Autism Spectrum Megathread

[Hurdegaryp]

Which is true and only logical, since the way your brain works is very much an integral part of your genetic code.

I think that you need the genetic side in order to have autism, but you won't necessarily develop it even if you got the genetics.

Even though I'm not a biologist, I like to think I know enough about genetics to very much agree with you on that point.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Maybe it would be better if you simply ignored this thread.

We had a good streak going, why did you have to go and fuck things up by talking to me?

If you two cannot get along, put one another on ignore, and do not, for any reason, respond to one another. Yes, this is me pointedly taking on the teacher vs unruly students persona here, because it seems to be an issue with you two.

Mr. Second Blazing, given your deliberate baiting AND your history with prior account(s), you will receive a *** Warning *** on account of it. I want it stopped, thank you.

I just realized I used the Portuguese acronym for ADHD (TDAH) in the thread.

I'm ADHD. Is that considered a type of autism or is it its own thing?

No, it's not at all autism.

Often, people with Asperger's are misdiagnosed as having ADD, but the medication for it doesn't really help us.

IIRC, ADHD shares many of the same identifiers/clues/problems, from what I recall in a discussion with a counselor on that whole business. Related to the overall spectrum, but not quite as direct, if that makes any sense? For ref.

As for the 'cure' vs 'not sick' debate:

cure kyo͝or
verb
1. relieve (a person or animal) of the symptoms of a disease or condition.
"he was cured of the disease"
synonyms: heal, restore to health, make well/better; archaic cleanse
"after a long course of treatment, he was cured"

solve (a problem).
"stopping foreign investment is no way to cure the fundamental problem"
synonyms: rectify, remedy, put/set right, right, fix, mend, repair, heal, make better

<snipped unrelated bits>

noun
1. a substance or treatment that cures a disease or condition.
"the search for a cure for the common cold"
synonyms: remedy, medicine, medication, medicament, antidote, antiserum; treatment, therapy; archaic physic

So as you can see, 'cure' can be used in several ways which can be accepted in this discussion. Nowhere did I see anyone arguing for 'forced acceptance/intake of any theoretical cure', so the argument on that can safely be put to bed. Let's keep the discussion civil, polite, and informative, please. And refrain from leaping to accusations when it is not necessary to do so. Thanks.

[Edgy Opinions]

IIRC, ADHD shares many of the same identifiers/clues/problems, from what I recall in a discussion with a counselor on that whole business. Related to the overall spectrum, but not quite as direct, if that makes any sense? For ref.

I'm not really sure. I mean, to lots of people putting Asperger's syndrome alongside other forms of autism spectrum disorders is a bad thing, and solely that already caused controversy.

I've known people with ADHD/ADD and to me it always seemed like a vastly different condition. I have a cousin with it, and we're like opposites. He's socially expansive and knowledgeable, aside physically fit, but terrible in school and concentrating, while I'm socially aloof, ingenuous and clumsy, and physically clumsy as well, but - as argued to be a major trait of Asperger's by another poster - comparatively good in concentrating in a given subject out of pleasure and interest, and analyzing its consequences, aside being usually commended as a good student by teachers save for lack of interest in the class (due to reasons unrelated to education itself) and/or my perceived lack of discipline (in my younger years).

As for the science, I've never really researched about that. Maybe they have related genetic or womb hormone bath origins. But autism as a whole is still poorly understood for any connection to be done, imho.

[Rebellious Fishermen]

Don't have any of it.

I sometimes get confused by it though. I'm not sure if there is a relationship between autism and increased intelligence or if it is just coincidence in many cases.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

IIRC, ADHD shares many of the same identifiers/clues/problems, from what I recall in a discussion with a counselor on that whole business. Related to the overall spectrum, but not quite as direct, if that makes any sense? For ref.

I'm not really sure. I mean, to lots of people putting Asperger's syndrome alongside other forms of autism spectrum disorders is a bad thing, and solely that already caused controversy.

Well, this was in a discussion with a psychologist so ... *shrugs* Given the experience I've had working with kids who have had varying levels of autism, ADD/ADHD, and Aspergers, I've seen some interesting parallels, and a whole lot of unique problems and solutions that go with them. Dunno. It's a tricky sort of thing, given how many of the issues can be things people who have not been diagnosed can recognize in themselves, but not at problematic levels.

That's part of the issue, really. It only becomes a 'thing' if it is creating some difficulty, problem, or other issue in your life. Just speaking from personal experience and the knowledge I've gained in talking to professionals about it.

[Edgy Opinions]

Don't have any of it.

I sometimes get confused by it though. I'm not sure if there is a relationship between autism and increased intelligence or if it is just coincidence in many cases.

There are several kinds of intelligence, autism tend to affect the interpersonal and bodily–kinesthetic intelligences negatively, but often we might compensate that with a gain in performance in others. That is very subjective, though, as we are all very unique people, there's no sole biological origin for these phenomena, and there are several kinds of autism.

[Salandriagado]

I would slap the guy that offered me a cure and shove him out of the door.

Then you'd be a fool.

I'd refuse it too, for myself. I'd absolutely encourage other people to take such a cure, and were I to have an autistic child, I'd absolutely give them the cure, but I'd certainly refuse it myself. Not because I don't think it would make my life better (assuming no problematic side effects throughout this post, of course) - in fact, I'm certain it would. I'm simply not comfortable with messing around with my brain on that level, for numerous reasons.

[Edgy Opinions]

I'd refuse it too, for myself. I'd absolutely encourage other people to take such a cure, and were I to have an autistic child, I'd absolutely give them the cure, but I'd certainly refuse it myself. Not because I don't think it would make my life better (assuming no problematic side effects throughout this post, of course) - in fact, I'm certain it would. I'm simply not comfortable with messing around with my brain on that level, for numerous reasons.

And why do you think a child would be readier for that?

[Salandriagado]

I'd refuse it too, for myself. I'd absolutely encourage other people to take such a cure, and were I to have an autistic child, I'd absolutely give them the cure, but I'd certainly refuse it myself. Not because I don't think it would make my life better (assuming no problematic side effects throughout this post, of course) - in fact, I'm certain it would. I'm simply not comfortable with messing around with my brain on that level, for numerous reasons.

And why do you think a child would be readier for that?

It's not a matter of being "ready" for it, more a matter of not having developed the hangups that I have. Fundamentally, my objection comes down to the fact that I'm not entirely convinced of continuity of consciousness through messing around with a brain on that level, and I'm not willing to take the risk. I'm not, however, willing to force my hangups onto another if it will significantly worsen their quality of life.

[Zunkwentania]

IIRC, ADHD shares many of the same identifiers/clues/problems, from what I recall in a discussion with a counselor on that whole business. Related to the overall spectrum, but not quite as direct, if that makes any sense? For ref.

I'm not really sure. I mean, to lots of people putting Asperger's syndrome alongside other forms of autism spectrum disorders is a bad thing, and solely that already caused controversy.

Well, I don't see where anybody could find controversy. It's medically proven that Asperger's syndrome is an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

[RiderSyl]

I have been professionally diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome since a young age (got misdiagnosed with both ADHD and Bipolar disorder first), and two of my toddler cousins are already diagnosed autistic, one unfortunately low-functioning.

I feel like the controversy of Aspergers' place on the spectrum is a combination of medical intellectuals with too little direction or too much time on their hands, putting their energy into creating debate for the sake of debate, and other people in the medical field with a flair for theatrics. Then combine that with all the people that aren't informed enough, trust the aforementioned people too much, or are just plain wrong, and it doesn't get completely drowned out in all the actual experts that know the facts.

Also, I've always found it strange how autism almost always carries other types of conditions. Like, I've had a severe anxiety disorder since the age of 3. I'm finally getting help with controlling thanks to medication. I've also been diagnosed with "Leaky Gut syndrome", which is commonly associated with Aspergers Syndrome.

While even high-functioning levels of autism can be troubling at times, there are certain parts of my life that I would have really struggled to overcome without it. Some of the weaknesses, like an abnormally strong connection to other beings, and awkward heightened senses, can help when utilized correctly. The greatest example is when I faced off against Stage 3 testicular cancer w/ a poor outlook (meant I was probably gonna die) at my current age of 21. My autism's formerly annoying way of having me be super-aware of the going-ons inside my body, to the point where I would automatically faint if any foreign object like a needle punctured me, suddenly become hell'a useful for knowing how to manage my body while taking chemotherapy and going through surgery.

When it comes to being an Aspie, an autistic person, etc... I have to quote one of my favorite detective shows to sum it up; "It's a gift, and a curse."

[Uawc]

Neurotypical here. I dated an autistic girl for a little while. Total bombshell. We're still friends.

[The Northumbrian Republic]

I have been professionally diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome since a young age (got misdiagnosed with both ADHD and Bipolar disorder first), and two of my toddler cousins are already diagnosed autistic, one unfortunately low-functioning.

I feel like the controversy of Aspergers' place on the spectrum is a combination of medical intellectuals with too little direction or too much time on their hands, putting their energy into creating debate for the sake of debate, and other people in the medical field with a flair for theatrics. Then combine that with all the people that aren't informed enough, trust the aforementioned people too much, or are just plain wrong, and it doesn't get completely drowned out in all the actual experts that know the facts.

Also, I've always found it strange how autism almost always carries other types of conditions. Like, I've had a severe anxiety disorder since the age of 3. I'm finally getting help with controlling thanks to medication. I've also been diagnosed with "Leaky Gut syndrome", which is commonly associated with Aspergers Syndrome.

While even high-functioning levels of autism can be troubling at times, there are certain parts of my life that I would have really struggled to overcome without it. Some of the weaknesses, like an abnormally strong connection to other beings, and awkward heightened senses, can help when utilized correctly. The greatest example is when I faced off against Stage 3 testicular cancer w/ a poor outlook (meant I was probably gonna die) at my current age of 21. My autism's formerly annoying way of having me be super-aware of the going-ons inside my body, to the point where I would automatically faint if any foreign object like a needle punctured me, suddenly become hell'a useful for knowing how to manage my body while taking chemotherapy and going through surgery.

When it comes to being an Aspie, an autistic person, etc... I have to quote one of my favorite detective shows to sum it up; "It's a gift, and a curse."

Did you ever see a homeopath?

[RiderSyl]

Did you ever see a homeopath?

Yeah. I've never been one for trusting homeopathic medicine, but it's actually good stuff.

[The Nuclear Fist]

Did you ever see a homeopath?

Yeah. I've never been one for trusting homeopathic medicine, but it's actually good stuff.

It's a placebo. Homeopathic "medicine" works only as well as you earnestly believe it does, and ef wn then works less well than actually medicine.

[Herargon]

Good morning, an Asperger with deafness here.

[Cwonation]

As an Asperger myself, every time I see someone going "oh, vacines and cow milk cause autism!" makes me want to punch a wall.

[Edgy Opinions]

Some of the weaknesses, like an abnormally strong connection to other beings, and awkward heightened senses, can help when utilized correctly.

My hearing is just average (maybe poor, who knows how much all of those staph/strept-colonized Eustachian tubes-caused cases of middle otitis affected me...) and my vision is myopic-astigmatic, but indeed I seem to have a higher sensibility to touch, smell and taste than other people.

Folks never understand when I complain that if you leave something in the refrigerator exposed to open air, chances are it will taste "like the refrigerator" (i.e. like that characteristic smell they have). >_>

I have a particular repulsion to meat, in the sense that it starts to taste expired very soon and ALSO that some particularly smelly and/or fatty meats always taste stale-like.

Maybe it's just because those in my family who don't smoke had terrible respiratory conditions as children and adolescents (the taste sense largely comes from the smelling sense), but hey, I had, too.

Yeah. I've never been one for trusting homeopathic medicine, but it's actually good stuff.

It's a placebo. Homeopathic "medicine" works only as well as you earnestly believe it does, and ef wn then works less well than actually medicine.

This. My mom used it against my tube colonization, and I needed to take antibiotics for almost 2 years anyway. Maybe I wouldn't get hangovers from food now (of course associated, just as much as to excess antibiotic, to fatty liver given how I'm obese and have been overweight for most of my life, and hypertriglyceridemic even when I'm in my "ideal weight", but still) if someone just surgically treated it. (But I doubt these were available to poor people in an underdeveloped country in the middle of a crisis in the late 1990s.) ._.

No help with my allergic rhinitis, either.

[Herargon]

As an Asperger myself, every time I see someone going "oh, vacines and cow milk cause autism!" makes me want to punch a wall.

You'll only get pain from that. Try punching a pillow, that might hurt less.

[Glorious KASSRD]

Finally, a thread for the Autistics! I was thinking of making one just yesterday.
So anyways, I'm Autistic, probably Aspergers, but not sure. Of course we are real.
No, we are not treated fairly by many. However, I do believe our situation is becoming better.

[Herargon]

Finally, a thread for the Autistics! I was thinking of making one just yesterday.
So anyways, I'm Autistic, probably Aspergers, but not sure. Of course we are real.
No, we are not treated fairly by many. However, I do believe our situation is becoming better.

... where do you live?

[The Union of the West]

I've shown symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome, but I don't think I have it.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

I've shown symptoms of Asperger's syndrome myself, but I don't think I have it myself.

I'm also not sure if it could be diagnosed at my advanced age of 25 anyways.

[Edgy Opinions]

I've shown symptoms of Asperger's syndrome myself, but I don't think I have it myself.

I'm also not sure if it could be diagnosed at my advanced age of 25 anyways.

You mean I have to rush to a psychiatrist to have chances of proving I'm really disabled?

O.o

o.O

[Soldati Senza Confini]

I've shown symptoms of Asperger's syndrome myself, but I don't think I have it myself.

I'm also not sure if it could be diagnosed at my advanced age of 25 anyways.

You mean I have to rush to a psychiatrist to have chances of proving I'm really disabled?

O.o

o.O

I said I'm not sure, not that I know for certain I can't be diagnosed.

To be honest, I've been thinking of going to a psychologist/psychiatrist for a while and ask, but I think it's more social anxiety rather than Asperger's... but I'd still like to get it out of the way once and for all and at least know what the fuck I've got.