Asperger Syndrome?

Question

Is this a real condition?

I read up about it - and I am not at all convinced.
Anyone with deep interests or obsessions in something (like computers or music), and is a bit shy... seems to be open to this diagnoses..

Eg...You can be able to read facial expressions...be witty and funny, not be very clumsy and be as bright as a button - and still be diagnosed with aspergers..without having any of the predominant symptoms...

For those unclear where I am coming from.I had this diagnosis thrown at me last week...and I right now...think it is a very weak hit and miss diagnosis.

I exhibit none of the symptoms laid out by any of you..

Answer 1

Ok mr expert, would you like to properly diagnose my son?

symtoms include inability to understand other peoples point of view
necessity for routine, does not like change
clumsy
forgetful 1 (has to be reminded to empty the bath - at 21 years old)
forgetful 2 (loses wallets, snooker cues, picnic sets or whatever he is carrying because he leaves them lying around and forgets to take them with him when he leaves)
has very few friends because he cannot relate to others
obsessed with WWE and food
poor writing skills
has no idea about money

edit... oh yes I almost forgot about the taking things literally because it happens so often e.g. when we said the word forehead to my son his response was foreheads...he thought we meant 4 heads.

People with attitudes such as yours make my blood boil, thinking you know more than trained doctors. you have NO IDEA what it is like living with someone who has learning difficulties, and no amount of reading up on the subject makes up for personal experience.

Answer 2

You don't seem to know a lot about asperger syndrome. Live with someone who has asperger syndrome and you will soon realise it is a real and some times debilitating condition. Asperger syndrome is on the autistic spectrum and sufferers have to meet the triad of impairments to be diagnosed. They also have to be diagnosed by a clinical psychologist. I agree when you put it in to simple terms like you have in your question most of the population could fit the diagnosis. But once you realise the severity of the rituals and obsessions and how they stop you leading a "normal" life and limit what you do and how you do it you would not be so dismissive of something you do not really understand. I have a child who has asperger syndrome and this takes over not only her life but also the rest of the families lives. The main draw back for other people is that you cannot see asperger syndrome and therefore it looks as if the person has nothing wrong with them. Perhaps you should do some more reading and research and you will see it is very much a real condition.

Answer 3

There is a lot of misinformation about Asperger's on the Internet. There are a lot of people on YA saying they have it; I doubt if it's true for most of them. They are talking as if Asperger's is a label for computer nerds or if it was a cool thing to have.

Asperger's can only be diagnosed by a qualified professional such as a medical doctor (preferably a Pediatric Neurologist or Psychiatrist) or a licensed psychologist. Yes, it's very possible that you might be misdiagnosed; I'd be particularly skeptical if you were "diagnosed" by a group of teachers. Even if the clinician is qualified; it's possible a wrong diagnosis was made, it happens.

I work for a mental health agency; and I have known a family who had a son with Asperger's who was in his twenties. He didn't have normal conversations or look anyone in the eye. He usually didn't interact with anyone else. Once we had a candle burning, when the candle went out, he went up and started playing with the wax. The only person he seemed to talk to was his mother. His social impairment was very obvious and it was beyond normal shyness. He had really odd behavior like flapping his hands when he was upset. He had no facial expressions and his talking was monotone.

Somebody here on YA said "BIll Gates has Asberger's." That's ridiculous; I saw Bill Gates on TV with Larry King and he doesn't exhibit any signs of the disorder.

Answer 4

I worked in a Residential school, until its closure, when labour won power. Apergers is in the spectrum of Autism, although at the other end of the scale. They are often clumbsy, with a gangly walk that is almost comical. They are very repetitive, most often with one particular subject for as long as 3 years. Once that is conquered they begin a new topic with the same repetitive questioning or actions. One boy I worked with for 7 years had this condition. He was obsessed with why, or where the water came from the taps. I had the patience to listen to him every time. Although I tried focusing him back on task, I spent 15/20 explaining where the water came from. I was told I was fuelling his obsession. I disagreed with the so called experts and continued to free his mind from the strain of his continued, repetitive nature. I took him on walks around the resivoir. I took him to the treatment plants. I showed him streams that ran off the hills. Everything I could possibly do to show him. In twelve months he had grasped the consept, but deep down I felt he already new!. It was like a nervous energy within him. It was like a child aquiring new knowledge but not quite getting the point. He wanted to know. He wanted to retain this information. Within a few weeks, he became obsessed with a poster describing the effects of smoking on the lungs. No matter how hard you try to explain this concept, it is impossible to show him the real thing because it is not possible. All the diagrams, all the advice, all the computer models can not pinpoint the knowledge he required. To me and you, its kind of accepted that the explanation is correct. If we copy what we have taken as gospel, we move on. Not him. He had to see it. Feel it. Live it. He began smoking at 15, just to be a part of it. Feel its effects but without grasping, that it is the ingredients, over a period of time that cause the damage. He left school at 17, still obsessed with the affects of smoking. I feel his knowledge will only be satisfied when it kills him. Thats a real condition.

Answer 5

My best friends son has Aspergers. He takes everything you say literally (such as if you say it's raining cats and dogs he will believe that cats and dogs are coming down from the sky). When I babysat him he spent the whole evening under his bed. He has recently had to be taken out of Comprehensive school because he can't change his routine. He is settled now in a special school with similar children. He has two helpers to help the transition go smoothly. He is excellent with computers and shy but so is my daughter and she doesn't have aspergers, the difference between them is obvious.

Answer 6

The only people who can make a diagnosis are professionals trained to spot the indicators and administer the questionnaire.
Simple shyness and 'obsession' wouldn't result in a diagnosis as such. It takes much more than that.
I've worked with people with Asperger's and as a teacher, I can generally recognise those children who are 'different' and whom I therefore suspect could have Asperger's.
I recently had a relationship with a man who was quite 'odd'. I'd bet my life savings that he has Asperger's. Mind you, it didn't stop him from being bloody lovely.

Answer 7

You are quite right to be wary about this.
The word syndrome gives the game away.There is no singular point to define an illness or disease in a syndrome just a collection of symptoms that allows people to compartmentalise/ pidgeon hole that which is different.
I believe that aspergers is one of these titles that people place on what they call the autistic spectrum. (ranging from what you or i would imagine traditional autism to be right up to the rude person who has no inclination to empathise)
It is interesting to note that many of the aspects associated with "aspergers" are normal male traits, intense focus on one subject, exact interpretation of commands, lack of ability to empathise (more importantly to see the reason to need to empathise).
More and more often you will find subtle personality traits being incorporated into some syndrome or another, this is not going to stop, people at present have a dire need to take away personal responsibility. Have you noticed that these days little jonny is not a naughty little brat but he instead has ADHD and cant help it, Little bill is not a trifle slow he has Dyslexia or global learning disabilities.
Carry on questioning mate, you will not fall victim to a fictional illness just because a "doctor" says that one exists.

Answer 8

Yes it is - and very specific in most cases. One of the classic symptoms of Asperger's is a difficulty in social relationships/interactions [a deadening of effect and inability to feel emotion at any deep level], plus a deep preoccupation with certain interests to the exclusion of everything else and a particularly idiosyncratic sense of humour. It is thought to be related to Autism and often goes unrecognised. Shy? No, these people are no more shy than most of us. I hope this helps.

Answer 9

Asperger syndrome is a condition marked by impaired social interactions and limited repetitive patterns of behavior. Motor milestones may be delayed and clumsiness is often observed.
Asperger syndrome is very similar to or may be the same as high functioning autism (HFA).

Answer 10

It is not about being shy it is about being so damn removed from society that you simply cannot socialise, it's not about having interests but Obsessions.

Yes, I know where you are coming from, many people claim to have aspergers when they merely suffer from one of the lesser syndromes (Dyspraxia, for example)

For the record, I was diagnosed with high stage Aspergers recenntly, having suffered my entire life.