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.
I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Leslie. I am 29, married to a atypical guy, we have one son ( 1 and a half years old) and currently expecting our second child in Aug. I had a severe speech impediment when I was little and did intensive speech therapy for 8 years. My parents worked with me outside of speech therapy when I was home. It drove me nuts (They would make me repeat a word till I said it right, or make me writing and practice my spellling words till I could get them right all the time) then but I understand now how much it helped me overcome those challenges.. I was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder in high school and then as an adult (after college) diagnosed with Aspergers. I went to college and ironically majored in social work and Psychology. I began working in 2009 . I worked at a substance abuse inpatient treatment program as a counselor and my co-workers all noticed my behaviors and recommended I get screened for Aspergers. Once I was diagnosed all my behaviors made much more since to me but my family and my husband just do not understand or except the diagnosis.
I tried Irlen Lenses which worked wonderfully but I choose the wrong type of frame and light could get through. Plus I did not go with getting a prescription in my Irlen glasses as back then I wore contacts. My husband who paid for the lenses think they are a scam since I can manage without them. But, the lenses really helped my reading comphrension and headaches. I still struggle with anxiety and treat with alternative methods like essential oils and herbs. I long for a weighted blanket to help me sleep. Again my husband thinks they are a waste of money.
I have an elderly Uncle who we suspect is on the Autism Spectrum and my husband's nephew is now diagnosed with Autism.
I hope by joining this group I can learn more about what care givers face in getting services for child and learn more about how to better support caregivers. Also learn more how adults with Aspergers cope with their symptoms especially when family and friends do not understand how Aspergers affects daily life.
I am currently going to grad school to obtain my degree in master's of community mental health counseling.
I tried Irlen Lenses which worked wonderfully but I choose the wrong type of frame and light could get through. Plus I did not go with getting a prescription in my Irlen glasses as back then I wore contacts. My husband who paid for the lenses think they are a scam since I can manage without them. But, the lenses really helped my reading comphrension and headaches. I still struggle with anxiety and treat with alternative methods like essential oils and herbs. I long for a weighted blanket to help me sleep. Again my husband thinks they are a waste of money.
I have an elderly Uncle who we suspect is on the Autism Spectrum and my husband's nephew is now diagnosed with Autism.
I hope by joining this group I can learn more about what care givers face in getting services for child and learn more about how to better support caregivers. Also learn more how adults with Aspergers cope with their symptoms especially when family and friends do not understand how Aspergers affects daily life.
I am currently going to grad school to obtain my degree in master's of community mental health counseling.
do you use eye contact? its important to use the correct amount
lack of social skills is a common problem but these can be learned
Online support groups like this one may help, or at least give you a place to vent and know that others have many of the same issues. As far as family goes, maybe the best approach is take small steps and not try to solve everything at once with them. There are some good books out there for families of people on the autism spectrum. Maybe someone in your family would be willing to read one. My family wasn't too interested. When I told them I had Asperger's, they were like "Well, duh!" : ) Since they weren't the ones with the condition, they didn't feel any need to read up on it. Okay.
I do have one book I can recommend, but it's for you, not your family. It's called "A Field Guide to Earthlings" by Ian Ford. It explains the thinking patterns of people who are not on the Autism Spectrum to people who do. Personally, I thought it was a great book.
I spent the first couple months after my diagnosis reading up on Asperger's and learned a lot. Then I decided not to worry about it. It's just one aspect of our lives, after all. There is a lot more to who we are.
I believe we define ourselves by the choices we make, and how we respond to the things Life hands us. I made a conscious decision not to let Asperger's define me. I use the diagnosis as a way to understand why my mind tends to work the way it does and certain tendencies I have (I rock back and forth a lot), but it doesn't dominate my day or my thoughts. I live my life with two focus points, one looking inward, the other outward. I look into my heart to grow into the best version of myself that I can become. I focus outward to learn how to love, because I believe that's the highest meaning and purpose I can imagine for my life.
In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a bit of an idealist. : )
Best of luck to you, and again, welcome.
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But, thank you for your response.