Home » Healthy Living

On Aspergers

Ranked #6,086 in Healthy Living, #109,156 overall

What's Aspergers?

Aspergers is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Its "sufferers" tend to have socialization difficulties, are quiet, have narrow interests and generally are seen by their peers as being "different".

The known ASDs are "classic" autism, pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), high-functioning autism and Aspergers. Aspergers is the highest-functioning ASD of the aforementioned.

Traits

People who have Aspergers usually show symptoms that aren't present in many other disorders.This often makes it easy for doctors to conclude if someone has Aspergers or not.

Some common Aspergers symptoms are:

* Difficulty completing tasks that aren't of interest
* Good to excellent memory
* High-moderate to extreme fear of people, especially strangers
* Lack of facial expression
* Muteness or very little speech
* Narrow range of interests which consume lots of time
* Physical clumsiness
* Poor socialization skills, despite being articulate in a non-verbal manner
* "Stimming" (watch this video for insight on stimming)
* Viewed as eccentric by peers

Common misconceptions

Aspergers, along with most disorders, has its misconceptions.

Some common misconceptions about people with Aspergers "sufferers":

* They don't know how to take care of themselves
* They lack creativity
* They lack empathy
* They're unemployable
* They've unfavorable personalities
* They're unintelligent

Aspergers: is it necessarily a bad thing?

People with Aspergers generally don't view their AS as being a bad thing - they view it as a "difference". However, Aspergers, like most disorders, has its disadvantages.

The biggest disadvantages of having Aspergers are the social deficits that come with it. They can prevent people from attaining jobs, forming friendships and finding love.

The advantages people with AS have are that they're able to focus well on topics of interest, pay close attention to fine detail and can think logically.

Famous people who have Aspergers

Aspergers has it's share of famous confirmed "sufferers".

These people include:

* Alex Plank (founder of Wrong Planet, a prominent Aspergers forum)
* Dan Aykroyd (actor who's famous for his Cone Heads character)
* Gary Numan (new wave musician who reached prominence in the late 70's)
* Heather Kuzmich (model who became famous for starring in a season of America's Next Top Model)

There are also many suspected Aspergers "sufferers":

* Bill Gates (Microsoft founder; one of the top ten wealthiest people in the world)
* Michael Jackson (musician who recorded Thriller, the best selling album of all-time)
* Morrissey (was the lead singer of The Smiths, a famous band from Manchester)
* Steven Spielberg (film director who directed Close Encounters of the Third Kind)

Aspergers acronyms and jargon

People who have Aspergers often use jargon and acronyms which aren't well-known among the general public.

Some common Aspergers-related acronyms are:

* AS = Aspergers Syndrome
* ASD = Autism Spectrum Disorder
* NT = Neuro-Typical
* PDD = Pervasive Developmental Disorder
* PDD-NOS = Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified

A common Aspergers-related jargon term is:

* Aspie = Someone who "suffers" from Aspergers

Aspergers support forums

There are support forums for people who have Aspergers.

Recommendable ones are:

Aspergic

Aspies Central

PsychForums Asperger's Syndrome Forum

Spectrumville: A Forum for People with Aspergers Syndrome

Aspergers books

Loading

Aspergers movies

Loading

submit
  • Reply
    Craig Aug 29, 2010 @ 7:27 pm | delete
    Excellent lens! I grew up not knowing I was on the spectrum, and didn't find out until our son was diagnosed. Now it makes sense that I learned to program a computer in 4th grade by reading the manual. My son is doing well, even socially; however he struggles often with meltdowns, especially if we paint the walls or change his environment in any way. We've learned some things about preventing aspergers tantrums and I put them on on my blog in hopes that others can benefit from what we've learned. Now I'm glad to see sites like WrongPlanet; it makes me feel less alien, and my son is a proud aspie as well.
  • Reply
    Craig Aug 29, 2010 @ 7:26 pm | delete
    Excellent lens! I grew up not knowing I was on the spectrum, and didn't find out until our son was diagnosed. Now it makes sense that I learned to program a computer in 4th grade by reading the manual. My son is doing well, even socially; however he struggles often with meltdowns, especially if we paint the walls or change his environment in any way. We've learned some things about preventing aspergers tantrums and I put them on on my blog in hopes that others can benefit from what we've learned. It's amazing how struggles over minor changes can wear everyone down. I'm glad to see sites like WrongPlanet; it makes me feel less alien, and my son is a proud aspie as well.
  • Reply
    Othercat Aug 20, 2010 @ 9:54 pm | delete
    This is s great lens. I hope more people read it, if just to clear up the misconceptions.
  • Reply
    d-artist Feb 19, 2010 @ 9:03 am | delete
    very informative lens...5*...I appreicate all the information in regards to Aspergers.
  • Reply
    Mike Keller Feb 8, 2010 @ 9:08 am | delete
    Hi, yes great info, thanks (I finally got here after your request, sorry about the delay).

    I have one "addition" on the info above, nothing tremendously important, but relevant: you wrote: Dan Aykroyd (actor who's famous for his Cone Heads character).

    And of course, that is true, but my First encounter with Mr. Aykroyd was in the movie "Sneakers", where he plays a "high functioning Geek-type person that is hooked on conspiracy theories". A very appropriate role in a way :-)
  • Reply
    mandy dudley Jan 10, 2010 @ 1:51 am | delete
    hi i am a mum of a 9yr old son, and his social communication skills are poor, where we live in havering is no programs for this please does anyone no where i can get information for this. a big thankyou. mandy
  • Reply
    mysticmama Jan 7, 2010 @ 5:58 pm | delete
    Welcome to Squidoo!
  • Reply
    GroovyFinds Jan 7, 2010 @ 1:22 pm | delete
    Fantastic Info!
  • Reply
    HikiCulture Jan 7, 2010 @ 6:52 am | delete
    Guys: Thanks for all of the comments.
  • Reply
    bearsworth8 Jan 7, 2010 @ 12:58 am | delete
    I did not know this. Thanks for sharing and great job! 5 stars!
  • Reply
    Jan 6, 2010 @ 8:07 pm | delete
    Grea lens! 5 stars and favorited too! I hope you have all you wish in 2010!
  • Reply
    TanyaWhaley Jan 6, 2010 @ 6:59 pm | delete
    Truly Awesome lens! Love it! 5 *'s and favorited! Happy New Year! Wish you all the best!
  • Reply
    AlinaWarner Jan 5, 2010 @ 8:05 pm | delete
    Great lens 5***** and favorited too! Happy 2010!
  • Reply
    Dwighk Jan 4, 2010 @ 6:27 pm | delete
    I'm a farmer who has been diagnosed with Asperger's. I think this is a good article, very well written and accurately describes Asperger's Syndrome. Good job!
  • Reply
    dc64 Jan 4, 2010 @ 11:06 am | delete
    Love this lens, and the video on Stimming. I used to be a twirler, but I had to stop when I got older, so now I pace the floor when there is too much chaos going on, especially at work. My co-workers don't bother me about it at all, they just let me be.
  • Reply
    Jan 3, 2010 @ 1:15 pm | delete
    Really like how everything is spelled out in plain English on this lens. WrongPlanet.net is another great resource for those with Asperger's Syndrome or on the autism spectrum as well. 5 stars!
  • Reply
    HikiCulture Jan 3, 2010 @ 7:53 pm | delete
    InternetCowgirl - Thanks for the comment.

    I initially listed WrongPlanet under "Aspergers support forums", but took the link out since most people on the autism spectrum who use forums already know of it.
Show All
Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags