My Life With Asperger's Syndrome #001 | What Is Asperger's Syndrome?

Hello everyone, my name is Zac. I'm currently 17 years old, I have Asperger's Syndrome (but you probably already knew that from the title of this blog), and I'm an Atheist that lives in South Carolina, USA.

So yeah, I guess you could say I stand out a bit.

So, what is Asperger's Syndrome, you ask? Well, before I can answer that, I'll need to tell you what Autism itself is.

Under the [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition], autism is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These deficits are present in early childhood, and lead to clinically significant functional impairment. There is also a unique form of autism called autistic savantism, where a child can display outstanding skills in music, art, and numbers with no practice. Because of its relevance to different populations, self-Injurious behaviors (SIB) are not considered a core characteristic of the ASD [autism spectrum disorder] population however approximately 50% of those with ASD take part in some type of SIB (head-banging, self-biting) and are more at risk than other groups with developmental disabilities.[1]

So, as you can see, autism has a very large spectrum. It's not all like the memes are and people make jokes (in ill-taste) about. Only roughly 50%, as stated above, fall into the category that those people are making fun of (something which I find very wrong and offensive, personally). That 50% is referred to as low-functioning autistic, or LFA.

Symptoms may include impaired social communications or interactions, bizarre behavior, and lack of social or emotional reciprocity. Sleep problems, aggressiveness, and self-injurious behavior are also possible frequent occurrences.^[2]

The other 50% (which I belong to) is called high-functioning autistic, or HFA for short. One disorder in the high-functioning autistic spectrum is called Asperger Syndrome.

Autistic people, including those with Asperger syndrome, have difficulties with interpreting both verbal and non-verbal language like gestures or tone of voice. Many have a very literal understanding of language, and think people always mean exactly what they say. They may find it difficult to use or understand:

• Facial expressions

• Tone of voice

• Jokes and sarcasm

• Vagueness

• Abstract concepts

People with Asperger syndrome usually have good language skills, but they may still find it hard to understand the expectations of others within conversations, perhaps repeating what the other person has just said (this is called echolalia) or talking at length about their own interests.

People with Asperger syndrome often have difficulty 'reading' other people - recognising or understanding others’ feelings and intentions - and expressing their own emotions. This can make it very hard for them to navigate the social world. They may:

• Appear to be insensitive
• Seek out time alone when overloaded by other people
• Not seek comfort from other people
• Appear to behave ‘strangely’ or in a way thought to be socially inappropriate.

They may find it hard to form friendships. Some may want to interact with other people and make friends, but may be unsure how to go about it.[3]

Asperger's Syndrome is one of several previously separate subtypes of autism that were folded into the single diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with the publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual in 2013. Asperger syndrome was generally considered to be on the “high functioning” end of the spectrum. Affected children and adults have difficulty with social interactions and exhibit a restricted range of interests and/or repetitive behaviors. Motor development may be delayed, leading to clumsiness or uncoordinated motor movements. Compared with those affected by other forms of ASD, however, those with Asperger syndrome do not have significant delays or difficulties in language or cognitive development. Some even demonstrate precocious vocabulary – often in a highly specialized field of interest.

The following behaviors are often associated with Asperger syndrome. However, they are seldom all present in any one individual and vary widely in degree:
• limited or inappropriate social interactions
• "robotic" or repetitive speech
• challenges with nonverbal communication (gestures, facial expression, etc.) coupled with average to above average verbal skills
• tendency to discuss self rather than others
• inability to understand social/emotional issues or nonliteral phrases
• lack of eye contact or reciprocal conversation
• obsession with specific, often unusual, topics
• one-sided conversations
• awkward movements and/or mannerisms[4]

HFA is a non-medical term often used to describe people with autism who have an IQ score above 80 and who have the ability to speak, read and write.Although many physicians and healthcare professionals have adopted the term “high functioning” to recognize this form of autism, there is actually no medical condition known as “high functioning autism.” A person diagnosed with HFA meets the same diagnostic criteria as do other people on the autism spectrum. However, the person with HFA may just have an easier time communicating with others and carrying on more regular activities.[5]I notice things that others do not at first glance, like symbolic shots in movies, hidden plots in books, etc. I also greatly enjoy decrypting codes that a friend and I make up and see if the other can crack the code. But by no means am I bragging. Yes, I know that my "D" in Personal Finance is completely my fault and no one else's (I get distracted when I should be taking notes) and yes I know I mess things up when I know better and have been warned. There's more, but that's for another post.

Anyway, the point of this blog is to record my day-to-day life and how it is getting through it with Asperger's. I hope that whoever reads this is either interested in what I write or it helps them with any issues they are going through (or better yet, both!). If you do enjoy my blog or it helps you, please share it with whomever you like! Have a great day!


--Edited and Updated 2/27/2017 @ 10:28 P.M.--