Can a person who has Aspergers Syndrome [but has been undiagnosed]?

Question

be aware that they have this disorder?.. strange question perhaps, I wonder whether I might have this but does the mere fact that I feel this may be the case invalidate such a diagnosis? Are people with it unaware the have it until diagnosed?? If that makes sense?

Answer 1

I completly understand your question.The answer is yes.My brother was only diagnosed this year with Asperger.(he is 27 years old).my brother was always very quite when he was younger and never wanted to play or socilise not even with his 1 older brother,3 older sisters and 1 younger sister.At 16 he dropped out of school,and locked him self away in his bedroom.my mum tried to get him out of the house to walk the dogs or to go and buy milk for her,but he didn't.He got a job at 18 by my mum and dad hounding him.He got put down,picked on by the other workers,he quit and got worse.From 18 to 27 he did not communicate at all with people,had panic attacks if he was in a room with more than one person,so social skills what so ever,focusing on things,and depression because he didn't know what was wrong with him.he never went to the doctor because he couldn't make a phone call to make an appionment with a doctor as the thought of making a phone call would set of a panic attack.The reason why he finally went to the doctor was he thought about ending his life and was to scared to do it,so he told my Mum and she made an appiontment for him.Now he is seeing a specialist.it has only been around a month and a half,but at least now he can sit in a room with more than one sybling,and is now even talking about getting a flat by himself.To some that is nothing,but that is a huge huge step for my brother.My bother accepts that he has Asperger,he can't believe that he let himself go undiagnosed for so long(his family in the past had made many appiontments with a doctor,but he would never go).I hope I was of some help.Take care of yourself.

Answer 2

It's perfectly possible, although many people on the autistic specrum lack insight into their condition.
People with Aspergers and other autistic spectrum disorders vary enormously in their awareness of their condition. My son went through his whole school life with extra support, special lessons and attended statement reviews without it ever occuring to him that he was being treated differently to other children. A client was regarded as 'odd' at school but was assumed to have a moderate learning disability until, in his 20's he was refered to a psycologist who realised he was on the lower end of the autistic spectrum.
There are also issues with under diagnosis in the past. For a long time a very narrow definition of autism and aspergers was used, so that people who would now be regarded as having those disorders where assumed to have other problems.
If you are worried, try and get your doctor to refer you to a specialist psychologist. If you feel it's not having a detrimental effect on your life then don't worry. If you have an awareness of your problems them you can go a long way towards dealing with them.
There is a lot of stereotyping around the autistic spectrum; the common factors are around communications and connecting with other people. People who have autistic or asperger type disorders do not necessarily have an outstanding talent in a particular field, they are not particularly agressive and they don't lack a sense of humour (although it may take time to develop due to poor language skills)

Answer 3

I think, since there is such a spectrum involved in this disorder, that it is definitely possible for someone afflicted to know it. I think that since the syndrome has been getting so much press and is more commonly diagnosed - that one could recognize that they exhibit some of the behaviors and feelings attributed to this syndrome.

To add - I have seen plenty of kids with this syndrome who are not "advanced" in any specific area - but they still are diagnosed asperger's.

Answer 4

You can take tests for this online (though of course, the credibility is somewhat questionable). By the fact that you're asking this question, I assume you already know a pretty good deal what it entails. I like to think of it as the "genius disorder" best summed up by the famous quote "to be great is to be misunderstood". I found a lot of info on it on wikipedia and I noticed that my personality matches a lot of the basic qualifications for it. I was fairly sure that I thought and operated a bit different from most people and I happened to find the article on it on wikipedia, so you could say I too was unaware of it. I think it's very interesting, and hopefully somewhere in these ramblings is the answer you're looking for...

Answer 5

There are books written by a child with aspergers syndrome. He is a teenage boy from Blackpool. He is fully aware he has it. Some people with A/S know they have it, but with others they dont. It depends on how severely affected they are. My daughter has it and has been diagnosed, but if you met her, you would not know. Only with time would you recognise her 'peculiar' habits. It affects people in a billion different ways.

One of the books is called ' Freaks, Geeks and Aspergers Syndrome' by Luke Jackson

Answer 6

Aspergers would be unnoticeable to the sufferer. It is the way they are, there is nothing to compare themselves with. I have a nephew with quite severe Aspergers. He has very odd likes and dislikes such as hating rain and high buildings. He has few friends and reacts differently to most people. Another friend gained a degree in Law. She has Aspergers but less so than my nephew. Her social skills are rather odd but you would have to know her to spot this.

Answer 7

If you had asperger's syndrome you would demonstrate an outstanding talent in a very specific area but be fairly socially inept and unremarkable at everything else. The chances are it would have been diagnosed in your childhood. If you think you have it go see a psychiatrist! Just coz u are wondering dosen't invalidate the diagnosis at all.

Answer 8

Do seek the right help to find out. There is likely a help group for people with autism who could refer you in your city, town.