What Asperger's syndrome has done for us

[Pinky Pie of Doom]

This is an interesting article,I'm interested in Twebbers comments on it

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3766697.stm

[elysian]

This is an interesting article,I'm interested in Twebbers comments on it

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3766697.stm

I am hyperlexic which is a condition related to autism as well. In hyperlexia a child's reading ability, language skills and cognitive ability develop at a far greater rate than his or her emotional and interpersonal skills. Relating to others is not a natural skill for us as it is for most children. Hyperlexics are also highly visual learners- one trick to endure lectures and other activities that require auditory processing is to visualize the word as it is heard (I do this more or less automatically, but it is a skill that must be learned.) We also tend to, like people with Asperger's to take everything literally and at face value, which makes learning classic literature and the use of literary devices most crucial for us. In learning the use of literary devices we gain the nuances and colors of words, as well as the depth beyond literal meaning.

People with Asperger's have more pronounced difficulty with processing emotions than do hyperlexics, but they also have longer attention spans and better auditory memory. Hyperlexics are better at processing written language. Both groups are "impaired" in what some people call EQ- or "emotional IQ." We have to learn what comes naturally for most in dealing with other people and with our own emotions and reactions. Empathy does not come naturally for us, but can be learned over time as well.

I know to many people I've been characterized as "rigid and frigid" but this is because for me emotions require processing- I have to think before I can feel. But the emotions are there, they are just more difficult to work through and process. The person with Asperger's as well as those with autism have the same concern only to a far greater degree.

[Pinky Pie of Doom]

I understand what you mean by relating to others not being a natural skill(My Dr thinks I may have asperger's,which is why I personally find this article so interesting btw)I also have a hard time relating to people or even looking people in the eye.Seriously when I meet someone my first tendency is to avert my eyes and either look down or look away.

[elysian]

I understand what you mean by relating to others not being a natural skill(My Dr thinks I may have asperger's,which is why I personally find this article so interesting btw)I also have a hard time relating to people or even looking people in the eye.Seriously when I meet someone my first tendency is to avert my eyes and either look down or look away.

I know, I know! And I was born into a family of loud-mouthed extroverted huggy-kissy people who drove me absolutely nuts. My son is a loud-mouthed extrovert as well.

It is necessary to learn social skills though in our instances we will almost always prefer solitude or relating on a more neutral ground (which is why Internet fora and e-mail are great, we can put our thoughts and feelings into writing instead of having the pressure of dealing with people face to face.)

I have a particularly difficult time with the whole body language thing. Say what you're going to say, already. Can I tell you're tense from your tone of voice? Probably not. I will take your words literally unless I train myself to look for non-verbal clues such as body language and tone of voice. For most people those skills come naturally, for people with autism, Asperger's or hyperlexia, those skills have to be practiced and learned.

Part of the problem in this set of related conditions is that we have increased sensitivity. We "go up to eleven" as Nigel said of his Marshall amplifier in the movie Spinal Tap. We are quickly and thoroughly overwhelmed by information overload, and we are processing at light speed 24/7. We almost pay too much attention to detail and therefore tend to obsess or be incredibly single minded to the exclusion of everything but the object of concentration. We can also get too scattered and become absent minded because we are going in so many directions all at once.

The world's a scary place when your "perceiver" is on eleven all the time. I pray for you and with you for understanding of this double-edged gift, that God would bring you and I to peace and to knowledge of His purpose in this.

[Gideon Brown]

So, based on the article, the obvious question is: are either of you guys genii?

Seriously, I know both of you are naturally smart; do you have any exceptional ability in art or anything else?

[Dee Dee Warren]

after all it gave us Evangelion

:oldeek:

(insider stuff - most ofyou will have no clue what I am on about)

[elysian]

So, based on the article, the obvious question is: are either of you guys genii?

Seriously, I know both of you are naturally smart; do you have any exceptional ability in art or anything else?

That is tough to judge. Both my parents and the school system, knowing I was some sort of anomaly, put me through a great deal of testing- physical (I have a rather profound gross motor deficit that required years of physical therapy) as well as psychological tests and various intelligence tests.

I scored 157 on the Stanford-Binet IQ test I was given at age 5, so yes that score is in the "genius" range according to the classical definition. I really don't have a terribly high opinion of such tests though- all they prove is that you retain information and are a good test taker. I will attest that the so-called "gifted" situation is a mixed bag. As a child I had exceptional verbal abilities and at age six my vocabulary was similar to that of a 25 year old adult. The school system's answer for this was to put me ahead one grade. I was forced to endure first-grade reading when I was already reading the encyclopedia and such tomes as Last of the Mohicans at home. I speed read also, an annoying habit to anyone who reads over my shoulder I am sure.

I don't wish my situation on anyone other than the ease of academics. I have had to learn social skills that come naturally for most people. I still deplore crowds, hate having my schedule changed and have difficulty dealing with emotions. I have been treated for clinical depression now for the third time. I'd rather been a little less astute and a little more able to connect with others. When I was growing up I wanted more than anything to be "normal" but the daily beatings I got at the hands of my sisters and at school were only proof that I was not. I was Different, an enigma that because of my apparent frigidity it was acceptable to mock and tease. I intimidated some people without even realizing it- several teachers patently refused to have me in their classes. I overheard one such conversation as I waited in the principal's office (I believe it was the first day of third grade) when the two third grade teachers argued over who had to take me in her class. My first grade teacher was offended when I offered to define and spell the word "sanctimonious" - the word was not in her vocabulary. Another teacher reminded me to "stay behind with the rest of the class" as if understanding the material and being ready to move on was a bad thing.

I am still a voracious reader and enjoy various intellectual pursuits, but as far as being some kind of great scientist or something like that, no.

I'm just trying to appear normal and of course fail miserably at it.

[Gideon Brown]

Well, you appear just fine to me! Any artistic ability, though, a la Michelangelo?

[elysian]

Well, you appear just fine to me! Any artistic ability, though, a la Michelangelo?

I did study classical voice for a number of years, and was the lead singer and bass player in a heavy metal band. I learned piano/keyboard instruments in order to grasp music theory and composition but I was a far better bass player than pianist. I have degenerative joint disease (bad arthritis in the shoulders, wrists and fingers) that forbids me from playing bass anymore, it's simply too painful. I still have my voice though, and I sing regularly in church both in the traditional ensemble/choir and with the contemporary praise team. Occasionally I serve as cantor or sing solo selections in church but not often.

As for the visual arts, unfortunately I can sketch and draw but nothing exceptional and the only thing I do with paint is make a mess. I like cross stitch and have done some of those that turned out pretty, but I can't do it for more than a few minutes at a time. No Michelangelo here.

[Gideon Brown]

I'd love to hear you sing! You should come on Paltalk some night and sing!

[Pinky Pie of Doom]

It is necessary to learn social skills though in our instances we will almost always prefer solitude or relating on a more neutral ground (which is why Internet fora and e-mail are great, we can put our thoughts and feelings into writing instead of having the pressure of dealing with people face to face.)

I feel the exact same way

I have a particularly difficult time with the whole body language thing. Say what you're going to say, already. Can I tell you're tense from your tone of voice? Probably not. I will take your words literally unless I train myself to look for non-verbal clues such as body language and tone of voice. For most people those skills come naturally, for people with autism, Asperger's or hyperlexia, those skills have to be practiced and learned.

I know what you mean

We almost pay too much attention to detail and therefore tend to obsess or be incredibly single minded to the exclusion of everything but the object of concentration.

My whole life I've had what my parents call my "fixations".When I was little it was the ocean,I couldn't stop thinking about the ocean and sea life.I had an ocean themed room and a shell collection and everything.Then it was reptiles,then movie monsters and I would sit and draw movie monsters.Basically my whole life I've moved from one "fixation to another.Also I get repetitive thoughts that come into my head and make it hard for me to concentrate on anything else

The world's a scary place when your "perceiver" is on eleven all the time. I pray for you and with you for understanding of this double-edged gift, that God would bring you and I to peace and to knowledge of His purpose in this.

Thank you so much

[GhostontheNet]

Curious, I match this description all too well.

[elysian]

It gets easier to deal with as you age- I am 35 now and I am far more comfortable in social situations for instance than I was in high school and college. I still have the voracious reading habit and I'm not much of a social butterfly. Also as you age you gain experience and practice at the coping skills and "tricks" you need. For instance it was valuable for me to have taken classes in labor/management relations and mediation and negotiations- I learned how to think through both sides of an issue instead of just looking at my own demands.

I still have difficulties with being emotionally detached. In some settings it is an advantage (especially in business, and especially when I used to supervise automotive technicians) but in others, especially with family and friends and "family" at church it is difficult. I do genuinely love and care about certain people but it is hard for me to show it. I am not a huggy-kissy type nor am I one for drippy, maudlin sentiment, but there are certain people I love all the same.

Music has always been an emotional outlet for me. I don't have the equipment for PalTalk, so as of now I can't sing for anyone here. I need to find out what equipment I would need and then contact the nice people at Dell.

If I did it would probably be something of the rock or blues genre- the version of "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" from Journey's Greatest Hits Live is a thought or a hymn everyone knows, like "Amazing Grace" or "A Mighty Fortress." Not everyone appreciates classical/opera except maybe La Scala Boy.