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-   -   Does it sound like asperger's syndrome? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=831207)

  • Mar 19, 2017, 06:48 PM
    taehyung_gie
    Does it sound like asperger's syndrome?
    I'm a 15-year-old girl(yep, that's right), and although it's rare in females, I'm almost certain that I have Asperger's. My lack of genuine interest in people, combined with my obsessions, have troubled me for quite a while. One side of me desires "human interaction," but the more daunting side wants me to remain the "quiet, smart girl/model student."
    I'm engrossed with my own intricate "imaginary friends," fantasies, and personal thoughts 24/7. Even when I'm in my Fortress of Solitude and Tranquility--my bedroom. I don't want to be regarded as condescending. However, I'm one of the most hard-working students at school, so my peers are bewildered when I explain that I have no aspirations. I strive to perfect my intellectual abilities yet approach reality in a rather carefree way.
    By studying others, I've "mastered" the art of changing personas, depending on which group of people I'm surrounded by. In my advanced classes, I blend in with the crowd as I don't want the "smart kids" to critique my dorky side(I acknowledge that part of myself.) With the "bad" students, I'm okay, if not, ecstatic about displaying my "adorkable" self to them. They don't judge me for it and view me as a genuine kiddo. This is my primary way of adapting to social situations even though I still loathe being around people.
    It's not actually human beings whom I despise; it's just that I'm socially inept AND naturally reclusive. Those two qualities should never mingle. My voice reflects no emotion. My face displays no melancholy nor enthusiasm except when I force a slight smile to impress others. I walk stiffly like a robot. I can't look people straight in the eyes as I'll become overwhelmed.
    Lastly, of course, I have extreme interests that hinder my ability to concentrate on anything else. They've ranged from psychology to philosophy to anatomy to arts to crime cases to languages and to religion. I can spend hours on end, researching extensively on such arbitrary subjects without feeling the least bit of boredom. They're the only things that give me any relief in such a dull life.
    I guess I would be described as a passive Aspie. I'll respond positively when others approach me, but I don't seek out anybody's attention voluntarily. Once again, I'm NOT certain whether I have Asperger's or not.

    There are many peers who are obsessive about video games or science, and they get scolded for interrupting people or "being mean." But I just have a strange feeling that I'm different from them.
  • Mar 19, 2017, 07:06 PM
    Wondergirl
    The only way to get a valid diagnosis is to meet with a professional who regularly diagnoses and works with people who have Asperger's. Is that possible?

    And, btw, it probably isn't that rare in females who tend to be less assertive than males and hang back socially, so many aren't pinpointed and then diagnosed. Here's a paragraph from one article:

    "It's not uncommon for girls with Asperger's to go undiagnosed well into adulthood. Like heart disease, this high-functioning autism spectrum disorder is 10 times more prevalent in males, so doctors often don't think to look for it in females. But some experts have begun to suspect that unlike heart disease, Asperger's manifests differently, less obviously in girls, and that factor is also causing them to slip through the diagnostic cracks. This gender gap may have implications for the health and well-being of girls on the spectrum, and some specialists predict that as we diagnose more girls, our profile of the disorder as a whole will change. Anecdotally, they report that girls with Asperger's seem to have less motor impairment, a broader range of obsessive interests, and a stronger desire to connect with others, despite their social impairment."

    Why Girls with Asperger's Might Not Be Diagnosed

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