Adult Aspergers

[WantToGoNow]

My ds13 has ADHD/ODD and has been having a lot of issues lately with angry outbursts/violent behavior. We were at his therapist yesterday and it was the first visit for the therapist to talk to my dh. My dh has OCD and that's what we always associated his differences to. After talking to my dh for a few minutes and asking me some questions, he asked my dh if he knew he had Aspergers and gave him info to research. I know he lacks empathy and is fully focused on one thing, his job even at the expense of his family. I guess this could explain why he has chosen to not go to Disney with us in years. Is it possible for an adult man to go 51 years with Aspergers and not be diagnosed.

 

[Gracie09]

Sure. It is more likely to be recognized and diagnosed now than years ago. That's why I don't put a lot of stock in the "explosion of Aspergers" stories out there. These people were probably always there just now they are recognized and diagnosed. Where as before they were just the weird kid in class

 

[alicat8]

I'd say it's very possible, since it's a newer diagnosis. However, I'm pretty sure Aspergers isn't technically "a thing" any more. It's considered an autism spectrum disorder now.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sure. It is more likely to be recognized and diagnosed now than years ago. That's why I don't put a lot of stock in the "explosion of Aspergers" stories out there. These people were probably always there just now they are recognized and diagnosed. Where as before they were just the weird kid in class

I agree with this and there are lots of factors why.
Pretty much everyone over the age of 40 remembers some 'weird kid' in class that probably would have a diagnosis of something on the autism spectrum if they were in school now.
For one thing, there just wasn't a reason to get a diagnosis and there were not a lot of professionals who were prepared to do it.
Now, a lot of kids are diagnosed very early in life because they need the diagnosis to get different programs or help.

There was also a lot of stigma against any kind of diagnosis, so a lot of parents denied there was anything 'different' about their child - especially, if the child could function well in school, which many of those with Aspergers are able to do.

And, from personal observation, there seem to be people who had one diagnosis and anything else was just considered to be part of it - for example - depression or attention deficit disorder (or possibly they were misdiagnosed).
Or people with conditions like Down Syndrome are more likely now to have a dual diagnosis of Downs + autism, when before everything was considered part of Down Syndrome.

I'd say it's very possible, since it's a newer diagnosis. However, I'm pretty sure Aspergers isn't technically "a thing" any more. It's considered an autism spectrum disorder now.

You are correct - Aspergers is no longer pulled out, but is part of autism spectrum.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I agree that it's possible because many people who would be considered on the high functioning end of the spectrum today were just considered "odd" or "quirky" when they were younger.

My DD10 was just recently diagnosed as being on the spectrum. She was originally diagnosed as having bipolar disorder (which she does really have, just hang around us for a year and you'll see the depressive lows in the fall and the manic highs in the spring) and ADHD. Her doctors ascribed all of her issues to the combination of her mood disorder and ADHD. In the past year, we managed to make great strides in stabilizing her mood and made headway on the ADHD, but she was still struggling. We had her assessed again and discovered she met the criteria for the autism spectrum. I don't blame the doctors for missing it before because the mood disorder was what really stood out. That was the outer layer of the onion and once it was peeled away, we could finally see what was underneath.

 

[wilkeliza]

Definitely possible especially since you noted his age. 51 years ago (and even 40 years ago) they didn't diagnose it as it is now. In 1944 when the first cases were recorded it was the extreme Aspergers cases i.e. violent outbursts, completely inability to show empathy or pick up on nonverbal social queues.

Aspergers syndrome wasn't even recognized as a standard diagnosis until 1992. Before that it was called autistic pyschopathy. Like previous posters said most of the low level aspergers cases would have just been called quirky kids or odd balls in previous years.

I am only 26 and know people who were diagnosed as adults. I had a college psych professor tell me maybe I should get a work up because I have a few of the "quirks" but i figure I had lived 21 years at that point with out a label why did I need one now.

 

[powellrj]

While he was never officially diagnosed with Aspergers, I am certain my oldest DS has it.

When he was little we went to doctor after doctor trying to get him help. A few years ago I got this book from the library. I would always get the "new" books when they came out which was why I even picked it up and it was like a huge weight was lifted. I knew what I was working and I wasn't crazy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look_Me_in_the_Eye

He was in his 20's when I first read the book and now he is in his 30's. Life has been hard for him, but he is at a great place and has told me many times how happy he is with his life.

 

[jenineh]

My son has Asperger's and if you asked me I would say my husband does too. He's 47 so there really is no reason for a diagnosis. We have a great life without the label. My son is high functioning,very intelligent but needed the diagnosis for services to help him socially in school. There is no shame for him and he tells anyone who thinks they deserve to know about his diagnosis. But as far as my husband it seems pointless to get an official diagnosis. We just keep on keepin on

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's actually not uncommon for a parent to be diagnosed with things like ADHD or ASD when their child is being evaluated.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Thanks. I realize back when my dh was a child, children were not diagnosed as much with ASD. He did tell me that his parents told him when he was young that he would probably end up in an institution so I'm sure they knew. He is very intelligent and is a Chemist but I've always known there was something other than the OCD.

The therapist said he's sure ds13 does not, but I'm just not convinced. There are just too many social red flags. He struggles to look at you when he talks - the therapist is constantly reminding him to do so. He has a couple of kids that he plays ball with but he doesn't make friends easily. Even though he plays sports, he doesn't join in/hang out with the guys - its all business for him. His main focus right now is sports - he's watching, playing or talking about them - knows every player in the MLB/NFL and can recite stats. He would rather be alone than with a group a people. He has a very limited diet - there are few items he will eat and the would rather starve than try something new and that includes if it's the same food but fixed differently.

 

[bookwormde]

Thanks. I realize back when my dh was a child, children were not diagnosed as much with ASD. He did tell me that his parents told him when he was young that he would probably end up in an institution so I'm sure they knew. He is very intelligent and is a Chemist but I've always known there was something other than the OCD.

The therapist said he's sure ds13 does not, but I'm just not convinced. There are just too many social red flags. He struggles to look at you when he talks - the therapist is constantly reminding him to do so. He has a couple of kids that he plays ball with but he doesn't make friends easily. Even though he plays sports, he doesn't join in/hang out with the guys - its all business for him. His main focus right now is sports - he's watching, playing or talking about them - knows every player in the MLB/NFL and can recite stats. He would rather be alone than with a group a people. He has a very limited diet - there are few items he will eat and the would rather starve than try something new and that includes if it's the same food but fixed differently.

Sounds like your child's therapist does not have a clue, so that is a big part of the problem.

For our kids at that age who do not understand their genetics and its gifts and challenges and have lived with the expectation that they should "neurotypical" in a significant part of their day, it is almost standard that they be suffer form clinically damaging levels of anxieety and anger.

Get a real evaluation even if you have to come to Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore (Johns Hopkins)

There are lots of us from the older generations that are Aspies, but most have spent a lifetime hiding it due the abuse that they suffered when they presented as a Aspie as a child. Good news is that we are getting very close to being able to do a genetic scan to determine who is an Aspie and who is not and who just has a few bits and pieces of the genetics.

 

[elfbo]

I didnt find out until I was 26, when I went to a therapist about depression. Also realized that my dad was surely ASD when reading the symptoms. It was an amazing relief to me, to finally have a reason why I didnt feel or care about the same things that others my age do.

Solutions for Adults with Aspergers Syndrome is the most helpful book I have found, even though they have now rolled that dx in with the rest of the autism spectrum. http://amzn.com/1592331645

 

[cobright]

I actually asked my shrink if he thought I might have aspergers. I have always displayed a lack of empathy, some obsessive traits, and I have a kind of face blindness which makes interacting with people difficult. So I thought it was a reasonable question.

He says, "no, you're just an [expletive] ". Turns out he's right, thank god. Simple test for asperger is apparently if your symptoms go away when you drink. Except for the face blindness,mine do. Man's brilliant.

 

[bdoyledimou]

i am 42 and was diagnosed with Aspergers 2 years ago -- before that i was just an introverted antisocial nerd.

Now i am an introverted antisocial nerd with Aspergers.

while i am friendly, I dont really like hanging out with new folks -- i love my family and spend all my time with them --- or alone -- it doesnt bother me either way.