Your email address will not be published. The reality is, people with Autism and people without Autism Spectrum Disorder are as different as people from other cultures. Instead, they blame victims of their aggression, irresponsibility and exploitation. I am alone in my experience with nowhere to turn to for understanding. It occurs to the person that these intrusive thoughts are the produce of his or her own mind but they cant be stopped. These questions help me assess whether the persons attitudes towards life, conduct in relationships, and general success in achieving life goals reveal any of the characteristics that typically are found in people with Aspergers. An individual with AS has challenges understanding or predicting the consequences of his/her behavior on others. [1] Regarding Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), the Cassandra Phenomenon occurs when the partners or family members of adults with ASC seek help, and who are not believed by their partners, family members, professionals and . Additionally, when the information used to make a diagnosis comes from multiple sources, like family history, an experts observations, school, medical and other reports, questionnaires and standardized test instruments the diagnosis is likely to be more accurate and reliable. B. The results might suggest that it makes sense to investigate further if enough criteria are present to indicate a diagnosis of Aspergers. I will answer the question of how accurate a diagnosis is, the confidence one can have in a diagnosis of Aspergers and I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having a diagnosis. They frequently lack empathy and tend to be callous, cynical and contemptuous of the feelings, rights and suffering of others. Required fields are marked *. Most require the respondent to indicate whether he or she agrees with a statement related to Aspergers. Do you have questions youd like to ask an expert in adult Autism? Feelings of anger/depression. In the workplace and in educational settings, a diagnosis of Aspergers can provide access to helpful resources and support that might otherwise not have been available. The results might suggest that it makes sense to investigate further if enough criteria are present to indicate a diagnosis of Aspergers. How would you know? Indeed, they are usually enjoyed. The Asperger love guide: A practical guide for adults with Asperger's syndrome to seeking, establishing and maintaining successful relationships. Symptoms of Cassandra Syndrome may include: Craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods Decreased interest in sex and physical contact Desire to oversleep and difficulty staying awake Disturbed sleep and early morning wakening Domestic abuse (emotional and/or physical) Extremes of mood and short periods of hypomania (over activity) Fatigue I am also available to consult about this problem. With husband and wife working hard, the marriage may be salvageable. Liane Holliday Willey is an educator, author and speaker. While this may strike some as similar to Aspergers people with SPD can interact with others normally, if they want to, and can get along with people. Is Silicon Valley a Breeding Ground for Autism Spectrum Disorder? Currently there are nine screening questionnaires that are used to identify adults who may have Aspergers. With the knowledge that one has Aspergers, joining a support group, locally or through the Internet can provide a sense of belonging to a distinct and valued culture and enable the person to consult members of the group for advice and support. But in practice it is complicated and necessities a professional who understands thoroughly not just the characteristics of Aspergers but how they are played out in real life. I feel very comfortable with dating or being in social situations with others. Should Aspergers Syndrome Be Eliminated As A Diagnosis? Communication is impaired, emotional and physical intimacy suffer, misunderstandings accumulate, and the bonds that keep the marriage together steadily erode. I am different. I will not sacrifice myself-worth for peer acceptance. I am a good and interesting person. I will take pride in myself. I am capable of getting along with society. I will ask for help when I need it. I am a person who is worthy of others respect and acceptance. I will find a career interest that is well suited to my abilities and interests. I will be patient with those who need time to understand me. I am never going to give up on myself. I will accept myself for who I am. Their lives seem directionless and they appear to drift along in life. The answer lies in how much these characteristics affect the persons social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. How Psychologically Conditioned Rats Are Defusing Landmines, The Innate Intelligence Observed in the Dying Process. In this case, it is more accurate to say the person has co-existing conditions rather than it being a straightforward matter of Aspergers. (Rev. One in two-hundred and fifty people has Asperger's Syndrome. Similarly, having a diagnosis of Aspergers may lead others to assume the person will never be able to be as successful in life as neurotypical people. They dont have the strong preference for logical patterns in things and people, an inability to read facial expressions or blindness to what is going on in other peoples minds that characterizes Aspergers. I first determine whether it makes reasonable sense to undertake an assessment of Aspergers. It's so beautiful, so wonderful, it takes your breath away. Building Understanding Between AS and NT Worlds. Here is a description of the psychiatric conditions most frequently associated with Aspergers: People with ADHD typically have difficulty paying attention to whats going on around them, they are easily distracted, they tend to do things without thinking about the results, they are often forgetful, have trouble finishing what they intended to do, are disorganized, jump from one activity to another, are restless and have poor social skills. The bottom line is that Aspergers is a descriptive diagnosis. Your email address will not be published. Many of these symptoms overlap with those of Aspergers. Brain scans, blood tests, X-rays and other physical examinations cannot tell whether anyone has Aspergers. What are the advantages & disadvantages of a diagnosis? They may refuse to communicate, but then end up lashing out in a very hurtful way later on. The Cassandra phenomenon depicts a state of confusion, self-doubt, and inner turmoil that is all too familiar among neurotypical people who, when describing their experiences with an adult on the spectrum, are doubted, discounted, ignored, even rejected by friends, family members, and sometimes professionals who disbelieve their account. Here is what you need to know when living with Aspergers spouse- I will describe the types of information that is sought in an assessment for Aspergers and how that information is collected. their father, mother, or a. Our approach to one another and towards our "significant others" is directed towards solving problems in our relationship with a spectrum-sitting spouse. a result of 30 or below indicates the possible absence of Asperger's. 81% of people previously designated Asperger syndrome score 30 or lower. Are you looking for a reference guide about Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults? Dh has no official dx, but he is so similar to ds (asc (aspergers), spd, adhd etc) that there isn't any question really. On the other hand, people with Aspergers tend to focus on only one activity at a time, and they focus on that activity intensely with little regard for anything else going on around them. To diagnosis and adult with Aspergers requires that the person have: What happens if someone has some of these difficulties but not all? Of course, it is possible that people in someones life will react to the diagnosis of Aspergers by alienating themselves from that person. Adults with ADHD tend to process sensory input in a typical manner. For the NT, shift your focus from what you are not getting from your AS partner to see and value the strengths he or she brings to the relationship. Difficulty developing, maintaining and understanding relationships. These behaviors, to repeat the same action over and over, are similar to the repetitive routines associated with Aspergers. Persons with AS/ASD are good at masking their disability by role playing and copying other's behavior. They can learn behaviors to help interact and have a relationship, but the neural-typical spouse has to be willing to meet half way and communicate partially on their level as well. Crypto Join our newsletter for the latest articles, news, videos & resource updates. Click below to ask a question or schedule an appointment. Both need to shift from focusing on what isnt working to the values and strengths the other spouse brings to the marriage. On one side, it is distinguished from the more severe forms of autism, which often involve mental retardation, no language or extremely limited language, and almost complete social isolation. With this in mind, what is the actual process of finding out whether someone has Aspergers? Very. Tutoring reports, evaluations of group activities, personal diaries, family recordings and other such records often provide valuable insights about the likelihood of Aspergers. Only we make ourselves unhappy and miserable. The dominate fear associated with social situations is of being closely watched, judged and criticized by others. Marriage and Lasting Relationships with Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder) - Eva A. Mendes 2015-07-21 Proven counseling strategies that will help improve the relationships of The advantages of having an accurate, reliable diagnosis of Aspergers are many. Dr. Kenneth Roberson is an Autism Spectrum Disorder psychologist in San Francisco with over 30 years of experience. The person may be able to identify basic emotions, such as intense anger, sadness or happiness yet lack an understanding of more subtle expressions of emotions such as confusion, jealousy or worry. This can reach a point where social situations are avoided completely. A person is diagnosed based on the signs and symptoms he or she has rather than the results of a specific laboratory or other type of test. Required fields are marked *. Old Medication, New Use: Can Prazosin Curb Drinking? The list of symptoms that sometimes occur with someone in a close relationship with an Autism Spectrum Disorder adult is too long to describe in this article, but several reactions are notable. A noticeable characteristic of someone with SPD is their difficulty expressing anger, even when they are directly provoked. This is an excellent overview for both the clinical reader and for parents. In contrast, adults with Aspergers have more specific preferences about the kind of sensations they like and dislike. Adults with ADHD tend to express their feelings directly and fairly clearly whereas adults with Aspergers do not show a wide range of emotions. There is a similar difference with respect to impulsivity. Did You Know Anxiety Can Enhance Our Relationships? Genetic studies suggest the two disorders share genetic risk factors, and studies of the incidence and distribution of both conditions confirm that many people with Aspergers have symptoms of ADHD and vice versa. If your answer is Yes to any of these questions, this book is for you. Poor nonverbal communication, which translates into poor eye contact, unusual body language, inappropriate gestures and facial expressions. Cassandra syndrome (married to someone with aspergers and *really* struggling)15. Dealing with people suffering from AS can be challenging, which is why having the right source of information is necessary.. The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder must be accepted by both spouses. In her 2001 book, Aspergers Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal in the Family, she wrote the following self-affirmation pledge for those with Aspergers syndrome. Cassandra and the Aspie: Marriage and Asperger's Syndrome. In contrast, adults with Aspergers tend not to understand non-literal language, slang or implied meanings. First, I explain that certain characteristics are central to Aspergers syndrome. Change is not possible unless the problem is first agreed upon and consented to. An example is previous medical reports documenting signs of early language delays and/or peculiarities, coordination problems, behavioral difficulties or unusual physical problems. The person is afraid that he or she will make mistakes, look bad and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. When someone with Bipolar Disorder is in a manic state or depressed they may not interact socially as they might if they were feeling normal, they might be withdrawn, lack much emotional response to situations in their life and lose interest in relationships but the changes in their emotional condition is much different than people with Aspergers. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Relationships, Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The only way to tell is to be around someone long enough to experience what they are like, to see how they respond in situations that test the features of Aspergers and ask the right kinds of questions to clarify whether they have those features. Of course, it is possible that people in someones life will react to the diagnosis of Aspergers by alienating themselves from that person. He refuses to make eye contact with anyone. Reading about Aspergers in a book or articles generally makes it seem that Aspergers is a clear cut, well defined and easily identifiable condition. To reduce the fear of harming oneself or others by, for example, forgetting to lock the door or turn off the gas stove, some people develop checking rituals.
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