Questions about Asperger's

Hi all,


I would like some opinions on something I am struggling to get clarification on.

I have suspected for a number of years that I might have Asperger Syndrome or some similar condition. I score very highly on self test questionaires (although I am sceptical about their potential accuracy) and seem to have most of the symptoms associated with the condition, each to a varying degree of severity.

There are however, some traits I don't have.

I tend to read the emotions of others pretty well, whether through facial expressions, tones of voice etc. I don't usually know what to do with that knowledge but the ability to detect emotions in others is fairly natural and intuitive.

I don't take things too literally or have trouble understanding metaphores or figures of speech and will use such things casualy and in the correct manner.

Is having difficulties in these areas a necessity in a diagnosis of AS? Or am I being overly pedantic with the list of symptoms/traits?

Is there anybody here who has a confimed diagnosis who also doesn't struggle with these things?

Any insight on this subject would be very appreciated.

Many thanks.

-Matt-

Parents
  • Hi and welcome

    Not all autistic people have trouble with using language features or with reading expressions.

    The only way to be sure is to embark on getting a formal diagnosis. That might not be the right choice for you though. It has its good and bad points.

    An NHS diagnosis is made on the criteria in the link below, not on features found in online quizzes.

    sites.cardiff.ac.uk/.../DSM-5-publication-frequently-asked-questions-and-answers.pdf

    This article, though informative, does use the term 'autistic spectrum disorder'. This is typical of language used by clinicians, even government policy on autism no longer uses the word 'disorder'. And I think ICD 11 is out now or will be shortly.

    As a pedantic point (and we mostly are pedantic and fond of detail) Aspergers Syndrome as a diagnosis ceased to exist in my health authority when DSM V was issued.

    en.wikipedia.org/.../DSM-5

    We're all autistic now, though if anyone has a previous diagnosis of Aspergers that still stands.

Reply
  • Hi and welcome

    Not all autistic people have trouble with using language features or with reading expressions.

    The only way to be sure is to embark on getting a formal diagnosis. That might not be the right choice for you though. It has its good and bad points.

    An NHS diagnosis is made on the criteria in the link below, not on features found in online quizzes.

    sites.cardiff.ac.uk/.../DSM-5-publication-frequently-asked-questions-and-answers.pdf

    This article, though informative, does use the term 'autistic spectrum disorder'. This is typical of language used by clinicians, even government policy on autism no longer uses the word 'disorder'. And I think ICD 11 is out now or will be shortly.

    As a pedantic point (and we mostly are pedantic and fond of detail) Aspergers Syndrome as a diagnosis ceased to exist in my health authority when DSM V was issued.

    en.wikipedia.org/.../DSM-5

    We're all autistic now, though if anyone has a previous diagnosis of Aspergers that still stands.

Children
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