Can you treat Asperger’s?

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Digging though the forums, I keep coming across people being treated for Asperger’s. Now, obviously this is an Asperger’s and Autism forum, so duh, right? What occurred to me is that I’ve never actually thought about getting treatment for Asperger’s. What would you do, how can you treat Asperger’s?

My biggest problems are interpersonal. It seems I can offend people merely by walking in the room. This has gotten me fired and I originally sought therapy and was first diagnosed Aspie after losing my job again when I sought treatment to find out why. Once I did, I changed job paths, picked up an analytical master's degree and moved into full time egghead work that is more fun anyway. Once I did this, everything became sunshine and roses. Well, ok, maybe not all is perfect, but I’ve developed a myriad of coping mechanisms and as long as I keep my social contacts structured to what works for me. I understand that the majority of people won’t have the perseverance or luck to find an academic or career field where Aspie behavioral idiosyncrasies are not just useful, but valued. So I can see why career fulfillment, relationships, etc. would cause one to seek therapy. Plus the whole, “am I crazy, or is it the rest of the herd” issue comes up. I get that. When I was younger, I definitely needed true treatment – feeling alone, disconnected, unsuccessful. Getting some help besides Dr Dolittle the disinterested school counselor might have saved me a whole lot pain like flunking out of high school and other reckless behaviors.

And why seek treatment? Once I figured out that I genuinely don’t like being around people, I came to terms with the fact people don’t want to be around me. I creep them out, that’s cool. Sorry. Yeah, it bothered me when I drove off a really good D&D group, because they were clearly nerdier than me, right? But honestly – they weren’t as smart as I am. Yes, yes, the social norm is that nobody is supposed to talk about “I’m smarter than you”, I know it, I try hard not to be condescending, but it slips out. I'm 6'3" and work out every day too, but people can SEE those facts, so they are ok to talk about. It took me a long time, but I finally found a different gaming group who understood that a reference to Milton could be a pun about economics or religion at the same time, and quite funny at that. I adapted, I coped. I always do. I didn't change anything about me, I like me!

But what can you do? Is Asperger’s treatment just about coping mechanisms? What is the benefit to treatment?

No.

You can, however, treat anything that is co-morbid to Asperger's syndrome (ADD, depression, etc.).

Wow, sorry about all the words in the original post. I've been working on being more concise lately, does this say pretty much the same thing as my first post:

While the forums contain many reference to people seeking treatment for Asperger’s, I have never sought treatment. How can you treat this disorder?

I have lost my job due to poor interpersonal skills which led me seek treatment and be diagnosed with Asperger’s. My reaction to diagnosis was to change career paths to one that fit my personality better and to develop more coping skills. Treatment would have helped me as a youth, and I can also understand many reasons why adults would want therapy to help with interpersonal coping skills.

Why seek treatement? I came to terms with my social faults and learned to adapt by seeking people who fit me better.

Is Asperger’s treatment just about coping mechanisms? What is the benefit to treatment?

You can't cure something that's not a disease.

I think working on social skills or getting social skills training is treating it.

I also think learning to be flexible is treating it too and learning to control your obsessions and not talk about them all the time.

this is true if attending first and second grade is a treatment for neurotypicality?

I've found with age I've learned what I do wrong, what I have difficulties with and either improved them or found work-arounds. I'm 24 now, and since I was 18 I've changed manssivly, everyone does, but I now find things a lot easier and I find with age the harshness of my AS is wearing off. I see my Dad who must definitely be AS and while he has his traits he is a pretty much normal member of society and I think this is all to do with age. I see it this way, it just takes me longer to get to grips with the social and people stuff. While most have it down to a pat by say 16/18, it's taking me a lot longer, but I'm getting there.

I've also found using MDMA once or twice a month when I go out (clubs etc) has helped. I understand and feel empathy when on it and this goes through in to my everyday life, long after the MDMA has gone from my system. Since I started using it I've found I've changed for the better, plus I just generally like using that dug when in clubs.

In short, my treatment is age and being aware of what your doing, saying et al