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Late Diagnosis

Raven

Hi, I'm a new user of this forum. I was diagnosed with Aspergers two months ago at the age of 26. I have found it difficult to come to terms with and was hoping other people could maybe offer some advice based on their own experiences.

I'm happy to be here though; I didn't know there were communities like this.

Thank you.

Parents

  • I think the notion that a maths or computing aptitude defines aspergers/hfasd is a myth. It probably has more to do with being focussed, and the kinds of things that are attractive to highly focussed minds include certain numeracy or computing problems.

    There seem to be people on the spectrum going to university with the notion they have an aptitude for mathematics or computing, when in reality they have an aptitude for SOME aspects of mathematics or computing. Being able to write games packages may not be enough to get through a degree in computing which requires a range of computing skills extending well outside a person's special interests.

    I'm strong on some aspects of visual spatial processing but truly appalling at others - hand-eye coordination is grim. I can interpret images and have a strong pictorial memory.

    However, to use an apt metaphor "I cannot see the wood for the trees". In examining a landscape or a picture I see an amazing amount of detail, but I often miss the broad picture others get instantly. I have to study the scene for a while, analysing it until it makes sense. That takes time. So in one sense I'm useless at it. On the other hand my capacity for detailed analysis means I spot things most people miss.

    That is, my skills are not necessarily the right skills for everyday use, but they have specialised uses.

    And that bit Hope says about finding objects in space even if straight in front of me, is very true. One manifestation is finding a book on a bookshelf. I know it is there and invariably it is there, but I can never find it when I want to.

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  • I think the notion that a maths or computing aptitude defines aspergers/hfasd is a myth. It probably has more to do with being focussed, and the kinds of things that are attractive to highly focussed minds include certain numeracy or computing problems.

    There seem to be people on the spectrum going to university with the notion they have an aptitude for mathematics or computing, when in reality they have an aptitude for SOME aspects of mathematics or computing. Being able to write games packages may not be enough to get through a degree in computing which requires a range of computing skills extending well outside a person's special interests.

    I'm strong on some aspects of visual spatial processing but truly appalling at others - hand-eye coordination is grim. I can interpret images and have a strong pictorial memory.

    However, to use an apt metaphor "I cannot see the wood for the trees". In examining a landscape or a picture I see an amazing amount of detail, but I often miss the broad picture others get instantly. I have to study the scene for a while, analysing it until it makes sense. That takes time. So in one sense I'm useless at it. On the other hand my capacity for detailed analysis means I spot things most people miss.

    That is, my skills are not necessarily the right skills for everyday use, but they have specialised uses.

    And that bit Hope says about finding objects in space even if straight in front of me, is very true. One manifestation is finding a book on a bookshelf. I know it is there and invariably it is there, but I can never find it when I want to.

Children
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