Am I really Autistic, or was I misdiagnosed?

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goofygoobers
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07 Jul 2012, 9:44 pm

I was diagnosed with Asperger's at 5 years old, but I kind of wonder if I even have it. I'm able to converse with adults pretty well, especially with friendly people. I also don't seem to have the same problems as some Aspies, which makes me feel like I'm not Autistic. My mother says I still have problems associated with Asperger's (taking things literally, not understanding implied things, etc.), but I'm not so sure. Can some Aspies learn social skills as they get older, making them seem like they're NT? I have a hard time trying to explain this, and I hope you're able to understand what I have to say. I feel so stupid for being able to explain this better. Anyways, do you think I have Asperger's or not? Am I just a weird Neurotypical? What do you think?



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07 Jul 2012, 9:48 pm

It's normal--and expected--for those with AS to learn and get better at socializing and communicating as they get older. It's possible for someone to be an Aspie as a kid and lose the diagnosis as an adult. He'd still have autistic traits, but without the impairment that suggests the need for a diagnosis.


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goofygoobers
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07 Jul 2012, 9:50 pm

I forgot to add that I stim!



redrobin62
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07 Jul 2012, 9:53 pm

People who stim do often learn how to not stim around others.
People who generally don't look others in the eyes may learn to do it as time goes on.
People who talk incessantly about their special interests, or continually spew useless irritating facts, may learn to cut those impulses down.
I wish I could turn down my hypersensitivity to light and sound, though. Sunlight still kills me.
People who were non-social may learn to be social. I'm, unfortunately, still as non-social as can be.
I do still feel like a kid trapped in a man's body because I don't do "adult" things" - marriage, kids, house, mortgage, etc. I still play video games and write short stories.
I don't know if you're a weird NT. By definition, a weird NT would be a spectrumite, no?



goofygoobers
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07 Jul 2012, 9:59 pm

I guess you could say I'm the more talkative-type, so I guess I was more willing to learn social cues. Some of them were pretty easy to learn for me. I guess I'm not the only one that still feels like a little kid. I feel like an 8-year-old girl with a young adult mind.


redrobin62 wrote:
People who stim do often learn how to not stim around others.
People who generally don't look others in the eyes may learn to do it as time goes on.
People who talk incessantly about their special interests, or continually spew useless irritating facts, may learn to cut those impulses down.
I wish I could turn down my hypersensitivity to light and sound, though. Sunlight still kills me.
People who were non-social may learn to be social. I'm, unfortunately, still as non-social as can be.
I do still feel like a kid trapped in a man's body because I don't do "adult" things" - marriage, kids, house, mortgage, etc. I still play video games and write short stories.
I don't know if you're a weird NT. By definition, a weird NT would be a spectrumite, no?



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07 Jul 2012, 11:17 pm

Yes aspies can learn social skills. They can learn them to where they seem NT but come off as weird and quirky to people.


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07 Jul 2012, 11:34 pm

redrobin62 wrote:
People who stim do often learn how to not stim around others.
People who generally don't look others in the eyes may learn to do it as time goes on.
People who talk incessantly about their special interests, or continually spew useless irritating facts, may learn to cut those impulses down.
I wish I could turn down my hypersensitivity to light and sound, though. Sunlight still kills me.
People who were non-social may learn to be social. I'm, unfortunately, still as non-social as can be.
I do still feel like a kid trapped in a man's body because I don't do "adult" things" - marriage, kids, house, mortgage, etc. I still play video games and write short stories.
I don't know if you're a weird NT. By definition, a weird NT would be a spectrumite, no?


I've adapted a lot, learned to curb tendencies, keep most of my stims put away until I get home and compensate with repetitive hand motions of a reasonably acceptable type... stroking my fingers together. It just looks a bit nervous, I think. Could be worse. I'm married but I'm a stay-at-home mom. Make no mistake, that's not easy, but in the manner of any work-at-home job or freelance work it's more flexible schedule-wise... for the most part you get up at a certain time, get to the school by a certain time, and the rest is for you to work out. So while most moms in my position rightfully say they made sacrifices to stay at home and that they work hard and deserve respect, I kinda feel like a slacker because I've never wanted to have a day job... people will have expectations, expect snappy responses, want me to smile all the danged time and spout meaningless pleasantries.

All I'm trying to say is, I may be AS or not... I was never diagnosed officially but we all know the standard childhood stuff that brings us all into the same category... the literal responses, out-of-sync conversation, isolation, alienation, and utter bewilderment as to why "it" works for everyone else but just gets us a weird look. I get along better now because I understand more... and because I have been able to customize my situation. Fact is, I strongly suspect that if I try, as I'm considering, to work outside the home once all three kids are in school all day, I will find myself alienated, isolated, and having meltdowns again. Fortunately, I was just going to start with volunteer work so as to be more marketable should I ever have to do it to support the kids (it's good to be prepared)... if I get canned from that for not playing the game, so what, screw them. I can work somewhere else for free!

As to the original topic, I would think someone with an early diagnosis would be that much more adapted, having been helped from an early age to become that way. I spent my formative years wondering what was wrong with me and having everyone else treat me like I was just being difficult. And even I get along well enough to have my doubts.


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08 Jul 2012, 5:55 am

Redrobin is right - people adapt over the years and are able to behave more like their peers.

I have learned to imitate some NT behaviours, for the sake of avoiding unwanted attention. All it takes is a little practice :D



goofygoobers
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08 Jul 2012, 3:56 pm

irishwhistle wrote:
redrobin62 wrote:
People who stim do often learn how to not stim around others.
People who generally don't look others in the eyes may learn to do it as time goes on.
People who talk incessantly about their special interests, or continually spew useless irritating facts, may learn to cut those impulses down.
I wish I could turn down my hypersensitivity to light and sound, though. Sunlight still kills me.
People who were non-social may learn to be social. I'm, unfortunately, still as non-social as can be.
I do still feel like a kid trapped in a man's body because I don't do "adult" things" - marriage, kids, house, mortgage, etc. I still play video games and write short stories.
I don't know if you're a weird NT. By definition, a weird NT would be a spectrumite, no?


I've adapted a lot, learned to curb tendencies, keep most of my stims put away until I get home and compensate with repetitive hand motions of a reasonably acceptable type... stroking my fingers together. It just looks a bit nervous, I think. Could be worse. I'm married but I'm a stay-at-home mom. Make no mistake, that's not easy, but in the manner of any work-at-home job or freelance work it's more flexible schedule-wise... for the most part you get up at a certain time, get to the school by a certain time, and the rest is for you to work out. So while most moms in my position rightfully say they made sacrifices to stay at home and that they work hard and deserve respect, I kinda feel like a slacker because I've never wanted to have a day job... people will have expectations, expect snappy responses, want me to smile all the danged time and spout meaningless pleasantries.

All I'm trying to say is, I may be AS or not... I was never diagnosed officially but we all know the standard childhood stuff that brings us all into the same category... the literal responses, out-of-sync conversation, isolation, alienation, and utter bewilderment as to why "it" works for everyone else but just gets us a weird look. I get along better now because I understand more... and because I have been able to customize my situation. Fact is, I strongly suspect that if I try, as I'm considering, to work outside the home once all three kids are in school all day, I will find myself alienated, isolated, and having meltdowns again. Fortunately, I was just going to start with volunteer work so as to be more marketable should I ever have to do it to support the kids (it's good to be prepared)... if I get canned from that for not playing the game, so what, screw them. I can work somewhere else for free!

As to the original topic, I would think someone with an early diagnosis would be that much more adapted, having been helped from an early age to become that way. I spent my formative years wondering what was wrong with me and having everyone else treat me like I was just being difficult. And even I get along well enough to have my doubts.



The funny thing is that my therapists never really gave me social skills training. I pretty much had to learn from life experiences and my mom. Some things like lacking eye contact came to me when I was older, which is something I'm not sure other Aspies had happen.



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08 Jul 2012, 5:09 pm

Not all Aspies have exactly the same traits.