If yourself or someone you know has or may have Asperger's Syndrome, then you are indeed in elevated company! Einstein, Mozart and Michael Jackson are just three famous icons posthumously diagnosed with this condition, which is often linked to great gifts of imagination and creativity. Asperger's Syndrome is a lifelong hidden disability, a developmental disorder, difficult to understand and diagnose. It is often described as a "spectrum disorder" because it affects people in different ways and to varying degrees. The National Autistic Society (NAS) has stated that only 12% of people with a diagnosis of high functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome are in full-time employment. A worrying and insightful statistic.
More adults are being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome than ever before because it was only recognised in the late eighties. So frequently people in their 40s are receiving a diagnosis which may help them understand why they have had so many difficulties in their lives. It can be the missing piece of the jigsaw and help them make sense of the world around them for the first time.
Quick Checklist of Asperger Traits
Are you a person who feels like an outsider, doesn't understand why other people do the things they do and say the things they say?
Find it hard to make friends, have your own special interest which may involve collecting things or amassing huge amounts of information that only you find interesting?
Do you find it hard to understand other people's body language, struggle with non-literal language or are you accused by others of behaving in an inappropriate manner?
If any of these ring a bell , you may want to find out more about Asperger's Syndrome..
Main Traits of Aspergers Syndrome
Sometimes all of us might unwittingly show traits of Asperger's Syndrome. After all we are only human! However, if you have some or most of the following traits, it may be worth doing more investigation.
Asperger's Syndrome impacts in three different areas:
- social communication
- social interaction
- social imagination
Social Communication
If you have Asperger's Syndrome, understanding conversation is sometimes like trying to understand Japanese (assuming that you are not Japanese, of course!). It can be difficult for people with Aspergers to understand tone and facial expressions. Aspergers people can take things literally. For example, an expression such as "cut your nose off to spite your face" could be rather startling to a person with Asperger's Syndrome!
They might talk too long on one topic. They may come across as inflexible and stubborn. Asperger's Syndrome people (or Aspies as they are sometimes known!), can be brutally honest to the point of rudeness. Imagine a bloke with Aspergers asked by his girlfriend "Does my bum look big in this?" You get the picture!
Social Interaction
People with Aspergers can become very socially isolated. They sometimes appear to lack empathy, may avoid eye contact and their behaviour can appear inappropriate.
Social Imagination
Some people with Asperger's Syndrome have a special interest such as computers or steam engines which may become obsessive. They may talk at length about this interest, even when other people are no longer listening. People with Aspergers can find it hard to empathise or see another person's point of view.
So due to difficulties in imagination, problems with flexibility and a leaning towards obsessive thoughts and behaviours, it is possible that a person with Aspergers may not learn from life experience. The difficulties above have obvious consequences for everyday relationships, education and employment. Perhaps it explains why it is difficult for people with Asperger's Syndrome to get a job and keep a job. Although their honesty and thoroughness could make them an ideal employee!
To Be Diagnosed or Not Diagnosed? That Is the Question
Other people have struggled at school and in adult life, never really understanding why they don't belong or fit in with the world. It is helpful for some people to have a label and can potentially lead to support and help within education and employment.
Some people are perfectly happy with themselves, accepting themselves for the unique beings that they are. They choose not to get a diagnosis.
It cannot be emphasised enough that diagnosis is a highly individual choice.
Diagnosis is carried out by a clinical psychiatrist and people must first go to their GPs to be referred. So if you suspect you do have Aspergers, it is important to find out as much as you can first and try and meet other people with Asperger's Syndrome, so that you get the fullest understanding and picture of this condition. Remember, knowledge is power!
So What Support and Information Is There for Aspergers?
Depending where you live, there are quite a number of support or awareness groups for Asperger's Syndrome. They are usually quite flexible so even if you haven't got a diagnosis, you are usually welcome. Check the National Autistic Society Website for details of groups near you. There are a wealth of books out there on the subject, on-line forums and magazines. For example Aspire, set up by a man with Asperger's Syndrome, and Asperger United published by the National Autistic Society.
Final Word on Aspergers
It is important to remember that everyone with Aspergers is different and unique. We can make no generalisations about Aspergers. So it really is best if each person is treated as an individual in a holistic way. It is possible that someone with Aspergers also may have overlapping traits of dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD. Everyone has different upbringings which have helped to form personality, so it's important not to attribute all a person's characteristics to Asperger's Syndrome.
If you do suspect that you have Asperger's Syndrome, it could be the start of a long and interesting journey. Whether it ends in diagnosis, is an individual choice. But hopefully it will lead to a person developing self-awareness and insight into themselves and receiving acceptance, understanding and support from those around them.
Diana Finn - A self-employed writer, working part-time providing academic support to university students. Background of teaching English in further and ...
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