Like all things in human nature, arriving at a true and useful answer to this question begins with knowing the nature of people with majority personalities. In this case, I’m referring to the process whereby most children develop language. Specifically, how it occurs in an increasingly complex way. For example, at first, to most children,…
I too have Asperger’s and am also in recovery, now 35 years. Sadly, based on the responses posted here, it seems, the phrase “in recovery” doesn’t ring a bell to most. As to your question though, sadly, yes, this can happen, albeit it didn’t happen to me. So while I did suffer multiple childhood traumas,…
Start with this. Read through all the answers already posted. Do it through the lens of a human being. Admittedly, based on your question, this may be hard for you, or even impossible. Even so, TRY YOUR BEST TO AT LEAST PRETEND YOU’RE A HUMAN BEING WITH A HEART. Do you have even a shred…
[Please forgive my long response. Personality is my special interest.] My first thought is, asking this is like asking if a bear does his business in the woods. Yes. Having strong personal reactions to things is an inherent part of having an autism. I certainly do. My second thought is, using a medical model word…
James, the first thing I’d keep in mind is, do not go through this alone. Of all the things I could suggest, this is the most important of all. I sense that you are a brave soul working hard to better himself. To succeed, you’ll need to be reminded often that you are, and will…
To begin with, I salute the questioner. This question is brilliant in how it goes right to the heart of the matter. In doing so, it captures the innocent wisdom of a young child asking a profound question, something we Aspies aren’t supposed to be able to do. This starkly contrasts with the attitude underlying…
To answer your question, I’ll need to offer a non-medical definition for the word, “autistic.” Before I do, start with this. Nelson, please do not trouble yourself with medical labels. Most DSMs (e.g. diagnostic manuals 1 thru 5), in their prefaces, admit to and apologize for the inadequate way they assign these labels. So while…
To begin with, please forgive the dissertation. I’ve watched this change a lot during the past 30 years. The brief answer is, it’s more common now than previously. But it wasn’t always this way. Because of these changes, it may be helpful to briefly review how and why we got to where we are today….
To begin with, I’m a therapist with Asperger’s who has been helping people with Asperger’s for decades now. And when this word first surfaced in the early nineties, and when I realized it described me, I felt a lot like what you describe. In my case, at first, I felt broken, embarrassed, and confused, largely…
Sarah, you ask what is surely one of the more difficult questions to answer honestly about Autism; can getting this diagnosis harm you? My first response may be hard to hear. In many ways, it can. Our world sees this diagnosis as indicating something is broken in the person. This is not true in my…
If the person who asked this question had been a neurotypical, I would have offered the following reply: How similar is a neurotypical person who asks this kind of question to the part of the body which most resembles the tied opening of a dark-colored balloon? The thing is, you have identified yourself as having…
Please forgive my admittedly edgy attitude. I find it hard not to feel this way. I feel this way every time yet another well-meaning Quora person asks yet another question which in effect perpetuates the view that Asperger’s is medical brokenness. Will stress and or trauma distort and exaggerate the personality of a person with…