Do you have a form of autism?

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

I have one disease... That's being me and being my own person, let's see the doctors put me in a medical dictionary. 

[Redacted 71]

I do not have any form of autism.

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

I don't have autism, that I am aware of. Though superficially, I bear certain symptoms. Social awkwardness, confusion about other humans and their interactions, and sensory overload. The first two are likely due to lack of experience, as I DO have a form of intense social anxiety and it hasn't allowed me to learn about other people. I think if I had enough experience and didn't have this fear, I'd be pretty charismatic and good at socializing with others.

 

The last one is because I have a disability, known as dyscalculia, which seems to affect more of my brain than I thought. It's not really like autism though, and more so is like a dyslexia for numbers. It makes it so that I have a very limited processor for what is happening right at this very second. I really can't focus on multiple things all that well.

 

At one point, I thought I may have had it. But looking more on myself, I just don't think it's likely. I can pick up on social cues; it's just I don't know what all of them are. And often, I prefer a more direct form of communication due to the paranoia of assumptions based on unspoken things. I'd rather people just tell me what's on their mind.

[iceestarz 5,765]

Nope.

 

But my little brother is mildly autistic. Along with many other problems, such as uh something with his heart? I'm not too sure, but he also has joint problems. He has to be in a wheelchair if he has to walk long distances cause he gets tired out and he's only 10.

 

My painting teacher is also autistic. I'm not too sure on what level but I remember her telling my class that she is.

[SilverSwirl 32]

My childhood psychologist was fairly certain I had Asperger's syndrome. I find it hard to maintain eye contact with people and I can get overloads as well. I was formally diagnosed with ADHD as a young boy and I still take medication for it.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Yes, I have autism which is a crime to have according to the internet. I've never understood why? Yeah, there are those few bad apples like Chris Chan but don't judge everyone on the spectrum just by one guy.

 

Blame Chris-Chan for that. He was an infamous douchebag and all-around vile human being that used "it's not my fault, I have aspegers!" as an excuse to deflect criticism of his actions(which included sending nude-pictures to minors, if I'm not mistaken)

 

I have aspergers, myself. 

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

Blame Chris-Chan for that. He was an infamous douchebag and all-around vile human being that used "it's not my fault, I have aspegers!" as an excuse to deflect criticism of his actions(which including sending nude-pictures to minors, if I'm not mistaken)

 

I have aspergers, myself. 

Oh, I know all about Chris Chan. He is the one who presented all the stereotypes that people on the internet who don't know what autism is use as a buzzword for stuff like stupid or retarded. I can tell they don't know what autism is because the traits they describe, are all the ones that Chris Chan has. Don't generalize the entire spectrum because of one person. Really, the only people I feel who truly know what it is anymore are the people who have it or relatives of the people who have it.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Oh, I know all about Chris Chan. He is the one who presented all the stereotypes that people on the internet who don't know what autism is use as a buzzword for stuff like stupid or retarded. I can tell they don't know what autism is because the traits they describe, are all the ones that Chris Chan has. Don't generalize the entire spectrum because of one person. Really, the only people I feel who truly know what it is anymore are the people who have it or relatives of the people who have it.

 

Pretty much, it's kind of like saying all people with schizophrenia are violent(when in truth, they'll be more likely to hear voices telling them to hurt themselves) 

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,873]

I have severe Asperger's Syndrome. According to the mental professionals that I have seen, they have said that my case is an example as to why many metal health professionals actually disliked the term Asperger's mainly because many people actually tend to underestimate the severity of it, just because it doesn't actually have Autism in the name. Which, many do underestimate the severity of it, because it truly has a massive impact on my life. I get disability because of it and other reasons like anxiety and whatnot. I have extreme social problems, I have sensory and detection issues, and I have a lot of emotional problems at times as well. Plus I have a lot of different obsessions and little 'ticks' or stims too.

 

It's not all bad though I guess. I might not be very useful in life because of my problems but I do have a unique and quirky personality because of it. I have a very child like mind and I like that about myself. I just try to live within my means, my mental state isn't too good overall.

[long gone 8,929]

Yes. In 1996 I was diagnosed with mild asperger's syndrome and it's held back my ability to develop socially offline, but at the same time it's given me a deep interest in technology.

[A Black Circle 1,586]

I have it somewhere on the spectrum

 

That in mind, I'm more mature than everyone else in my year.

[CuriousPony 157]

I don't myself. However, almost all my friends are either autistic or have Aspergers to some degree. 

[caramba2654 602]

Nope. I though I had Aspergers, but self diagnosis is a bad thing. My psychologist diagnosed me with social phobia, aka Social Anxiety Disorder. And I'm currently doing cognitive-behavioral treatment to get rid of it.  

[CC_Maud_Pie 6,431]

Yes, I have Aspergers Syndrome.

[Mouse 302]

No, not that I know of. I'm sometimes a little "awkward" in social interactions but I think that has more to do with my personality than any disorder. However, I do have a cousin with autism, and his whole story is pretty interesting. When he was 2 or so they said he'd never be able to function as a normal adult; he wouldn't be able to drive, live on his own, blah blah blah. Now he's 20 and in college with his own car. You probably wouldn't realize his autism until you really knew him.

[MLPFanatic34 3,235]

I have Aspergers Syndrome, but thankfully I'm doing much better now than when I was younger. I still have some social issues and reading people, but I do work and drive so I'm getting to be independent.

[Lisa 5,553]

Jesus, I didn't know that Aspergers Syndrome was so common.

 

As for myself, no, I haven't been diagnosed with any type of autism. 

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

I'm probably what you'd call BAP, or Broader Autism Phenotype. It means I display a few of the traits of an autistic person, without being clinically diagnosed with the condition of autism.

 

For example, I'm very reserved and introverted. I hate small talk, and I generally suck at making eye contact. As long as I have my glasses on, I can read people quite well, though. I'm capable of living on my own. I can go to college, I can drive, I have a few friends, I can take care of myself, and I don't have trouble being social when I need to be. For the most part, I live what is considered a normal life for a 20-something year-old college student.

 

Sometimes I have days where I feel like a totally normal person, and other times I'll have days where I just want to be left alone, and I feel like I'm autistic as hell. It all evens out in the end. While sometimes it would be easier to tell people that I have a few quirks because I'm possibly autistic, you could also just say that I'm one of those socially awkward, introverted nerds. That label fits me just as well.

 

That said, all of this is my self-diagnosis, so think of it what you will.

Edited December 19, 2014 by Regulus

[Neutral 1,185]

I have mild autism and Asperger's syndrome. But you wouldn't even know that if you never met me I would be like any other person

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

Yes, Mine is Severe Asperger's Syndrome. And I also show many symptoms of ADD, ADHD, and OCD.

[ShadowPirateX 600]

I have Asperger's Syndrome. And I love every moment of it!

[Justin_Case001 4,907]

Maybe.  Probably.  I've never been diagnosed.  Don't need to be.  Don't care.  Doesn't matter.  Wouldn't change anything.  I'm very happy with who I am.  But I do have most of the "symptoms."  I suspect I have some mild form of autism.

 

Jesus, I didn't know that Aspergers Syndrome was so common.

There's so many syndromes and disorders today that are so common.  So many are self-diagnosed.  I think many people want to believe that they have something, even though they don't.  Many have a legitimate disorder, that's true.  But I also believe that many people are quickly diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, or whatever, just because they have a bit of a hard time paying attention.  In the old days, none of these disorders existed.  Or rather, no one knew they existed.  But...it's like, it didn't matter if they existed or not.  It's like me: I found out about a year ago that I am most likely autistic.  28 years, and I never had a clue.  I didn't need to know.  I still don't.  In the old days, like a few hundred years ago, people probably had these disorders, but no one knew, including themselves.  They felt fine, they overcame their shortcomings, and that's that.  I sort of feel like there's too many disorders today.  *sarcastic tone* Everything has to be a disorder.  You're shy.  Bam!  Disorder.  You don't really like sitting still.  Bam!  Disorder.  You like to overeat.  Bam!  Disorder.  You don't eat quite enough.  Bam!  Disorder.  Sometimes you have trouble falling asleep.  Bam!  Disorder.  You don't care much for pastrami.  Bam!  Disorder.  You like MLP.  Bam!  Disorder.  You don't like MLP.  Bam!  Disorder.  Let me tell you--if we look hard enough, EVERYBODY'S GOT A DISORDER.  And I'm not trying to offend those that really have something severe.  I just think that society overdiagnoses, and basically turns everyone into hypochondriacs, or at least has them believing that they're screwed up in some way.  The point is, we're all screwed up in some way.  Do you feel fine?  Then you're fine.

[VitalSpark 1,830]

I just think that society overdiagnoses

 

Indeed. 50 years ago most people who would these days be diagnosed with some kind of ADHD or autistic spectrum disorder, would instead have been told by everyone to stop being such irritating sods. And for the most part, that treatment would work. They would. I'm not saying it wouldn't have been a lot of work for them to change their behaviour, but they would have been able to.

 

Acting like a normal member of society is not easy for everybody. (It's certainly not easy for me!) Pathologizing unusual behaviours just gives people an excuse to opt-out of trying to act like a normal member of society. Frankly, I don't even have a problem with partly or totally opting out of society. Everyone should be free to do so.

 

If you want to be a grumpy old man, or a grumpy young lady, or whatever, then do so. If you don't want to ever make meaningless small talk with people you hardly know, then don't. I just don't think you should feel the need to label yourself with a diagnosis as an excuse. Have some bottle. Tell the truth. Don't say "I can't talk to them because I'm autistic", say "I don't want to talk to them because I have zero interest in anything they have to say".

Edited December 19, 2014 by Vital Sparkle

[Photon Jet 5,491]

I do have autism. I have something called "autistic spectrum disorder". I have fidgety hands (or hooves in Equestria) and I usually pace around when I get excited or if there's something on my mind.

 

So yeah, I can't keep still sometimes during my spare time.

Edited December 19, 2014 by Photon Jet

[Ardhacandra 133]

Yup, I have a high functioning form of autism. Known it since I was 11... I don't mind It brings it's own share of problems, but it also brings plenty of perks.