Look Me In The Eye: My Life With Asperger's

[franciscanheart]

Has anyone read Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison?

My brother has asperger syndrome and this book was recommended to our family. I read it so I could understand more than I did, more than just knowing he was different and always had been.

(I know there's already an aspie's thread in Open Mic, but that seems really focused on people WITH asperger's. I want to talk more about the book, about our family, friends and co-workers and how we interact with them, what we know, and how we spread awareness. Seems appropriate on World Autism Awareness Day.)

[ithinkjesusiscool]

Dear fellow human,
I listened to some reading from the book and it sounded ok to me. He was kinda personal instead of just being a PHD...btw, read Tony Attwood's book (google books)...

[ithinkjesusiscool]

Btw, Asperger isn't exactly Autism...

[franciscanheart]

AS is an ASD.

[tinytherese]

I haven't read it, but if you do decide to read it keep in mind that some of what the author talks about only applies to him. Not everyone on the spectrum has the same challenges. I'd personally recommend Autism for Dummies or the book that came out OASIS.

 

 

[tinytherese]

Btw, Asperger isn't exactly Autism...

 

Actually, Aspergers is going to be incorporated under Autism which contrary to many people's concerns, will not mean that they will lose coverage or have to be retested. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57556754/aspergers-syndrome-dropped-from-american-psychiatric-association-manual/

[OnlySunshine]

Sometimes, I wonder if I have mild Asperger's.  I don't notice social cues sometimes when I get on a topic and I cannot get off.  A good example is this past Christmas when I was talking for 5 minutes about my work at the nursing home in 2010 and people were leaving the table.  I still didn't stop but I got quite frustrated that I was being ignored.  I thought it was a relevant topic according to our discussion...

 

However, when I look at the DSM-IV criteria, I don't match up.  I don't have enough symptoms for Asperger's.  I think it's just my A.D.D.

[tinytherese]

Sometimes, I wonder if I have mild Asperger's.  I don't notice social cues sometimes when I get on a topic and I cannot get off.  A good example is this past Christmas when I was talking for 5 minutes about my work at the nursing home in 2010 and people were leaving the table.  I still didn't stop but I got quite frustrated that I was being ignored.  I thought it was a relevant topic according to our discussion...

 

However, when I look at the DSM-IV criteria, I don't match up.  I don't have enough symptoms for Asperger's.  I think it's just my A.D.D.

 

I've heard about people who have "autistic tendencies." Also, we really can't officially tell if someone has a condition or not without the diagnosis of a professional.

[franciscanheart]

:doh:

[tinytherese]

:doh:

 

    ?

[4588686]

My friend has aspergers, I think.  My last girlfriend was Puerto Rican and then after we broke up I made out with this girl whose mom is from South America.  We all came back to a friend's apartment whereupon he said, as she was sitting next to me, 'Boy, Will, you sure do like Puerto Rican girls.'  He wasn't trying to be cute.  It was awkward.  We laugh about it now.  

[OnlySunshine]

I've heard about people who have "autistic tendencies." Also, we really can't officially tell if someone has a condition or not without the diagnosis of a professional.

 

I have been officially diagnosed with A.D.D. though.  ;)

[Lilllabettt]

I've heard about people who have "autistic tendencies." Also, we really can't officially tell if someone has a condition or not without the diagnosis of a professional.

Honestly ... "autistic tendencies" is not a diagnoisis. "Autistic tendencies" might be caused any combination of:

1. introversion  2. thoughtlessness 3.self-involvement 4. indifference 5. maladjustment  6. anixety

7. inexperience ......... notice I didn't list autism.

 

I have seen all manner of people behave like animals and then be excused by themselves or friends as just having a "touch of autism." Honestly ... no. Some people are autistic and other people are just plain rude. Or just plain strange.

 

Strange or Rude does not equal autistic, or vice versa. Equating them does a disservice to people with autism.

[4588686]

It's also rough.  My friend and I can laugh about his Puerto Rican comment but he's losing friends because people find him grating.  That's a really isolating experience.  I don't remember if he told me that he had Aspergers.  But he has a lot of the common symptoms.  And not just being socially awkward.  But his interests.  Habits.  Et cetera. 

[Maggyie]

Honesty time. I find interacting with people with even mild autism like Asperger's to be very challenging. That's why so many sufferers wind up being bullied - people just don't  know how to deal with differences like the lack of empathy. I don't bully anyone of course but I'm ashamed to admit I tend to avoid people who express certain more irritating characteristics of Asperger's. How do I improve this? Is there a way of interacting with folks with Asperger's that can kind of break the spell when they get in an obsessive or self-absorption conversational rut? Or do you just have to ride it out so to speak?