Proud to be Autistic
 

Now I know there are many low-functioning autistics out there who suffer greatly but....

I have Asperger's syndrome, so I'm on the autism spectrum. I am proud to have Asperger's

What is your opinion on that?

The reason I ask is because my Mum thinks it's a curse

Is there anything wrong with me liking my Asperger's?

I think it's great, actually. My friend has just started to go to a group for people with Asperger's as we have recently realised he has it, and he gets a little down about it sometimes, but he's also very glad to know what's "wrong", to understand it and to learn new skills.

People with Asperger's have some great qualities that can be lacking in, what my friend calls "neuro-typicals". He's amazing at IT and has his own company, and he always knows what he likes and doesn't like, and enjoys doing. He's also really tidy and precise, which makes me impressed that he handles being at my tip of a flat!

I think high-functioning autistic spectrum disorders can really be a gift rather than a curse sometimes...especially Asperger's, where you retain normal to high intellectual functions!

I have not been formally diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder but my psych once said that I have traits similar to those seen in Asperger's, such as limited range of affect (this could also be a negative symptom of the psychosis), lacking social skills, and only good (I am not bragging but I think I am pretty good at what I enjoy doing- i.e. Psychopharmacology!) at very specific tasks. I can say that I am proud of these traits too!

So please don't worry about it- almost everything in life can be viewed from at least two different angles. Sometimes I even think that my psychosis is a gift as I can think/perceive what 'neuro-typicals' (thank you for the term disappear :-)) cannot even imagine (even if it's mostly negative)!! But at other times I think it is a curse, especially when I feel isolated and blame myself for suffering from it.

Thanks all, these are really positive posts

I like my obsessive interests; without them I wouldn't be into pharmacology so much that I will study it in uni

I like my way of seeing the world: more logical

Laura and Laurie, you both speak a lot of sense, thank you

No problem at all- I am glad you found my comments helpful.

Yes as a scientist (in training), logic and reason are of extreme importance; this even includes traits of obsessiveness, as you said!

Actually there is a paper published in the British Journal of Psychiatry by Owen et al back in 2007, which showed that schizophrenia patients performed better at certain logical/cognitive tasks than normal controls!!!

Thank you. Quite a few Asperger's people are into sciences, for the reasons which you mentioned. That's an interesting paper! I would love to read it

Oly, I can email the paper to you if you don't mind?

Yeah please do.

Okay I've just sent it. Enjoy the read!!

My blackberry says I've received it, but my friend is coming over soon so I'll have to read it later. Thanks so much!

You are very welcome Oly! Let me know what you think :-)

I will when I read it late tonight or tomorrow =]

I cant comment on this really, but i think thats really good. my nephew has been diagnosed with autism, they wont know how mild/severe untill he is a bit older. So it was really lovely to see you say that! thanks!

I don't think there's anything wrong at all in liking it, if it has some benefits for you then it'd be silly not to capitalise on them!

I cant relate as I dont have autism but I think thats great :-)

I think its great.

My brother has Aspergers and I hope he views it like you do one day.

Can I ask you a question?
You don't have to answer.

If you have problems with social skills, do you still enjoy company?

Just my brother really struggles with interaction with anybody, even family. And I sometimes go and see him and just watch TV with him in his flat and not really talk. But I worry that I'm interfering and maybe he'd rather be on his own?

Do you think he still likes me to go and see him, even if he doesn't show it?

My mum recons that everyone is somewhere on the spectrum. Some more than others obviously. I also know that some of the traits for learning disorders are very similar, if not the same, for autism. Dyspraxia for example has a few traits that are the same as autism such as, getting obsessed with one topic, having social skills that aren't up to stanandard, and being really good at some things but piss poor at others.
It's an interesting subject. She has also just handed in her thesis for her doctorate in child psychology which focuses on autism as she works with autistic children and their families.

I have HFA, and although I struggle a lot with it, I do not loathe that part of myself (many others, yes, but that, no). I believe that it is a benefit - why the heck would I want to be like everybody else anyway? I've always been this way :)
I disagree that everybody is somewhat on the spectrum, people are misdiagnosing Autism/Aspergers A LOT. It's not fair that people think it's so common and easy to deal with. I mean, it's a part of myself, but it's still hard. I still fight everyday to figure out people and the sensory problems (auditory/touch) are getting worse with age. (don't ask how the heck I survive the busing system...it's really hard)

Yes, he does probably enjoy your company, even if he has difficulty expressing it in the way you might know it.

I'm on the autistic spectrum, and while I need more alone time than most and don't enjoy crowds, I do like people. We on the spectrum need companionship just as much as any neurotypical, you just won't see us being the life of the party.

I'm also proud to be on the spectrum! Except for the sensory issues. I wish I could wear cuter clothes! :(

I think if you experience it, or some of it as a positive it's great to be proud!

My step sister is severely autistic, with severe mental retardation, (she's thirteen but intellectually 5) and she barely knows I exist. I love her and wish i knew what was going on in her head so i could be more a part of her world...

I'm glad you're proud of it, because well, it does make you who you are and help shape you as a person, and there's no reason to be badly ashamed of yourself. I'm glad you accept it. You're a lot more mature and reasonable than me.

I was diagnosed with some form of Autism a couple of years ago, and I have to admit I'm quite ashamed of it and try to brush it under the carpet. In fact, I don't really believe I even have it (only certain aspects). I think the way I am is down to me being depressed and having social anxiety, which both have root causes (bullying and trauma). I admit I have sensory issues in regards to clothing (I hate tight clothing, it makes me feel uncomfortable) and erm I had trouble until my teens about tying a tie and doing my shoelaces. But my social skills were normal as a child, I was never popular, but I had a good few friends on the street and at school, I could approach anyone and speak to them, I was rarely shy, etc. The reason I've felt ashamed is really the whole 'learning disorder' side of it and the fact that we all know what happens to 'retards' in school.. despite the fact I never ever required special needs ever in my school life, and finished school with 8 decent GCSE's (B's and C's mainly). According to the average chavvy joe, I'd have to have an IQ of -100 with a diagnosis of autism, and while I think my viewpoint in regard to the issue is quite wrong.. I'm really just talking from experience. The only other known 'autistic' kid at my secondary school was branded as a psycho nutjob because he'd attack people and kick tables over if people wronged him.

Thanks. Just realised that question was phrased really badly and sounded quite patronising. It wasn't intended to be. Was just tired when I asked I think. Lost boys said it better, I wish I knew what was going on in his world sometimes. Its hard when I don't see a response to know if he appreciates me being there or would rather be alone.

I enjoy a bit of company every day, but I get overwhelmed easily by company and need a lot of time alone. It also depends on who it is. My Dad and my best friend can stay with me and I'm fine with it, but if I have someone else I soon become anxious and overwhelmed
I think he likes to see you though. I like seeing my Dad but not all day

Thank you for the replies everyone, I really appreciate your input

I don't like my sensory sensitivites that much tbh. I have to have dim lighting and the curtains closed during the day in my room. I get overwhelmed if I don't have sunglasses on during the day outside. I can't go on public transport without ear plugs or headphones. I can't wear tight clothes (I like that bit though as I think tight clothes are silly). I can't wear certain fabrics. I get overwhelmed by perfumes and cooking smells. I have to screen tint my laptop and lower the contrast otherwise I get severe eye ache

But I love my obsessive interests and I am advantaged in that I don't need loads of friends to be happy

I just wish that I was better understood at school

Thank you for your honesty. I like to think I can tell when he is getting anxious and try to back off.

And I'm glad you are happy with your own company, that makes me feel better that he is happy on his own. I think us "neuro typicals" tend to try and enforce our own likes/dislikes onto people and so if we like being around people we assume you should which is obviously not true!

Good luck with your Uni course. I'm sure you will do amazingly well. x

I think it's perfectly okay to be proud of having autism/aspergers, don't be ashamed honey.
x

I have to say, I am incredibly inspired by you and how you view this.
My Cousin has recently been diagnosed with this as well and her parents, like your mum, think its a curse. They refuse to say Asperger's because they don't want to label their daughter.
I really hope that her parents come to terms with it, because she is 11 and if her parents can't accept it, how can she? I really do hope that one day, she can have an amazingly positive outlook on life like you do!

I think its awesome your proud of it! it makes you who you are afterall!

i used to know someone who was autistic. I have to admit i envied the fact he was so obsessive about cleaning. ahaha! x

What's the point to that sentence? Low functioning shouldn't be proud?

I don't think it's right to be proud or feel bad about it. Just accepting.

Catherine, I think it was more of a "I know many suffer & please don't be offended by this but I am proud to be Autistic" sentence rather than "I know many suffer & don't feel they should be proud of it".

Oh yeah, I see what you mean. Thanks :)

:) You're welcome. x

Thanks for clarifying Sarawr, I am prone to making mistakes like that

Thank you all. I like to think that me being on the spectrum is an advantage (my obsessive interests in pharmacology help me in my BSc pharmacology course, I see the world in a different, more logical way, and I have a good rote memory, especially for numbers, etc)

Saving Grace, I think you should get your cousin's parents to read a book about Aspergers (I am not sure which book to recommend though, as there are some very good ones but some very poor ones) as education helped me and my Dad (it didn't work on my Mum unfortunately). My Dad understands me well now

I am currently memorising pi =]

As the Mum of a son(17) with Asperges, I am proud of my son. I am proud of his achievements, he too is very good at science. I am proud of the choices he makes in his life, proud of the way he handles other people, especially at school. Proud of the way he handles his asperges. He too is proud of his asperges and the way it influences his view of life.

It has been helpful to me to read about the way it effects your lives and how you deal with the environment and other people. It gives me more insight into his life and explains some of his nuiances. Smells and tastes real effected him when he was younger, now that he is older it seems to be more of the touch and visual senses that are effected. He wears lose clothing and prefers the lights off and to be alone in his room. (I do have to ask myself though is this just a typical teenager).

Well i think all of you who posted should feel proud of yourselves for having the courage to stand up and speak (post).

Jackie, thank you for your post. I think that Asperger's/autism is not a curse, and that things like seeing the world in a logical way and the "little proffessor syndrome" should be cultivated