Asperger's Syndrome

Elok · April 29, 2003, 21:40

I just wondered how many other high-functioning autistics there are on this board, if any, besides me. It's nothing to be ashamed of, blahblahblah....c'mon now; socially hopeless, neurotic polypeople unite!

Er, psychologically diagnosed socially hopeless neurotic polypeople, that is. Not counting people who are just that way naturally.

Odin · April 29, 2003, 21:59

Why should we be ashamed, Tom Jefferson had Aperger's it is thought.

My social skills suck, so I became I am a science wiz. My brain is like a Computer with a 100Gb Hard Drive and a 50MHz CPU.

Elok · April 29, 2003, 22:05

Don't forget Bill Gates, either. At least, I recall reading something to that effect.

Asher · April 29, 2003, 22:07

I know a few people with it (I'm in computer science, as I understand it it's quite a popular field for people with Asperger's), and they all seem nice enough and certainly smart enough and exceptional listeners.

When were you guys diagnosed, if you don't mind me asking?

Odin · April 29, 2003, 22:13

I was diagnosed 2 years ago, I was 15.

Spiffor · April 29, 2003, 22:17

Can anyone please explain what the asperger syndrom is, plz ?

Asher · April 29, 2003, 22:19

I find this page explains it well technically, and also has posts by people who have it explaining what it's like: http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=618071

Elok · April 30, 2003, 08:18

I was diagnosed circa fifth grade, I think; nearly a decade ago. I'm an extremely mild case.

Archaic · April 30, 2003, 08:25

While I've been diagnosed with having Asperger's Syndrome, to my mind, it seems that it has become the new buzz word after ADD for society to label people who don't fit in with society. In other words, because we don't really fit in, they assume there must be something wrong with us, and so apply this label to us. Rather pathetic, isn't it?

General Ludd · April 30, 2003, 08:37

Quote:

Originally posted by Archaic
While I've been diagnosed with having Asperger's Syndrome, to my mind, it seems that it has become the new buzz word after ADD for society to label people who don't fit in with society. In other words, because we don't really fit in, they assume there must be something wrong with us, and so apply this label to us. Rather pathetic, isn't it?

Well, that is the deffinition of asperfer's - that you don't act the same way as most people, don't know how to act socially, or just don't fit in.

Yes, I've been diagnosed with it.

A person who can't have atleast some sort of syndrome or disorder applied to them would be a very boring person indeed.

General Ludd · April 30, 2003, 09:10

Quote:

Originally posted by Asher
When were you guys diagnosed, if you don't mind me asking?

When I was 14, after I stoped going to high school and got shoved around to all sorts of social workers and physciatrists. It took them a hell of alot of apointments and interviews to figure out I was a social misfit.

SpencerH · April 30, 2003, 09:23

Interesting. So let me ask this question to the Aspies, when you were say 2-4 years old did you have a tendency to do as you were told? This may have been percieved as precociousness or retardation depending on the viewpoint of the observer.

Elok · April 30, 2003, 11:43

Actually, I've always done my own thing. It's a bad habit of mine to respond to undesirable orders by obeying the letter of the law. That's why Dr. Attwood calls it "Frank Sinatra Syndrome." You do it your way.
You guys *have* read Attwood, right?
On the other hand, Asperger's does give one a very legalistic worldview, of valuing obedience to rules over personal feelings. Who knows?
AS may very well be overly misdiagnosed, like ADD, but that doesn't mean it does not exist. There are definite symptoms, strengths and traits that hold true for diagnosed Aspies in general. I KNOW I'm an aspie.

Buck Birdseed · April 30, 2003, 13:00

Ah, you've all got Asperger's syndrome! That explains why Poly people are so ****ing dull.

Felch · April 30, 2003, 14:09

For some reason I doubt Zylka or loinburger have it.

Drogue · April 30, 2003, 14:53

I have been diagnosed with it (albeit mildly) but I don't really think of myself like that. I'm actually quite a sociable person, but not naturally. I have to learn how to act in situations, and generally become very stressed by social activity. It's very weird trying to explain how I am, because I don't conform to all the symptoms, I conform to most, and then am blatantly different to others. I was only diagnosed about 6-9 months ago, when I was 17. But hey, I just think of myself as being me, whatever label they decide to stick to it. The advantage being that I could get special dispensation (extra time) for tests, because of a blanket ruling about mental disorders. However I've never tried, I'd rather do it on my own.

Az · April 30, 2003, 14:54

too many people here with the same condition.

General Ludd · April 30, 2003, 14:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Drogue
The advantage being that I could get special dispensation (extra time) for tests, because of a blanket ruling about mental disorders. However I've never tried, I'd rather do it on my own.

I get a monthly check.

Quote:

too many people here with the same condition.

Is Sid Meier behind this?

Az · April 30, 2003, 14:58

so it's not inherited, but a malfunction of the brain caused by prolonged exposure to his games.

It all begins to make sense.......

Sten Sture · April 30, 2003, 15:22

Asperger's is the lead science story on Reuter's website right now by the way...

Drogue · April 30, 2003, 15:25

IIRC it is not genetic, but if you have a parent who is Aspergic, then you are more prone to it. However it is a relatively common disorder, and the tendancy to become obsessive about things, and ultra rational, would lend itself well to civ. Moreover, most people reading this thread probably have some interest in it. therefore having 7 people here with Aspergers is not too improbable.

Sten Sture · April 30, 2003, 15:43

Here is an Asperger and the tech industry article that a friend of mine wrote a while back - I found it really interesting.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9...ergers_pr.html

SpencerH · April 30, 2003, 16:00

It neglected to mention the possible strong link between the recent increase in autism (and aspergers I guess) with vaccines (which may be due to the mercury preservative). Genetic predisposition + too much mercury from multiple vaccination-> increased risk of autism.

Shi Huangdi · April 30, 2003, 16:04

IMO Asperger's syndorme is a bunch of BS. So you take high intelligence, poor social skills, and a tendency to have intense interests; how is that a syndrome? They just arbitrarily took a bunch of traits, grouped them together and decided then when added up they make a syndrome. Fine but who is to say that above listed traits make a syndrome, but say high athletic skills, low intelligence, high agression, and a short attention span isn't a syndrome. I don't see why you couldn't just group any number of traits together and declare it a syndrome. But there seems little reason to simply declare these traits to be a mental deficiency, if the likes of Bill Gates and Albert Einstien have it.

Asher · April 30, 2003, 16:11

It's called Asperger's Syndrome instead of Asperger's Disorder for a reason, Shi.

Sten Sture · April 30, 2003, 16:26

Quote:

Originally posted by SpencerH
It neglected to mention the possible strong link between the recent increase in autism (and aspergers I guess) with vaccines (which may be due to the mercury preservative). Genetic predisposition + too much mercury from multiple vaccination-> increased risk of autism.

It did mention it in passing "Controversies rage about... mercury and other chemicals in universally administered vaccines... act as catalysts...."

This is in your field is it not? What do you think about vaccines? My son got four shots yesterday, and I am a leery of their long-term effects on the development of hte immune system, etc, but not sure what options would be better...

Az · April 30, 2003, 16:30

let him eat some raw meat. That will help the immune system.

Sten Sture · April 30, 2003, 16:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Azazel
let him eat some raw meat. That will help the immune system.

Dude - I'm in San Fran: how about raw tofu??

Az · April 30, 2003, 16:38

well, I guess "what doesn't kill me, only makes me stronger". But do you want to test this on your son?

didn't think so.

SpencerH · April 30, 2003, 17:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Sten Sture

It did mention it in passing "Controversies rage about... mercury and other chemicals in universally administered vaccines... act as catalysts...."

Apologies, it doesnt pay to read that fast.

Quote:

This is in your field is it not? What do you think about vaccines? My son got four shots yesterday, and I am a leery of their long-term effects on the development of hte immune system, etc, but not sure what options would be better...

You really dont have much choice:

1) based upon what we know now for the population at large, the benefits of childhood vaccines far outweigh the risks
2) the newer childrens vaccines in the USA are 'supposed to be' mercury-free. You can look up the specific vaccines to see if they contain thimerosal or ask your physician
3) you have to get the vaccines for the kids to go to school.

That being said, there are lots of things we dont know about vaccines and unexpected effects.