Do you know anyone with Asperger's Syndrome, who doesn't fit the stereotypes? (see details please)?

Question

Do you know anyone diagnosed with Asperger's who you wouldn't easily suspect as having it, unless they told you?

Common stereotypes of Asperger's are:

1. Dry/logical thinking (some have a "Spock-like" demeanor)

2. Strong math/science ability, OR * interest (*: there are some who are intensely preoccupied with Science, but aren't gifted in Math)

3. Generalized "geekiness" (techie-freaks, extensive knowledge of things and how they work, academically gifted)

4. Low self-awareness (often disregards his/her personal appearance; appears rude/tactless because they're "too honest" and blunt; the person doesn't care what others think of he/she)

Do you know an Aspie who doesn't fit any of these stereotypes, in which, perhaps, the OPPOSITE of these traits is true? (hyper self-aware; terrible math/science ability; chronically undermotivated, underachieving in school; not very logical)

I said the lists were "stereotypes"... for example, being a "geek" is NOT a symptom. I know plenty of people who have been "geeky" but simply do not fit AS criteria.

It is also possible that some will be self-aware (to the extreme in social anxiety/Avoidant PD), and there are plenty of autistic/Aspergic artists out there who are TERRIBLE in math/logic/science.

It is also possible that there may be "right-brained" autistics out there. If you happen to be left brained then autistic symptoms, obviously, "brings that out" and exaggerates left-brain abilities like logic, sequencing, and so on.

But suppose an Aspie was right brained. In that case you would have excessive "emotional" sensitivity (sensitivity is a very common "trait" in autism, physical and emotional) and perhaps much greater divergent/creative ability than logical/practical.

Perhaps some of you should research Asperger's Syndrome, and also READ THE QUESTION: I said the "features" listed were STEREOTYPES.

How about I just rephrase the question then: Does anyone know a DXed Aspie who seems more self-aware, anxious, impulsive, "artistic"? (Which seemingly goes against the neutral Science/Math, academic "stereotype")

I am not saying there's anything wrong with being a Science/Math freak or anything like that, I am just WONDERING if anyone has met (in real life) an Aspie who seems unusually sensitive/self-aware (right-brained), to which the MOST COMMON stereotypes (as seen above) do not apply. That's all I want to know.

Answer 1

Labels...

My stepson likes to rock when he is upset or at any time. My husband does the same thing, as does his brother, his uncles, his mother, and on and on...

The difference is now my step-son is labeled "special needs" by his mother and diagnosed with "aspergers" because she does not know how to handle him. He IS obsessed with sports, at age 7, and can name any number of any player on the Detroit Tigers team. He is so different from his brother (who is very sensitive, while he is not), so he is being treated for autism. Just because someone is different (or like his father when you are not together anymore) does not mean he is "special needs". My step-son is such a BOY that now he is given RITALIN by a doctor to "control" his behavior so his mother can handle him. It is sad but at least he is still a daddy's boy and is encouraged to act like the boy he is when he is with us.

My own two sons, who are 10 and 12, could be considered "aspergers" by the stereotypes you have listed, other than the low self-awareness. My 12 year old is obsessed with science and does very well in school and my 10 year old could be called a "geek" because he doesn't care what others think and is very academically gifted. These are all just labels if you ask me.

Answer 2

People with Aspergers are'nt neccesarily obsessed with the sciences,they are simply obsessed with one particular area of study or even an object can become a point of obsession.

Autism and Aspergers are on a 'spectrum',so all sorts of traits can fit under that umbrella.I'm not sure many Aspies are hyper self aware,underachievers or more right brained [less logical] ,I have found most of them are extremely "left brained oriented".

But you can see how alot of Aspie/autism traits inform other traits - if you are obsessed with a subject of study to the exclusion of all else of course your social skills/ability will not exist.I don't play the piano well because I do not practice.

Until recently were were happy to just call Aspies "Geeks" and to accept the tremendous variation in human beings - it's only our modern [left brain] obession with ordering and labelling everything thats caused people to see or wonder where they fit.

I have classic asperger traits obsessed with History - study it constantly,loner,not good at expressing my emotions - but I am completely illogical,artistic,"right brained",and very very empathetic.So you can see the pointlessness of these boxes and labels?

All human beings are deeply variagated and multifaceted and I don't know why we resist this so much.

Answer 3

My brother-in-law has aspergers syndrome...he is 14 and cares a lot about what girls and his peers think of him and his appearance. He does not do well in math or school in general. However, he does show many other symptons. For example, his ability to make eye contact has been a struggle, his mechanical skills are great, he gets attatched to people easily, He had to go to hearing therapy for years, and he has a harder time making friends with his peers and would rather be friends with people of other age groups. He gets VERY attatched to people. It is important to remember that there are many overlapping symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome. What is probably even more important to know is that many people who are diagnosed with ADD really have Asperger's syndrome, but have been underdiagnosed because of poor knowledge or the person did not fit a stereotype. The MOST important thing to remember is that Asperger's Syndrom IS NOT A LABEL. It is a neurological disorder. There are different levels of Aspergers. Some people can go through life and never know they have Asperger's, and that is OK, but other people, like my brother-in-law could not function in society if he was not treated at an early age. He went through years of social therapy that has helped him make friends, care about his appearance, and become independant. Because of his diagnosis, or "labeling" he was able to get therapy to help him make friends and take care of himself.

Answer 4

I know a ton of people with Asperger's, some fit the mold, some don't. Go to any of the really successful cities with a lot of geeks, like Herdon, VA, or Silicon Valley, and there are plenty of successful people who are not rude, look nice, and have plenty of friends. In fact, some people have it and you wouldn't spot it if you didn't know otherwise. The best thing to do would be to go to group therapy, where you/they can work on personality issues and learn to get along with others.

Answer 5

If someone was diagnosed with a psychological disorder whilst fulfilling none of the symptoms, that would be a case of bad diagnosis.

Also, simply fulfilling any or all of the listed symptoms would not make someone an "Aspie". I think I myself would fit all the criteria but not to the point of being medically diagnoses. Not all shy geeks have Aspergers.

Answer 6

anyone i have ever seen that has asperger's, makes it evident. It doesn't have to control their life, they just have to work hard to cope with it. My little nephew was just diagnosed, and before that my family and I always new that something was off. Though we never new what it was. So I guess you might not know that they have it, you just might thing that something is a little off.

Answer 7

Why is it so hard to let people be different? It is so sad that if anyone deviates from the current idea of what is normal, we categorize and stigmatize them!!

No offense meant to you and your question, but I wonder why you are asking. Are you trying to slip someone in some kind of box? Oh no! Be careful, that may happen to you some day!!

Answer 8

Yes, there are some around: intellectuals, in teaching profession, some 'guru's', some in magic show's, a few scientists......why, it is so common, it seems! (it takes all sorts to make the world, and make the world interesting!)

Answer 9

What label is on your forehead? Are all these things wrong...if so, how do you know?