Asperger's & Avoidant(Anxious) personality disorder.

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This has probably already beeb posted somewhere, but I was wondering if anyone thought an individual with AS could also have AvPD?

I think they might avoid anything social and then drive into their special interests.

I find myself doing that ALOT...probably way too much.

I do not know if they would call that avoidant personality disorder.

A life of social failure would likely lead a lot of people to become avoidant of social situations.

But seems like it would be difficult to define because so many with AS would probably fit into that category.

What would define more avoidant than usual for someone with AS?

I'd say so. I passed a thorough initial phone screening for a study of people with avoidant personality disorder but I avoided going into the city for the study cause I was so anxious about it.

My son is in an Honors English class - his most difficult subject. I'm his advocate.
No one can seem to understand that his 'AVOIDANCE' issues are due to lack of
understanding and not due to the fact he's not trying. The school has a
brain specialist working with him on organization and helping him to keep up with
multiple honors/AP classes ... she is convinced, and has convinced the whole IEP team
that all of his issues will disappear after he becomes organized and he'll can keep from
falling behind. It is my understanding that a gifted specialist would understand the
difference between his organizational needs and his writing difficulties - he's an
excellent writer but just can't understand the social nuances in the book and then
translate them into an essays, where the prompt is riddled with social complexities.

I found CentralFLM's Best List of Symptoms last night: from Autism World
and listed are many of J's issues, well described.

My son feels he understands the prompts and assignments, then avoids them
like the plague. However, when I arrange time for him to work on them in a
stress-free approach and setting, he can't produce and it is obvious that he's trying.
On many assignments, he is able complete - I have learned to spot the prompts &
books where he'll be tripped - but the teacher nor others believe it. They all seem
a bit angry at me for continuously noting such and have ever so kindly asked me to
'let go and let them handle it.' ... 11(+) weeks later, he's failing.

Discussion about a tutor is a touchy subject and best avoided if we want to
stay on a positive track ... he is convinced that he is able to do write on his own
and that it is only a matter of buckling down to "get 'er done". ... But hours later,
he says he does not know where to start. He has done well with assistance
through the assignments in the past - he's very capable of learning strategies that
could ultimately help him.

Avoidance - I suppose. With low scores in "written expression",
a hand writing disability/disconnect, clearly stated 'pragmatics'
communication needs - one should get that there are problems
to cause the 'avoidance' - 'depression' - 'meltdown' - 'shutdown'
and 'hades-in-our-home!'

If anyone has a simple way to share with a room of PROfessionals
a clear explanation for this 'avoidance' issue - please do tell!

Can organization alone really help him?! ... I'm not settling.

It's so hard to fight the school for help and understanding - alone,
AND getting him to accept guidance (a tutor) - from "mom"

Wikipedia lists the symptoms of AvPD as:

Hypersensitivity to rejection/criticism
Self-imposed social isolation
Extreme shyness or anxiety in social situations, though the person feels a strong desire for close relationships
Avoids physical contact because it has been associated with an unpleasant or painful stimulus
Avoids interpersonal relationships
Feelings of inadequacy
Severe low self-esteem
Self-loathing
Mistrust of others
Emotional distancing related to intimacy
Highly self-conscious
Self-critical about their problems relating to others
Problems in occupational functioning
Lonely self-perception, although others may find the relationship with them meaningful
Feeling inferior to others
In some more extreme cases — agoraphobia
Utilizes fantasy as a form of escapism and to interrupt painful thoughts

I feel like I fit some of these, though I don't know - I feel the need for companionship but I just get so anxious and I don't understand social interaction enough to feel comfortable in social situations. And some of those symptoms sound like they have similar presentation to AS symptoms.

My parents suffer from Avoidant Personality Disorder
and so do many of my relatives
And genetically im programmed to it.
Though in my heart i want to mix up with others
somehow my upbringing and genetic makeup as
restricted me.

Thank you Dots for the AvPD symptoms list! I can now confidently say
that my son does not have AvPD and I'll will carry this along with me to
make my the point. We do have the 'avoidance issues' but as described and
in reading more, I see major differences.

I don't see "hypersensitivity to rejection/criticism" AT ALL! Many past bullying
situations have sent me over the edge - on an emotional roll-coaster and my son
seems almost oblivious to such problems. Of course he is not happy to have others
pick on him - it is hurtful - he does want friends.
And, "Self-critical..." and "Mistrust... " - NO. He's too trusting and should take
a look in the mirror more often.

HOWEVER, reading a few other sites, I do see where the 'avoidant' label's coming from...
I think the difference with an Aspie is the 'fear of rejection' and the social paranoia.
My husband and other family members are very shy but don't seem to display a
phobia. Anxiety, yes, but somehow I think it's not the same thing. I think that they
don't have the need to socialize as others and would rather be reading, building or
inventing something. Often a small bit of socializing fills their cup to the brim and
their done! ... My son seems to avoid crowds due to REAL rejection - many others
don't know how to receive a bumpy cog. The sad thing is, he tries to make friends
but the emotional radar for reading others is not functioning - THAT seems to be
the difference that I see in this "Avoidant Personality" ... but I'm just a mom.

This list sounds like a person who is overly sensitive to others emotions and has
some type of social paranoia - opposite of an Aspie. Well, the Aspie's that I know.
I'm married to one, family full of Aspies, but my son is the Zen!

We're starting in a social group with teens. They go out to dinner and learn social skills
in small groups prior. AND, the boy child is happy about it. I don't think it would be an
easy thing for him to do if we had an "avoidant personality disorder."