Adults with Aspergers Syndrome

On this page the term Aspergers syndrome is used to include all forms of high-functioning autism.

The symptoms and impairments of Aspergers Syndrome

Social communication
People with AS can be very good at basic communication the difficulty lays in the social aspects of communication.
For example:
Understanding gestures,
Body language
Facial expressions
They are unaware of what is socially appropriate and will have difficulty choosing topics to talk about
Because they find communication difficult, they may not have many friends or they may choose not to socialise at all.

Some of these problems can be seen in the way people with AS present themselves.
For example classic traits include:
Difficulty making eye contact
Repetitive speech
Difficulties expressing themselves especially around emotions
Anxiety in social situations.

Social understanding
Typical examples of not having social understanding include:
Difficulties in group situations, such as going to the pub with a group of friends
The concept of Small talk or chatting is alien.
Not understanding double meanings, for example not knowing when people are teasing you
Taking things very literally.

Imagination
This can be a slightly confusing term.
This is not to say that People with AS are not imaginative but lack some conventional abilities. Some people assume for instance that
They lack creative abilities.
This is not the case and many people with AS are extremely good
Writers,
Artists
Musicians.

Imagination in AS people leads to difficulties when they try to imagine alternative outcomes and will find it hard to predict what will happen next.
This can lead to anxieties.
Such as:
An obsession with routines. When routines are disrupted this will coarse distress.
Problems with making plans for the future
Have difficulties organising your life
Problems with sequencing tasks, so that preparing to go out can be difficult because you can't always remember what to take with you.
Some people with AS over-compensate for this by being extremely meticulous in they're planning, and having extensive written or checklists.

Other traits of Aspergers syndrome
These can include:
Obsessive compulsive behaviours, often severe enough to be diagnosed as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD);
These can also be linked to obsessive interests in just one topic, for example they might have one subject about which they are extremely knowledgeable which they want to talk about with everyone they meet;
Phobias: sometimes people with AS are described as having a social phobia but they may also be affected by other common fears such as claustrophobia and agoraphobia;
Acute anxiety, which can lead to panic attacks and a rigid following of routines;
Depression and social isolation: this is especially common among adults;
Clumsiness often linked to a condition known as Dyspraxia.

This includes fine motor co-ordination skills such as difficulties writing neatly as well as problems with gross motor co-ordination such as ungainly movements, tripping, falling a lot and sometimes appearing drunk as a result.

Not having these associated problems does not mean you do not have AS, but if you have any of them you might want to describe it in order to back up your case.

Diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders in adults
The typical route for a diagnosis is to visit your GP and ask for a referral to the appropriate clinician who has experience of diagnosing autism in adults.
If you already have a specialist that you see then you might wish to ask them about a referral instead of going back to your GP.
It can be very hard to convince your doctor that a diagnosis would be either relevant or necessary.

The following are tips on how to present your case and why having a diagnosis could be helpful.
Make sure the diagnosis is the only thing you are seeing your doctor about. A good way to start the appointment is to mention that you have been reading about autism/Aspergers syndrome.

Describing why you feel you have AS
List all the impairments that affect you. The autistic spectrum is very broad and two people with the condition may present very differently. Make diaries of how you are affected and how it impacts on your daily life. These diaries will help you remember the impairments that you need to describe to your GP OR SPACIALIST.

What if the doctor disagrees?
If your doctor disagrees with your argument, ask for the reason why they disagree. . If you don't feel comfortable discussing their decision then and there you can ask for a second appointment to talk it through.

Why do you need a diagnosis?
This is purely a personal decision, there is no one saying that you have to go for a diagnoses. Some people are happy with self-diagnosis and obtain help for dealing with the symptoms of AS. Other people need to have AS clarified before obtaining help. Some of the benefits of a diagnosis can take the form of extra help if they are attending collage or university some have had equipment installed with in the work place.

What help is available for Adults with AS
An adult with AS may need support with day-to-day living, one of the ways to help with the day-to-day living is Coaching. A Coach will work along side the individual structuring and implementing routines that will help to organise their day. A coach works in many areas of difficulty and will help the sufferer identify other areas of their life with AS that they want to improve.

Individual Adult Coaching for ADHD and other neurological development disorders
As a Coach I will help you live your dreams, reach your gaols and be the person you want to be.

please see my page on

Individual Coaching

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contact Christine McLanachan ECONNF, EFT-CC

Overcoming Adversity to Succeed Successfully