(article) Growing up in an Asperger Family

July 4, 2012

This article really spoke to me, as I grew up in a family that (had we

known the term) would probably earn itself an AS diagnosis. Of the lot,

I am the most able to fly under the radar (although it wasn't always

that way). Sometimes I wonder how much of my AS is the product of my

neurobiology, and how much I've been " Aspergated " by my bizarre family

life, a life that represented the only 'normal' I knew while growing up.

With respect to the article, keep in mind that when the author talks

about Aspies lacking " empathy " , she does not mean that AS folks have no

concern for others. There are many facets to empathy (and the absence of

it), some of which are characteristic traits of AS. The inability to put

oneself in the other person's shoes comes to mind, as does the fact that

others have thoughts and perceptions different than one's own.

Although not all Aspies will struggle to the same degree in this area,

for when you've met one Aspie, you've met... well, you know the rest of

the song.

This excerpt from the article really spoke to me:

" The AS parent will not be able to look intuitively into their child’s

mind and recognise the invisible qualities their child has, such as

kindness, caring, and honesty. They may judge their child by what is

visible - tidiness, school achievements and time-keeping, for example.

They may treat their children as mini-adults and have the same

expectations of them as they have of themselves. "

I grew up in the role of mini-adult myself, sometimes to the point where

engaging in childlike games (for example, play acting) was actually

ridiculed. This is one of the greatest regrets of my childhood, that I

was never able to develop a fantasy life.

Even today, I feel very inhibited about any issue that requires

role-playing. Or indulging the imagination for its own sake. I've often

wondered to what degree my stunted growth in this area has contributed

to my lack of interest in fiction. In particular, fiction that involves

realms not of this earth. But give me an encyclopedia and a bunch of

maps, and I'm happy as a pig in... well, you know.

Anyway, I liked the article. Maybe you will too.

Growing up in an Asperger Family

Enjoy (or not),

~CJ (The " Little Professor " )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway. "

~~ Henry Boyle

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