Why do we define ourselves by our AS?

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I have heard a disturbing number of people say that they wouldn't change having AS because they think that would change who they are. Why do people think that?

Some people are diagnosed with depression. If they were able to get rid of their depression, would they be a different person? I don't think so. Who you are can't change. It's all about how you respond. You aren't depressed anymore, but your likes and dislikes, your fundamental world-views, your quirks and idiosyncracies aren't going to change. You may act differently during the period of your depression, but underneath it all you are still you.

AS makes you react to the world differently to others. But when you are in an environment where you are completely comfortable, the real you shines through. What if you could keep that real you for always? Show it to others? What if you could talk to people normally, striking up a conversation out of thin air - like NT's do? I used to think I was shy. Maybe a little, but that's not the real problem. I simply don't know what to say! Because I lack the social skills to be able to make conversation.

Skills. To cope. To interact. How can these change us?

Yes, but you aren't born depressed, are you?

Depression is acquired, autism is not. Most problems aspies face are from being unable to adapt themselves well to an NT world, not as a result of being "defective" or mentally ill (the latter as in the case of depression).

I don't.

It's only one part of me, there's more to me than a neurological disorder; there's more to everyone than a neurological disorder.

Autism is acquired, usually, on the whole, for the most part, the majority, at 2-3 years old ABRUPTLY. A great change from prior state to autism!

Fact: Many aspergers and autism peoples CAN'T ACCEPT THIS. Bam!

ACQUIRED FOLKS, SORRY. We became cripples.

It's part of me. I don't know how much of me would still be me without AS, because I've never known myself as an NT. I like the way I am, so I wouldn't change that.

Autism simply isn't like depression. It's not as if there is a chemical imbalance (like depression) that suppresses us. It's how our brains are wired, even if that can be disabling.

Nobody really knows the cause of autism, so if it's hard-wired, genetic, how is it not acquired? Assuming the above (commonly accepted, even if not proven entirely) are in fact correct, that is.

I'm just pointing out that in the case of mental disorders, your personality is not usually affected by the disorder (at least not permanently - can seem different if you are experiencing constant negative emtions or whatever). Your identity is separate.

Yes, I see what you're saying, but autism is not classified under mental disorder.

A) Not everyone is like that.
B)We know autism is based on genetic factors.
C)Things change dramatically over time with human developement anyway.

I beg to disagree. There is compelling evidence to suggest that a lot of it is chemical. My brother is undergoing treatment currently because he was a danger to himself and others, with no hope of a future (he could barely even go to school, because he would have outbursts where he would yell and scream and throw tables over and could not be restrained, even at the age of eight, and would inflict sometimes quite serious injuries on teachers and anyone who got close). Yet since being put on an incredibly strict diet with supplements etc, he has had a dramatic improvement. He is well-behaved, polite, and close to normal.

But if he eats the wrong food, you can tell almost immediately. He becomes very agitated, upset, rude, arrogant, and potentially violent. He starts sneering and yelling, has a very short temper, and is unpleasant to be around. Because of those chemicals he has eaten, that disagree with him.

It is a brain disorder. Large amounts of the AS brain simply don't work, or function at levels that are severely inadequate. Other parts of the brain work harder to compensate, and that explains why so many AS have high IQ's. And depending on the specific part that isn't funcitoning properly, you may have different results (like not all AS have high IQ)

Some people don't want to lose the hyperfocusing, the mini obsessions, the analyzing to extra levels, the thinking with less emotion, etc. that also go with Asperger's syndrome. That's also part of who some of us are, and a cure could take that away. Here are some of the concerns.

The Asperger's brain is wired differently than "normal". If a person with AS was cured, there would likely be different social and cognitive needs than before. More need for company, therefore less need for alone time to recharge. Hyperfocusing would be replaced by favorite interest and mini obsession by passing fancy. Thinking would include more emotion, changing the comfort level in analysis. There would be increased awareness of emotions, so analysis of day-to-day problems would probably not be as deep since a comfortable answer would be easier to find. And thinking would include consideration of the group consensus with less comfort found in alternative trains of thought. This would apply in an unknown measure to scientific and philosophical thought, as well.

Or am I full of BS?

Is it acquired, or just noticeable a that age? How could you acquire something like a brain disorder?

MysteryFan, that could be true, but I don't think that would apply for people like me. I am not as close to Autism on the spectrum, and so I feel a greater desire to be normal. And so it is jsut stressful. I don't like to be alone, I just feel lonely. But then when I'm with people it's a drain, and I wish I could leave. I just want to be able to interact with people so I could enjoy their company. And as for focussing - well, I'm trying to focus on so many things at once that I just end up confused. I wish I could just step back and do one thing at a time, think one thought at a time, choose what I pay special attention to.

Ok: this is how I've always felt. I am a normal person inside. Maybe even NT. But there is something around me - like a thick, black sheet - that cuts me off from the other NT's. And all they see is the AS. They don't see me, real me, normal me. Things I try to say come out scrambled and wrong. I say the wrong things because I don't know what I should say, and what I should keep to myself. I'm normal on the inside, but between the inside and outside something's going wrong.

What is your evidence for this? I'd be curious to see data or a study to back this claim up. I'm aware that the majority of autistic children are diagnosed at or after this age, and I'm aware that some autistic children experience an abrupt change -- but others, like my son, experience no change at all. My son was born autistic. This lack of change seems to be true of the vast majority of the autistic children I know personally. I've always wondered how representative my sample set was.