Just a quick word about myself....
I am a female aged 53 who, whilst not having a formal diagnosis of Asperger's, seems to have a lot of the problems in common with the condition...
For example I always had (and still have) abnormal difficulties with following:
? inter-personal relationships, especially with colleagues at work
? hyper sensitivity to sudden strange noises/smells/visually disturbing patterns
? odd way of dress ? must wear natural fabrics
? balance and co-ordination
? eye contact
? face recognition
? social awkwardness and shyness
? panic attacks ? especially in supermarkets
? inability to tell the difference between ?left? and ?right?
? obsessions with routine and detail
? working out what people are really thinking (the ?hidden agendas?)
? recognition of, and appropriately responding to, irony and sarcasm
I trained as a geologist as this was my specialist subject, and went on to work on oil rigs in the North Sea, Spain and inland UK. I managed to hold the job down for 5 years, but then had a terrible breakdown where I lost my memory for three months and spent a long time in hospital.
I lost my job as a result of the breakdown.
I then moved to London and tried working as a Civil Servant for 17 years, but with long absenses due to stress and clinical depression. Eventually, I was medically retired from the Civil Service job, following a second breakdown.
During this time, I read a book about Temple Grandin, and suddenly recognised a lot of familiar problems.
I have now moved back to Norfolk to look after my elderly parents (or are they looking after me)?
With help from the JobCentre and Disability Employment Advisor (who sent me on a six week course with Prospects in London) I now have a great little part time job working as a book keeper/ general assistant in a health food shop/alternative therapy clinic. It is a supportive environment, not too noisy, smells wonderful, and although working with the public is a bit frightening, I am coping OK by learning to smile and look friendly.
As for chicken?
My grandad kept chickens (free range), I like chickens as they make me feel relaxed (I did a lot of work with them when working weekends on organic farms) and a lot of people compare me to a chicken because I can be so nervous and hesitant in unfamiliar environments.
For more about me and my story, you will find me on the NAS site, under Janet's Story (Just type NAS + "Janet's Story" in Google and it will take you straight there).
As I seemed to have solved a lot of the problems in dealing with AS as an adult, I like to think I can help others who are going through similar difficulties, and, maybe provide some useful advice.
I look forward to posting on this site.
I have migrated to this site from AspieVillage, which seems to have been shut down since Monday 14th April 2008.
Hope I have not gone on for too long,
Jannie
