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...