Almost certainly Asperger's...
By TheRealDawn
@dawnald (85137)
Shingle Springs, California
April 10, 2009 11:03am CST
Well I did pursue the Asperger's thing a bit further (in marriage counseling). The counselor did a mini diagnostic test on me and concluded that I probably do have Asperger's. So now I get to blame every stupid, insensitive comment and social blunder on the way my brain is wired. Just kidding. Anyway here are a couple of articles with useful information on Asperger's in adults (you have to sign up to read the Medscape one).
http://blogs.psychologytoday.com/blog/asperger039s-diary/200809/asperger-emotions-and-adult-relationships
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/531750
Mostly it's a big relief to find out why my brain works the way it works and the reasons that I have difficulties in some areas. Part of me is screaming inside "OMG I will never be normal." But hey what the heck, normal is overrated, right? If there even is such a thing as normal. At least I have more of a handle on things and can figure out coping mechanisms.
7 responses
@novataylor (6570)
• United States
10 Apr 09
Quirky and unique IS you, Dawnald! ANd that's the way we all want you. Just as you are. If Asperger's is something that you have, then you can study up on it and, as you said, learn some coping mechanisms. We can't deal with something unless we know what we're dealing with. So it's very good that you had the counselor do that mini test. Now you can go from here. Good luck, darlin Dawn. Our thoughts and hearts are with ya. And as to being normal? Please. What the hell is normal? We all have our own normal. What's normal for me isn't necessarily normal for anyone else, ya know? So please don't worry about 'normal'! Doesn't exist, baby. Keep on rockin. xxx
1 person likes this
@novataylor (6570)
• United States
10 Apr 09
Yup, the whole word "normal" is overrated, right you are! And you're welcome. Of course.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Apr 09
Even if normal did exist, I think it's overrated. :-)
Thanks for the lovely words...
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
10 Apr 09
It's always good to follow through with your thoughts and now you have a direction on how to "treat" yourself and all your quirks. That's what we call our family's little issues... "quirks"
Keep looking into things and looking for the balance we all need.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 09
I am really pleased that you got on so well with the marriage guidance counseling. So they do think you have Asperger's Syndrome. It is helpful to have found that out about yourself. You will be able to think about your emotions more clearly. It will help you to cope more easily. Good luck and you are normal. It is just that everybody is different.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Apr 09
There's a saying, "you are unique and special, just like everybody else!" :-)
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
15 Apr 09
Somehow I missed this post. I read the blog and learnt from it. I am glad that you have been diagnosed as now you know what you dealing with and your husband will have a greater understanding of you. This can only be good for your marriage as it could have been this that caused SOME of the problems. YOu are brave and you will approach this in our own way and deal with it. By the way, what is normal?
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Apr 09
It does help to understand why my thought processes are this way. And there's no such thing as normal, far as I'm concerned!!! 
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
15 Apr 09
Dawn-
Yay! You're not "Normal"!! Ok, so that is a bit quirky I suppose, but who wants to be "normal" anyway right? That's at least what I've passed on to my students. You are you, and so what if you have Aspergers. You've got a name, now what? Does that change the intelligence of your responses? Does that change who you are as a person? No. It just means you do things in a slightly different fashion than other people. Thank goodness for diversity!
A friend of mine that I taught with for a few years had a friend with Aspergers who was a very sucessful horse Vet. You'd be amazed at how people cope. For her, it was traction of all things.
http://aut.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/4/1/47
Here's a list of journal articles on Aspergers, and one of them focuses in on adults with Aspergers. They seem to all be available in PDF, which is nice because then you don't have to order them lol.
Take Care and Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Apr 09
I like being quirky and unique. :-) And who says there's such a thing as normal anyway! But knowing about it has helped me figure out why I'm having difficultly with certain things. And instead of reacting to things the same way I have been, I can articulate "too many questions, can't process" or "mind's a blank, need time to think" or whatever.
Thanks for the info!!!
1 person likes this
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
15 Apr 09
Almost certainly Aspergers
I don't know what to say about Asperger's. I've heard that it is a real disorder but I don't think that I actually knew anyone that has had it, although a few people would be questionable...... Anyhow I just believe that when we were all created, however we turned out to be in this journey called life, God didn't make no mistakes. While yes a few of us might have a few challenges and problems that we may need to overcome..........I think it's a gift to us that we are not quite like anyone else on this planet.......Ttyl........ E.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Apr 09
OH well in general I like being different. I just didn't know it had a name. lol
