The Asperger's Spectrum and Subtypes

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For the record, I would rate myself as Balanced - Artist. I am also a Techie, but I see that category as simply an application of Artist. I believe that, in many cases, the two are closely related. I know plenty of people who excel at both music and computers. I'm not a bit hacker. That is, I see well-designed computer programs and strategies to be works of art, not things that should be hacked up into little pieces just to get working.

I always considered myself to be a half-geek in both the computer and the music world... just enough to absorb some traits and characteristics from each, but not enough to really emanate identifiable stereotypes. I'd say I'm more likely to be pinned walking down the street by someone as a musician than a techie.

I don't think this kind of subtyping makes much sense; I mean, yeah, we come in different sorts, but the categories aren't straightforward. Maybe you can use them for one of those little internet quizzes, but they don't really have any diagnostic significance.

lets, see... I am the balanced, artist, and somewhere 4 or above for the functionability levell.

I'd be an artist, but my communication wavers depending on my mood... sometimes I'm very talkative, and communicate well, other times I become so self conscious that I can't speak at all.

I would be an artist too...but I can't figure out what my functioning level would be...I have a small network of odd atypical spectrumy comrades, but it takes a lot for me to be able to talk to anyone else...I have had plenty relationships...but I don't drive, I have held jobs, but it has been difficult...I am very dysfunctional and childlike compared to other females my own age...but my special interests are such that down the line, I have always managed to endear myself to someone or another...I have lots of stims, lack of eye-contact, odd body posture, I rock sometimes, and i have walked on my tiptoes since I was a kid....There should be recognized within spectrum-within the spectrum how prevalent these sorts of traits are...maybe...I know some people grow out of their stims or cover them up...some never had much of them in the first place...but i guess maybe it is independent from how well a person functions as a whole...

I think that when the differences between functioning levels are too slight, it will be hard for a lot of people to determine where they belong....I think most people are higher functioning in some areas and lower in others..

I feel like I am breaking your mould a bit.

I am most definitely an Introvert, but I am also a Master Communicator. I am a performing artist (actor/singer) and my performance skills enable me to function in a variety of settings involving people. I don't want to be the center of attention, but I am perfectly capable of holding my own if I happen to be in the place. (Though I will not vouch for my mood or my energy level afterwards!)

I don't feel particularly "balanced", because I occupyplaces at the extremes. When someone holds a door open for me, I can barely mutter, "thank you" above a hoarse whisper. But I can stand on a stage in front of hundreds of people and declaim Shakespeare.

Most of the latter is, of course, learned skill, but nonetheless it underscores the great diversity of skill that any individual brings, and the difficulty with compartmentalization.

Defiantly an Introvert / Techie with some artistic ability

To all you guys taking my post seriously, relax, it is just my opinion and I know that it is not scientifically relevant. For me to claim that my opinion is scientifically relevant would make me no better than the likes of Bruno Bettleheim. The purpose of my scale is to try and illustrate that there are different levels of functioning, in addittion to personality and interest subtypes. What I am sure of though, is that there is an Asperger's spectrum! I am also certain that there are many distinct Aspie subtypes that can be catagorized. How we measure the level of fuctionality and catagorize Aspie subtypes is beyond the scope of my knowledge. The main purpose of this post is to get people thinking about the possibillity that there might be an Asperger's spectrum in addittion to Aspie subtypes.

Of course many of us aspies enjoy systems, so it's really tempting (and a promising avenue to pursue, IMO) to systematize our common condition.

I wonder how to breakdown the difference between verbal and written communication. For myself, I feel like I communicate very well in writing -- but often I don't say anything unless the subject is something in which I'm interested, and then of course I tend to run on into extreme detail... I do a lot better when I can edit

Another thought occurred to me: A spectrum within a spectrum is a fractal! Beautiful!

Was there really ever any question about this?

I am an Introvert and a Social Scientist.

I understand the point your trying to make Matt55. Me and my brother are both Aspies but our functioning is poles apart. I think there is also a variation of what is classed as functioning. I come across as argumentative and aloof when conversing but am capable of communicating even if I come across badly whereas my brother often doesn't speak to our grandparents when they've spent hours visiting. Yet he has a part time job, is at college and may be going to university soon and I can't even leave the house alone. If you study individual areas of functioning such as communication, ability to work, study, control emotions etc we both excel in some and are drastically wanting in others. In this way it's hard to rate the level in a 1-10 manner as what areas are consider most relevant when deciding how able someone is?
Overall I think doctors should give a bit more thought to the spectrum within Asperers instead of lumping us all together so they could tailor the help we need to us as individuals as opposed to assuming we're all the same.

You took the words right out of my mouth. That is exactly what I think doctors should take into consideration. I believe that the psychiatric community should do further research as to identify distinct Aspie sub-types. I also believe they should come up with a very detailed functionality scale specifically for people with Asperger's and High Functioning Autism.

You took the words right out of my mouth. That is exactly what I think doctors should take into consideration. I believe that the psychiatric community should do further research as to identify distinct Aspie sub-types. I also believe they should come up with a very detailed functionality scale specifically for people with Asperger's and High Functioning Autism.

To what end is that helpful? There will still be wild variation and overlap amongst the subgroups.

Perhaps what doctors need to do is to understand that people with AS/autism are individuals and therefore have individual needs that are going to vary wildly. Having support programs in place for those who need it is very important, but not all programs are going to be appropriate to the individual.

Based on your scale, I would be balanced, a scientist, and a level "1". I like being by myself, but I like being around family and close friends when I'm able to ramble about my special interests. So, yes, when I'm giving special interest monologues, I'm very extroverted and dominate the conversation, but overall, I'm an introvert who likes solitude. I'm a scientist by nature and by profession, but really, my strongest special interests have always been TV shows/movies/roller coasters. And those weren't on the list. I'm a level "1," because the severity scale only measured social issues. I am not really all that socially deficit. But in other AS areas, such as special interests, a need for sameness, and sensory isues, I'm usually more severe than most Aspies.
-OddDuckNash99-