Not Diagnosed, But Fairly Certain I have It?

Post Reply New Topic

I wanted the opinion of people who will know first hand. Here's a general laundry list of why I think I have it.

I am 20 years old, for the record.


-Poor coordination/motor function; can't skip, snap my fingers, yo-yo, ride a bike. I still have trouble with eating with utensils (prefer my fingers), and tying my shoes.
-Poor social skills. I have trouble talking to people. I can't look people in the eye. I can't start conversations, and it's difficult to continue a conversation.
-I also have a noticeable speech impediment.
-I have a lot of what people might call "nervous ticks"; biting of the lips and cheeks, fidgeting.
-I can't talk on the phone unless I'm pacing. I just can't do it.
-I'm prone to panic attacks if any of this is threatened.
-I'm very obsessed with a few topics.

As a child, I often threw tantrums when routines or plans were changed in the slightest way. Also, as a child, I rarely looked up from the floor. As I got older, and by pure training, I became better socially. I had very few friends as a child. I can now look in the general face area, maybe between the nose to make it appear as if I'm looking them in the eye, but I can't make eye contact.

Also, I played by myself. Very imagnative. A little, you could say "weird". Most memorably, I played with pencils like they were Barbies.


I have an eidetic memory, high IQ, and prefer to talk facts, and trivia than "small talk". Also, it's very hard for me to confide in anyone.



I've been certain I have Asperger's since I was 17. My family says they don't see it, but they are old fashioned, and I think they are reluctant to admit that I might have a serious problem instead of just being "shy". But, my problems go way beyond that of just someone who is shy.

Hi Skye213,
I don't know much about diagnosing Asperger's myself, but this sounds pretty typical of what someone with the condition does. I also have some issues with motor coordination and would do almost anything to get out of gym class when I was a teen. I remember that I never learned to ride a bicycle, and that at 13 I broke my tailbone trying to stop on a skateboard. I can be friendly, but I have trouble reading nonverbal cues or guessing at a person's emotional state or motivations. This is the DSM-IV criteria for Asperger's syndrome, if you're interested.

(I) Trouble with social interaction, with two in this section.
(A) trouble using noverbal cues such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(B) don't develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(C) don't spontaneously seek 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)
(D) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

(II) Repetitive or stereotyped behavior, interests and activities, with at least one from this section:

(A) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(B) inflexibly sticking to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(C) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(D) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects


(III) The disturbance caused problems in social, occupational, or other functioning

(IV) No language delay (E.G. single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

(V) No 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.

(VI) It's not another Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia

Sounds reminiscent of it, but as is always said we aren't doctors. Go find a doctor. But as way of comfort your suspicions seem founded.

Also, go here and take some of these online, objective tests.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt113459.html

They are not diagnostic either (you could get an Aspie score and not be Aspie), but they can help you start a dialogue with your doctor when you do head in for assessment.