The ramblings of an Eternal Student of Life     
. . . still studying and learning how to be grateful and make the best of it
 
 
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Aspergers ...

I’m a person with Aspergers Syndrome in my life. I’m not 100% sure that I would be diagnosed with Aspergers under the DSM IV guidelines (the diagnostic bible of the psychology profession). Sorry, but I don’t have the $$ to diddle around with shrinks regarding something that can’t be changed one way or the other, and which many shrinks themselves don’t understand too well. I’ve taken some of those web-site tests and the results generally put me in a twilight zone between Aspergers and “neuronormal” (aka “neurotypical”). E.g., on the “Aspie Quiz” site, my outcome is “You seem to have both Aspie and neurotypical traits”. Nonetheless, there’s a lot about Aspergers Syndrome that rings a bell with me and my life. So, I’m at least a “half-Asp”. Aspergers is a part of my life, one way or another.

There are a lot of books out now about Aspergers, mostly about what to do with kids who seem to be going the Aspie route. But there are more and more titles on the experiences of adult Aspergers too, and I think that’s a good thing. I have read some of these, and again, they do “ring a bell” with some of my own life experiences.

So, it looks like it’s too late for me to write “my life story as a sort-of Aspie”  »  continue reading …

◊   posted by Jim G @ 9:03 pm       No Comments Yet / Leave a Comment
 
 
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Aspergers ... Personal Reflections ...

I don’t get out to the movies much anymore; there just aren’t many movies that I want to see. Back when I was in my late 30s and early 40s I dated some women, and thus became quite a movie maven. The movies all started blending into one another, though. So, for the past 15 years or so, I’ve rarely gotten out to a theater; a film really has to be special for me to go see it.

(I’m not into renting movies either; if there’s a movie I do want to see, I would rather have the social experience of seeing the film with others, even if they’re strangers. Seeing a movie in a theater is an important ritual, and every now and then it’s good for me to participate in some kind of mythological social event. Every now and then.)

I recently decided to find out if the movie “Adam” was special enough for me.  »  continue reading …

◊   posted by Jim G @ 8:03 pm       Read Comments (4) / Leave a Comment
 
 
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Aspergers ... Brain / Mind ...

Not too long ago, I found out about Aspergers Syndrome. I came across some articles in the New York Times (4/29/04 and 5/9/04), and they struck a nerve. Some of the symptoms sounded close to home — especially the feeling that many PWAS’s (“People With Aspergers Syndrome”) have of belonging to another world: the “whoops, wrong planet” syndrome. I’ve definitely toyed with that notion!

Still, the emotional distancing and insensitivity typical of Aspergers didn’t sound like me. I’m generally empathetic, and can usually pick up on other people’s feelings and sympathize with them. At least to the degree that those feelings are expressed through language and sound. I also express my own feelings rather well through audio — I use voice modulation extensively, as opposed to the flat eloqution that typifies many “Aspies”. Really! Also, I’m not a victim of routine, another Aspergers characteristic; OK, I’m not exactly a ‘wild and crazy guy‘, but I can appreciate a new perspective and a different road thru the forest as much as the next guy.

But as to the non-verbal forms of social signal-sending, e.g. body language, eye contact — admittedly, I don’t do very well with those things. And yes, I can be a bit clumsy, which  »  continue reading …

◊   posted by Jim G @ 7:34 pm       No Comments Yet / Leave a Comment
 
 
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