Asperger's Syndrome

[ColdFront77]

I posted this thread on the off-topic forum on TWC and figured we could have it here for periodic discussion. Thank you.

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

I'm also in the process of 'transferring' posts and threads as well so these guys have more ideas.

[chadtm80]

Ya guys. Bring what ever you want

Im anxious to see what you have planned

ColdFront25 i didnt use TWC that much and am unfamiliar with what this thread is all about. Sorry guess im out of the loop... can you fill me in

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

Sad part Chad is alot of my posts are gone since they washed Off-Topic clean...I can however bring the Weather Quiz room I had running there here and quite a few other little workings I was a part of.

[ColdFront77]

Hello Chad. Thank you for your interest. I wanted to get the thread started before I went any further.

I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in the very late 1990s, after knowing that I had it all my life (I will be 26 in July; look about 17). I wasn't keen with the idea at first, but as I mentioned, I knew I had something and came to be happy with the diagnoses.

Asperger's Syndrome is named after an Austrian pediatrician, Hans Asperger. He first described this disorder in 1944 in Europe. It is high funtioning autism. It wasn't until [nearly a decade ago] 1994 that the American Psychiatric Association recognized Asperger's in it "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

As this thread continues I will post the symptoms and characteristics of the disorder.

Hoping it will be worthwhile, being a relatively new disorder.


Nice to see you again, Rob.

[Skywatch_NC]

I was also diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in January 1998 at the age of 35 by an autism specialist from a center called TEACCH located in Greenville, NC. I attribute my love of weather in part to the AS.

The Lord Jesus helps me daily in managing with it!!

Eric

[petal*pusher]

:? And I want to THANK both of you guys for sharing info that has surely helped me with the student I have this year that has Aspergers!

Her parents have recently taken her ( boys have this syndrome much more often than girls!) off daytime meds........watching her personality change from a shy little person to a much more outgoing gal has been a delight! Still many challenges for her.....and me.....but, I found a phrase that I repeat to myself when I am with my Alzhiemers Mother....

PERCEPTION IS REALITY

When working with any of our "Special Needs" individuals, this particular phrase helps get me "into their world" and they often exceed my high expectations!...........p

(This forum is a great place to visit!)

[chadtm80]

PERCEPTION IS REALITY

When working with any of our "Special Needs" individuals, this particular phrase helps get me "into their world" and they often exceed my high expectations!...........p

Thanks. thats a great idea.

(This forum is a great place to visit!)

Glad you like it and hope you visit us lots.

[ColdFront77]

Petal*Pusher, welcome to Storm2K! You're welcome once again for the Asperger's Syndrome thread.

When this thread isn't getting much attention, I know it will from time it will, from the great members here at Storm2K.

Like everyone in this country and on this planet are different, so are those with a disorder such as Asperger's Syndrome different. I know that some with AS drive, work, go to college, have gone to college, live alone, get married, have children, etc. I know I must not be the only one that doesn't or will do any of the above; but with my diagnoses comes positive things such as intelligence, even "subconscious intelligence" and thinking things differently than others.. which can be beneficial in some ways.

Insigificant items may be worthwhile when you delve deeper into those issues. There are some threads on this [and other forums] that aren't important, that we discuss and have great discussions on. We all repeat the obvious to strike up conversation.

I am looking forward to continuing the discussion on this issue. Most people haven't heard about Asperger's Syndrome. Getting it out here on this site should be a great idea.

[ColdFront77]

I am bumping this up, as it has been over a month (37 days) since it was on the top of the most recent posts here in the Pot Belly Stove. Thanks. 8)

[isobar]

Hi Coldfront! Good to see you back, it's been a while. How ya doing?

I read Skywatch's earlier post that he attributes his love of weather to AS. Do you find that to be true for you also? Just curious. You also seem to be really good with numbers and statistics.

[ColdFront77]

Hello isobar. Yes, I basically attribute my interest in meteorology because of my AS. But I wouldn't be surprised if I would still be interested in the subject, otherwise.

[Skywatch_NC]

Actually my interest in meteorology began during my junior high school years...(wasn't diagnosed with AS until the age of 35)...so I wouldn't totally attribute my love of the elements to Asperger's either...as I had stated in a way earlier post in this topic.

Eric

[ColdFront77]

I was 22 when I was diagnosed, but was born with it. One can't develop Asperger's Syndrome later in life.

[Skywatch_NC]

That's right Tom.

[isobar]

I find it interesting that although AS is rare (but probably not as rare as we think), we have at least 3 board members with the dx. Just thinking there may be a connection.

I probably mentioned a while back on TWC that we thought my son had it, which is why I'm so interested. He's 13 now, but since the age of 2 has had strong interests (fixations) on certain things. His big one was traffic signs.

Thanks for talking about it.

[ColdFront77]

You're welcome, isobar. I believe I have mentioned on TWC, that I figured it would be a good idea to get the subject out there for the public. Being a relatively new disorder (diagnoses nearly 10 years) in the United States.

There has been an increase in autism cases; because of new diagnoses of Asperger's Syndrome, which is high functioning autism.

[HuffWx]

Hey Fellas, As a newbie here I want to say I admire your strength to post about your challenges with AS. As a mental health therapist I have worked with 2 clients who have full blown Autism, and one which AS was suspected. The AS case was ruled out...

I love stories of people who overcome and live great lives despite the odds!

God Bless..

Huff

[ColdFront77]

Thank you HuffWx, I appreciate your comments. I am content the way I am, despite wanting to be meteorologist. I understand that others with the disorder drive, work, live alone and even get married. Of course there have to be some like myself; having it makes things difficult even going forth with things that more "normal" people do.

[weatherlover427]

I'm surprised that I haven't posted this here yet, but I have Asperger's Syndrome and mild autism. I basically have the high functioning version of the disorder. I seem to have high intelligence for my age, even though I am almost 21 (just 35 more days! ;D ) I was in gifted and talented education (GATE) classes at a very young age; and since then my schools had realized that I had special needs. I had IEP's, special accomodations, and the like. Yes, I got made fun of and all, but it just served to make me stronger. At the age of 17 1/2, I had a particularly bad outburst where I threatened the lives of my entire immediate family. That put me into "the system", as I refer to it. I now live in a supported living apartment, which basically means that I am on my own. I cook for myself, I take my own medications, I take myself to my doctor's appointments about 90% of the time - I have come a long way since I started in "the system" in Nov. 1999.