Do I have mild Asperger's?!
Question: Do I have mild Asperger's?
When I was younger, I was seriously the biggest dork in school. Glasses, braces, rolling backpack, and asthma. I always used to so extremely socially awkward things in my mannerisms, attitude, tone of voice, etc.
I know that's a part of maturing, but I seriously felt really stupid for some of the stuff I did (and I'm glad I can't remember all of it).
Now I'm not saying I'm retarded. But...I honestly used to wonder if I had autism or Aspergers' or something, and sometimes I still wonder if I do, even though I've become MUCH more mature. There's just so many things that make me think I might have it:
I don't like to keep eye contact with people for more than five seconds at a time
I'm CONSTANTLY daydreaming
I usually sit cross-legged
I sit hunched over in class, often fiddling with my hair or stroking the sides of my face
The way I listen in class is by keeping my eyes glued to a piece of paper, drawing intricate designs or dragons with very detailed scales
I do not like sitting with groups of people
I HATE group projects
I often just try to shut people out; whenever I make new friends, unless there's something about them that I REALLY feel like we have in common, I don't keep in contact with them (and I feel horrible about doing this, I really do.. )
I always like to learn about categories of things, like types of birds, types of dogs, types of cars, types of plants, etc. I'm constantly asking someone around me, "what kind of dog is that?" or "what kind of bird is that?" Whenever I see one. I love learning about these kinds of things, and I want to be educated about them so I can tell other people who may not know.
I'm a klutz
My brain works faster than my mouth, so I often stumble over my words before I get a long sentence going
I'm anxious just being in a large store and having so many people walk near me.
I do not like being touched (even though I would love to be held, touched affectionately, etc. by my boyfriend, but sadly we're long-distance )
I don't even like talking on the phone all that much, unless it's a parent or a close friend.
I hate having to do simple, "adult" things like going to the bank, having to deal with financial college stuff, etc. because I feel like I'm going to screw it up. BUT…I partially blame this on my parents. While I was still living with them, they would constantly be breathing down my back, getting miffed if I did something wrong (mostly my dad.) I would never get punished; I would just get "the look".
I hate it when things don't go my way (unless it involves someone else; ex: if I plan to go somewhere with someone, and they get sick or depressed, I don't get mad or annoyed. I immediately try to see if I can comfort them, because I feel bad for them.)
I'm very nit-picky about my art (thankfully not as much as I used to be. Now if I get too frustrated with one little area of a drawing or painting after working on it for ages, I'll just say 'OH GOOD ENOUGH' and move on. )
I do not trust anyone 100% - i.e. I would feel HURT if I got backstabbed by a friend, but not completely shattered. To me, that's just human nature.
I try to impress other people (but NOT to the point of doing stupid **** like drugs, sex, drinking, or.. even jaywalking xD )
Whenever I explain something or try to give my friends pep-talks when they're down, I often go on and on to prove my point. This is because I try to look at a situation from every possible side, and shape my answers and opinions to what would be best for another person.
I feel like I think on a higher level than most people. I look at even the simplest things almost philosophically. I've been told for the longest time that I DO tend to think 2-3 level grades higher than most students. Even now that I'm in college, some of the classes still seem so easy.
BUT, on the other hand:
I hate Math with a burning passion. I KNOW that I could understand it if I wanted to. But…I just don't want to. XD
I'm very emotional
I'm very empathetic (and I feel like it's one of the most important feelings a person should have)
I feel like I am understanding, and reading peoples' emotions is not all that difficult
I have no problem talking once I have something to talk about
I enjoy sitting with two or three friends; just as long as it's not a large group. And I'll have no problem getting involved in conversation with them.
I like being on time, but I'm not extremely punctual down to the last second (Like my mom…she flips a lid whenever we're even a minute late walking out the door.. )
I'm a very visual learner (I have no idea if this has to do with Aspergers' or not )
Answers:
It's certainly a possibility. I'd go so far as to say it's a good possibility. You have all the major symptoms. You can still have Asperger's even with the "non-Asperger" traits you mentioned, like being empathetic and good at reading people. These things are common but not required for a diagnosis. Nobody here can tell you for sure whether or not you have Asperger's. If you're looking for an official diagnosis, you'll have to talk to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or neurologist who specializes in autism spectrum disorders. Your regular doctor should be able to recommend somebody in your area. If you're happy with who you are and how your life is, you may not feel the need to be evaluated. But if you're not, or if you just need to know, you should consider it.
I have Asperger's
You don't have Asperger's Syndrome as you would have been diagnosed from the time you were a toddler. It would be highly unlikely that you would have Asperger's Syndrome. People with Asperger's, have trouble understanding figurative language.
aspergers can be difficult to diagnose, I have it and am self diagnosed, eye contact can be practised by watching the newsreader on TV, the effect is the same, a common aspergers trait is a mechanical walk with little armswing
read some of temple grandins books from a library, you will likely have to diagnose yourself if you have it, BTW there is no cure but its a relief to know about having it
make an effort to keep your friends and observe how they socialise, watch and read their faces as you converse
sunglasses make this easier to do