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How Asperger's Syndrome / High-Functioning Autism Affects Adults

How Asperger's Syndrome / High-Functioning Autism Affects Adults
This is one of the lengthier articles on this site. At first I considered breaking it up, but that didn't seem to work too well. I guess there's nothing stopping anyone from skimming it, or skipping around to the parts they're interested in. The group that probably has the most problem with socializing are people with Asperger's Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism (HFA). It's not clear whether Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and High-Functioning Autism are distinct conditions or not. Asperger's Syndrome isn't a mental health problem. The biggest issue Asperger's Syndrome causes is difficulties with socializing, in all kinds of ways. In general people with Asperger's Syndrome want to be social and connect with others. I'll go into more detail about various AS-related social difficulties below. The fact is the Asperger's 'way' of doing things only seems to be a problem in some cases because it clashes with the unwritten norm. Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger's Syndrome A. B. C. D. E. F. Voice

Adult Diagnosis This is a series of posts that I’ve come to think of as my Asperger’s “origin story” or how I came to realize that I might be autistic and what happened in the wake of that realization. It’s a mix of personal narrative with some advice based on what I learned from my experience. I strongly encourage you to read the many comments left by readers. The series is now complete. Table of Contents Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Autism Spectrum Disorder Definition and Traits (includes over 100 questions to help identify autistic traits in adults based on the DSM-5) Part 3: I think I Might Be Autistic. Part 4: Paths to Realization, Is This Me? Part 5: Aspergers/Autism as a Sensemaking Narrative Part 6: Mourning the Loss, Healing the Child Part 7: Self-Diagnosis or Professional Diagnosis Part 8: Obtaining a Formal Assessment Part 9: Types of Assessments Part 10: Preparing for your ASD Evaluation Part 11: Adult ASD Evaluation – The Diagnostic Interview Part 11: Adult ASD Evaluation – The Tests Like this:

Adult Aspergers Support Community Spotting an aspie adult Have you ever wondered how to spot an aspie adult, at a distance, without having to get too close? It would be so convenient, wouldn't it? To be able to detect the aspieness before you are drawn in, before there is any danger of becoming part of their mad world and waking up one morning, trying to work out where it all went wrong and what happened to all your socks. Bearing in mind there are always exceptions that prove the rule, here is what you should look for. In the supermarket I often wonder if I have spotted a fellow aspie. Walking along the aisles, it's easier to people watch than shop, usually because I've forgotten what I need. The walk: Yes, from a distance or as they pass by, the walk is a dead giveaway. I'm a meanderer myself, able to get in people's way as I divert, lazily, like the Queen Mary, at the last second. In contrast, the go-getter aspie will leave me in their wake. You might admire the determined attitude of this aspie, but don't be fooled. Amanda

Aspienwomen: Adult Women with Asperger Syndrome. Moving towards a female profile of Asperger Syndrome | taniaannmarshall Aspienwomen : Adult Women with Asperger Syndrome. Moving towards a female profile of Asperger Syndrome (Updated March 20th, 2014) The following list is an official working screener document consisting of the unique characteristics and traits of adult women with Asperger Syndrome, or Aspienwomen. It is not a research-based formal assessment tool. This list comes from the many adult women I have worked with over the years. Tania is currently co-authoring a book for professionals tentatively entitled “Assessment of Autism Spectrum and Asperger’s in Females: Comprehensive diagnostics and treatment planning for girls and women with autism spectrum conditions across the lifespan”. The following profile was created for females who are self-diagnosing or considering formal diagnosis and to assist mental health professionals in recognizing Asperger Syndrome in adult females. This list typifies many of the middle-aged Aspienwomen I have worked with. 1. Superior long-term memory 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A.

ASPIE STRATEGY: The Hidden Autistics - Asperger's in Adults Recently I encountered a problem while collaborating with a group therapist with whom I share a patient. My patient has progressed quickly in therapy, as do many adults on the spectrum. However he did not start off as stereotypically autistic. It took a few sessions to realize this fine gentleman suffered mightly with the symtoms of Asperger Syndrome, which he kept well managed and thoroughly hidden. In fact, "Joe", as we'll call him, socialized quite well. Diagnosing this man was problematic. Partners of people on the spectrum are drawn to what they can sense is inside their partner. So what was the problem I ran into with the collaborating therapist? One person remains unconvinced. I'd like to write more about this "hidden autistic" phenomena.

Debunking 6 Myths About Asperger Syndrome The discovery of Asperger Syndrome (AS) dates back to 1944. Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger described the syndrome when he was treating four boys with similar symptoms. But his writings remained relatively unknown until 1981. At that time, English doctor Lorna Wing published case studies with children who displayed the same signs. Still, it wasn’t until 1992 that AS became an official diagnosis in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Asperger Syndrome is a developmental disorder. Often, they also reside on either extreme of the spectrum: Either they’re very orderly and “become unglued if things don’t go their way” or their days are in disarray, and they have a lot of difficulty with daily responsibilities, said Valerie Gaus, Ph.D, psychologist and author of Living Well on the Spectrum: How to Use Your Strengths to Meet the Challenges of Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Asperger Syndrome. 1. 2.

Asperger Syndrome in Adults: Look through Broader Lens Asperger Syndrome in Adults: Let’s Look through a Broader Lens By Jamie Freed, MSW “I downloaded a questionnaire, gave it to my landlady and friend Joan who then administered it to me: Lay diagnosis: Mark has Asperger’s. What a feeling of excitement that gave me: maybe what had plagued me all my life had a name, and having a name might be something that could be treated, ameliorated, perhaps even fixed pray tell. It was a seminal moment... Excerpts from I Am a Survivor by Mark Morris Goodman Adults with AS at AANE AANE staff have learned about the struggles and talents of adults with AS—and some successful strategies for addressing their problems—through a decade of working closely with them. During these ten years we have also developed a wide array of services and programs to meet adults’ needs, including: A free Asperger’s information packet with our own 50-page guide book. AANE staff are committed to working in close, respectful partnership with everyone we serve. Who Needs a Diagnosis?

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