Forgot your password?
What is Asperger's, HFA, and ASD
Document Actions
This is a quick summary of what Asperger's is, as well as other things similar to it.
While sometimes the host of questionable content, the Wikipedia article on Asperger's syndrome is a very good place to start. But perhaps before reading it, you should know the following:
I am an Aspie, and I am OK... Just different! (And I can hopefully be better than I am now)!
- Asperger's Syndrome, sometimes referred to as ``AS'' (though I have also seen that used to refer to Autism) is a personality trait which is apparently now considered to be a part of the larger ASD spectrum. This spectrum, often referred to as Autism (or Asperger) Spectrum Disorders, includes autism at its most extreme end, and moving up through to Asperger's. Indeed, it is possible that the Aspie (someone with AS) can have such a mild case, or have developed coping mechanisms which allow them to be almost unrecognizable to most.
- ASDs, while they can be treated, and perhaps often improvment seen, can never truely be cured. Instead, current theory leans towards a physical difference in the structure of the brain, which cannot be fixed with some pill.
NOTE: Just because it cannot be cured does not mean that treatment should not be sought out!! Indeed, there are things which accompany AS which can cause larger, physical problems if left untreated, and some of those can be helped through therapy, or in others, perhaps with pills (I have seen references to things like depression, irritable bowl syndrome, and other things associated with AS). In the case of therapy, it can be used to help the Aspie develop and improve their coping mechanisms which help them to function more like a NT (neurotypical, aka someone without AS). - There still appears some difference in opinion where diagnostic criteria are concerned, in part because it only gained relatively wide recognition in the late 80's and early 90's. It was officially recognized by the APA (American Psychiatric Association) in 1994, and only then, apparently in children and adolecents.
- Because of the relative newness of Asperger's being recognized, resources are still scarce, but thankfully are becoming more numerous. However, where adults are concerned, there is still a lag in that recognition and in the resources.
- AS is more common in males than females, perhaps affecting as many as 1 in 250. However, in my reading, I am gathering that females are better at developing the self-coping mechanisms than males, and perhaps this would explain the 4 to 1 ratio between males and females with AS.
I am an Aspie, and I am OK... Just different! (And I can hopefully be better than I am now)!
Help Save The Internet
