ithinkjesusiscool Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 What is your experience with Aspergers/Autism and Catholicism. How does it feel to be an Aspie/Autistic Catholic? ...btw, I am happy that I am not an NT... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 as you probably know, aspies can be rather analytical so I feel that hurts my faith because I keep catching myself trying to figure out things on my own. Mind you, I've only known I had Aspergers for about 9 months now, and before that (and still now to an extent), I was quite confused on my Vocation. I literally didn't feel as I was called to anything, (Marriage, priestly, religious) but once I found out I had Aspergers, it made a little more sense while I felt this way. Even on top of that, some vocations will show you the door once they find out you're an aspie. I am not saying aspies have not had wonderful marriages but, I just don't see myself committing to someone or a Religious/Priestly vocation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytherese Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 I found out that I was on the high functioning end of the spectrum last December. I really struggle with trying to figure out what I'll do career-wise. I keep being told that those on the spectrum tend to be really good at math, science, computers, and other technological jobs yet I'm terrible at those subjects and am terrible with my hands. It has been suggested to me that I should become a professor, but since my background is in theology, I'd have to learn how to read in multiple foreign languages which is way too hard. There are not that many job offerings for professor jobs that are full-time let alone if I wanted to go into another humanities subject. I also really sturggled with even getting my bachelors what with how much philosophy is involved in theology. There are other reasons as well which I could rant about. Most people just have so many misunderstandings about autism that it can be really frustrating. I'm afraid to even let most people know about my condition because of that. Even if you don't reveal your condition, people can often interpret your actions as unfriendly. A lot of people also don't get that sometimes you need at least some alone time because of how overwhelmed you can get. A Catholic sorority that I was pledging for rejected me at the last minute because I "wasn't putting myself out there enough." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildForever Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 I know little of autism and Asperger's - from what I do understand, it's mostly categorized as difficulties with social interaction. Could anyone share a bit about this? Thanks. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 (edited) I don't have Asperger's but I've longed suspected that my father has it. He also has OCD. He displays several symptoms of Asperger's -- especially not being able to read social cues. He doesn't show much interest in Church. He'll take on a Church ministry and then miss several weeks in a row because it doesn't interest him anymore. He doesn't have many friends, either. This makes it rather difficult for him to be a Catholic. He grew up a Baptist and my sister converted to non-denominational. Whenever he visits my sister, he attends her church even though you could mention it a thousand times that Catholics are not to miss Mass to attend Protestant churches. He doesn't listen. He has very intense hobbies in NASCAR, the weather, etc. He reminds me a lot of Sheldon on "Big Bang Theory" because he doesn't understand sarcasm either. Edited March 30, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyAnn Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 One of the things that has always stuck with me about autism spectrum disorders is I was once told by someone with Asperger's "if you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." Just something to keep in mind. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithinkjesusiscool Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 EmilyAnn is too right. I am an aspie and happy about it...I am wired/created this way...f-word those who don't like this... As aspies we are sometimes told that we have bad work memory but better other memories...but sorry, I'm not extremly good at anything like Temole Grandin and Beethoven. Socialisation can be tough (eg church coffee) due to the fact that NTs don't really understand Aspies/Autistics. We also tend to avoid eye contact (I even think it can be rude to look someone in the eyes). The sad thing is that modwrn psychology doesn't really know how to deal with it. I ended up in a very strange place. It was weird. I went into a small room with a sandbox and some toys...you'll understand if you've been through it yourself. After having received an Aspergers diagnosis I think things have at least been a little better. Take heed, my AS friend tolld me. AS is not a reason to fail living a good social life. What do you think of this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRNHY66ZIUA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToJesusMyHeart Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Sorry, what does NT stand for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 neurotypical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContemporaryCaflicCrusader Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 I have been asked to socialize on a day to day basis with numerous asperger's kids and adults most of my life and am told I have done well with a high percentage of them. I myself after extensive medical testing was told to have symptoms of PDD but nothing worth medicating (Especially where I am so medicated as it is for the tourette syndrome, adhd, ocd/anxiety disorder). A lot of my medical history sounds unbelievable and I don't don't have the professionalness to tell you properly but many have asked that I get around to a biography that focuses on my neurological freakishness (No that is not exactly how they word it typically) and my faith in my Catholicism. But my medical files are in fact larger than the Manhattan phone book. You could Captain Morgan on that puppy if you are tall enough. My cousin has aspergers and oddly enough I have had little to do with him and have wished to do better with him and one other kid in particular Always felt bad for both my cousins on that side of the fam no purpose to life but plenty of money... That's not the point though. Aspergers isn't a processing error it's a different operating system. It's best not to put them socially on the defensive. My cousin was I thought unusually quiet for Autistic kids, where at the special ed school I went to they played lots of trading card games and easily became belligerent. Oddly enough I seemed to do well with those autistic kids better. However if treated right they are real winners as we all are. They are given an unusually heavy cross to carry and deserve more prayers and attention, while not appearing to get treated differently, if that makes any sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastasia13 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 I found out that I was on the high functioning end of the spectrum last December. I really struggle with trying to figure out what I'll do career-wise. I keep being told that those on the spectrum tend to be really good at math, science, computers, and other technological jobs yet I'm terrible at those subjects and am terrible with my hands. It has been suggested to me that I should become a professor, but since my background is in theology, I'd have to learn how to read in multiple foreign languages which is way too hard. There are not that many job offerings for professor jobs that are full-time let alone if I wanted to go into another humanities subject. I also really sturggled with even getting my bachelors what with how much philosophy is involved in theology. There are other reasons as well which I could rant about. What about being social science instructor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Some sarcasm I do understand, but there have been times where I thought someone was being sarcastic joking and they end up being totally serious. I would think I found a subtle pun/joke in what someone said, here there was no intent for a pun/joke at all. yes indeed. eye contact is hard, very hard, but when I find myself wanting to "practice", I end up losing track of what they said. I just listen better not having to deal with that eye contact mess. Yet some people take lack of eye contact as a sign of dishonesty. As for the video. Wow. That's the last thing most aspies will want to be told, that Aspergers doesn't really exist (even if it doesn't really exist) Here we gain some peace of mind over time, just to be told it's something else and send us back into confusion. Most of us don't want to be thrown into the whirlwind of medical testing once gain, just no. And yes it is very true, not all aspies are alike. Thankfully I've never experienced the overload/meltdowns. Granted I can get really ticked off at some people and have meltdowns that way, but I don't think it's the same thing, the aspie meltdowns are from overstimulation from light/sounds/etc. And yes I can have some intense interests at times. From sports to Las vegas (all though I never been), gambling culture in general, and radio/scanners. I've spent hours on youtube looking up videos about Vegas, radio communications, and stuff like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semper Catholic Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Everyone here has aspergers? And now for the second least shocking development of 2013... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithinkjesusiscool Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share Posted March 31, 2013 Everyone here has aspergers? And now for the second least shocking development of 2013... Aspies tend to hide on internet forums...IRL is like it is, you know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penguin31 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Everyone here has aspergers? And now for the second least shocking development of 2013... Not everyone here. Some of us only have drinking problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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