Asperger Homepage

Question: What is it like to live with autism/asperger's?

(Posted by: Jan S on 2010-07-07 09:46:40)

I want to write a fantasy story in which the hero is autistic/ asperger but do not want to make it too stereotyped and stuff? so what is it really like? where can i find good sources so i can understand it a lot better? thanks a bunch

Posted by: Twisted on 2010-07-07, 21:13:59

I have Asperger's and have had it for 42 years. I am very out-going. I love to be the center of attention too. I just want to be able to control the environment that it is happening in. Asperger's can not be cured, it is a genetic condition that can be worked on and mitigated, but can not be cured. Each person has it differently and reacts to the world differently, but here is some basics. Asperger's syndrome is, in it's most basic form, Autism. Autism is broken into two types, Kanner's and Asperger's, with the break at the 70 IQ level. If your IQ is 70 or below you have Kanner's Autism, if your IQ is 71 or above, you have Asperger's autism. (it is a little more complicated than that in it's break up, but for a beginner this is good) The easiest way to describe Asperger's syndrome to someone who has never heard of it is to describe it as a Social Autism. The person who has Asperger's grew up not learning the social cues around him/ her. The person does not, usually, understand subtle social cues that the normal person takes for granted. Things such as sarcasm, and body language that change the meaning of a statement, are not understood by the asperger person, and taken literally. Asperger syndrome is also called "the little professor syndrome " The Asperger type is usually very literal in what is stated, and what is understood. The normal person usually sees the asperger person as being emotion-less, though this is not true. Emotions are just kept very deep inside and not brought to the surface. The aspie also does not know what to do with another person who is experiencing emotions, and needs to be told what to in these instances. Phrases like "I need you to hold me now " are very helpful " in a relationship, for the normal (NT) person to say to the aspie. Aspies tend to like routines. Change is very difficult, and they will be slow to accept it. Aspies will appear to lack empathy. As stated above, this is not due to lack of empathy, but a lack of knowledge of how to show it. Aspies tend to have more of a formal use of words than the NT wold or have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for his or her age. For example, the aspie may use the word "beckon " instead of "call " or the word "return " instead of "come back. " ASPIES TEND TO AVOID EYE CONTACT. This is not due to lying or being self conscious. The eyes are very difficult to look at, and cause mental anguish and pain in many aspies. They are unable to think of what they want to say, and look another in the eyes at the same time. Aspies may have unusual facial expressions or body postures. They may be more formal in the way they stand, or just look out of place. Their facial features may not express the emotions that they are experiencing. They may not frown when they are sad, smile when happy, etc... Many Aspies are pre-occupied with one or a few subjects of interest and learn everything there is to know about those subjects to the exclusion of all others. They may not want to discuss anything other than those subjects with anyone. When brought into a conversation, they will immediately take the conversation to their chosen subject of interest, and then talk about it non-stop. They will not notice that nobody else wants to discuss that subject. Aspies tend to have heightened sensitivity and become overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures. They may only eat certain things, or order foods certain ways. They may not be able to work in rooms with florescent lighting due to the buzz or the flicker, even when nobody else notices. Many different things, for many different people.

Posted by: Quietscherin on 2010-07-07, 09:57:43

It really depends what you want your antagonist to do. People with aspergers aren't out-going. Depending on your story you may even have to make it unrealistic to work. Aspergers sufferers are introverts, shy, socially awkward, can't understand other peoples emotions in certain situation or possibly not even catch how someone is feeling due to mimic. For example my little brother has a slight form of aspergers, and even though he doesn't mean to he usually ends up hurting peoples feelings because he doesn't understand that what he says is hurtful. He is just stating the objective truth but many people don't want to be told ot their face they are fat or that a female family member has a mustache. He says it because it's just the truth, he doesn't want to hurt anyone and doesn't realize it could hurt anyone. My brother is one of the nicest people I know but he isn't that way because he wants to do good, he is that way because if he sees no reason not to help someone then he does. But if it's against his own gain, like sharing a sandwich or one of his toys then he is very possessive. There are plenty of sources on the internet, just use google.

Posted by: Aut-Echo on 2010-07-07, 09:59:42

Woud recommend reading temple grandins book- thinking in pictures [can find this in ebook if know where to look],am recommending this book-because its both a walkthrough of her life as a classic autistic [though she is now high functioning enough for people to think shes aspie],its also a walkthrough of the entire spectrum-not just high functioning autism [aspergers was only added in later versions if remember that right],am severely autistic but can relate to her younger years especially,and likewise even mild aspies can relate to her. theres even a part discussing einstein and his family on the spectrum,as temple has met up with some of them before and discussed it with them. donna williams is another autistic [think she is classic autistic but have never been able to find an ebook of hers], that will be worth a read of if can find them also-she has a website,but shes had a number of books out about her experiences. both temple and donna are not stereotypical of the diagnosis,so think they woud be worth while a look into.

Posted by: d'Arpajon et Noailles Descendant on 2010-07-07, 20:18:56

Contrary to what the first poster said, I am diagnosed with Asperger's and I am outgoing. Here was my response to a similar question: answers.yahoo.com/ question/ index;_ylt= AiFryH1VEixs_9BC7Ku8ljbty6IX;_ylv= 3?qid= 20100621071737AAABVqC &show= 7#profile-info-EvfUVshIaa