Undiagnosed
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
Whena character on Southpark has Asperger's...yea I would say it is a trend.
Whena character on Southpark has Asperger's...yea I would say it is a trend.
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Is there enough awareness of Aspergers/Autism?
- Thread starter Droopy
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Undiagnosed
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
Where I am from...small town, rural Indiana where everyone knows and/or is related to everyone...And I do not know anyone who know of anyone who knows of anyone who has Asperger's in this area. I take that back... I do remember one foster kid that my mom once fostered who was diagnosed with some type of autism/asperger's. My son is now 13 and I recentley looking into Asperger's becouse I saw a character in a movie with Asberger's who reminded me of my son! Yea after I read a lot about Asperger's I was certain tha's what my son has had all along.
When I took him to our doctor in third grade he was diagnosed with , didn't realy seem to evaluate him just took a breif description o f the problems and prescribed something to treat ADD. Then later in I hink third grade I remember haveing a meeting involveing me and all my sons teachers and princapal to talk about how to help him in school. After hearing the description of my sons problems/actions;/traits from me and from his teachers the principal of over thirty years shook his head in aww and said that he had never incountered a student such as this. The teachers seem lost and puzzles as well. Never was the word autism or asperger's mentioned. I continued with the ADD thing feeling it want the correct answer but haveing no clue what was. My son was still different than other ADD kids.
At one point I heard of what was supposed to be a very good nuroligist in Fort Wayne Indiansa which is a two hour drive from me. I had no clue what a nurologist was or if that was who I needed to take my son to. I took him there and got nothing. A very breaf, so called evaluation. I tryed to emphasize the traits I beleived my son to have that just don't fit ADD and must be something else. I got nothing. Sorta shrugged off. No new diagnosis. No answers.
My son continumd alone in school haveing increasing problems with every year of school demanding more of him. In sizth grade I asked for an evaluation from his school for extra help for him. It was conclued that his intelegense was within normal disqualifying him for 'special educational services'. He was also evaluated by a school phycologist or phyciatrist whatever. The notes the evaluator put down were like..." did not engage in typical age appropriate interaction"...and the evaluator noted that he was not able to gain a repore with my son due to my sons lack of engaeing in interaction/conversation. He also noted that he found it unusual how my son just got up and leaft the room without saying something like..."is the test over?"
So, after the evaluatons was done there was a meeting with this school phycologist and the school principal and some of my sons teachers... Dosn't what I have mentioned on the evaluation report raise red flags saying Autism or Asperger's??? Now I beleive so although I was clueless at the time. So in this meeting was the word autism or asperger's even mentioned?? NO!!.. Nothing...The teachers seemed to not get what I was tying to explain about my son and the school pycologist talked about the report he did and aoubt my sons lack of social skills.... yea his ...'lLACK OF SOCIaAL SKILLS' I remember discussing in a quite detailed conversation . yet no Red Flags going up in the psycologists mind saying autism, or asperger's?? The only advise he had for me was that he did agree there was something else gooing on with my son other that ADD and that a nothe diagnosis may help. they gave me a bunch of papers witha bunch of places to posably take him.
Now, like going on three weeks ago I find out about Asperge's becouse I looked it up becouse I saw a character in a movie who reminded me of my son....... I'v read and read and read and it describes my son...!!!
7 1/2 years of school, three different schools, many teachers/ principals and school psycologists, a family practicioner, a nurologist,... are all clueless ....ANd then I I find Aspergers due to identifying my son with a movie character??!!! And it ends up fitting him, in my mind with no uncertanty...... Do I think there is enough awairness??? Aparentley not in my area!!
Where I am from...small town, rural Indiana where everyone knows and/or is related to everyone...And I do not know anyone who know of anyone who knows of anyone who has Asperger's in this area. I take that back... I do remember one foster kid that my mom once fostered who was diagnosed with some type of autism/asperger's. My son is now 13 and I recentley looking into Asperger's becouse I saw a character in a movie with Asberger's who reminded me of my son! Yea after I read a lot about Asperger's I was certain tha's what my son has had all along.
When I took him to our doctor in third grade he was diagnosed with , didn't realy seem to evaluate him just took a breif description o f the problems and prescribed something to treat ADD. Then later in I hink third grade I remember haveing a meeting involveing me and all my sons teachers and princapal to talk about how to help him in school. After hearing the description of my sons problems/actions;/traits from me and from his teachers the principal of over thirty years shook his head in aww and said that he had never incountered a student such as this. The teachers seem lost and puzzles as well. Never was the word autism or asperger's mentioned. I continued with the ADD thing feeling it want the correct answer but haveing no clue what was. My son was still different than other ADD kids.
At one point I heard of what was supposed to be a very good nuroligist in Fort Wayne Indiansa which is a two hour drive from me. I had no clue what a nurologist was or if that was who I needed to take my son to. I took him there and got nothing. A very breaf, so called evaluation. I tryed to emphasize the traits I beleived my son to have that just don't fit ADD and must be something else. I got nothing. Sorta shrugged off. No new diagnosis. No answers.
My son continumd alone in school haveing increasing problems with every year of school demanding more of him. In sizth grade I asked for an evaluation from his school for extra help for him. It was conclued that his intelegense was within normal disqualifying him for 'special educational services'. He was also evaluated by a school phycologist or phyciatrist whatever. The notes the evaluator put down were like..." did not engage in typical age appropriate interaction"...and the evaluator noted that he was not able to gain a repore with my son due to my sons lack of engaeing in interaction/conversation. He also noted that he found it unusual how my son just got up and leaft the room without saying something like..."is the test over?"
So, after the evaluatons was done there was a meeting with this school phycologist and the school principal and some of my sons teachers... Dosn't what I have mentioned on the evaluation report raise red flags saying Autism or Asperger's??? Now I beleive so although I was clueless at the time. So in this meeting was the word autism or asperger's even mentioned?? NO!!.. Nothing...The teachers seemed to not get what I was tying to explain about my son and the school pycologist talked about the report he did and aoubt my sons lack of social skills.... yea his ...'lLACK OF SOCIaAL SKILLS' I remember discussing in a quite detailed conversation . yet no Red Flags going up in the psycologists mind saying autism, or asperger's?? The only advise he had for me was that he did agree there was something else gooing on with my son other that ADD and that a nothe diagnosis may help. they gave me a bunch of papers witha bunch of places to posably take him.
Now, like going on three weeks ago I find out about Asperge's becouse I looked it up becouse I saw a character in a movie who reminded me of my son....... I'v read and read and read and it describes my son...!!!
7 1/2 years of school, three different schools, many teachers/ principals and school psycologists, a family practicioner, a nurologist,... are all clueless ....ANd then I I find Aspergers due to identifying my son with a movie character??!!! And it ends up fitting him, in my mind with no uncertanty...... Do I think there is enough awairness??? Aparentley not in my area!!
Last edited:
Kingmatt333
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
Well, there certainly is a lot of awareness out there, but a lot of it was negative. The other day i was listening to some guys who don't know me well enough to know i have asperger's, and they were sharing their stories about family members/acquaintances who have autism or asperger's, and a lot of it wasn't nice. all they focused on were the meltdowns and negative stuff like that. I think teir needs to be more awarness about WHY things like meltdowns happen, instead of just talking about the negative stuff.
I mean, sure, there is a lot of info on stuff like that, but people arn't reading/seein it! the general populance are simply ignorant of what exactly aspergers is what having it means.
Well, there certainly is a lot of awareness out there, but a lot of it was negative. The other day i was listening to some guys who don't know me well enough to know i have asperger's, and they were sharing their stories about family members/acquaintances who have autism or asperger's, and a lot of it wasn't nice. all they focused on were the meltdowns and negative stuff like that. I think teir needs to be more awarness about WHY things like meltdowns happen, instead of just talking about the negative stuff.
I mean, sure, there is a lot of info on stuff like that, but people arn't reading/seein it! the general populance are simply ignorant of what exactly aspergers is what having it means.
lemon
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
When my girlfriend told me she thought I might have aspergers, the first thing that popped into my mind was that ^. I had heard of Autism and Aspergers but I wasn't educated about what it actual was.
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
I'm probably going to get booed and bashed for such a radical idea but what else is new. I read through all of these posts and not a single one said anything about what they are doing to raise awareness or fight stigma. Just a lot of complaining and huffing and puffing about how "someone" should raise awareness.
I view it like voting if you want to complain fine just make sure you voted in the last election. Otherwise you have no valid right to say anything. Same with stigma if you sit back and allow others to be ignorant, because you lack the conviction to stand up and educate, don't get angry at everyone else when they say stupid things.
I'm probably going to get booed and bashed for such a radical idea but what else is new. I read through all of these posts and not a single one said anything about what they are doing to raise awareness or fight stigma. Just a lot of complaining and huffing and puffing about how "someone" should raise awareness.
I view it like voting if you want to complain fine just make sure you voted in the last election. Otherwise you have no valid right to say anything. Same with stigma if you sit back and allow others to be ignorant, because you lack the conviction to stand up and educate, don't get angry at everyone else when they say stupid things.
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
Most definitely not, I've had so many incidents where I'm told by others that I'm being aggressive because I'm apparently shouting for instance, I cannot hear myself shout, to me I sound like I'm talking normally, yet I've had loads of such incidents where people don't understand even when I try to explain why. It gets worse when I'm anxious, I'm told I really shout, but I still cannot tell I'm shouting at all. I've even had security try to throw me out of a shop recently when I thought I was calming putting a valid complaint across, luckily my support worker was there and called the manager and I got an apology in the end.
ATOS the people who do medical assessments for the UK welfare benefits most certainly haven't got a clue about Asperger Syndrome as I found when I got asked questions like "how long has this being going on then?" when it's a life condition I was born with and the assessor didn't seem to understand anything about the condition at all, in fact he wasn't even a doctor, but a nurse and I was left trying to explain the symptoms of the condition to him as he really didn't seem to understand. Even a GP isn't qualified to diagnose Asperger Syndrome so how can a nurse possibly do an assessment like this? After my support worker did a lot of complaining after seeing a totally inaccurate and incorrect report and assessment about myself that even referred to me as having a mental health condition that apparently didn't effect my ability to work (I've never had a mental health condition), I did get awarded ESA after masses of worry, stress and anxiety. Since when has Asperger Syndrome been a mental health condition? It's extremely worrying that these so called "medical professionals" from ATOS are the ones deciding our fate. It really worries me constantly when I'm going to be assessed again and for the new benefit with the welfare reforms in the UK. The UK Government certainly doesn't understand the worry and anxiety it causes people like myself with Asperger Syndrome and how we feel as they wouldn't force us with change to our benefits in this way, I cannot cope with change, let alone something as important as my ability to survive. Unfortunately as well as Aspergers I also now have physical health problems that seriously effect my ability to work too which I won't get into here, I do want to work eventually, but everywhere I've tried even when physically well, I've had serious problems and the complaints against me have always been related to Asperger symptoms from people who don't understand at all and I struggle to even see what I've done wrong most of the time, so how could I stop it happening again? My work can be great, but try socialising or just getting on with people and I fail miserably to the extent of people making complaints against me. So I say again, there most definitely isn't enough awareness.
Most definitely not, I've had so many incidents where I'm told by others that I'm being aggressive because I'm apparently shouting for instance, I cannot hear myself shout, to me I sound like I'm talking normally, yet I've had loads of such incidents where people don't understand even when I try to explain why. It gets worse when I'm anxious, I'm told I really shout, but I still cannot tell I'm shouting at all. I've even had security try to throw me out of a shop recently when I thought I was calming putting a valid complaint across, luckily my support worker was there and called the manager and I got an apology in the end.
ATOS the people who do medical assessments for the UK welfare benefits most certainly haven't got a clue about Asperger Syndrome as I found when I got asked questions like "how long has this being going on then?" when it's a life condition I was born with and the assessor didn't seem to understand anything about the condition at all, in fact he wasn't even a doctor, but a nurse and I was left trying to explain the symptoms of the condition to him as he really didn't seem to understand. Even a GP isn't qualified to diagnose Asperger Syndrome so how can a nurse possibly do an assessment like this? After my support worker did a lot of complaining after seeing a totally inaccurate and incorrect report and assessment about myself that even referred to me as having a mental health condition that apparently didn't effect my ability to work (I've never had a mental health condition), I did get awarded ESA after masses of worry, stress and anxiety. Since when has Asperger Syndrome been a mental health condition? It's extremely worrying that these so called "medical professionals" from ATOS are the ones deciding our fate. It really worries me constantly when I'm going to be assessed again and for the new benefit with the welfare reforms in the UK. The UK Government certainly doesn't understand the worry and anxiety it causes people like myself with Asperger Syndrome and how we feel as they wouldn't force us with change to our benefits in this way, I cannot cope with change, let alone something as important as my ability to survive. Unfortunately as well as Aspergers I also now have physical health problems that seriously effect my ability to work too which I won't get into here, I do want to work eventually, but everywhere I've tried even when physically well, I've had serious problems and the complaints against me have always been related to Asperger symptoms from people who don't understand at all and I struggle to even see what I've done wrong most of the time, so how could I stop it happening again? My work can be great, but try socialising or just getting on with people and I fail miserably to the extent of people making complaints against me. So I say again, there most definitely isn't enough awareness.
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Lynnemarie
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
i feel that even though there is quite a lot of awareness of asd... there isnt enough for us girls with AS... i've self diagnosed my self... it's as if no one really understands us and we need more awareness for females so that we dont full through the net - like i have for the past 20 years (i'm 24 now)
After reading "rudy simones - aspergirls" i have finally come to terms with WHO i am... i wouldnt have been able to either wise.
even soo, working in a charity shop - i mentioned the fact i have AS to my manager and she said - oh lots of people have that and it can be cured by medication! - i was like ... No medication can cure this! Seriously we need some awareness for when we are working so that everyone can Understand us... even if it was a little bit!
lynne
i feel that even though there is quite a lot of awareness of asd... there isnt enough for us girls with AS... i've self diagnosed my self... it's as if no one really understands us and we need more awareness for females so that we dont full through the net - like i have for the past 20 years (i'm 24 now)
After reading "rudy simones - aspergirls" i have finally come to terms with WHO i am... i wouldnt have been able to either wise.
even soo, working in a charity shop - i mentioned the fact i have AS to my manager and she said - oh lots of people have that and it can be cured by medication! - i was like ... No medication can cure this!
Seriously we need some awareness for when we are working so that everyone can Understand us... even if it was a little bit! lynne
Awareness is not always a good thing. As Alexander Pope wrote "A little learning is a dangerous thing".
To be aware of something that we do not understand often leads to fear and ignorance. We grasp onto the memorable facets, often the negative ones and apply a mental "Avoid" label. In order for awareness to be a good thing it needs coupling with enlightenment. Then people can form opinions in an informed manner.
This does not just apply to ASD, it is prevalent in many walks of life. Our newspapers rely on it to make "stories".
To be aware of something that we do not understand often leads to fear and ignorance. We grasp onto the memorable facets, often the negative ones and apply a mental "Avoid" label. In order for awareness to be a good thing it needs coupling with enlightenment. Then people can form opinions in an informed manner.
This does not just apply to ASD, it is prevalent in many walks of life. Our newspapers rely on it to make "stories".
Goose Girl
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
No, it's just fashionable on WP for WP members to think everyone who joins WP these days is a fake or wannabe, in the existing members minds. That site is the most toxic pile of lack of support I've ever seen. I'm shocked at the general culture of aspier-than-thou on that place.
Warwick C
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
I think part of the problem with the level of awareness is that the media is only interested in a small part of anything, then not to follow through on the research.
I think is part of the problem is the research of it, is it takes time and society now it only wants quick answers. Then it is that is relatively new, then the
absence of recognition of it in adults is also a problem not recognized. I was only diagnosed with it this year at 48, and finding limited help out side the forum.
As to what I can do to help educate others, I have been passing any information I find on to a Physio clinic I was at to help them understand in case they
have to deal with someone else with it. I am also providing my own feed back to help them as I am looking to help others now that I Had my light bulb
moment and have accepted it.
Slightly off topic: It might be helping one of their clients whose son has aspergers, myself, the receptionist and the mother are trying to help.
What I and the receptionist just realized is that he might not be ready to ask for help. How ever I have done my best and may have help some people
to understand the situation.
I have also passed on the forum web address as well.
I think part of the problem with the level of awareness is that the media is only interested in a small part of anything, then not to follow through on the research.
I think is part of the problem is the research of it, is it takes time and society now it only wants quick answers. Then it is that is relatively new, then the
absence of recognition of it in adults is also a problem not recognized. I was only diagnosed with it this year at 48, and finding limited help out side the forum.
As to what I can do to help educate others, I have been passing any information I find on to a Physio clinic I was at to help them understand in case they
have to deal with someone else with it. I am also providing my own feed back to help them as I am looking to help others now that I Had my light bulb
moment and have accepted it.
Slightly off topic: It might be helping one of their clients whose son has aspergers, myself, the receptionist and the mother are trying to help.
What I and the receptionist just realized is that he might not be ready to ask for help. How ever I have done my best and may have help some people
to understand the situation.
I have also passed on the forum web address as well.
Last edited:
Ste11aeres
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
I don't think it's usually possible to know someone is a "fake Aspie" based just on some online posts. We can't really know someone through some stuff they may have written online. So in my opinion, it's often best to assume that someone knows what they're talking about when they're talking about themselves (not necessarily when they're talking about things other than themselves!)
Warwick C
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
I agree with you Ste11aeres,
in that you can only trust what someone posts as to applying to them selves. Over time you may be able to work out if they know what they are talking about. So we are putting our trust in each other to be honest.
I agree with you Ste11aeres,
in that you can only trust what someone posts as to applying to them selves. Over time you may be able to work out if they know what they are talking about. So we are putting our trust in each other to be honest.
Sparticus
Jewish man kissing a Catholic woman....
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
There's awareness for children & teenagers who have Autism and Aspergers. Lately I've seen articles on Yahoo & Facebook about Aspergers women wanting to or having written a book on Asperger women. But for men my age I see nada. Nothing, not a peep. Even my Psychologist, PhD, she thinks those with Aspergers probably have a thumb in their mouths and are crawled up in a corner. We are social outcasts.
Imo it must be very easy for medical doctors to misdiagnose us. Plus there's the whole HSP movement-highly sensitive people. How many of them have Aspergers? One guy on facebook from my hometown whose son has Autism asked me a month ago "where have you been?" I answered I've been on an Austim group. He never responded back. I've found that to be the typical reaction from people my age. In the language of Gattica, we are the invalids.
There's awareness for children & teenagers who have Autism and Aspergers. Lately I've seen articles on Yahoo & Facebook about Aspergers women wanting to or having written a book on Asperger women. But for men my age I see nada. Nothing, not a peep. Even my Psychologist, PhD, she thinks those with Aspergers probably have a thumb in their mouths and are crawled up in a corner. We are social outcasts.
Imo it must be very easy for medical doctors to misdiagnose us. Plus there's the whole HSP movement-highly sensitive people. How many of them have Aspergers? One guy on facebook from my hometown whose son has Autism asked me a month ago "where have you been?" I answered I've been on an Austim group. He never responded back. I've found that to be the typical reaction from people my age. In the language of Gattica, we are the invalids.
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Nolan1971
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
I hope to change that I'm writing a book about my Aspie & bipolar experience
Sparticus
Jewish man kissing a Catholic woman....
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
Good luck Nolan!!!!!
Good luck Nolan!!!!!
I hope to change that I'm writing a book about my Aspie & bipolar experience
Warwick C
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
Good luck with your book Nolan.
Sparticus I was lucky with the two psychiatrists I saw recognized it in adults. The first psychiatrist thought I might have it so I got referred to a specialist in aspergers, so I got diagnosed quickly. I also have a lady at a personal development agency who has work with people with apergers.
Combined with the fact I accepted it quite quickly and asked help.
Good luck with your book Nolan.
Sparticus I was lucky with the two psychiatrists I saw recognized it in adults. The first psychiatrist thought I might have it so I got referred to a specialist in aspergers, so I got diagnosed quickly. I also have a lady at a personal development agency who has work with people with apergers.
Combined with the fact I accepted it quite quickly and asked help.
Sparticus
Jewish man kissing a Catholic woman....
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
Good for you Warwick! Took four decades+ and lots of medical "experts" misdiagnosing me before I gently insisted to one psychiatrist how my father, my son & myself have Aspergers. Decades ago there wasn't much publicity about Aspergers . Maybe today's publicity helped you. Since Autism has no cure, it's my suspicion it's more profitible for the masses to be diagnosed with something that requires expensive medications.
Good for you Warwick! Took four decades+ and lots of medical "experts" misdiagnosing me before I gently insisted to one psychiatrist how my father, my son & myself have Aspergers. Decades ago there wasn't much publicity about Aspergers . Maybe today's publicity helped you. Since Autism has no cure, it's my suspicion it's more profitible for the masses to be diagnosed with something that requires expensive medications.
Warwick C
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
I think that would be part of it Sparticus, in that there is more awareness now. I think it may also been that I was lucky enough to come across a psychiatrist who recognized the symptoms in me, so I was able to get help. But it still has been a long long to go undiagnosed (48 Yrs).
I think that would be part of it Sparticus, in that there is more awareness now. I think it may also been that I was lucky enough to come across a psychiatrist who recognized the symptoms in me, so I was able to get help. But it still has been a long long to go undiagnosed (48 Yrs).
asnlifecoach
Well-Known Member
Re: Is there enough awareness of AS/Autism?
There isn't enough education and awareness in the field of Psychology about Autism, there is no way the public is educated and aware enough about it, and it is so very common yet hidden from society.
There isn't enough education and awareness in the field of Psychology about Autism, there is no way the public is educated and aware enough about it, and it is so very common yet hidden from society.
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