Ask an Asperger.

[NovaKart]

That's interesting, I think I may sometimes have a problem with non-verbal behavior and I tend to always have to do things with my hands, motor mannerisms but that's about it. I don't think I fit the criteria really.

 

[CivCube]

The DSM tried to cover that ground by adding a "Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" for those who still encountered distress but didn't have enough symptoms to fit another condition. It really is your call if you feel uncomfortable--you don't need a disorder to do something about that.

 

[Arakhor]

My toes are odd-shaped, but then I'm also flat-footed, so that has a lot to do with it. My fingers are perfectly normal, except for being spatulated at the ends, as I have been typing for roughly 20 years. I saw an educational psychologist and then a children's psychologist a couple of times when I was diagnosed and that was that.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

My toes are odd-shaped, but then I'm also flat-footed, so that has a lot to do with it. My fingers are perfectly normal, except for being spatulated at the ends, as I have been typing for roughly 20 years. I saw an educational psychologist and then a children's psychologist a couple of times when I was diagnosed and that was that.

I'm 5'2 and have size 12 feet. Some people call me Sasquatch. I also have disproportionately large hands for my size, and my fingers are kind of short and fat so I have trouble with quite a few things (I can type on a full-size keyboard all right). Also, because of my frame, a lot of people swear I'm taller than I actually am.

 

[NovaKart]

Do you think having aspergers is partly responsible for a Petty obsession?

 

[Arakhor]

I think it's absolutely responsible for the depth of the 'interest', if not the topic.

 

[sanabas]

Why on earth did I become able to read people's non-verbal cues and became comfortable enough to talk to people without them thinking I'm strange, awkward, or annoying while the rest of you high-functioning autistic folk didn't? And before you mention it, no, it wasn't because I practiced it.

Intelligence helps. Plenty of those skills that most people seem to have naturally, but those with Asperger's seem to be missing, are skills that can be learned. Someone who is intelligent and naturally good at reading people can practice those skills, and learn to become extremely good at it. Someone who is naturally crap at it can learn to become functional.

As for introverts, why assume that all those with autism in general, or Asperger's in particular, are introverted? The problem is with knowing how to interact with other people, with knowing how to make friends, etc. The problem isn't with not having the desire to do it. It can be very frustrating for them to want to make friends, want to talk to people, etc, but find that they don't know how, or that they think they know how but get bad results.

If you want to read a couple of good autobiographies of people with Asperger's, I'd recommend Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet, and Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison. Both very interesting, and Robison wasn't diagnosed until he was an adult.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Do you think having aspergers is partly responsible for a Petty obsession?

I think it's absolutely responsible for the depth of the 'interest', if not the topic.

Yeah, basically. Though I'm not as bad as some fans who aren't Aspies!

 

[NovaKart]

That's certainly true, I remember you posting something about a woman who had her whole home full of things to do with Tom Petty or something like that.

 

[cardgame]

Originally Posted by DSM-IV-TR
(I) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

(A) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(B) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(C) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interest or achievements with other people, (e.g.. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
(D) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

(II) Restricted repetitive & stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

(A) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(B) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(C) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(D) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects


(III) The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

(IV) There is no clinically significant general delay in language (E.G. single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

(V) There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood.

(VI) Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia."

Oh great, looks like I qualify for (I) B and D. But I don't think any for II... maybe I need a clearer idea of what an abnormally intensive preoccupation with a specific interest really is. Actually, I suppose I do qualify for a criterion from II: as far as routines/rituals go, I do this practically every day for no reason at all: Imagine I can bounce a laser around the room (originating from my eyes) as if the entire room is covered in mirrors, I focus on the angles of everything and try to guess where I could point the laser in order to achieve a certain objective like bouncing it out the window or doorway. Literally every day. I'd say that qualifies for B, but I'm no professional

(III) ???

IV and V, sure.

 

[Gustave5436]

As for introverts, why assume that all those with autism in general, or Asperger's in particular, are introverted? The problem is with knowing how to interact with other people, with knowing how to make friends, etc. The problem isn't with not having the desire to do it. It can be very frustrating for them to want to make friends, want to talk to people, etc, but find that they don't know how, or that they think they know how but get bad results.

Introvert/extrovert isn't your desire to socialize - if that were the definition, only schizoids would be introverts.

It's which state you find most comfortable/relaxing. For me, social interaction is psychically draining, because there is so much information to process it can feel overwhelming, like a chore. I need seclusion to wind down from it. For extroverts, as I understand it, it is quite the reverse; long periods of seclusion are draining, and you're "in your element" so to speak when surrounded by others.

Introverts/autistic people still need social interaction, just in a lower intensity form. Hanging out with a close friend rather than being the life of a party, for instance. It is quite true that because socializing is still necessary, being deprived it is distressing, which is part of the reason why ASDs can often be comorbid with things like depression or social phobia.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

To be honest, socializing makes me exhausted, both mentally and physically. It's not so bad when it's online though because it's not face-to-face and you can leave more easily if you need to.

 

[Bill3000]

maybe I need a clearer idea of what an abnormally intensive preoccupation with a specific interest really is.

your avatar

(ps: see a professional)

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

maybe I need a clearer idea of what an abnormally intensive preoccupation with a specific interest really is.

Look at me. What's the first thing you think of? That's an abnormally intensive preoccupation with a specific interest.

 

[Mercenary82]

Do you think having aspergers can sometimes be an advantage? Seems like a lot of people with it have above average IQs and can become experts in whatever subject they are interested in.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Do you think having aspergers can sometimes be an advantage? Seems like a lot of people with it have above average IQs and can become experts in whatever subject they are interested in.

Sometimes it can be. Although my IQ is 90, nowhere above average. But I found that I often persistent... Ive been known to spend hours digging through old newspaper archives looking for articles. And some people appreciate it when I'm brutally honest, although Ive lost some friends over it ... though my feeling is that they weren't really a friend in the first place.

 

[GamezRule]

Give me 5 random facts about Tom Petty that nobody else on this forum probably knows.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Give me 5 random facts about Tom Petty that nobody else on this forum probably knows.

I can't do that here or I may get in trouble.

 

[GamezRule]

PM me. And also explain why you cannot do it.

 

[PeteAtoms]

Quick! How many toothpicks are there!?