Dear Readers
Sometimes when I talk to people I will use the term Asperger's, other times I use the term Autistic. In reality they both mean pretty much the same thing and Asperger's is just a term which is now outdated but it is still used by many in the medical community to describe someone with Autism who is high functioning.
What does high functioning mean?
Someone who is high functioning can operate the same as any Neurotypical person. People like me with Asperger's syndrome are usually people with average or above intelligence so they do not have any immediately recognizable learning/visible disabilities that other Autistic people have. They also may have better language abilities and seem completely normal(As always I use this term loosely, what is normal? Normal to me is locking the front door at night then going back ten seconds later to double check I actually locked it). Or how about checking the time on my watch or phone, then having to check it again because I missed it the first time.
People with Asperger's still face difficulty with certain things but these are generally more specific to each person. Another thing I noticed is that people with Asperger's often have increased problems with mental health issues (myself included, more on that in another post).
For me personally, I really struggle with numbers and mathematics. Even when using a calculator I will do the same calculation at least three times before I am happy with the result. I feel like the calculator is lying to me. I've gotten so used to being terrible with numbers that I don't trust myself to do it right the first time.
You don't look Autistic?
Shortly after getting diagnosed with Asperger's I went back to work and when I nervously told a few of my closest colleagues this is what the first one said: "you don't look Autistic". Immediately I was so confused and I literally just walked away from them. It had me thinking all day and night, what does an Autistic person look like? Do I look Autistic? The answer is simple. There is no such thing as an Autistic looking person. Everyone is different and there is no visual way to highlight people with Autism, Asperger's or any other person on the spectrum.
Why are there more Autistic people these days?
Autism rates of diagnosis have tripled in the last 20 years but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Due to our advances and understanding of ASD and its global recognition the rates have increased but I would bet that there aren't more with people Autism. It's just more people being recognised/diagnosed with Autism. Autistic people have sex too you know.
If you have children, Will they be Autistic too?
Many studies have shown that the Autistic genes are usually passed down from the Father. meaning the likelihood of me having children who are on the spectrum is much higher.
Is Autism contagious?
No, Autism is not contagious at all. Our quirky behaviours are though! *Puts hands together whilst laughing like an evil genius*
What is an Aspie?
Aspie is a common word used for someone with Asperger's syndrome
What are other names for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), classic autism, Kanner autism, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), high-functioning autism (HFA), Asperger syndrome and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
Another important thing to mention is that being Autistic is not an illness or a disease. Yes it's often referred too as an invisible illness/disability in this country (United Kingdom). If you have Autism you were born with it. Plain and simple, it does not need treating, curing, or getting rid of. What it needs is identifying, managing and more awareness being raised to help prevent countless people wandering through life feeling lost, empty and like they don't belong anywhere.
I now feel a deep sense of belonging and after being diagnosed with Autism it was as if everything in my life now finally made sense. So Asperger's Vs Autism: Whats the difference? Not a great deal really so whichever way I look at it, I am still on the Spectrum, so if you were hoping Asperger's excludes you from all of the quirkiness then I am sorry to tell you, it does not. Welcome to the weird side. In conclusion, I'm happy being referred to as someone with Asperger's or someone with Autism as they are pretty much two sides of the same coin.
I kept the post short and sweet tonight but ill be sure to add to this one later on down the line. Are you on the spectrum too? What questions do you get asked the most? Let me know in the comments please!
Thanks for reading
Oli
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