Bare Minimum Aspie Traits

Page 1 of 3 [ 33 posts ] Go to page 1, 2, 3 Next

Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Age: 74
Gender: Male
Posts: 208

19 Nov 2010, 12:22 pm

There are a huge number of "optional" symptoms of Aspger's, and multiple diagnosis criteria from different organizations. What do you consider to be the bare minimum traits to be an aspie?

Callista
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 3 Feb 2006
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 10,775
Location: Ohio, USA

19 Nov 2010, 12:28 pm

Asperger Syndrome

Read that. You see where it says "at least two", or "at least one", or some such? The lowest number possible from I and II is the threshold for Asperger's. If there are fewer than that AND criterion III is still fulfilled, then that goes into PDD-NOS territory. If Criterion III is NOT fulfilled, no matter how many other traits are present, then it's not diagnosable as anything at all. If Criterion IV or V is not fulfilled (meaning a language delay is present), then that goes into PDD-NOS or autistic disorder. And Criterion VI means that it's not Asperger's but some other PDD or schizophrenia.

_________________
Reports from a Resident Alien:
http://chaoticidealism.livejournal.com

Autism Memorial:
http://autism-memorial.livejournal.com

RainingRoses
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 28 Oct 2010
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Posts: 731
Location: New York City

19 Nov 2010, 12:43 pm

This week, my therapist (who's in no way a specialist but knows something about "the spectrum") told me this:

"Despite your getting along pretty well in the world, and having a lot of coping mechanisms, when you peel back all the layers, ultimately there's only you. Your whole world revolves around yourself. You're not a psychopath, because you have a conscience. But, there's a fundamental disconnect between you and other people, and very little, if any, room for anyone else in your life."

After getting over the initial shock (and offense), I decided that she is correct. Like really correct. Despite its possibly being a little unorthodox -- as I said, she's not a specialist -- I've decided that this is my own personal "bare minimum" (which isn't so minimal, I don't think). I say that because all of my "optional" Aspie traits seem to flow directly from this source: no friends (and no interest in friends), social anxiety, inability to maintain eye contact, confusion/disorientation/fear when out in the world, lack of day-to-day empathy, tendency to lose myself in my own special interests, finding comfort in otherwise embarrassing or antisocial or weird habits and routines, etc.

_________________
Put the curse of loneliness on every boy and every girl,
Until everybody's kickin', everybody's scratchin',
Everything seems to fail ?
And it was all for the want of a nail.

theexternvoid
Sea Gull

Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Age: 74
Gender: Male
Posts: 208

19 Nov 2010, 1:24 pm

Callista wrote:

If Criterion III is NOT fulfilled, no matter how many other traits are present, then it's not diagnosable as anything at all.

That criterion uses the phrase "clinically significant." What does that phrase mean?

the_curmudge
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 21 Aug 2010
Age: 74
Gender: Male
Posts: 612
Location: Florida

19 Nov 2010, 1:42 pm

Thanks to Callista for the link. Before joining WrongPlanet I thought I knew what AS is, but since I've become increasingly confused. It's helpful to see the bare criteria again.

theexternvoid
Sea Gull

Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Age: 74
Gender: Male
Posts: 208

19 Nov 2010, 1:49 pm

RainingRoses' description is interesting, the whole "there's only you" paragraph. Does anyone believe that describes Asperger's, and anyone who does not fit that description must be NT?

Callista
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 3 Feb 2006
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 10,775
Location: Ohio, USA

19 Nov 2010, 1:54 pm

theexternvoid wrote:

Callista wrote:

If Criterion III is NOT fulfilled, no matter how many other traits are present, then it's not diagnosable as anything at all.

That criterion uses the phrase "clinically significant." What does that phrase mean?

Causing distress or dysfunction at a level that requires outside help beyond what would be given to the average person.

I decided to make up a flowchart for autism diagnosis. Here we go. Sorry about the size.
Link to full size version without scrunched text.
I think most browsers will shrink it to fit. Click on the image to expand it (the cursor should look like a little magnifying glass).

[img][800:1599]http://i54.tinypic.com/21c8j8j.png[/img]

_________________
Reports from a Resident Alien:
http://chaoticidealism.livejournal.com

Autism Memorial:
http://autism-memorial.livejournal.com

alexptrans
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 31 May 2010
Age: 182
Gender: Male
Posts: 878

19 Nov 2010, 1:56 pm

RainingRoses wrote:

"Despite your getting along pretty well in the world, and having a lot of coping mechanisms, when you peel back all the layers, ultimately there's only you. Your whole world revolves around yourself. You're not a psychopath, because you have a conscience. But, there's a fundamental disconnect between you and other people, and very little, if any, room for anyone else in your life."

After getting over the initial shock (and offense), I decided that she is correct. Like really correct. Despite its possibly being a little unorthodox -- as I said, she's not a specialist -- I've decided that this is my own personal "bare minimum" (which isn't so minimal, I don't think). I say that because all of my "optional" Aspie traits seem to flow directly from this source: no friends (and no interest in friends), social anxiety, inability to maintain eye contact, confusion/disorientation/fear when out in the world, lack of day-to-day empathy, tendency to lose myself in my own special interests, finding comfort in otherwise embarrassing or antisocial or weird habits and routines, etc.

This. I think that's the most single helpful post I've read on this board, and it describes me so well that it gives me the creeps.

Skinnyboy
Raven
Raven

Joined: 8 Nov 2010
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Posts: 108
Location: Iowa

19 Nov 2010, 2:23 pm

Callista wrote:

Here's the problem I have, all my life I've taken a secret pride in denying myself rituals that I know are unnecessary. I've remained calm in situations where the environment or people are stressing me out. I've gone to great pains to try and talk to others, and have developed a handful of good friends, never more than one at a time really, but it's a good friendship. I take these questions literally (another common trait) and have to answer it's very hard but I can do it, it that a yes or no?

To this day it's an everyday struggle to get past these AS traits, but since I can function pretty well and get around these impulses, am I not Aspie? Is it the point that I take a deep breath and step out of my routine that I leave the spectrum? I'm not trying to get anything under insurance so I don't need a diagnosis, for me I'm happy to identify with ASD and call it good.

League_Girl
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 4 Feb 2010
Gender: Female
Posts: 27,280
Location: Pacific Northwest

19 Nov 2010, 2:51 pm

My psychiatrist wrote I met five in the AS criteria. I don't know if he means from the first two. Then my mom says I meet up to eight sometimes. but he wrote I am between autism and AS and would say I have an autism spectrum disorder. He eventually diagnosed me with AS. I think I am more PDD-NOS. I was very hard to diagnose because of my early history.

_________________
Son: Diagnosed w/anxiety and ADHD. Also academic delayed and ASD lv 1.

Daughter: NT, no diagnoses. Possibly OCD. Is very private about herself.

Moog
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2010
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 17,671
Location: Untied Kingdom

19 Nov 2010, 3:05 pm

Interesting. Thanks for posting the flow chart, Callista. I am not sure if I end up at Asperger's or PDD NOS. I'll have another look when I'm less tired.

_________________
Not currently a moderator

Callista
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 3 Feb 2006
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 10,775
Location: Ohio, USA

19 Nov 2010, 3:29 pm

Skinnyboy wrote:

Callista wrote:

Diagnosable Aspie versus neurologically Aspie--there's a difference. If you're functioning without help to the point that you don't have to spend too much more effort than an NT would, then no, a doctor wouldn't diagnose you. Remember, a diagnosis is a tool to categorize the traits of people who need outside help--not the general public who don't need help. Many times a diagnosis is only needed during times of crisis anyhow.

_________________
Reports from a Resident Alien:
http://chaoticidealism.livejournal.com

Autism Memorial:
http://autism-memorial.livejournal.com

RainingRoses
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 28 Oct 2010
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Posts: 731
Location: New York City

19 Nov 2010, 3:37 pm

Callista wrote:

Compare Simon Baron-Cohen et al., The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol. 31, No. 1 (2001):

“[A] high score on the AQ however does not mean an individual has AS or HFA, since a diagnosis is only merited if the individual is suffering a clinical level of distress as a result of their autistic traits.”

_________________
Put the curse of loneliness on every boy and every girl,
Until everybody's kickin', everybody's scratchin',
Everything seems to fail ?
And it was all for the want of a nail.

theexternvoid
Sea Gull

Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Age: 74
Gender: Male
Posts: 208

19 Nov 2010, 3:51 pm

Veyr interesting: Asperger's syndrome only exists in the eyes of a doctor if it causes you problems and you need help. I find that strange... But in a way it makes sense from a medical profession point of view.

So do people on this forum think one has Asperger's / is an aspie if one is neuroligically the same but is lucky enough to not be experiencing life problems nor suffering in a way that requires help?

Moog
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2010
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 17,671
Location: Untied Kingdom

19 Nov 2010, 4:02 pm

theexternvoid wrote:

I feel as you do; it makes no sense, but I understand that the diagnosis is there to help those with needs. I'd still call people with a predominantly aspie or autie way of seeing and interacting with the world 'aspie', they just don't need so much aid to be independent and happy.

_________________
Not currently a moderator

puddingmouse
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 24 Apr 2010
Age: 38
Gender: Female
Posts: 8,777
Location: Cottonopolis

19 Nov 2010, 4:15 pm

theexternvoid wrote:

I think I'm still on the spectrum, although I'd doubt I'd get diagnosed if needing therapy/drugs was a criteria. I guess 'clinically significant' isn't the same thing as being someone you could help medically. It's not that I don't need help, it's just the kind of help offered by psychiatrist wouldn't work on me. I'm not mentally ill, apart from depression.

Page 1 of 3 [ 33 posts ] Go to page 1, 2, 3 Next

Jump to:

Bare Minimum Aspie Traits Post Reply New Topic

Bare Minimum Aspie Traits