The term "Aspie" --is it offensive? What do you call yourself?

[Fino]

Ok, Fino, now I'm really gonna bake your noodle.
Compare the american pronunciation of "autist", to the british pronunciation of "artist".

And now, to borrow the words of a wise man... (runs and hides)

OMG! At first, I was like "bake my noodle!? " but then I read on and I think it makes sense!

My noodle's been baked!

(who's the wise man?)

 

[Fino]

But which American accent? I imagine in a Bostonian accent they might be quite similar, maybe in a Minnesota accent too, but in a Brooklyn or New Jersey accent, probably quite different!

California!

 

[Fino]

I hope all your kids are born naked.

LOL Why have I not heard that before!!! Is it a thing people say or your thing?

 

[sidd851]

LOL Why have I not heard that before!!! Is it a thing people say or your thing?

Long, long ago, in a..
Wait, wrong intro.

Long ago, I heard a comedian use this line.

I do not recommend, as he did, that you use it in a heated argument.

 

[Fino]

Long, long ago, in a..
Wait, wrong intro.

Long ago, I heard a comedian use this line.

I do not recommend, as he did, that you use it in a heated argument.

I don't think I've ever been in a heated argument, but I will use it as a response to someone else saying or doing something mean/bad!

"Oh yeah? Well, I hope your children are born naked!"

It gives me a retort without being mean AND it's confusing!

A win-win-win.

 

[sidd851]

I don't think I've ever been in a heated argument, but I will use it as a response to someone else saying or doing something mean/bad!

"Oh yeah? Well, I hope your children are born naked!"

It gives me a retort without being mean AND it's confusing!

A win-win-win.

Careful, though.

If it's even mildly heated, people only hear three words, and don't process them... well.
"your kids", and "naked", said in rapid-fire fashion, with only a few other words in-between, can be quite the catalyst to action.

 

[Fino]

Careful, though.

If it's even mildly heated, people only hear three words, and don't process them... well.
"your kids", and "naked", said quickly, can be quite the catalyst to action.

You're right... and I work with kids! And some of them are mean! What if I say it to a child!?!?

"Mommy, my teacher said he wants kids to be naked."

 

[55853]

Oops, I realize thst term could be a bit inflammatory and I went looking for the article that differentiated "Aspergers" from "High functioning Autism" that I read the other day .

I couldn't find it, but I found this Asperger's and Autism: Brain Differences Found.

To explain my own family will take a while, but I'll try to give some examples.

My Dad didn't talk until he was three, but then, when he did, he spoke in complete sentences.

He was fascinated with old trains, makes and models, and old classic cars.

He is extremely socially awkward, will only, really talk about things like his field of study Indo Europian history, based on archeological study and linguistics, Russian and Ukrainian languages and early root languages, is his interest.

One article I read today said that people with Aspergers (often) have poor social skills, can't do small talk, but have a propensity and fascination for "complex problem solving" . And often have ritualistic and rigid behaviours.

My dad HAS to read a certain number of newspapers, ritually and routinely.

He has done some terribly negligent parenting, of myself, because he didn't know how to deal with it, and as a result, I have lots of problems.

Both my mum and stepmom were really treacherous, neurotic and unhappy women, who left my dad after a very short while, when both my sister and I (half sister) were very young. He was very depressed when we were growing up, and nearly killed himself. He says it is only the fact of having us girls, that kept him alive.

Neither of us, none of us, can do lots of things, like, we are very bad at regular housework, I don't drive and I'm 46, my sister (who I don't really know at all, but I do know, that like me, she is very like our father) has only, recently learnt to drive, she is in her mid thirties, my dad doesn't drive any more either, too stressful for him.

They are both librarians, but my dad retired and is doing a PhD.

I, totally relate to the obsessive compulsive complex problem solving. I was a compulsive reader, growing up, then moved into performance arts, because, I didn't know how to talk to people. I also suffered selective mutism, as a teen.

I had Anorexia for years, which some specialists refer to as "Female Aspergers" because it's so common for young women who can be misdiagnosed with other things like borderline personality disorder, too, (which I was, also, misdiagnosed with), but who are actually Aspergers/high functioning Autistic.

We are more the wordy and science Aspies, not maths thinkers.

But, despite the lack of formal diagnosis, I think the pattern fits.

My son, who is "Autistic" is still very childlike, has lots of services supporting him, has disability org "Day programs", flaps his hands, is a hard core gaming addict, he's 26, but still very much a child in most ways, had/has speech problems, sleep issues, massive meltdowns, and his IQ is just 70. He's not socially savvy at all, and will always be the little brother of his siblings, even though he's my second youngest child ( I have 7 children).

He is a delightful young man and I adore him, but his Autism looks very different to mine, my Dad's, my sister's and her children.

I will add that my dad, partner, my other son that I suspect is Aspie, and myself, are all pretty childike, in our own ways, but intellectually sophisticated in ways that my son is not.

And what about the rest of us? What do you think about those of us who are not "classic Aspie" or "classically autistic"?

My speech development was typical, in terms of when the first word was, and how this progressed into sentences. I don't particularly like sharing my interests, which is part of the reason why I've not once stated them on this site. I can do small talk, and prefer listening to the other person than speaking at them about myself. I have routines (like most people), but don't have any OCD-like rituals. I've never been in a relationship, so I have no children. More than that, I've not had what most people would describe as a friendship, beyond a superficial level. I only experienced depression in adolescence (who didn't?), and it went away without diagnosis or treatment. I currently have no mental health issues. I am good at housework and driving, and actually enjoy it. I have no traits of "female Asperger's" you describe either - my BMI has always been in the healthy weight region, and borderline personality disorder could not be more the opposite of me. I am maths and science, not wordy. I have always said very little, and struggled to communicate in some ways. My reading was below my maths and science, but not significantly low. I would be unable to do performing arts for multiple reasons.

I'd hope I'm not childlike. I have never had any services, I don't flap my hands, I don't play games, I don't have sleep problems, and I don't have meltdowns. My IQ has never been tested, but was assumed to be at least average during diagnosis, given my strong academic background.

My diagnosis is Asperger's syndrome, but when people describe (their opinion on) the difference between Asperger's and autism, I relate to neither. At least with it all grouped, it is known how vague a label "autism" is.

 

[Nauti]

And what about the rest of us? What do you think about those of us who are not "classic Aspie" or "classically autistic"?

My speech development was typical, in terms of when the first word was, and how this progressed into sentences. I don't particularly like sharing my interests, which is part of the reason why I've not once stated them on this site. I can do small talk, and prefer listening to the other person than speaking at them about myself. I have routines (like most people), but don't have any OCD-like rituals. I've never been in a relationship, so I have no children. More than that, I've not had what most people would describe as a friendship, beyond a superficial level. I only experienced depression in adolescence (who didn't?), and it went away without diagnosis or treatment. I currently have no mental health issues. I am good at housework and driving, and actually enjoy it. I have no traits of "female Asperger's" you describe either - my BMI has always been in the healthy weight region, and borderline personality disorder could not be more the opposite of me. I am maths and science, not wordy. I have always said very little, and struggled to communicate in some ways. My reading was below my maths and science, but not significantly low. I would be unable to do performing arts for multiple reasons.

I'd hope I'm not childlike. I have never had any services, I don't flap my hands, I don't play games, I don't have sleep problems, and I don't have meltdowns. My IQ has never been tested, but was assumed to be at least average during diagnosis, given my strong academic background.

My diagnosis is Asperger's syndrome, but when people describe (their opinion on) the difference between Asperger's and autism, I relate to neither. At least with it all grouped, it is known how vague a label "autism" is.

I don't know. I was just commenting on my own personal perspective. I can't speak for anyone else.
I call myself "High functioning Autistic" as that is the current term interchangeable with Aspie or Aspergers. I was just expressing my own preference and that I relate to the term "Aspie" and/or Aspergers and someone asked me to clarify what I meant by that thoughtless classification I made - "classic Aspergers" .

I simply gave some examples of my family, how I and my family
present differently and I offered some scientific findings that I thought might illustrate some neurological differences, because I think it's helpful to have distinctions and scientific findings that supports the perspective that there ARE those differences and distinctions

In my family, there are stark contrasts between my "Autistic" son and my "Aspergers" father and myself and sister etc.

Was I trying to include everyone? I couldn't possibly.

The irony is that I will probably never get the diagnosis that fits me, nor will my father, and there isn't a lot of point, here in Australia, because we don't have an "Autism friendly" culture or services that want to cater to Autistic people, nor do we have a government sympathetic or supportive of the special needs that may present.
If I had a lot of money, I could go to Brisbane, to Tony Attwoods clinic and possibly get a diagnosis, but I don't, so I probably won't because what would be the point?

I guess, at the core of it, is the fact that I have a high IQ, and it's not helpful at all, if I tell people I'm "Autistic" and they think I'm cognitively impaired, as my son is, because I'm actually cognitively gifted, but I have social challenges and extreme sensitivities and THAT is more accurately encapsulated by the term " Aspergers", or "Aspie" in my personal opinion.

 

[sidd851]

I don't know. I was just commenting on my own personal perspective. I can't speak for anyone else.
I call myself "High functioning Autistic" as that is the current term interchangeable with Aspie or Aspergers. I was just expressing my own preference and that I relate to the term "Aspie" and/or Aspergers and someone asked me to clarify what I meant by that thoughtless classification I made - "classic Aspergers" .

I simply gave some examples of my family, how I and my family
present differently and I offered some scientific findings that I thought might illustrate some neurological differences, because I think it's helpful to have distinctions and scientific findings that supports the perspective that there ARE those differences and distinctions

In my family, there are stark contrasts between my "Autistic" son and my "Aspergers" father and myself and sister etc.

Was I trying to include everyone? I couldn't possibly.

The irony is that I will probably never get the diagnosis that fits me, nor will my father, and there isn't a lot of point, here in Australia, because we don't have an "Autism friendly" culture or services that want to cater to Autistic people, nor do we have a government sympathetic or supportive of the special needs that may present.
If I had a lot of money, I could go to Brisbane, to Tony Attwoods clinic and possibly get a diagnosis, but I don't, so I probably won't because what would be the point?

I guess, at the core of it, is the fact that I have a high IQ, and it's not helpful at all, if I tell people I'm "Autistic" and they think I'm cognitively impaired, as my son is, because I'm actually cognitively gifted, but I have social challenges and extreme sensitivities and THAT is more accurately encapsulated by the term " Aspergers", or "Aspie" in my personal opinion.

I'm surprised.
I think of the U.K., and Australia, as being lightyears ahead of we, here in the states.
I know, I know, in many ways you are, but the lack of support there seems to rival that for HFA1's here.
Seems the U.K. has a leg up on both of us.
I'm still figuring this mess out.
Did find out that the ADOS II will be used to evaluate me. I'm concerned, in that I seem to have a highly developed mask, and high empathic tendencies--- I seem to have a highly cognized... camouflage.
There is another diagnostic tool, that I think will help, the GADC.
I've been meaning to hit @Crossbreed up about this.

A Unique Challenge: Sorting Out the Differences Between Giftedness and Asperger’s Disorder

All we can do is keep trudging along, trying to make progress on the many active fronts, I suppose.

Know that you're in my thoughts and meditations, Nauti, @55853 , and all.

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

I'm surprised.
I think of the U.K., and Australia, as being lightyears ahead of we, here in the states.
I know, I know, in many ways you are, but the lack of support there seems to rival that for HFA1's here.
Seems the U.K. has a leg up on both of us.
I'm still figuring this mess out.
Did find out that the ADOS II will be used to evaluate me. I'm concerned, in that I seem to have a highly developed mask, and high empathic tendencies--- I seem to have a highly cognized... camouflage.
There is another diagnostic tool, that I think will help, the GADC.
I've been meaning to hit @Crossbreed up about this.

A Unique Challenge: Sorting Out the Differences Between Giftedness and Asperger’s Disorder

All we can do is keep trudging along, trying to make progress on the many active fronts, I suppose.

Know that you're in my thoughts and meditations, Nauti, @55853 , and all.

Hey sidd - looks like you've got giftbergers.

 

[Autistamatic]

Seems the U.K. has a leg up on both of us.

This seems to be a very common misconception. The only benefit we have here over most other countries is a social healthcare system, but it neither speeds things up nor increases awareness or acceptance. In those terms we seem to be little or no better than anywhere else.

 

[sidd851]

Hey sidd - looks like you've got giftbergers.

That is priceless!!!

I knew I kept you around for something!

Hope you don't mind--- I'm gonna use that, as it's now in the public domain©!

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

That is priceless!!!

I knew I kept you around for something!

Hope you don't mind--- I'm gonna use that, as it's now in the public domain©!

Royalties....

 

[Autistamatic]

Royalties....

Who to pay the royalties to though????

 

[sidd851]

This seems to be a very common misconception. The only benefit we have here over most other countries is a social healthcare system, but it neither speeds things up nor increases awareness or acceptance. In those terms we seem to be little or no better than anywhere else.

It does seem, though, that as far as...
mmm...
social supports and outlets, private or otherwise, they are more abundant, there, in the U.K., by your description.

I have recently moved--- the group I wanted to form is no longer a realistic possibility.

The only group close to me locally, an autism "meet-up" group--- requires dx status.

So, I continue to rely on my "therapist's" good intentions, and hope for a time that I can meet like individuals.

It's not so bad, I guess---
I did manage to find "yinz", after all,
a fact for which I am very grateful.

May yinz all be well.

 

[Autistamatic]

Much of the reason it appears that way is because of charities and the voluntary sector. The NAS is a pretty well run organisation that does much of what the state should be doing. Other organisations such as AutismUK. A.I.M. (Autism Inclusive Meets) and Autism Oxford (to mention but a few) do great work, but so much of it is unpaid. We also seem to have a higher headcount pro-rata, of citizen advocates for Autism & ND.
Where it falls down is that the knowledge of "experts" is often way out of date, the benefits system is skewed against the ASD1 & 2 categories, employer & public awareness is minimal, so we still have less than 1 in 5 autistics in work and many of the rest struggling on insufficient benefits.
There's no doubt that if A$ in the US were more like the NAS and other organisations in the UK, not so much of the funding would be sucked up and misspent so more autistic people could benefit.

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

Who to pay the royalties to though????

Wrong spelling. Sidd is definitely a Berger.....

(Awaiting a bergher image perhaps )

 

[Crossbreed]

There is another diagnostic tool, that I think will help, the GADC.
I've been meaning to hit @Crossbreed up about this.

Response moved to 2E Resources...

 

[sidd851]

The GADC

This is the first that I have seen of it. I would still recommend seeking a professional evaluation, because we are not very objective about ourselves.

Professionals who are experienced in ASDs (like those recommended by the Autism Society) or in giftedness (like SENG) will be the most likely to recognize both conditions.

Newbs can't see past the mutual masking presented by 2Es.

I'm... seem to be, pretty good at the objectivity part--- which, on cursory glance makes this look like something I'd have to study, for a while. Not nearly so cut and dried, something I'm just discovering, and "dipping my toes in".
I couldn't even have an opinion, at this point.
--
Discouraging, on first look, nothing in PA, on the short-list.
---
@Autistamatic , sorry to have gotten so far afield, here. The right thing would have been to have started a thread--- I'm sorry.
Sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me.