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KindOfOdd
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

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Joined: 7 Nov 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 1

08 Nov 2007, 2:14 am

I was just diagnosed and I have been trying to learn more about Aspergers. I don't see myself having many autistic traits but I do seem to be and have been an odd person. I am married and have kids and that is a huge step for some in parts of the spectrum. I think I have learned to compensate alot in many ways however, not completely. My wife is mostly relieved that there is something that she can label me with for my oddities.
I have always tried to be a marketable person in the workforce but now it seems more obvious that because of a lack of understandings I have not been able to keep a job very long. So the diagnosis gives me something to work with now and move forward.

I don't think any diagnosis will be the same as anyone else's and the spectrum is wide.
Use the diagnoses to your best advantage and to help others understand you. As I type that I feel like I am still somewhat in denial about myself... :?



Amarantha
Raven
Raven

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Joined: 3 Jan 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 115
Location: Melbourne, Australia

08 Nov 2007, 2:30 am

I was 34. It hasn't made a difference to who I am of course - I'm still me but with a label for my weirdness. But understanding why and how I'm different is helping me to be more comfortable in the NT world. I'm working out strategies for making myself understood to NTs when I need to, and I'm able to decide when to stop pretending to be normal and just be myself.

I no longer consider job interviews to be something I'll get better at with practice; instead I shall write down every question I might possibly be asked, and memorise the answers. Knowing that I have trouble learning things I'm not interested in, but can become an instant expert in the subjects of my obsessions, I'm picking and choosing what to learn and how to learn it in order to make the most of my particular brain-wiring.

My family and friends now understand my various odd habits and are less likely to be offended if I do something that seems rude, and as they come to understand my issues they're being very considerate regarding adequate notice for visits and so forth. I haven't told anyone at work, because some of the managers are sociopaths and might use it against me somehow (my colleagues would be fine with it, though), but I suspect it'll come out eventually as I can never keep my own secrets.

I say go for it. It'll give you peace of mind, and since you get to choose who you tell, it doesn't have to affect your life unless you let it.