Asperger Syndrome Support Group
Asperger syndrome - also referred to as Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's, Aspergers or just AS - is one of five neurobiological pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and is characterized by deficiencies in social and communication skills, normal to above normal intelligence, and standard language development.
This past week I was diagnosed with Asperger's, but apparently... 9and I didnt know this) people at work have been telling me I've been rude. I don't mean to be, I'm trying to joke with people! I'm trying to make the best of it.... even though, recently... they moved my favorite management person to a whole different shift... plus other HUGE changes.... all at once. My brain has felt like 100,000 needles are constantly stabbing my brain with all the changes... my anxiety is through space because of it, and the needles won't stop.
Are all of these things common? Am i normal in any realm? Should i tell my bosses I have Asperger's and risk being treated differently?
Are all of these things common? Am i normal in any realm? Should i tell my bosses I have Asperger's and risk being treated differently?
I am going through testing right now to figure out if this is what's going on with me. My pshycologist thinks this is probably what it is. I have wondered the same thing myself. In my opinion I think you should wait to tell them when you are more comfortable and possibly know more about it so if they ask questions you will know how to respond. That is just how I feel though.
You're going through something really hard, and it's good that you are reaching out to other people (both the person who diagnosed you and this board).
I've had the same problems with making jokes. Part of the difficulty is that there is a social convention of making jokes that is often called "ball busting," which involves, essentially, insults and statements that could easily be interpreted as inappropriate. The nuance of this practice are hard to grasp -- I've never liked when it is direct at mean, and when I've tried to participate, people take it the wrong way even though other things that have been said seem just as bad.
Being diagnosed is at first very confusing, so you're definitely in a tough transitional state. Over time, you'll get a firmer grasp on what it is all about and you'll develop coping strategies. I'd recommend waiting to tell people at work, because right now it's all very confusing, I imagine, and it might be hard to have a good, productive conversation about it.
In the meantime, you can research Asperger's and also do introspection to further assess your own feelings.
All of this might take some time, and it's not always easy to be patient, but it will get better.