Richt Report post Posted February 4, 2006 I'm pretty sure this is here somewhere, but I've gone round and round and can't lock into a thread. Does anyone have any experience of Adults who have Aspergers, but remain undiagnosed? Looking at the available information I'm pretty certain I am on the spectrum, been to see the GP (Not much help really - refered me 4 months ago to a specialist - heard nothing because its not high priority) It's not a big problem, I'm too old to have been even considered as a child (wasn't recognised then -despite a couple of run ins with the ED Psych) so I've had to learn how to cope and have developed loads of strategies, they fall down when my wife asks me if I saw soandso in the small town where we live, and apparently I've cut them dead or "snubbed" them. They tend not to take offence, because it's "Just R.." (Eccentric maybe) I just know if I'm out in public, I have to make an effort to focus on people around me, which is actually quite exhausting really. I also have to try and hear them. So I try to keep things controlled and avoid situations where "small talk" and recognition are needed. When I have to interact with people I know (because we've crossed paths many times, or we definitely share a common interest) I usually burn them out because if they're the "right" kind of person, they begin to see the real me. A circle of destruction, because I think differently Being "undiagnosed" as an adult but being aware of the possibility has been a great weight off my mind, I no longer have to beat myself up because I don't have "friends" or don't relate well to people. This is too simplistic, I work in a job that requires me to make contact with people and I do it, but it's an effort every day, whereas other collegues form bonds with those people, I only bond with a small percentage, perhaps I'm just too selective. Who knows? Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Interested in hearing from other adults who share my experiences. btw sorry about SpongeBob, couldn't find another that I felt happy with - they were either too agressive or something else (why would anyone worry anyway?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 4, 2006 Hiya Rich Welcome to the forum! I can identify with everything you have described. I have a 16 year old with AS. When my 4 year old was being assessed, the paediatrician said he was fine, but you now...and asked if I'd like her to write to my GP asking for a referral to Elliot House!! So the answer is that there quite a few of us on the forum, and some adults who do have a dx. I'm sure someone will come along with the right link for you (Nellieeeee?!) Good luck...on the one hand it's a relief after years of maybe feeling inadequate and dysfunctional (me, not you!), but it's also a huge thing to re-evaluate yourself in the light of AS... Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted February 4, 2006 there is a search facility just in the top right hand corner of the page - you should be able to find quite a few threads on this topic from what you say about yourself it might be worth you looking up 'prosopagnosia' and 'facial recognition' too There is a current thread just above this one on 'reading facial expressions' good luck with it all Zemanski Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted February 4, 2006 Hi Richt and welcome to the forum, Like you I have searched for fourm topics that might be of help to you but I've drawn a blank. We recently updated the site and lost a lot of the old topics and gained a new search engine which I'm still trying to get used to. Hopefully some of our AS members will give you some feedback. A few links that might prove helpful. How can I get a diagnosis as an adult? http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=255&a=3341 Why get a diagnosis as an adult? http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=119&a=8018 Important facts about autism and Asperger syndrome for GPs (If you look at the bottom of the page you will find some related resources). http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=128&a=2225 Nellie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richt Report post Posted February 6, 2006 Thanks for the feedback, I'll carry on looking. There isn't a lot out there for us nearly 40's who have always thought something wasn't quite right. Maybe it's just me being sad and not having a life - diagnosis isn't an answer, you get to a stage where you have the experience to look at other people's lives, you shouldn't make comparisons, our life (wife and 2 kids, own home, 2 cars) is no different from theirs, but something is missing from mine - and always has been I don't know if focussing on a condition you might not have is just paranoia, mental illness. So far as I can see I could be going down a blind alley, blame something, not you. One of my few friends has a son with AS, we never talked about it (except that he was), but she told me recently that no other adult has ever been able to engage her son as well as me. We've talked about whether I have AS and she doesn't dismiss it, now she's thought of it. It occurred to me as a by product of a number of things that happened last year, like I said, undiagnosed, so probably talking rubbish. If anyone has any comments - like get out and get a life! would welcome it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UltraMum Report post Posted February 6, 2006 Knowledge is power ... a diagnosis wouldn't change things but it may make you and others around you more aware and more tolerant/forgiving? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
