my diagnosis of asperger's? real?

Question

a couple of months ago i went to an asperger's clinic because my mum thought i had it. so i went along for an hour, i was asked to sit outside and look at poorly black and white photocopied facial expressions and choose from a list of what they were eg. suprised, shocked, happy. i did this outside while my mum talked to the lady. anyway i went back in and she asked me about my childhood and because from grade 6-8 my best friend was asian (she was australian born - not just some immigrant that couldnt speak english) that that was a sign that i had asperger's and also the fact that i prefer other races to white people (i am white myself). I also suffer from depression. And after years of being bullied at school - (for being 'ugly' not 'different') i find that constantly being scared of people calling me ugly is what makes me hold back in social situations - i haven't told anyone this because im ashamed. however on that basis do you think that my diagnosis was fair?

it wasn't my mum that said it, and we went to the queensland asperger's clinic or something. (im in australia) and yeah it was a proper psychologist thing.

Answer 1

If you are unsatisfied with your diagnosis, seek a second opinion. Australia has fantastic resources for diagnosing Aspergers Syndrome, including one of the worlds foremost experts on this topic -- Tony Attwood. Attwood http://www.tonyattwood.com/au has written many books on the subject which you can probably find at your local library.

Whether the diagnosis is fair would be subjective. If the clinic specializes in diagnosing Aspergers Syndrome then it would be more likely to be correct but mistakes can happen.

One of the main problems with diagnosing AS is that it is a "spectrum disorder" when a person may have very mild symptoms or severe/blantant symptoms to anywhere in between. There is NOT "one type" of Aspergers. Each individual with AS has their own UNIQUE set of traits and level of severity. Furthermore, many people who may have AS, but have not been diagnosed, have learned to compensate their behaviors over the years and can mask some of their symptoms in public...

I would suggest that you read up more on Aspergers, and if you feel you don't have it, write down the reasons why, in preparation for a second opinion diagnosis. It is very important that you do not withhold pertinent information (about feeling ugly or being bullied) from the person evaluating you.

Needless to say that no one here can tell you if you have AS or not over the internet -- and neither can I, however, you should be aware that many people who do have Asperger's have what Attwood refers to as "Mind Blindness" (related to Theory of Mind) which may affect ones ability to recognize symptoms in themselves as well as understand feelings and points of view of other people.

Here is an article on Theory of Mind which will help explain what I am referring to:

People on the Autistic Spectrum, those affected by Asperger Syndrome are most definitely affected by the “Triad of Impairments”, namely:-

1. Impairment in language and communication
2. Impairment in social interaction
3. Impairment in imagination and flexible thought processes


I. Language and Communication

People with Asperger Syndrome differ from those affected by “childhood autism” as defined by Leo Kanner, in that they usually have fewer problems with language, often presenting with a substantial vocabulary, but their speech is often pedantic and stereotyped in content.

On close observation, it will also be noted that even whilst their speech is fluent, there is minimal notice of the reaction from the person who they are talking to, nor interest in the verbal response given to them. In addition, there is a definite impediment in non-verbal communication skills.

Often speech seems to lack expression and tone differentiation and also the person with Asperger Syndrome, struggles to understand other people’s emphasis on words or altered tones, used to specifically convey a certain message.

The use or understanding of body language, facial expressions and gestures is impeded, resulting in their understanding of communication being very literal.

II. Social Interaction

The person with Asperger Syndrome will be noted to be socially insular and apparently not concerned about this issue. There is a lack of understanding regarding the emotional aspect of friendships. The person with Asperger Syndrome will want to establish friendships, but they will lack the ability to develop and sustain such relationships. Anxiety and tension increases with greater demands for social skills. An inability to read social cues is pronounced.

III. Imagination and flexibility of thought

Often you will come across most capable skills and an obsessive fascination in dealing with facts and figures, yet there is a poor, or absent understanding of abstract or jargon.

Due to the confusing presentation of abilities and the presence of a good intelligence and speech, the public often take it for granted that these people can understand abstract and commonly known jargon. A comment such as “I nearly died laughing” can cause great anxiety and fear for a person with Asperger Syndrome.

A strong rote memory is frequently noted, which is extremely beneficial and is one of the reasons these people do exceptionally well in subjects which focus on facts and figures.

But a resistance to change, an obsessive demand for the preservation of sameness and the strong adherence to repetitive activities, can adversely affect their progress in life.

There is usually an inability to be able to think and play creatively, as well as a problem in transferring skills from one environment to another.

“Theory of Mind” Impairment and “Mind Blindness”

When trying to modify and alter or modify the behaviours of a person with Asperger Syndrome, it is imperative to consider the “Theory of Mind” Impairment. Theory of Mind can be explained as one’s ability to be able to consider and understand other people’s

thoughts and feelings, as this skill plays a major role in our interaction with others. For the person with Asperger Syndrome, this skill is severely impeded, resulting in the following difficulties:-

1. inability to predict the possible behaviours of others, which can lead to the person with Asperger Syndrome developing a sense of insecurity and a resultant avoidance of people;
2. Not being able to comprehend the intentions of those around him, nor understanding the motivations of their actions;

3. A lack of understanding concerning their own emotions or the emotions of others. This can manifest as a lack of empathy, which is often not accepted or understood by the people within their social circle;

4. Poor comprehension of how one’s behaviour affects how others feel and think about you. This can lead to a lack of motivation to please and a lack of conscience;

5. Minimal understanding/concern regarding what people know or want to know and a defective ability to detect or react to their audience’s level of interest This can result in either, the person with Asperger Syndrome speaking endlessly on a subject providing excessive detail, or else providing minimal background material, but just launching into a complex verbal account of a subject that the audience has no knowledge of, or interest in;

6. Minimal understanding as to why their focus of attention must change, whether it be in a conversation or in a classroom setting etc. For instance, if the person with Asperger Syndrome is concentrating on a specific task or talking to you on a chosen topic and you want to move on to another task, or alter the topic of conversation;

7. Due to the impediment in the area of social interaction, there is often a lack of understanding as regards the need to “take turns” in conversation and allowing others to talk without interruption, or the need to take takes turns in the playground etc;

8. Inadequate understanding of the action of “pretending” and an inability to separate fact from fiction, or the ability to be deceitful, is often present.

All of the above, adversely affect the person’s ability to establish and maintain friendships. These areas of impediment also affect their ability to benefit from daily life, learning and teaching.

A certain amount of social skills can be “taught” to the person with Asperger Syndrome, but it is highly unlikely that these skills can ever be internalised naturally. Because of the “Mind Blindness” experienced by a person with Asperger Syndrome, the learning of these skills is extremely difficult and stressful, as it is not “factual”; it cannot be seen nor explained on paper. Also, it is difficult for the parents, friends, teachers etc. to teach these skills, which they never had to “learn” themselves

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

I believe that it is considered a real disability since Aspergers is categorized as a developmental disability regardless of the level of impairment that the person has. The other postee made an excellent point that the diagnosis can help those with the disorder 'reasonable accommodations' at school and within the workplace, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Answer 3

i am finding that this asperger's syndrome is just the new catch all . i suggest you set this so called information aside.
you write very well. you have friends you have a sense of yourself and your relationship with them . you are not overly detached from others.
all of this indicates to me that you most likely don't have this problem. you do say you are depressed. you do say you are ugly and that you would prefer not to be looked at. that information is something you should think about. a child will go through a period of time when they think they look ugly. simple fact. your about the right age for this. your also the right age to be among the many children who consider the words of others as being too important.
i suggest that you work on improving your sense of what you look like and how others think of you . since you have friends and seem intelligent i suspect that your just another child who has a concerned mother that got sent down the wrong path and given bad information. while its not wrong for a mother to seek help it is best that the mother first just talk with her own child about what she thinks is wrong. i think you may need to be the starter of this conversation . continue to go to school have friends go out have fun make more friends think for yourself and be kind to yourself and no label will cause you any troubles in this life. May God Bless You.

Answer 4

No... My friend's son has it and his issues are very apparent and go further than the things you mentioned. What you described, alone, sounds very normal to me. Individuals with Asperger's are also said to be unable to show sympathy, have ticks (like blinking a lot, or something that they do a lot), and to be "genius" in something, like math, but not so good at most other things. Based on just those things you mentioned, I don't think it was a proper diagnosis.

Answer 5

No, if that's all they based the diagnoses on, I would definitely ask for a second opinion. Plus it would be impossible to diagnose such a complex illness in a one hour interview, especially when most of the time was spent with your mother, and not you.
Plus to aid them in getting it right, you should explain what you have told us here. It is normal for someone who was bullied to want to "protect" themselves in social situations.
But even if the diagnoses was correct, there are so many varying degrees of this illness, from mild (barely detectable, fully functioning) to severe (can't function in normal society), that I would insist on some clarification, before accepting such a label.

Answer 6

you're not ugly. If someone calls you ugly, it is an ugliness on their part to do that. Just don't worry aboutr having something. If you're open enough not to see race and look beyond race then you have a beauty all your own that will blossom later in your life and you will look back and see how it was all for a reason to happen the way it did.

Answer 7

The only person who can diagnose a psychological condition is a certified psychologist or psychiatrist. Not even a medical doctor can. You did not say what this lady does, is she a psychologist or psychiatrist? If so, than it is likely a legit test? If not, she may be a quack or a 'holistic' doctor ? I would be worried if she is not board certified by your state/province.

Answer 8

Your mom is a closet racist, and worry-mongor. Reach 18, and run.