Do you think I have Asperger's?

[Chelsalina]

Hi, I'm new to this site and I made an account for the sole purpose of seeing if I could get a diagnosis for this syndrome because I've been suspecting for a while that I suffer from Asperger's. I'm 16 and female for those wondering.

Here's a bit about me:

- I find it very difficult to talk about my feelings. When I went to therapy I didn't want to talk to my therapist about anything and didn't care for help. I kept on looking at the clock on the wall and waiting for my session to be over.

- I am diagnosed with severe social anxiety and moderate depression. I take medication (citalopram) as well.

- It's hard for me to keep eye contact, especially with strangers.

- I almost never raise my hand in classes.

- I'm shy and quiet, sometimes I come off as rude to others.

- I'm very sensitive. If someone says one bad thing about me I will have a grudge on them for a long time.

- It's hard for me to maintain a conversation.

- I dislike talking about "deep" things.

- I find it hard to talk to guys. I have almost no guy friends.

- I identify myself as an asexual and aromantic. I can't imagine having to live with someone for the rest of my life. The idea of that seems so weird to me.

- I used to follow my brother everywhere in new surroundings.

- I talk in a monotonous tone and my voice is quiet.

- I have an obsession with dogs. I cannot go without 5 minutes petting my dog and giving it kisses, not exaggerating. When I was younger I'd wake up almost everyday at 7 to watch the It's Me or the Dog. I'm positive I've watched every episode of Dogs 101.

- I take online classes because I struggled in school. My grades were dropping from straight A's to B's and C's in 9th grade because I would get anxiety/panic attacks in school from all the people around me.

 

[Amee]

You definitely share some qualities with us aspies, but a proper diagnosis has to be made by a professional during a series of tests and conversations. It might also be good to have in mind that depression and anxiety can cause aspie-like symptoms.

 

[Effy]

You definitely share some qualities with us aspies, but a proper diagnosis has to be made by a professional during a series of tests and conversations. It might also be good to have in mind that depression and anxiety can cause aspie-like symptoms.

I wholeheartedly agree with this, especially considering there's a lot more to Asperger's than a list of symptoms on the Internet.

 

[Suzanne]

Well as has been stated already, from what you list, certainly gives the impression that you are an aspie.

I thought I was just on the edge of being aspergic, but since joining this forum, I know recognise I am quite high on the spectrum.

Monotone voice is definitely a trait, but certainly not absolute, for I am the opposite ie my voice has highs and lows, but if you go on youtube, without a doubt, most have monotone voices.

I am an aspie who has trouble not talking deep lol

The best thing to do, is try to get a professional diagnosis, but most for your own "peace of mind". For depending on where you live, will be questionable as to the type of help you will receive.

Welcome and I feel sure that you will feel much support here

 

[royinpink]

Hi, I'm new to this site and I made an account for the sole purpose of seeing if I could get a diagnosis for this syndrome because I've been suspecting for a while that I suffer from Asperger's. I'm 16 and female for those wondering.

Here's a bit about me:

- I find it very difficult to talk about my feelings. When I went to therapy I didn't want to talk to my therapist about anything and didn't care for help. I kept on looking at the clock on the wall and waiting for my session to be over.

- I am diagnosed with severe social anxiety and moderate depression. I take medication (citalopram) as well.

- It's hard for me to keep eye contact, especially with strangers.

- I almost never raise my hand in classes.

- I'm shy and quiet, sometimes I come off as rude to others.

- I'm very sensitive. If someone says one bad thing about me I will have a grudge on them for a long time.

- It's hard for me to maintain a conversation.

- I dislike talking about "deep" things.

- I find it hard to talk to guys. I have almost no guy friends.

- I identify myself as an asexual and aromantic. I can't imagine having to live with someone for the rest of my life. The idea of that seems so weird to me.

- I used to follow my brother everywhere in new surroundings.

- I talk in a monotonous tone and my voice is quiet.

- I have an obsession with dogs. I cannot go without 5 minutes petting my dog and giving it kisses, not exaggerating. When I was younger I'd wake up almost everyday at 7 to watch the It's Me or the Dog. I'm positive I've watched every episode of Dogs 101.

- I take online classes because I struggled in school. My grades were dropping from straight A's to B's and C's in 9th grade because I would get anxiety/panic attacks in school from all the people around me.

I really can't say from that list, since I haven't seen you and don't know your history. All the anxiety stuff could be comorbid with Asperger's...or it could just be anxiety. Which doesn't mean you aren't on the spectrum! A lot of these are a matter of degree or determining the cause of the symptom (i.e. do you have trouble in conversation due to social anxiety or inability to grasp timing and social cues (or both)? Do you generally have trouble in new surroundings, or was following your brother a temporary thing? Did you rely on him [or others] for help in other areas as well?). It's not a bad list, it's just that it's hard to tell from a list!

If you can't get a professional diagnosis where you are or at this point in time, try getting some more information. Tony Attwood's article/foreword about women on the spectrum is a good brief introduction to women with AS. I would suggest reading up on other females with ASD, such as Liane Holliday Willey's Pretending to be Normal, Rudy Simone's Aspergirls, Maja Toudal's Youtube Channel about AS, The Curly Hair Project, or Samantha Craft and others online. The more stories you hear, the better idea you will have of the range of experiences of women on the spectrum, and they will resonate or not. I would trust what your gut tells you on that.

Online tests don't hurt either. The AQ has been accused of gender bias, though (as has much of what comes from Simon Baron-Cohen), so take it with a pinch of salt and try out the others.

When and if you do seek a professional diagnosis, try to find someone who has significant experience with women with ASD. It is unfortunately not a given (yet) that psychologists, even specialists, know what they're talking about when it comes to women with Asperger's.

 

[Sheogorath]

You can't get a diagnosis on the internet. An actual psychologist will have to do that. But hearing about other people's opinions could give you an idea whether or not taking the test would be worthwile. With your symptoms I can't rule out Asperger's. There are definitely some signs that hint at an autism spectrum disorder. My advice would be to get you tested.

Don't draw conclusions too soon, though. Some symptoms could be part of your personality or other problems. I once talked with a therapist (just like you have) and he told my mom to get me tested. Your therapist didn't feel the need. That could be a coincidence, a mistake on his behalf or maybe him being naive and just linking all your symptoms to a diagnosis you already have.

 

[Patrickm]

Everyone's right, you would need to get a professional diognoses, I knew I had aspergers but not being diognosed always makes you wonder. You can compare all them things with aspies but they could be compared to other stuff aswell! I was diognosed with aspergers and ADD 4 months ago and I'm 36, my life has been a lot better since

 

[3rik]

Differential diagnosis is very important. So let it be done by a professional.

 

[Aspieistj]

If you have seen a therapist your parents must be curious about a diagnosis. Has the therapist offered any causes for your discomfort? Being allowed to leave regular school must have resulted in someone offering a diagnosis. Is it possible that your parents do have a diagnosis and just don't want to discuss it with you?