Asperger's and Asexuality

[Charlotte_uk]

No. I'm asexual.

I don't think it's Asperger's. People just confuse me :lol: Having said that, it depends entirely on the situation. I tend to mirror my environment and if I'm around talkative people I will be very talkative back. I would say I'm generally a gregarious, lively person (although can sometimes be shy the first time I meet someone) and I would prefer to be around people if I had a choice. I don't really understand social rules, so I'm always getting stuff wrong, but I tend to just ignore that and hope people don't notice! haha

I could cope very easily with solitary confinement if I had to, but I know from experience that getting into a habit of spending time on my own makes me go a bit weird! Interaction is a necessary part of life if I want to pay the rent and not drive people around me insane.

Ironically, I'm trying to escape from my current job (mainly) because of the environment. I also have no interest in the work, which doesn't help! If anyone is thinking of a career in economics/accounting... don't... please, for the love of god, don't! I've seen first hand the effects of prolonged numerical exposure and it isn't pretty. My office is quieter than a cemetary - no one talks, people barely acknowledge eachother and if you view work as an extension of your social life, it is enough to turn a relatively balanced individual crazy! Another five months left to pay off my debts and I'm out of there! I'm counting down the days!

Ok, 8am... back to the abyss...

[flea]

i voted that i have it, diagnossed by a doctor, and i'm asexual... but i was actually diagnossed with pdd-nos, it's another diagnosis on the autism spectrum very similar to aspergers.

[oja]

I have every trait in the book. However I've never sought a diagnosis in large part because I seriously doubt Asperger's syndrome is actually a form of autism. It's definitely "something," whether a syndrome or neurological variance, but it troubles me that people declare themselves "autistic" when they have Asperger's syndrome. I have been around truly, profoundly autistic individuals, and while there might be some similarities between them and so called "high functioning" autistics, it's a totally different plight.

[flea]

high functioning autism is not aspergers.

high functioning autism is not a diagnosis at all.

the 5 diagnosis on the spectrum are: classical autism, aspergers syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (can mean almost anything, mine means i am inbetween classical autism and aspergers), rett syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder.

[oja]

But Asperger's is considered to be "high functioning" on the "autistic spectrum."

I believe it is a real disorder, just not autism. Those on the low functioning end of Asperger's can appear autistic but that doesn't necessarily mean they are. Just like someone who walks with a limp is not in a wheelchair.

High functioning autism (HFA) is used colloquially to refer to people who have every trait of Asperger's but who had/ have a language delay, but you are correct, it is not in the DSM IV.

Nonverbal learning disorder (NLD) describes almost exactly the same pool of individuals as Asperger's, but it does not take the stance that it is autism. Why Asperger's caught fire and not NLD, I'm not sure, even though the typology is essentially identical.

I think what bothers me the most about calling it an autistic disorder is that profoundly autistic individuals (those who cannot even communicate by typing) have no say in the matter. Here we are, identifying and laying claim to what is in large part a disorder of silenced individuals. I imagine if they could communicate, they would tell us to get a grip.

This is a conclusion I reached after years of mentally dismantling the issues-- it's not anything I'm saying lightly. There was a point where I took great comfort in identifying myself as autistic, but once I spent time with profoundly autistic individuals, I realized that the whole concept of a spectrum so vast that it could encompass both a profoundly impaired person and myself, was in error.

[andrew_w]

But Asperger's is considered to be "high functioning" on the "autistic spectrum."

I believe it is a real disorder, just not autism. Those on the low functioning end of Asperger's can appear autistic but that doesn't necessarily mean they are. Just like someone who walks with a limp is not in a wheelchair.

The difference is only one of degree. The traits are basically the same. Many autistics are are somewhere in between the stereotypical low-functioning autistic and the stereotypical Aspie. It isn't as black and white as you seem to be saying.

I would consider Kanner-type (a.k.a. Autistic Disorder) and Asperger-type autism to be subtypes of "classical autism". There is some research that backs up this model, for instance this paper, which says that the diagnoses of Asperger's Disorder and Autistic Disorder should be merged into a single "Autistic Spectrum Disorder" diagnosis with severe, moderate, mild, atypical, and Asperger's subtypes.

Nonverbal learning disorder (NLD) describes almost exactly the same pool of individuals as Asperger's, but it does not take the stance that it is autism. Why Asperger's caught fire and not NLD, I'm not sure, even though the typology is essentially identical.

I don't think that they are exactly the same. NLD appears to me to be a subset of autistic traits (from looking at the Wikipedia article, which may or may not be exactly correct).

I think what bothers me the most about calling it an autistic disorder is that profoundly autistic individuals (those who cannot even communicate by typing) have no say in the matter. Here we are, identifying and laying claim to what is in large part a disorder of silenced individuals. I imagine if they could communicate, they would tell us to get a grip.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Many low-functioning autistics do find ways to communicate (often through typing or some sort of facilitated communication), and many of them do see themselves as having something in common with higher-functioning autistics.

[oja]

I think no one can really know the truth until the genetics of autism are identified. I definitely believe Asperger's is a neurological syndrome, and that it is genetic. The question is whether it is truly a form of autism or not. I can't prove that it isn't, but no one can prove that it is, either, unless we have genetic tests.

There are other neurological genetic disorders that display traits of autism, but for whatever reason they have not been placed on the "autistic spectrum." This is another fact that troubles me.

The reason I bring up NLD is because you have what is essentially the same disorder being approached from two different fields. Which one is right? As it stands, the DSM is consensus science, and is constantly changing its definitions.

[Gatto]

.

[retrophile]

Holy crap, confusing left and right is considered an actual sign of Asperger's?!

I always figured it had to be. There's no other explanation for why I was never able to learn right and left. I do really well with cardinal directions because those aren't relative to the speaker.

My overall score:

Your Aspie score: 147 of 200

Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 61 of 200

You are very likely an Aspie

I have some issues with the wording of that quiz, but I understand that English isn't the quiz-maker's first language.

[inVivo]

I have it.

[ratatosk_lemur]

Holy crap, confusing left and right is considered an actual sign of Asperger's?!

I always figured it had to be. There's no other explanation for why I was never able to learn right and left. I do really well with cardinal directions because those aren't relative to the speaker.

Wow. I'd always wondered why I did that; I suppose this is a likely explanation given that I have many of the other symptoms.

[Jazzpunk]

Officially diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome for about ten years now, and I'm asexual.

[Drik]

It seems like theres a connection between asexuality, gender identity disorder and/or genderqueerness and asperger's.

Its something we discuss a lot on the Swedish LGBTQ site Qruiser.

[retrophile]

It seems like theres a connection between asexuality, gender identity disorder and/or genderqueerness and asperger's.

Its something we discuss a lot on the Swedish LGBTQ site Qruiser.

According to the quiz someone posted in this thread, not adhering to conventional gender roles is a sign of Asperger's. It would make sense, since gender presentation is a form of body language and we're bad at that.

[kragar]

People with Asperger's are so well represented on this board that I nearly started doubting myself, but both tests agreed that I don't have it. So, asexual but not an Aspie. Just bit of a loner.

[DavidG]

Your Aspie score: 96 of 200

Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 99 of 200

You seem to have both Aspie and neurotypical traits

That's kind of a relief, I suppose... The more I read about Asperger's, the more I thought that it sounded like me.

I suspect that learning to socialise properly last year might've helped a lot, though.

[Gaki]

I voted "I think I might have it - I seem to have a few traits. I'm questioning." ..

I scored 40 on an Asperger's test which is a high functioning aspie score apparently, and I've told my mother about it in the past that I think I may have it but she said no..

I fit a lot of qualities though :?

[Gaki]

Your Aspie score: 96 of 200

Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 99 of 200

You seem to have both Aspie and neurotypical traits

Where is this test? I did one but not that one.

Thanks.

[DavidG]

Your Aspie score: 96 of 200

Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 99 of 200

You seem to have both Aspie and neurotypical traits

Where is this test? I did one but not that one.

Thanks.

Somebody posted a link partway down page 2, I think.

[Midwoka]

Your Aspie score: 133 of 200

Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 54 of 200

You are very likely an Aspie

Well, I'll be damned... And here I already voted "No. I'm asexual." a few days ago. Looks like I may be going to see my doctor about this some time soon.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, one question on it really weirded me out. It asked about whether air pressure/humidity/temperature really bothered me, and I instantly and surely chose "Yes". Is that really an Aspie trait? Because my friends were close to rushing me to the hospital just a few weeks ago, when I felt like I couldn't breathe while their gas-oven was turned on. I keep having to sit by an open window whenever they turn that thing on; that gets alot of complaints in the middle of Winter.

[andrew_w]

Well, I'll be damned... And here I already voted "No. I'm asexual." a few days ago. Looks like I may be going to see my doctor about this some time soon.

It's not like you have to run to the doctor just because an online test said you are autistic. Autism isn't a disease, as much as some people would like to think that. If you're not having problems, there is no reason to get a diagnosis.

[Gatto]

.

[thewrll]

Yeah they claim on wikipedia that one of the things that people claim is responsible for asexuality is having aspergers im being tested also.

[andrew_w]

Yeah they claim on wikipedia that one of the things that people claim is responsible for asexuality is having aspergers im being tested also.

There does appear to be a correlation, but it isn't necessarily (entirely) causal. Part of it may be because autistics are less likely to pretend to be "normal". Even if it is causal, that doesn't make asexuality due to autism any less valid (autism isn't "curable", and likely never will be, because it is largely a result of having a certain brain structure). Autism isn't a disease, as I have said many times before.

[Tigoness]

Yeah they claim on wikipedia that one of the things that people claim is responsible for asexuality is having aspergers im being tested also.

There does appear to be a correlation, but it isn't necessarily (entirely) causal. Part of it may be because autistics are less likely to pretend to be "normal". Even if it is causal, that doesn't make asexuality due to autism any less valid (autism isn't "curable", and likely never will be, because it is largely a result of having a certain brain structure). Autism isn't a disease, as I have said many times before.

I could not have put it better myself. ^.^

I feel very uncomfortable pretending to be 'normal'. 'Normal' confuses me. :P

[Midwoka]

Well, I know I don't need to run to the doctor for this, but I'm not doing much right now anyway. Might as well get this checked out. I mean, if I'm an Aspie, I certainly have no problem with that; I doubt I'd take a "cure" for it even if one existed. If I am, I always have been, right? I'm not expecting a big change from finding out, but I figure since I'll be heading to the doctor soon anyway, anything that happens is covered by health-care, and even if I don't see it as a disability, I have to wonder if those in control of Disability Aid cheques do (*mad cackling*).

[thewrll]

Its just been confirmed, I have aspergers, si or spd, and nvd.

[Anti-stud]

I am actually very keen to get tested. For one thing it would explain a helluva lot - and it would certainly make 'coming out' a whole lot easier.

Now my question is, how do you get tested, without tipping off the tester that you even know about AS? I don't even know if your average medical practitioner around these parts are even aware of it (without trying to diss those in the medical field).

I want to get tested, but I don't want to guide them to the answer that I want them to get, if you know what I mean. Nor do I want to deliberately skew the results.

Any tips or advice on how to go about this whole process?

[thewrll]

Move to the united states.

[Anti-stud]

Move to the united states.

Easier said than done - believe me I've tried...for the last 3 months actually.

Getting a Visa is practically impossible if you don't have a job lined up on that side - and you can't get a decent job without going to an interview. Catch 22 if I've ever seen one.