How many of you are diagnosed with aspergers/autism?

[CyberCubed]

So we've had a thread about sexuality, glasses, slang, disabilities, now its time for an aspie thread.

Its funny, up until a couple of years ago I had never even heard of the word, "autism." I simply never knew about it. I started coming to online forums and for some reason everyone kept saying, "Yeah, I'm an aspie too" and I kept wondering what was this people were talking about? Its funny how much you learn through online fandoms. Almost every fandom I've been a part of, it seems like half the people said they were diagnosed with either high-functioning autism or had aspergers.

Now it seems like autism and aspergers syndrome is very widespread and quite common. More and more kids are being diagnosed with this at a very young age. Its hard to believe that almost a third of the general population probably has it.

So how many of you, and I'm sure there are quite a number, either are aspie's or know someone in your family who has it?

[Redeemer]

I doubt a third of the population has been diagnosed with autism, the last stat I was given was 1/100 I believe, but that was a two or three years ago.

The reason autism diagnoses are going up is because we are just now beginning to understand autism and its becoming widely known now. Parents, teachers, and children doctors are now aware of the signs and then has them professionally diagnosed. Also parents come in with their child and a doctor may be diagnosed as well


something happened with (A.D.D) that is why their was such a spike in (A.D.D) Diagnoses. Both parents and children were being diagnosed because we were just starting to understand it and it became widely known.

[HayaMika]

My mom said I show signs of it but I've never actually been diagnosed with it so I don't really know about myself personally. My brother has been officially diagnosed with a low level form of autism. He talks a lot but he has mild speech problems and he throws mild tantrums when he is asked to move away from his computer... We are working with him on it though and he is getting better at not getting mad when he has to get off the computer...

[pennydreadful]

I don't have it or know anyone offline who has it; I do follow a blog by someone who is autistic though.

[snake]

I'm not autistic, and I don't know anyone who's autistic in real life. Online is different though, I'm pretty sure we've had an autistic member join a few months ago.

[psychturtle]

As a psychologist, id say there has been an increase in diagnosis. However, there has been a steady increase in population. In addition, in order to get insurance to cover costs, having a diagnosis helps people get more Coverage. Basically, autism and aspbergers is way over-diagnosed just like child bipolar and ADHD. We live in a diagnosis-happy time.

[Redeemer]

Originally Posted by okstpsy

As a psychologist, id say there has been an increase in diagnosis. However, there has been a steady increase in population. In addition, in order to get insurance to cover costs, having a diagnosis helps people get more Coverage. Basically, autism and aspbergers is way over-diagnosed just like child bipolar and ADHD. We live in a diagnosis-happy time.

I am not sure if I would group Bi-polar with autism or especially ADHD. I feel like Bi-polar is actually the forgotten dis-order. I am arguing with a professional psychologist.

But you would know better, I am curious if you don't mind me asking are you a psychologist only or are you a licensed psychiatrist as well?? I am asking bc I am wondering how hard it is to make the jump.

[Eiko]

My brother and nephew have autism, and now the doctors think my nephew might have ADD as well.

[HayaMika]

Originally Posted by okstpsy

As a psychologist, id say there has been an increase in diagnosis. However, there has been a steady increase in population. In addition, in order to get insurance to cover costs, having a diagnosis helps people get more Coverage. Basically, autism and aspbergers is way over-diagnosed just like child bipolar and ADHD. We live in a diagnosis-happy time.

Off topic post under spoiler...

Spoiler:

Some people say the same about OCD... but it enrages me that people see someone being particular and assume that said person has OCD... no... OCD is heck of a lot worse than just being particular. Its really conflicting and makes for a lot of confusion... (Take it from me, I have been diagnosed with OCD and my hands and way of doing things shows it. My hands are scared up cause of my hand washing and me using the hottest water I can find...)

[CyberCubed]

I honestly wonder if PL has some form of aspergers syndrome or autism.

[PAAATE]

I had a classmate with aspergers. I'm generally a patient person, so I was one of ~5 people that could even stand working with him. In fact, I liked it. I'm gonna be honest, he basically never contributed anything useful, and he sometimes was a little pissed at us not taking his (very bad) ideas seriously, but he's a super nice person and I did consider him a friend back then.

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I honestly wonder if PL has some form of aspergers syndrome or autism.

... the hell? Funny enough, I've often wondered the same thing about you

[Raph's Girl]

I have Aspergers. Diagnosed in my mid 20's after seeing several specialists. My mom was the one who thought I had it after reading the various symptoms.

Previous to my diagnosis my family would force me to do stuff I didn't really want to do when all I wanted was to basically be by myself and read books. Since then they've come to understand me better and basically leave me alone. They have also realized other family members (past and present) as being Aspies as well.

[plastroncafe]

There's a town near where I grew up that has more low-functioning autism cases per square mile than anywhere else on earth. There's a street in one neighborhood where every house has a low-functioning autistic child from what is now called Generation X.

While they're not entirely sure what caused this, the strongest theory has to do with the fact that this neighborhood is adjacent to where a large plastics factory once operated.

So take of that what you will.

[Redeemer]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

There's a town near where I grew up that has more low-functioning autism cases per square mile than anywhere else on earth. There's a street in one neighborhood where every house has a low-functioning autistic child from what is now called Generation X.

While they're not entirely sure what caused this, the strongest theory has to do with the fact that this neighborhood is adjacent to where a large plastics factory once operated.

So take of that what you will.

That is what baffles me is that we still do not know the cause or origin of autism....
There are theories ranging from genetics to environment.

[Storm Eagle]

Originally Posted by okstpsy

As a psychologist, id say there has been an increase in diagnosis. However, there has been a steady increase in population. In addition, in order to get insurance to cover costs, having a diagnosis helps people get more Coverage. Basically, autism and aspbergers is way over-diagnosed just like child bipolar and ADHD. We live in a diagnosis-happy time.

Unless it was a typo, it would do you well to get the correct spelling of Asperger's correct as a psychologist. As for your last sentence about us living in a diagnosis-happy time, you're rather on point about that.

Anyway, this whole thing was kind of discussed in a thread in the past. I don't have Asperger's, although I was told I've got characteristics of it. In fact, I was once diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder.

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/sho...&postcount=166

Originally Posted by PAAATE

I had a classmate with aspergers. I'm generally a patient person, so I was one of ~5 people that could even stand working with him. In fact, I liked it. I'm gonna be honest, he basically never contributed anything useful, and he sometimes was a little pissed at us not taking his (very bad) ideas seriously, but he's a super nice person and I did consider him a friend back then.

This kind of reminds me of how someone once told me that she loves people with Asperger's, since they have unique ways of thinking. Though I guess there are some exceptions.

[plastroncafe]

Originally Posted by Redeemer

That is what baffles me is that we still do not know the cause or origin of autism....
There are theories ranging from genetics to environment.

And there's nothing saying it can't be a combination of both.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by PAAATE

... the hell? Funny enough, I've often wondered the same thing about you

*shrug*

I've actually never been diagnosed with anything. Not an aspie, I've never been depressed, no OCD, nothing.

I'm 100% straight and narrow. By the books, so to speak.

[Katie]

I often think Cyber Cubed is on the spectrum too. Or at the very least extremely sheltered and sort of inexperienced with the real world. Lots of odd posts.

*shrug*

I'm not an aspie or autistic. I have no social anxiety. My only thing is depression. But it is well controlled.

[Prowler]

Never been diagnosed with either but I'm pretty sure I don't have autism. Aspergers is harder to define but I doubt I have it either. Sure, I used to be kinda shy and struggled in social situations but that's not so uncommon when you're a kid or a teenager. I've improved a lot ever since.

[Storm Eagle]

Originally Posted by Katie

I often think Cyber Cubed is on the spectrum too. Or at the very least extremely sheltered and sort of inexperienced with the real world. Lots of odd posts.

*shrug*

I'm not an aspie or autistic. I have no social anxiety. My only thing is depression. But it is well controlled.

I guess Cyber Cubed tends to come off strange to others, but I don't think it's right to go and speculate that he might be on the spectrum outright on here. Not just him, but others too.

Originally Posted by Prowler

Never been diagnosed with either but I'm pretty sure I don't have autism. Aspergers is harder to define but I doubt I have it either. Sure, I used to be kinda shy and struggled in social situations but that's not so uncommon when you're a kid or a teenager.

Yes it is rather common for kids and teenagers to struggle through awkward phases. That's why the whole diagnose-happy thing annoys me.

I remember one person who I knew from a job I worked when I was younger, who thought I might be slow or retarded just because I don't talk to girls (which he seemingly assumed because I hadn't been socializing with the girls there). Also, because he believes I don't listen to rap, simply because I once mentioned being a fan of alternative. Stupid, right? I don't know why I never felt compelled to talk to those girls at that job, but it's not like they couldn't talk to me. I may not have ever had a girlfriend at that time, but I've always liked women. My first "crush" dates back to fourth grade as a matter of fact. Also, it's not like being of a certain race or ethnicity should entitle you to limit your tastes in music or anything else.

Also, this one woman I know who speaks Arabic and learned it before she learned English, told me that some people thought she was retarded since she spoke Arabic a lot when she was younger. Now THAT'S stupid.