conversation with them. KWIM?

No need for you to do your best to interpret it, as it already is in the book:

DSM-IV-TR on Asperger's

I know exactly what you mean. After spending more time on the boards, though, and finding this to be the only place where I feel like I have anything remotely in common with other people, I've decided to just roll with it. I'm still not entirely comfortable with the self-diagnosis thing, though.

Regards,

Patricia

Wanda you are certainly an aspie I will apply this to me by using the marvelous technologies of code manipulation and apply it to me but would call you an aspie I am in diagnosis phase at the moment and its nice to meet you, you seem very sincere

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

(A) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction

I have a relatively good inititive IF ON MY OWN but if I start a job or an essay at uni I will ask constant questions that most people would not ask, quirky but blatently obvious ones. My friend who is an aspie lacks it but has some over me and I tell him to focus but we kind of egg each other on I supposse.

(B) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

None at all an aspie friend who me and him reference, a 12 year old brother and a 47 yr old mum and step father who is 54 I think.

(C) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interest or achievements with other people, (e.g.. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)

Not really I am impulsive in my areas of interest but thats all really I don't point out objects or anything like that but I am teaching my step father about computers so I will brief him every three or four days about certain skills etc etc

(D) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

To my friends I am kind and help but that is only my aspie friend who is my only friend to be honest, when recieving a gift, luckily if its green or a game I'll be like thanks but not over joyed , I don't understand that never why people are like OH MY GOD I HAVE WANTED THIS CD FOR AGES. I am very blunt and sometimes callous if interfered with. So no I don't recipricate


(II) Restricted repetitive & stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

(A) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

Pretty much I am a very repitive person when in front of people I always crack knuckles or flap or talk about computers or politics .

(B) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals


Depends at uni I am of course not at home and get down because I miss my living space and routine e.g. walking my dogs at 5am or my local area where I feel safe. When at home I have MANY rituals

(C) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

I do hand and finger flap as a kid I remember my nan always told me to stop fidgeting
(D) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

Yep such as fear of boiling pans, fire in general, staring at washing machines when younger and computer parts and systems many more to, too long to write but very simple objects I have a grandiose theory of for example milk floats secretly being actually demonic in origin because that sound scares the hell out of me


(III) The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Pretty much if disturbed randomly for example people visiting I go really distant and nod on th conversations until about 20 - 30 minutes later the annoyance has slipped me. and I am 21 no perticular working only a paper round because it slotted with my routine and I never really look at people only have 1 or 2 friends which I will lose by next year because I cannot establish bonds


(IV) There is no clinically significant general delay in language (E.G. single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

True.for me to

(V) There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood.

True.for me to

(VI) Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia."


True; I do not know the criteria exactly but I do not name or here voices in my head only initiate coversations with myself usually if I have an idea etc or just when I am lonely 100% but I enjoy being on my own anyway so I am comfortable with myself

Well guys from wandas question do I have AS in the AQ quiz I score 39 and the SQ 138, EQ is fairly low less than 19 . IQ is about 117 bad days when routine ruined and good days 130 nost likely

lets make this an undiagnosed or in diagnosis area good work wanda, apologies for stealing your thunder as they say but I did not mean to it was a question I was thinking of asking the guys to

, I've decided to just roll with it. I'm still not entirely comfortable with the self-diagnosis thing, though.

Same I am just very relieved to be on waiting list now so afterwards I just can say I have it and roll on with life

I usually recommend AGAINST getting an official diagnosis unless it is absolutely necessary to obtain needed services. At least in the area where I live, being autistic automatically disqualifies a person from getting private health insurance. If an employer (who provides insurance) notices or discovers the diagnosis before hiring, then there is a huge chance of not being hired. People who have what is considered serious medical conditions raise the cost of insurance for both the employer and the employees in the same group. Employers, especially at big multinational companies are fanatics about cutting every cent they can regardless of who it hurts. Also, it does not matter that autistic employees stay out of office politics and work as hard as they can. Most big, multinational firms don't want to invest the little bit it would take to accommodate an autistic employee. They for the most part don't look past next quarter's profits. If on the other hand, you are looking to receive a disability check, then it might be advantageous to have the official diagnosis.

Consistent preoccupation with parts of objects:

In my psych eval, I was said to have this because I see the details and pieces of concepts and my visual world and become fixated on them. That is often how this criterion appears in the lives of adults, not children, with AS.

I wish they would take autism and its spectrum out of the DSM and put it in a neurological diagnosis group.