(no subject)

[deckardcanine]

I believe I first learned about Asperger's syndrome while in college, tho not as part of a course. My mom sent me an article by someone whose young son has the syndrome. We both thought the symptoms sounded familiar, but I assumed that I merely exhibited many features, several of which have gotten less pronounced with age. After all, I'd visited a psychotherapist for nine years and occasionally met with the renowned Dr. Stanley Greenspan. Nobody mentioned the chance of Asperger's, and their best diagnosis was "evidence of developmental apraxia" or uneven development.

Only today did I understand that most U.S. psychologists were unaware of the classification at the time. It was better known in Germany. If I went back to them, they probably would diagnose me as an "Aspie."

This was brought to my attention after I got suspicious anew with this article by someone who actually has been so diagnosed. Like her, I:

-Have special interests that I want to run at the mouth on, sometimes going silent instead
-Have had a big vocabulary since childhood
-Usually speak without inflection
-Preferred solecisms to small talk as a teen
-Focus on tasks to the point that I neglect basic social procedures
-Am very literal-minded
-Still enjoy subtle humor, tho I often miss it
-Have trouble reading facial expressions
-Have heightened senses, which can lead to overload and a subsequent space-out
-Don't like most touches, including tickles and many hugs
-Am anxious about coming across as rude or cold
-Would not trade the syndrome for a million bucks

Regarding the realization, I quote Tevye and Golde: "It doesn't change a thing, but even so/After twenty-five years, it's nice to know."

Comments

[nefaria.livejournal.com]

Much as I try to avoid self-diagnosis for fear of becoming a hypochondriac, I think Asperger's is the most likely name for my particular mental health issue.