Hi everyone ! I am new to the forum. I have been diagnosed with Asperger this year, at age 35. I have known since my little childhood (around 6 years old) that I was different from other kids. I realized when I was a teenager that I had some autistic traits, but didn't known about Asperger back then. Even last year, when I thought I could have Asperger, I wasn't sure as I didn't have set routines, clearly repetitive behaviour, tics, nor narrow interests.
But when I was reading Tony Attwood's Complete Guide to Asperger's syndrome it felt like I was reading the story of my life. I finally explained why it was so hard for me to find friends with similarly intense interests (except on the Internet, in special interest groups), why I argued with school rules that I found illogical, why I felt and perceived things differently from others, why I always cared much more about understanding things and acquiring as much knowledge as possible, why I never cared for teamwork or team sports, why I am so outspoken and care more about the truth than people's feelings, why I care more about ideas than feelings, and so on.
I may also have slight ADHD (and OCD) which would explain why I do not have limited interests. Actually I do have obsessive interests about one or two topic for a few months or years, then I find new interests. For example I used to collect all kinds of stuff as a child, but completely lost interest in collections around 13 years old.
Anyway I am glad to have found this community and I hope to find useful information and have interesting discussions about the causes of Asperger, its benefits, and how to live happily while feeling like we are surrounded by people whose way of thinking and feeling is so incompatible with ours.
But when I was reading Tony Attwood's Complete Guide to Asperger's syndrome it felt like I was reading the story of my life. I finally explained why it was so hard for me to find friends with similarly intense interests (except on the Internet, in special interest groups), why I argued with school rules that I found illogical, why I felt and perceived things differently from others, why I always cared much more about understanding things and acquiring as much knowledge as possible, why I never cared for teamwork or team sports, why I am so outspoken and care more about the truth than people's feelings, why I care more about ideas than feelings, and so on.
I may also have slight ADHD (and OCD) which would explain why I do not have limited interests. Actually I do have obsessive interests about one or two topic for a few months or years, then I find new interests. For example I used to collect all kinds of stuff as a child, but completely lost interest in collections around 13 years old.
Anyway I am glad to have found this community and I hope to find useful information and have interesting discussions about the causes of Asperger, its benefits, and how to live happily while feeling like we are surrounded by people whose way of thinking and feeling is so incompatible with ours.
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