New 34 yr old Mom self diagnosed Aspie

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I cannot believe after 34 years, I am finally finding out what is going on with me.
Hi, I'm Jenn, and I think I am starting to figure it out.
I've been in and out of therapy - its been suggested that I'm ADD, Bipolar, Depressed, Anxious, and have social anxiety. I've spent a great deal of time in the psychology section of the bookstore. Thought maybe it was my parents fault, or my peers' fault, or maybe there was a repressed memory that if I could just get at, I could suddenly understand and function normally.
I don't understand social cues, how to become part of a conversation, or how to physically react while speaking. That being said, I have managed to find and marry a man and we've had two children.
When my son was 15 months I realized he wasn't like other kids. While other kids saw a playground and wanted to play, he wanted to figure out how doors and gates swung open and shut. A year passed. No pretend play. But he could operate locks and had a fascination for how things worked. At 3 years old, he still wasn't talking but he could log in and out of computer accounts, open internet explorer and navigate to songs he liked on YouTube. So we evaluated him and he's on the spectrum. They said it could be hereditary. They didn't have to tell me that - I recognized a lot of what I was seeing in him in me.
So I started checking out Autism in adults, and came across this site - the women discussion board in particular struck a chord. It was like I was reading intimate details from my own head - from my life.
OK, so this is why I gravitate towards "atypical" people and am only comfortable with people from my boardgaming groups. Why I like to spend hours playing boardgames. Why I can sit at a piano for a minute and 4 hours later, I'm still playing. Why I forget to comb my hair or put clothes on backwards. Why I stumble and fall into stuff all of the time - like my body doesn't belong in this universe.
It was a painful life - growing up with everyone immediately sensing something was wrong with me, and yet having no idea what I was doing wrong. I hope my son has a better shot now that we know more about autism disorders. And I'm watching his younger sister closely - praying she doesn't end up like this, and yet as an aspie mom who doesn't get the NT world, dreading the possibility of her being NT.

Hi there

Same experience here. My son is turning three soon and I figured out what was wrong with me through the process of getting him help and services.

You've found a really great place. Welcome!

Countess

My four year old son recently completed a process that lead to the awareness he's an Aspergian. Although I am not ready to label myself one too, as I learned about all the characteristics, I kept saying to myself things like "I did that as a kid" and "I do that now." I'd like to think my son has in me not only an advocate and champion, but someone who can really get into his shoes and understand his thinking.

I just stumbled upon this place not to long ago when looking for Aspie resources because of my daughters behavior and difficulty in school. Then after taking the quiz I had characteristics too and could not believe there were others.

Welcome greetings to the Wrong Planet community, Jenn.

Welcome to WrongPlanet.

Word of advice, if you want to get a formal, officail diagnosis, hear what Temple Grandin has to say about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn0yZKbifAs&feature=related

Welcome to Wrong Planet, I also worked out that I was not NT in my 30s.

_________________
Health is a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity I am not a jigsaw, I am a free man !

Diagnosed under the DSM5 rules with autism spectrum disorder, under DSM4 psychologist said would have been AS (299.80) but I suspect that I am somewhere between 299.80 and 299.00 (Autism) under DSM4.

Welcome Jen!

I didn't know until a little while ago that I could be diagnosed with AS. But then it's sort of a trendy thing. Back a little while ago it was "social anxiety" - but that didn't explain the special interests obsession.

Given the wide range of traits of people diagnosed with AS, I'm not convinced it won't fall out of psychological vogue soon, but it is good to know there are similar people out there no matter what you call us.

Hi Jen and welcome to the WP.
I am also new and learning as much as I can about AS.