Asperger Syndrome Livejournal Community [entries|friends|calendar] Asperger Syndrome Community [ website | Asperger's Syndrome (from wikipedia.org) ] [ userinfo | livejournal userinfo ] [ calendar | livejournal calendar ]

Relationships. [26 Jul 2008|07:39pm] luv_n_a_lapdnce Hello all. I was wondering- Do any of you ever get accused of "being rude" or "having a tone".... when you really are not even in a bad mood, others just see it that way????? I try to explain to people that I am NOT a b*tch and I am not trying to talk with a nasty tone... but no one understands. Also- Do you stutter a lot when you are upset??? I knw I do and it sucks.... Also- Do you repeat yourself multiple times in a conversation, for example- repeat the same things but in a different way... over and over again to try to make your point because you feel that the other person is not getting the point? How many of you HATE tags, labels, and stickers on things??? I really can't stand them and it even pains me to looks at them, so I always rip them off of EVERYTHING, so as not to look at them. It jsut bothers me. Lastly- Do any of you guys rock back and forth regularly or rubs your hands together when impatient or frustrated, or when you don't een know that you are doing it????? I just want to compare... so how are you guys behavior-wise???? Also, I have been told that i say things that are "out-of-line"... but I always TRY to be polite and I really don't think I'm EVER rude or saying inappropriate things... Also I hate to be touched when I don't expect it... I can't stand to be touched, really, unless i initiate it first... PS- if anyone wants to be friends, then that would be cool if we have things in common... 20 comments|post comment

Family? [26 Jul 2008|05:39pm] whatsername_05 [ mood | confused ] I was wondering how many of you deal with your families. For example, I had been told I had Borderline Personality Disorder, which was completely wrong. I meet none of the criteria for it. I was told this on a recent hospital stay. My Uncle Gary is a LCSW in the state of Maine. I live in Oklahoma. He has not seen me in 4 years, and really did not spend a lot of time with me as a child, young adult, or in my twenties. I explained to him my diagnosis might be changing, yet he sent a bunch of stuff BPD to my Grandmother, who is upset and does not understand how they could change it to AS. I tried explaining to her that I have been seeing my therapist at least once every other week for four years, and that he knows more about me than even my family does. I also explained the research, our discussions, etc. Still she wants to believe my Uncle. My Dad is completely fine with this change and he seems to think it fits better. He is much easier to talk to as we are more no the same wavelength. My Grandma raised me along with my Dad and we are very close. Anyone have any more suggestions as to something to do that would be more or better than what I did? 13 comments|post comment

Worried and upset [26 Jul 2008|10:14pm] skyrabbit We share a back garden with our neighbours.  I hadn't been out there for quite a while, and today I noticed that the neighbours have put a lot of blue slug pellets around their plants. This worries me because of our two cats.  When I was a child, our cat died from slug pellet poisoning.  But when I expressed my worries to my partner, he seemed quite unconcerned: He said that the pellets have been there for some time (he never told me about them when he noticed them first), and that the cats are fine.  But this doesn't reassure me, as just because something hasn't happened yet, it doesn't mean  it won't. When I said that I was worried in case the pellets got washed into standing water that the cats might drink,  he said that I should make sure they have enough water in the house.  But I know they prefer to drink from water outside, when there is any.  He also said that there was no problem as it isn't raining.  Which is ridiculous:  it usually rains quite frequently here.  Is he suggesting it will never rain again?   I can't understand why he argues in such a stupid, flippant and illogical way about something I am really worried about.  Perhaps it is because he thinks I worry too much, so he goes to the other extreme.  It's true that I am a worrier (I have OCD), and probably do worry too much about some things, but this seems to me like an issue of genuine concern.   It's not that he doesn't care about the cats - he is actually very fond of them, though I would say rather more slapdash in his care for them than I am. What do people think:  am I worrying too much? Should I say something to the neighbours?  I feel pretty awkward about doing this, as I have barely spoken to them before.  I know they have a right to do what they want with their half of the garden, but I find it hard to believe they would put slug pellets down when they know we've got cats.  If they're that uncaring, would saying anything do any good? I feel tempted to put a note through their door so as to avoid having to speak to them - but maybe that would not go down well? And then there's the situation with my partner.  I feel horribly upset that he gets like this about something I am so worried about.  And that he should seem so unconcerned about the safety of the cats.  I tried bringing it up again just now when he came back from the pub, but he just got irritated.   Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing with someone like that. 5 comments|post comment

Clothing rotation system? [26 Jul 2008|05:22pm] sonjaaa Do any of you use a clothing rotation system that works? Or can you think up of one? I want to avoid only using the top clothes in the drawers and neglecting those on the bottom, etc. Or guarantee I don't wear the same thing too often in a row. I was thinking of a card system where the top 3 cards are out, so I can choose to wear one of those items, and when there are none in the draw pile, then they get shuffled and restart the stack. I dunno if this is more hassle than it is help, though. 11 comments|post comment

Knowing Yourself [25 Jul 2008|09:36pm] turn_er_away [ music | I Am a Poseur - X-Ray Spex ] Hey everyone. I realized something recently about myself. I have some type of issue with knowing myself. I can't describe myself because I don't know what to say. I don't have much self-insight a lot. I doubt what I am a lot. I keep doing this about my Asperger's lately It's not that I don't have anything settled but I constantly doubt myself. I can't decide on anything sometimes. I'm interested if anyone feels similar. Does anyone else here feel like you don't know yourself? Very Interested 13 comments|post comment

Paragraphs :( :( :9 XD [24 Jul 2008|05:30pm] lordalfredhenry Does anyone else have difficulty making them? ( the wall of text ) 27 comments|post comment

[24 Jul 2008|04:10pm] whatsername_05 [ mood | okay ] Hi everyone. I am new and thought I would give a really short introduction. I am a 34 year old who lives with her two cats in the USA. I am Bi-Polar and have known for four years. I also have ADD. I recently have been diagnosed as having Aspergers. The signs were there as a child, but I think they were perhaps mild, and back then they just sat you off in a corner to study on your own if the teacher did not understand. I like who I am, but do want to learn some coping and living skills that I have not, until yet, been in therapy for. I have a wonderful Therapist who really listens and understands me, so I know we will do well. 8 comments|post comment

Michael Savage is obviously a prick. [24 Jul 2008|04:34pm] turn_er_away [ music | California Uber Alles - Dead Kennedys ] Well I see this community has been talking about this waste of sperm and eggs who tells people nonsense for a living. Actually this is a bigger thing than him and the controversy that has flared up about his remarks that autism is a fraud. ( Long sermon ) That's it actually Food for thought...yummy I hope. 5 comments|post comment

Interpersonal Interaction -- A skill you can learn? [24 Jul 2008|02:15pm] gavinfox [ mood | enthralled ] So I was watching Sci Fi channel recently, and I saw an episode of Mind Control with Darren Brown. I thought to myself, "He's not psychic? Then.. dear LORD, his personal charisma is amazing!" Then I started looking up some of his tricks and techniques, and I really found something noteworthy... I was browsing here http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/M/mindcontrol/ When I found tons of stuff like "how to tell if someone is lying" or "how to get an idea of what someone is thinking", and then I went to the book section, and lo and behold, there are a TON of books on how to read emotions. What the heck, how come I never heard of any of this stuff? Lots of these things would be GREAT for people on the spectrum, because they systematically break down the patterns in how people interact, and how to predict them... has anyone ever looked at any of this stuff?? 15 comments|post comment

Take Action to Tell Michael Savage's Sponsors to Pull Their Ads [24 Jul 2008|01:35pm] alonglongtime Hello everyone, As many of you have already heard, this past week talk radio personality Michael Weiner, better known on the air as Michael Savage, made several outrageous remarks in regards to autism, including, "Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism, since I'm not talking about autism? A fraud, a racket…I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot."  Remarks like these spread ignorance about autism and threaten to return us to a previous era where parents were blamed and labeled as "refrigerator mothers" for having autistic children. Not only have Michael Weiner and Talk Radio Networks refused to retract these outrageous comments - they have added to them by claiming, unsupported by science of any kind, that the autism spectrum is an overdiagnosed medical condition. This is part of a broader pattern of statements attacking people with disabilities and our families. It requires a strong response. As a result of this continued attack against autistic people and the broader disability community, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network has joined with over a dozen national and regional disability rights organizations to call on the sponsors of Talk Radio Networks and the Savage Nation to pull their support. Together, we have issued a strong joint statement calling for an ad boycott. In addition, we've collected contact information for several of the major sponsors of Talk Radio Networks in order to empower our community to take further action. We urge you to use the information below to write, call and e-mail these sponsors and tell them why it is imperative they join companies like Aflac and Telesouth Communication that have already pulled their ads in response to these hateful remarks. There are over 50 million people with disabilities in the United States with approximately $200 billion in disposable income. It is time for us to make our voices heard. Below you will find contact information for Talk Radio Networks' largest sponsors and a sample letter for you to use as a reference point in your e-mails and phone calls. We will be keeping an updated list on our website and will post updates and changes to contact information as new information becomes available. In addition, if you would like to express your support for the disability community's joint statement on this issue, you can do so by signing our petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/DisabilityCommunitySavage/index.html. Organizations wishing to become signatories to our joint statement should contact us at info@autisticadvocacy.org. Please distribute this message to your networks and feel free to repost. Sample Letter: "To Whom It May Concern: As a member of the disability community, I am outraged by the recent comments made by Talk Radio Networks' host Michael Alan Weiner, also known as Michael Savage, stating that autism is "a fraud...a racket...In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is." Not only have these comments not been retracted but Talk Radio Networks continues to stand by Michael Weiner as he continues spreading public misinformation about autism. Autism is a very real developmental disability affecting millions of Americans. Public ignorance and prejudice against people with disabilities represent one of the most significant obstacles to full access and inclusion of people with disabilities throughout society. I urge you to take immediate action and pull your financial support from Talk Radio Networks and The Savage Nation Radio Show in response to these hateful comments." ( Sponsors List: Click Here to Take Action ) Thank you for your support and please distribute. Our combined activism has and will continue to help us create a world that respects, includes and supports people with disabilities throughout society. Remember, nothing about us, without us! Regards, Ari Ne'eman President The Autistic Self Advocacy Network 1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212 Washington, DC 20005 http://www.autisticadvocacy.org 732.763.5530 3 comments|post comment

Thought you guys might want to check this article out.. [24 Jul 2008|02:26am] orange_coat http://selwynduke.typepad.com/selwyndukecom/2008/07/judge-mentally.html Michael Savage was criticizing the falsely diagnosed, not criticizing those who truly deserve to be diagnosed. He's actually doing those on the autistic spectrum a favor by allowing those who actually deserve to be diagnosed to be better thoroughly treated. Over-diagnosing also means more money for the psychologist. 30 comments|post comment

[23 Jul 2008|01:44pm] winterwillowweb Is it a NT thing??? or am i just wierd (or *gasp* is she??)  ( Read more... ) ( Read more... ) 20 comments|post comment

More on Michael Savage [23 Jul 2008|11:24am] jehannamama From amenquohi 's LJ Conservative radio talk show host Michael Savage has an opinion on autism that he felt like sharing with his listeners.   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25788692/ Some parents of autistic children have called for Savage’s firing after he described autism as a racket last week. “In 99 percent of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out,” Savage said on his radio program last Wednesday. Savage then went on to say, “What do you mean they scream and they’re silent? They don’t have a father around to tell them don’t act like a moron, you’ll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up! Act like a man! Don’t sit there crying and screaming, idiot.’” Mr. Savage's program is nationally syndicated, and airs on Talk Radio Network. You can email them here, or contact them via fax, phone and snail mail at: Talk Radio Network P.O. Box 3755 Central Point, Oregon 97502 Phone: 541-664-8827 Fax: 541-664-6250 Feel free to click on Talk Radio Network's homepage, check out their sponsored ads and then let their sponsors know you won't buy their products and services as long as they advertise on TRN while Mike Savage is spouting his ignorance and vitriol. Please pass this link along to your friends lists, along with the contact information. People like Mike Savage choose to embrace and further ignorance, and because of them, some child may be cowering in a corner, hearing over and over again what a moron he is, instead of getting the intervention he needs. Some tired, frustrated mother or father is getting dirty looks and being told to control their "brat", instead of getting the support and guidance they need to truly help their child. This cannot go on. The following wasn't written by me, but by someone commenting on her blog... and I agree with his opinions wholeheartedly! I am also glad that Savage has been replaced.   Micheal Savage is a moron on too many levels to measure. He's been fired and replaced by Dennis Miller, who I don't think is much better. He was defending his statements yesterday and everything he said was just as offensive as his original statements. He is also claiming that the autism label is also one of big Pharma's ploys. Since there is no drug or medication currently being prescribed for any of the autism spectrum I'm having a hard time figuring out how he came to that conclusion. ~ oh wait, no I'm not. It's because HE'S A FUCKING MORON. And a mean, vicious, teeny little pea brained, rotten black hearted moron at that. 18 comments|post comment

[21 Jul 2008|10:22pm] taniwhanui [ mood | curious ] Hi. I'm two-thirds of the way through The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon and was just wondering if any of you have read it, what you thought of it and what other books about Asperger's Syndrome and/or Autism you'd recommend, just out of curiosity. Thanks in advance, Taniwha (: 33 comments|post comment

Fire Michael Savage Petition [20 Jul 2008|11:31pm] aspiemama [ mood | annoyed ] A few days ago someone posted about the talk show account of Michael Savage stating that autism is a fraud.  NAA and a bunch other people appear to be getting involved here.  I found this petition online that is attempting to get him fired.  In case anyone is interested. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fire-michael-quotautism-is-a-fraudquot-savage Let's get this moron off the air before he does any more damage. 15 comments|post comment

Neil Young was interviewed on Charlie Rose [19 Jul 2008|05:58pm] turn_er_away [ music | The Restless Consumer - Neil Young ] I just saw an interview of Neil Young on the PBS show Charlie Rose. My mom saved it for me on the DVR. I'm a huge fan of Neil Young despite my age and I have heard him considered an Aspie. I agree based on the interview where he seemed to have eye contact issues and a aspie style of talking and interacting .The way he described his song-writing seemed aspie as did this monologue he gave about biofuel cars which he kept doing even though Charlie Rose shuffled his papers more than a few times. It was quite cool I thought because I love Neil Young and misguided or not lots of people like knowing admirable people have a link to them. Now if only I played guitar like him... 5 comments|post comment

Autism is a racket? [18 Jul 2008|08:51pm] jehannamama http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Savage-Betrayal-of-Human-by-steve-young-080718-196.html   On his syndicated talk radio show, The Savage Nation, Michael Savage (real name: Michael Weiner, which is appropriate, because only a weiner would believe the stuff he spews), the third most listened to talk show host behind Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, and a bomb thrower like no other, called the disorder known as Autism, "a fraud" and "a racket."   He went further. "I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot." MORE http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Savage-Betrayal-of-Human-by-steve-young-080718-196.html Ugh.... what an incredible jerk.   X-posted to my journal 53 comments|post comment

Need resources/ essays plz [19 Jul 2008|12:29am] stockpot Hi, I am autistic and lecture on that at Kent university. My friend there runs a course on autism and asked me if I knew of any useful writings/resources that would help explain autism to begginners who have no knowledge of us. The students are going to become the ones who "care" for us. What would you like them to know? I have compiled a list of internet sites for them to check out thusly: http://web.syr.edu/~jisincla/index.html These essays. http://www.autistics.org/library/ These essays. http://isnt.autistics.org/ This for some perspective (I don't know if they will get it though - they should try) These places for (contraversial but representative)opinion: http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/forums.php http://www.autism-hub.co.uk/ Useful links - http://www.aspergianpride.com/ Best place for research, rly good! - http://www.neurodiversity.com/main.html BOOK- A Real Person by Gunnilla Gerland. Do you agree? Are these good? Can you think of any specific essays/books/youtube videos/resources etc... that really explain our/your point of veiw on the nature of autism and our autistic experience to people who are in training to help us? Thanks in anticipation (I know you will have lots of ideas!) 4 comments|post comment

We need a web site. [17 Jul 2008|06:06pm] teamnoir I'm thinking that we need a web site. Something which expresses the values and answers this group has essentially evolved - pointers to professional help for adults, pointers to descriptions for people who are self evaluating, pointers to respectable organizations supporting the cause of autistic rights, a brief, wikipedia-like description of why we're nearly unanimous in our denouncing of "autism speaks", etc. Do we have such a thing? Or is there a group who does who is already closely allied with this LJ community? 6 comments|post comment

how would you respond to this? [17 Jul 2008|07:56pm] alchemia How would you respond to this? I am not the contact person mentioned- the contact person forwarded copies to everone on the group's list... Do you ignore this kind of stuff (if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all)? Or do you try to talk them out of it, or what (and not "sound" hostile, but persuasive about a subject that gets you royally pissed off))? Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:52:07 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Jxxxx Jxxxxx Autism Fundraiser I found your email address online, as you are a contact person for the Nxxxxxxxx Autism Support group. I am currently working as an intern for the Jxxxx Jxxxxx minor league baseball team, and as part of my internship I am organizing a fundraiser with Autism Speaks to raise money for their charity. As part of the fundraiser, I am selling tickets for the Sunday, August 3rd Jxxxx Jxxxxx game. Tickets are $10 each, and $5 of each ticket sold will go to the charity. I was wondering if you would be interested in helping this cause. Every Jxxxx Jxxxxx game is a lot of fun, and the proceeds of this game are going to an excellent cause. Below is the game flier with more information. Thank you very much. I hope to hear from you soon! Thank you, Axxxx Lxxxx Jxxxx Jxxxxx Promotions and Marketing Intern 15 comments|post comment

Website explaining eye movements! [17 Jul 2008|02:10pm] etherealagent I found this pretty neat. http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/parts_body_language/eyes_body_language.htm Eye contact has always been hard for me, and a lot of the eye movements they describe I hadn't even known people did, let alone that they have meaning... 11 comments|post comment

Those aspie Vulcans [16 Jul 2008|09:35pm] novanglus So I just watched a rerun of one of the episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise, the "Wild West" episode. Every Star Trek series seems to do one of this type, with horse ridin', six-gun shootin', tobacco chewin', sheriff fightin', whiskey drinkin', and all the rest. But the Vulcans, being aspies, can't get the pragmatics of the language quite right. T'Pol and Tucker, in disguise, have transported to the dusty western town and they need a horse to get around. So they go to a horse trader and try to buy one. "What happened to your horses?" he says. "It's a long way to the next town, if that's where you came from." T'Pol: "Our horses ... perished ... near the perimeter of this settlement." ("Wrong planet" indeed. ;-) 7 comments|post comment

Blankets in the summer [15 Jul 2008|09:39pm] antieuclid Just wanted to share a tip for those of us who like nice heavy blankets and have trouble giving that up just because it's 85 degrees in our bedroom: 1. Find a thinnish cotton or rayon blanket that's the same size as your comforter. 2. Find the most powerful fan you can that's not too loud to have in your room 3. Soak the cotton blanket in water. 4. Set up the fan so that it blows over the length of your bed. 5. Wring as much water as you can out of the cotton blanket, making sure that it's not dripping, and lay it on top of your comforter. 6. Let the fan blow across the wet blanket for a few minutes before getting into bed. You now basically have a swamp cooler for your bed! The one disadvantage is that the blanket will dry during the night, and you may end up waking up because you're too hot. But I've found that most of the time if I have my windows open the cooling outdoor temperatures help counteract that. 12 comments|post comment

A bit of an idea.... [15 Jul 2008|10:21pm] arathian [ mood | jealous ] Well so a friend of mine started playing WoW because his girlfriend bugged him into it(that's a reversal isn't it?) and he started talking about ti and eventually coaxed me into coming back into playing it on the server he and his gf were playing on. He's cool to play with, but he isn't always on.I got into a guild but it seems a wee bit on the dead side and so far when I have asked for help I have gotten none and seem to be generally ignored when I ask. This gets on my nerves but I payed too damned much(game and expansion) to just up and quit. I could try another server but said friend probably wouldn't do so, and besides as far as I can tell any place is much the same as any other unless you happen to get luck, which I never do.\ So it sort of occurred to me to ask if anyone HERE wanted to come, if they played or want to play, with me and on this server. It could use some more people with some actual sense. Possibly even an aspie guild. Though not discriminating against NTs or non aspies just maybe mostly composed of them. One of my problems when I played and quit before is one time I got kicked from a guild without being told a damn thing and the leader put me on ignore, all without saying I had done anything wrong. I had to have someone else tell em several other people in guild complained about me. This angered me. I think I can count on a guild of mostly aspies to not pull crap like that and give voice to if there are any problems. It's sort of why it occurred to me. The server is Scarlet Crusade, and it is a RP server though most people don't seem to bother much about that. And before anyone jumps on my ass about this. No one has to come if they don't want to. and not even thing here has to be about AS in and of itself. But mostly this is not really talking about the game as much as a sort of all to all aspies that have problems dealing with nts and like the game and would like to play with a group of people that don't judge so much and say things behind your back and all of that other crap. 16 comments|post comment

Hi! [16 Jul 2008|02:21pm] taniwhanui [ mood | curious ] I'm a 37 year old kiwi (New Zealander) woman. I have Asperger's Syndrome. Has anyone here tried the Pfeiffer Primer IV Dietary Supplements from the Human Research Institute? I've just started taking them and am eager to see if they make a difference in my life. Also, does anyone here have Pyroluria? Blood test results show that I do. I've been researching this condition. I have been taking part in a trial for Tru2U Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate and find that it helps with my depression and insomnia. Have stopped taking my antidepressants as a result, because my moods have stabilized a lot. Would be curious to hear about other peoples' experiences with these treatments, or hearing about other ones ... 7 comments|post comment

[15 Jul 2008|09:15am] cornelius413 [ mood | cranky ] After hearing all this about therapists and misdiagnoses, I guess I'll throw my two cents in. Currently the therapy program I am involved in is geared toward addictions. I was put there because under the supervision of my parents I too Prozac without a prescription but took it once a day using resources at the Prozac website and so forth. Of course they just thought I was an addict. My therapy groups were mostly addicts as well. I fear that my present therapists still look at me though this glass. Of course, I was put into the same coping skills classes. Ugh. I am so sick of those dumb things. At one time also, I expressed some of my political involvement with the election integrity movement to a case worker. Very bad move. For the next year, they thought I was a paranoid schizophrenic. Even though the judgment was eventually discredited, I still get a look when whatever therapist looks though my file suddenly changers his/her face and then asks me if I "hear voices". Its only within the last year that my parents started to suspect that I had AS. Like I said in the first post I did here I was a bit skeptical. Also other friends with a counseling foundation stated to agree with my parents' assessment. This includes my longtime online friend kisekileia. I then went to my psychologist recently and told her about this. I also told her about how I had to train myself to look into people's eyes. She then finished off by saying that I was doing a very good job of looking into other people's eyes. Now I start to wonder if she was really saying "What a bunch of crud. You're a depressed drug addict piece of white trash wasting taxpayer's money with not going with the program." 27 comments|post comment

Can I? [14 Jul 2008|11:12pm] amoebo [ mood | happy ] My teachers know of my difficulties regarding meltdowns and such. My mom tried to get a 504, but they wouldn't let us because my grades are too high and I talked to a friend in one of my classes. I told one that I was definitely going into music education (band). She responded by saying that in order to be a music teacher that the kind of person I am either would not be able to be a teacher or should not become one. Now, my mom has Asperger symptoms (she might be very light) and she is a social studies teacher of 40 years. Can I still become a music teacher? I'm still going into music education, not listening to her. I have a lot of interest in music and love to talk about it :) so I think I can manage. I'm a marching band captain, which requires you to leave troubles behind, have a good attitude (very hard for me), and never appear stressed or anything. So I thought that counted... I'm learning to drive soon. I may be 16 going on 17 in a month, but it was because of my uncontrolled absence seizures. Does anyone have any remembrances of their turn at driving? I read somewhere that aspies have a harder time with it... I'm learning tuba!!! I already know how to play all of the percussion instruments, including the current 9 years of piano, and trombone. Somehow i always can do really well in my lessons when I only practiced for about 2 hours during the week (yeah I'm that bad). I can get a piece done quickly or notes easily learned, so my mom keeps bugging me to try practicing at least an hour a day, but I find that if I'm not interested, I don't do it. Someone, at some point, didn't believe that I didn't practice for at least 2 hours a day. Whatever :) I didn't mean for this to sound braggy or anything. Anyone have dogs or any other animals? I have 2 dogs, both mutts (boxer/pitbull and a Heinz 57) 2 cats and 4 birds. Also, my step-dad, whom I really do hate, rages all the time, screaming curse words, calling my mom terrible names, threatening to get rid of my birds, telling me that I'm causing the problems, and throwing stuff at my mom (not hard stuff). He also is losing his memory, though he never admits it. He is 75. My mom has been consulting me throughout the entire 5 or 6 years. She thinks he may have the beginnings of Alzheimers. Her mom had it, and she said she would have these symptoms in the beginning. It was only when she couldn't draw a clock that it really showed. Does anyone have any idea what he might be going through? Or is he just himself? He has OCD, though he would yell if we mentioned it, and is the kind of guy that has to be right. He would never go to a mental doctor. 11 comments|post comment

Successful Aspie fields that aren't Techie [14 Jul 2008|09:52pm] turn_er_away I've noticed something when the topic of being independent/employed and successful comes up. It seems that Aspies with techie interests and skills do well and find jobs and live independently but I wonder about other fields for the Aspies in the world that are not interested in technical things or even if they are they do not have the skills needed to do well in them. I heard someone say once on WrongPlanet "if you are an Aspie,be good at computers,if not run. Technical fields seem to be a place social skills matter less and the natural assets of the AS mind flourish. This leads to a sort of dilemma because many Aspies interests are not technical and many Aspies have things like Dyscalculia/ Nonverbal Learning Disorder and lack skills necessary for technical fields. I personally have much more interest in liberal arts fields academically and my interests are not technical particularly. Many people think that Liberal Arts degrees are worthless but most people do get jobs without technical skills. My question is what fields are Aspie friendly and not Technical or Math/Science based. I've heard of some suggestions ranging from lawyers to librarians. So...if anyone has advice/opinions/knowledge or thoughts I would love to hear it. 24 comments|post comment

Eval [14 Jul 2008|06:39pm] aysosytreeo I know none of you know me, but i am looking for a bit of feedback from anyone who has experience with having an evaluation. I went for an evaluation today, to a neuropsychologist, for ruling out aspergers, and to then get coping skills on how to communicatge, read people, get along with others in the work place and in life's relationshops. Within 5 minutes of meeting him, the dr. told me I did not have aspergers. He did not ask any of the hundreds of questions that I have seen asked in online evaluations. I know the online, do-it-yourself questions are not professional evaluations, but he did not ask any of these questions. He said that due to my mentioning I had abuse in my past (from a question asked in the required paperwork) he suggested that I had depression and was dealing with fight or flight as a result. When I told him that I had had quite a bit of therapy in the past, that did not matter. He then said I had depression, again due to my childhood. He asked if I ever patted myself on the back or "hugged myself" I said that, yes, I could see that I was directly responsible for creating a loving and wonderful home for my children, and even though it is hard, I am proud of myself. When I discussed difficulties in reading other people, that I keep getting feedback from my bosses that I do not behave as others do, that I seem abrupt to people, I don't do what everyone else does in their social nicities, I get loud when I am excited, I don't recognize when someone is feeling uncomfortable...He said that I don't act like the people act like people in Colorado and the fact that I kept repeating the same behaviors over and over again with the same ineffective result was the very definition of neurosis. He referred me to a psychologist that he likes, to get therapy and to learn to hug myself and pat myself on the back, and to come back and see him in three months. I asked why he wanted to see me again if he did not think I had aspergers and was referring me to someone else. He said he wanted to keep tabs on me. The appointment started 45 minutes late, despite me getting there 15 minutes early, and nothing was said about me waiting, and my face-to-face was about 45 minutes. Any feedback? Thank you in advance. 39 comments|post comment

Trouble with fluid intake [14 Jul 2008|11:38pm] maltedm1lk hi, i'm new and wanted to ask what is probably a bizarre question and probably only relates to me. Does anyone else have problems drinking enough fluids? My problem started when i was a teenager, i started to have postural hypotension so my Mother took me to the Doctor who said i had low blood pressure. He then asked how much fluid i was drinking each day, and my reply was 'I don't drink everyday'.- Insufficient fluid intake  was the problem. Almost 20 years later i still have the same problem of not drinking enough fluids on a daily basis, the main reason is because i don't particularly enjoy drinking fluid. I don't like tea or coffee or most squashes, and water sometimes just makes me gag. So i wanted to know if anyone else experiences this issue? 24 comments|post comment

[14 Jul 2008|12:08am] 403 Long time, no post. Hi everyone. I noticed today that I'm not able to access anything hosted at autistics.org - is anyone else having this issue? Has it been down for a while and I just didn't notice? 9 comments|post comment

Front-page article in today's San Francisco Chronicle [13 Jul 2008|10:37pm] errantpenny This article appeared on the front page of the Sunday San Francisco Chronicle. What you can't see in the web version are the following headlines that accompanied the print article: (Front page) A CRITICAL CONDITION and AUTISM THREATENS TO OVERWHELM SCHOOLS (Continuation on inside page) Autism 'a public health crisis' On the web page, notice that there are links to three companion articles in a box labeled "AUTISM". I'm putting those links here, too. In this article Bryna Siegel,  director of the Autism Clinic at UCSF, says of autistic students, "They don't know how other people think and feel - and they're not very motivated to try to figure it out."  [sarcasm] Well, isn't that nice -- especially from an "expert". [/sarcasm] This links to a podcast with an interview with two autistic men. I haven't listened to it, yet. This  is a page with information on services for autistic students in various districts in the Bay area. I'm new to the issues of disability rights and neurodiversity, and I have a hard time articulating what I'm learning. I'm still very much in the "absorbing information" stage. But there are a lot of things in these articles that bugged me. I'm eager to find out what others here think of them. EDIT: Most of the readers' comments posted after the main article are just...sickening in their ignorance and hostility. For example: Every single cent the government spends comes from taxpayers. So, in what rational world does it make sense to pay four times more for the education of a person who, by his family's best estimation, will never perform more than menial work? Jonah [boy profiled in the article] is not merely a little eccentric; he is severely dysfunctional. And no, he will never become an economist or an accountant, much less one of renown.  23 comments|post comment

Good Evening [13 Jul 2008|10:21pm] amoebo [ music | Junk Bond Trader ] Hey.. I'm new, just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a girl with a very good chance of having Asperger's Syndrome. sometimes it kind of makes me annoyed that there aren't a lot of girl aspies, because I read things and they all apply to boys. I've been bullied since kindergarten through 8th grade, and luckily I have found new friends that understand since moving to a new town. My past is horrific and the only way to show you how terrible it was is the fact that I do not remember 5th and 6th grade. Parts of 7th grade are also missing (7th grade is when I moved). I do know that my life, while not kittens and rainbows, is not nearly as bad as others and I do hope that no one will read it has "feel sorry for me." While I do not have OCD or ADD (my mom thinks I have OCD, but I don't think so) I do have depressions, meltdowns, blind rage, and I recently started to SI. Not good. I'm being forced to see a psychiatrist. At least it's not a psychologists. I cry all the time with my neurologist. I love music, whether it be Elliot Smith, the Beatles, classical music, random weird music, and everything except some songs and rap (not music at all). I am in as many musical activities as possible including marching band, 2 jazz bands, SCYO (a youth orchestra), having three bands in school, and playing several instruments. I have a natural, amazing talent at piano and other instruments. Problem is, is that I don't practice enough :P I do have one downfall. Though I love creating things, (dreams, poem-stories, names, creatures, etc.), I have an obsession with Pokemon from the past. I guess it was my only way of disconnecting with the world that hated me and it created a distructive path because I wanted to talk to someone about it all the time. I have given up on trying to get rid of it and instead enjoy it, because it helps me go to another fantasy world. Sorry if I wrote too much. I tend to go on forever about something :) 33 comments|post comment

Autistic/Aspie Community Organizations [13 Jul 2008|10:10pm] erithianopius I was thinking about something recently. I, at least, have found that other aspies are easier to relate to than NTs are, and I know that there are others on the spectrum who feel the same way. I am not sure what the density of autistics/aspies in any given area is, but there have to at least be enough in any major city for a decent sized organization. I am referring to a community organization. It would include support groups, interest groups, recreational activities, and a general social forum.  Keep in mind that it would be aspie-friendly, so it would not have to be the same as a typical social group. I know that not all aspies want to attend an actual group gathering, but I think it would be a good thing to create a venue where people on the spectrum would have the option of meeting each other. Also, it would help in many situations if such a community existed, so that people on the spectrum could seek support or advice from others. Online communities exist, but I am referring to real life communities in addition to the online ones. If we are going to be around other people, seeking friendship and even relationships, wouldn't it be nice if we could spend some of the time being around/befriending each other?  I am going to try to start a community group for autistics/aspies in my city (San Antonio, TX), and I think other people should do the same thing in their respective cities. I even envision, that, one day, when enough of us are (1) aware of the fact that we are on the spectrum, and (2) accepting of that fact and not seeing it as something to change/cure/deny, we could interconnect these communities, and even aggregate within cities (living close to each other).  That doesn't mean that it would work the same way as in NT communities, but they would be communities nonetheless. Some people would meet in groups, some people may just get resources from the various groups (information, advice, etc.), some may go to an event or two. The point is, many of us are involved in various communities, and we might as well have one where we are involved with each other.  What I propose is a network of community organizations, in different cities. There would of course be an online community, which would be the foundation. There would also be a real-life community. The purposes it would serve are very diverse. Everything from interest groups, professional advice, support groups, etc., to providing a general social venue, even a place to find people for dating. I am wondering if any of you think this is a good idea and would be interested in such a thing. 10 comments|post comment

[12 Jul 2008|07:58pm] aslanscountry ARI NE'EMAN FRIENDED ME ON FACEBOOK!!1 okay this isn't that big a deal because I'm not sure how I feel about him--I mean, mostly I agree with him, but I tend to feel that AS neurodiversity supporters should make it more clear that they take low-functioning autism into account, because as it is curebies can be like "NEURODIVERSITY PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT LOW-FUNCTIONING AUTISTICS!!" and actually be believed by the public. However I sort of feel like I got friended by a rock star. 24 comments|post comment

Muscle Tics [12 Jul 2008|11:08pm] calico_pye [ mood | blank ] I have been under alot of stress over the past few years - mostly because of the death of my parents and living in substandard accomodation (my own cottage, damp and in disrepair).  I have good support within my family, am happily married etc.  I am prone to meltdowns, but recently I have had recurring migraines.  They have increased in their amount (3-4 a month, lasting 7-48 hours) and intensity to the point of debilitating and I am knocked out for several days at a time.  I have been to the Drs for migraine relief tabs but they didnt agree with me, so I came off of them. The thing that bothers me is that I have also developed muscle tics in the buttocks and legs.  This has been happening 3 weeks straight, from my last migraine. Its continual- sometimes it feels like a tickle, sometimes almost like a Mexican Wave.  My smaller muscles actually sting from over use.  The tic moves up and down my legs and switched sides.  Occasionally I get it on my left side and once or twice in my arms.  It only stops when I am standing and also happens when I try to relax or sleep (which is becoming impossible as I cant get comfy). Now I am a self dx Aspie (youngest son is actually confirmed medical dx Aspie) and I know that tics can be part of the package, but is this normal? I am prone to echolalia but not 'vocal tics' per se and I havent ever had this before.  I will seek medical advise on Monday, but I am really worried and would like to have advice or share anything you may know about this. Thanks in advance :-) 9 comments|post comment

panic attacks [11 Jul 2008|11:36pm] aww_my_bees [ mood | anxious ] [ music | enChkin - Tromaktika Upohtonio ] I have regular panic attacks, that seem to happen for no reason whatsoever. I just get intense feelings of fear and desperation and entrapment. I have experienced these for almost ten years (I am 25) and recently they have been getting more frequent and intense. Its like a feeling that I am being buried alive; or like being on a frightening rollercoaster that I can't get off. I just need to talk to someone about it, and wondering if anyone else experiences them. I'm just worried because they are getting worse. 12 comments|post comment

Disconnected,Off,Fake,Confused [11 Jul 2008|06:34pm] turn_er_away [ music | Elliott Smith - Son of Sam ] I have a lot of doubt sometimes about where I really fall on the scale of social disability sometimes. It is confusing but I know I have AS despite appearing socially competent in many ways and not being a stereotype in general. Here is my biggest social problem in a nutshell. I feel off from other people. I feel like I appear or am somehow fake. I feel some sort of gap. Like I am disconnected from the world and whoever I am talking to and every other person I have known or will ever know. This is pretty much constant. The feeling that I am annoying people or that I seem fake or foolish. A major part of it is worry but much of it is this feeling of being disconnected and feeling off. I talk to a clerk at a store and I feel stupid. I'm talking to someone I'm even friends with I feel confused and wonder what they really think about it. I was showing some people I live with some videos by David Firth and I didn't know if they liked it or not...so I thought I annoyed them...I asked and I never found out. I think that this is because of the fact that I have Asperger's that has been colored by major social anxiety. So I ask everyone here... Does any of this speak to you? Maybe I am just insane but forgive the rambling and I hope it isn't just me. s 18 comments|post comment

I wrote a poem today... [11 Jul 2008|08:48am] xrikku_naminex [ mood | contemplative ] [ music | "Diary of Jane" ~ Breaking Benjamin ] http://belinda-rikku.deviantart.com/art/Lies-Myth-and-Truth-91345488 I just wonder what you guys would think of it, is all... 7 comments|post comment

Thanks! [10 Jul 2008|05:54pm] subgirl [ mood | contemplative ] You guys are an awesome (and colourful!) bunch. I really don't know how to say how much I enjoy and find secondhand support through this community. And definitely lots of things to think about! 5 comments|post comment

I love my mother in law! [10 Jul 2008|01:12pm] winterwillowweb [ mood | loved ] So we [my GF and I] are at McDonald's yesterday, after not having eaten (oops) and we sit down at the table and my GF tells me, "I don't want you to think anything of it, but I just think you might be amused...." "uh, ok??? what kind of drink do you want" "...My mom just said something that I think you might find a little funny" "OK... What kind of soda DO YOU WANT" [I don't think she quite gets that I am DYING of thirst and if she doesn't pick soon, I will.] "...Lemonade? does that sound ok?" "yep, that's what I wanted too... so what did your mom say?" "...well she didn't mean anything by it." "OK" "We were riding in the car and she asks if I think you might be autistic" I get a little smile {I'm thinking, how the hell is it that MOM  - her mom- ( who we rarely see and doens't have any special training) notices this crap and GF/counselor/etc DON'T????} "She said that the other day when we were sitting in the livingroom, she could tell you were getting anxious and you started rocking back and forth and didn't even know it and she noticed you do stuff like that before... So she was wondering if I thought you might be autistic." I just giggle a little and say, "OK, now haven't I been saying that for a long time now????" "I know, that's why I thought you'd find it funny." "I do." (Notice how I left out that I am incredibly frustrated that when I made that suggeston to her, she didn't think I was, because blah blah blah... -witness me rolling my eyesat having a GF who I am SURE has some level of ODD (sorry oppositional defiance disorder) UGH-)  I love my MIL, she's great, and I love that she pays enough attention to notice. 6 comments|post comment

Mod note. [10 Jul 2008|06:37am] necrotica [ mood | blah ] If you're going to post the results to the Aspie quiz, please do so here instead of as a separate post. Thanks! 6 comments|post comment

Huh. (Aspie-quiz) [10 Jul 2008|01:12am] nanuq459 Your Aspie score: 155 of 200 Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 54 of 200 You are very likely an Aspie 3 comments|post comment

[10 Jul 2008|03:14am] omnamahshivaya http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php Thank you for filling out this questionnaire. Your Aspie score: 101 of 200 Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 104 of 200 You seem to have both Aspie and neurotypical traits http://www.rdos.net/eng/poly12b.php?p1=75&p2=36&p3=45&p4=82&p5=63&p6=41&p7=35&p8=51&p9=33&p10=30&p11=59&p12=31 4 comments|post comment

[09 Jul 2008|10:38pm] cornelius413 [ mood | contemplative ] Hoping this is appropriate to do this out of the blue. *contemplates* 28 comments|post comment

A bunch of questions.... [09 Jul 2008|10:17pm] seaweedotter I have a few questions, and I hope you guys are not tired of answering them. I am about to turn 33 years old, a female who lives in the south. When I was in college, about 21 or so, I was diagnosed with ADHD. I have all the classic symptoms, so I am not denying that I definatly have that. When I was tested as a child, I also had a math related LD- even though I was reading before I turned 3, and i have been tested to have a high IQ. But in the last year or two