Hello,
I am new to the Forum. I joined because I think I probably have Asperger's. I'm in my 60s, and I wonder if there are any advantages in seeking a diagnosis so late in life? Or could there be disadvantages?
My "symptoms"/characteristics are as follows:
I find it very difficult and uncomfortable to make eye contact.
I scored 32 on an online Asperger's test - I think 28-30 was an indicator of Asperger's.
I was a very shy, sensitive child. Fortunately, perhaps because of this, my parents sent me to a very small private school, where I was always top of the class. At grammar school I hardly spoke until I reached the Sixth Form. I did reasonably well academically and went to university, but I think I under achieved. I never felt part of it.
I have always felt different, but have never known why. I never feel part of groups - it's not really shyness - I just feel different. I would quite like to feel part of a group.
I have quite a few acquaintances, but few real friends. I seem to be attracted to more unusual people. I don't feel many people share my interests (which include Baroque music, history of architecture, the Georgian Period, homoeopathy, etc.).
I have always had "special interests," which change over the years. As a child I was obsessed with horses and ponies and reading. I now have various interests, which I like to research in depth - for example I won't just knit a jumper, but will research the history of knitting in the British Isles, etc! I accumulate interior design magazines and find it hard to part with them. I like the information in books and magazines.
I can't cope with office politics and I can't stand injustice - I get very upset by it. At present I work from home on a freelance basis. I only really have e-mail contact for my work and am much happier with that.
I am an anxious person, but have learned to deal with it to a certain extent. As a child, I was terrified of going to the dentist and hairdresser.
I am no good at small talk - I don't know what to say. Over the years I have learned what to say to a certain extent, but am not comfortable with it.
I have very little spatial awareness. It took me ages to learn to drive.
I only like comfortable clothes; however, they can be stylish and comfortable. When they wear out, I like to buy something similar if possible.
I am happily married to an equally shy person!
I would like to be tidy, with everything in order, but in fact I'm quite untidy.
I enjoyed the "hippy" era, because I could identify with it and feel part of something. I still like "alternative" ideas.
I am a serious person, but I have a sense of humour ...
On the other hand, I am not good at maths (I think I have dyscalculia - I can't seem to read numbers) and I am not interested in technology, although I enjoy connecting with people via Instagram etc. I don't think I am particularly over sensitive to noise, although I can't stand the noise of electric hand dryers in public loos. As a child I was terrified of the Hoover and the noise of steam trains (that shows my age!).
My father was a scientist, my son is a scientist and my granddaughter is going to study physics. I think I was put off science and maths at school because I disliked the teacher, who was very boring.
Does any of that sound familiar to anyone? Is there any help for people with undiagnosed Asperger's? I would be interested to hear your views.
