Hi!

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kdm1984
Velociraptor

Joined: 31 May 2012
Gender: Female
Posts: 443
Location: SW MO, USA

01 Jun 2012, 8:07 pm

I've been lurking here for awhile, but I finally decided to join.

I'm a 27-year-old female who may have AS. I have never been formally diagnosed, but I relate a lot to many of the symptoms, and I relate to many of the people who have been formally diagnosed with the condition, too (I've worked as a substitute teacher in some Special Ed classes where I "clicked" well with the AS kids, and I absolutely loved Luke Jackson's book, Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome).

I first started contemplating whether or not I had AS when I first read about it as an undergraduate in college. In my adolescent years, I was diagnosed with "mild OCD" and was on and off various SSRIs for a few years (I don't think they really ever helped much). I've always had routines, obsessions, and rituals of some sort - some are enjoyable, some are frustrating.

In school, I always did well, especially in subjects where writing was emphasized. I was able to fly under the radar in most of my classes. As a female, I seem to have those classic subtler symptoms - voice is fairly normal, eye contact is fine, etc., My friends who have gotten to know me better even say I can have a more lively personality in other settings, especially online. My childhood videos also reveal someone who could be quite outgoing when in a supportive environment.

Nonetheless, new situations and transitions can be hard for me. Adjusting to jobs after school was really an issue, particularly when I had to focus on many different things at once and adapt quickly (the transitions in school are much more predictable and thematically consistent - in many employment situations, they're not so clear). I've since gone back to graduate school in hopes of becoming a teacher. I know what some of you are thinking - yes, that job requires a lot of neurotypical social behavior, and I have to re-do my student teaching in the fall after some adjustment issues, but I'm still hopeful I can make it.

Of course, not everyone has been understanding of my "quirks." Some people think my love of doing things over and over again is "insanity," and I could share a lot of stories where my awkwardness caused all kinds of issues, but you've probably been there, done that, and heard the same things.

Anyway, hope to contribute and learn more here.