What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger Syndrome is a GIFT but it is wrapped up in a "different operating system" from the one most people call "normal". We call that way of being "Neurotypical" (sometimes abbreviated to "nypical" or "NT" just as we call ourselves Aspies (neurodiverse).
Researchers have confirmed recently that Autism/Asperger Syndrome/PDD-NOS etc are caused by different "wiring" in our brains. This is configured before birth but may not be obvious for some time until after the child is born. Because our brain connections are different from NT brains, we think differently, behave differently, see the world differently and very often have amazing abilities as well as what the NT world perceives as unbelievable dis-abilities. Concentrate on our strengths and you will find over 70-85% of individuals on the "Autism Spectrum" fall into this category of Asperger etc. Most Aspies have average to genius IQs and everything in between. We can be differentiated as "High Functioning Autistics" and "Low Functioning Autistics" but we find this rather specious. We all have moments of "high" and "low" functioning! These levels are also known as "Level 1"- High Functioning and mostly Asperger : "Level 2 " - not so high: "Level 3" - Low Functioning- unable to live independently, ever (a small proportion of the overall numbers - more easily recognised as Autistic, but in fact, we are ALL on the Autism Spectrum!
Diagnosis used to be based on the "triad of impairments", i.e.
* Difficulty with social skills which we do not develop naturally. We need to learn them by being taught or by observation.
* Sensory problems- "Too loud, too bright, too fast, too tight". This affects our emotions to what is sometimes perceived as
extreme- we call these meltdowns or shutdowns mostly. NOT tantrums, which are deliberate and attention-seeking.
* Executive functionality- the part of the brain which processes information,gives our body instructions, makes decisions (or
doesn't) , emotion etc.
Diagnosis must show two out of these three are present to a significant degree. There are also other traits which point in the same direction such as early or late development of speech etc. but these are academic niceties. It is how the individual develops that we are interested in! The diagnostic assessments are increasingly sophisticated and now, based on the American DSM 5, talk about Levels 1,2 and 3 on the Spectrum. These include a wide variation on the basic traits and a full assessment covers many pages of information and about 10 hours of work by the Clinical Psychologist who carries out the standard tests.
There may be other "co-morbids" such as anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar (Manic depression), dyslexia, dyspraxia, selective mutism, mental health issues etc which require intervention by other specialists.
Asperger Syndrome Difference or Condition (we reject the "disorder" label) is officially a disability, which some of us find very difficult to accept. However, when you read the United Nations Charter on Disability (which says that disability lies as much in the way we are treated by others as by experienced deficits) it certainly rings true. When we read very biased opinions on our "deficits" and re-frame these as "difficulties": working around the problems in a sensible and rational way becomes much simpler. Unfortunately, because we don't have visible disabilities, it seems to be much harder for people to tolerate and consider the difficulties we do have. Consider that we have an "invisible wheelchair" !
When we concentrate on the things we are really good at, we can be marvellous. We also need to identify our difficulties and
what we need to help us with those things. Many Aspies are reluctant to speak about being AS as they, practically all, have experienced bullying and sneering because of their perceived difference. Consequently, advocacy for Aspies is still in its infancy. We are working hard to change this and be "OUT and PROUD". Experience has shown that this is an effective strategy which empowers us. With renewed confidence bullying is something we can shrug off. If there are no secrets, we don't need to cower and hide. "Knowledge conquers fear"!
Come and join us in the 21st Century!
Researchers have confirmed recently that Autism/Asperger Syndrome/PDD-NOS etc are caused by different "wiring" in our brains. This is configured before birth but may not be obvious for some time until after the child is born. Because our brain connections are different from NT brains, we think differently, behave differently, see the world differently and very often have amazing abilities as well as what the NT world perceives as unbelievable dis-abilities. Concentrate on our strengths and you will find over 70-85% of individuals on the "Autism Spectrum" fall into this category of Asperger etc. Most Aspies have average to genius IQs and everything in between. We can be differentiated as "High Functioning Autistics" and "Low Functioning Autistics" but we find this rather specious. We all have moments of "high" and "low" functioning! These levels are also known as "Level 1"- High Functioning and mostly Asperger : "Level 2 " - not so high: "Level 3" - Low Functioning- unable to live independently, ever (a small proportion of the overall numbers - more easily recognised as Autistic, but in fact, we are ALL on the Autism Spectrum!
Diagnosis used to be based on the "triad of impairments", i.e.
* Difficulty with social skills which we do not develop naturally. We need to learn them by being taught or by observation.
* Sensory problems- "Too loud, too bright, too fast, too tight". This affects our emotions to what is sometimes perceived as
extreme- we call these meltdowns or shutdowns mostly. NOT tantrums, which are deliberate and attention-seeking.
* Executive functionality- the part of the brain which processes information,gives our body instructions, makes decisions (or
doesn't) , emotion etc.
Diagnosis must show two out of these three are present to a significant degree. There are also other traits which point in the same direction such as early or late development of speech etc. but these are academic niceties. It is how the individual develops that we are interested in! The diagnostic assessments are increasingly sophisticated and now, based on the American DSM 5, talk about Levels 1,2 and 3 on the Spectrum. These include a wide variation on the basic traits and a full assessment covers many pages of information and about 10 hours of work by the Clinical Psychologist who carries out the standard tests.
There may be other "co-morbids" such as anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar (Manic depression), dyslexia, dyspraxia, selective mutism, mental health issues etc which require intervention by other specialists.
Asperger Syndrome Difference or Condition (we reject the "disorder" label) is officially a disability, which some of us find very difficult to accept. However, when you read the United Nations Charter on Disability (which says that disability lies as much in the way we are treated by others as by experienced deficits) it certainly rings true. When we read very biased opinions on our "deficits" and re-frame these as "difficulties": working around the problems in a sensible and rational way becomes much simpler. Unfortunately, because we don't have visible disabilities, it seems to be much harder for people to tolerate and consider the difficulties we do have. Consider that we have an "invisible wheelchair" !
When we concentrate on the things we are really good at, we can be marvellous. We also need to identify our difficulties and
what we need to help us with those things. Many Aspies are reluctant to speak about being AS as they, practically all, have experienced bullying and sneering because of their perceived difference. Consequently, advocacy for Aspies is still in its infancy. We are working hard to change this and be "OUT and PROUD". Experience has shown that this is an effective strategy which empowers us. With renewed confidence bullying is something we can shrug off. If there are no secrets, we don't need to cower and hide. "Knowledge conquers fear"!
Come and join us in the 21st Century!
