Re: Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

[Guest guest]

Hello Robin,Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he ever say it? I would love to know,Thanks, From: stephen <robindeutsch@...> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.

Hope this helps.

Robin

>

> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

> "high high functioning autism"?

>

> I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

>

> None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

> daughters.

>

> I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

> very cold and unfeeling.

>

[Guest guest]

I also was adopted. My birth mom will tell me nothing about my birth family. I have a pdd nos daughter she is also mmr and a aspergers son. My problem is my son is anemic and the dr. thinks it is the meds any ideas. I am about at the end of my rope with both of them.

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers? Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 8:12 AM

Hello Robin,

Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he ever say it? I would love to know,

Thanks,

From: stephen <robindeutsch@...> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> very cold and unfeeling.>

[Guest guest]

I have not read it anywhere and I do not know if it is true, but if you got o you tube and put in Aspergers and Bill Gates there are some interesting videos

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 8:12:37 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

Hello Robin,

Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he ever say it? I would love to know,

Thanks,

From: stephen <robindeutsch@...> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high

functioning autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> very cold and unfeeling.>

[Guest guest]

I think that there are many Internet articles suggesting that, however I'm sure he has not been professionally evaluated and diagnosed. And if he has he's not going to say.Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 16, 2011, at 9:12 AM, chris Dunn <christineshello@...> wrote:

Hello Robin,Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he ever say it? I would love to know,Thanks, From: stephen <robindeutsch@...> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.

Hope this helps.

Robin

>

> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

> "high high functioning autism"?

>

> I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

>

> None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

> daughters.

>

> I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

> very cold and unfeeling.

>

[Guest guest]

I wish I could remember where I read it. But he is listed in one of my books as an Aspie, as is the creator of Pokemon.FawnFrom: Jadczak <bjadczak@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 9:10:49 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re:

Are there levels of Aspergers?

I have not read it anywhere and I do not know if it is true, but if you got o you tube and put in Aspergers and Bill Gates there are some interesting videos

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 8:12:37 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

Hello Robin,

Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he ever say it? I would love to know,

Thanks,

From: stephen <robindeutsch@...> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high

functioning autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> very cold and unfeeling.>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I didn't say Bill Gates had AS.....someone else did. BUT,,,,, I think it is something that is just assumed. Dont' think he's ever admitted to it. Just seems like he would. hmmm.........

Robin

"I'm singing....

I'm in a store and I'm singing..........

I'm in a store....

and I'm singing..............."

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers? Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 8:12 AM

Hello Robin,

Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he ever say it? I would love to know,

Thanks,

From: stephen <robindeutsch@...> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high functioning

autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> very cold and unfeeling.>

[Guest guest]

I don't know that he's ever been officially diagnosed, and if he were,

he would certainly have the right not to make that public, but I

certainly would NOT be surprised. I gather they're studying AS in

Redmond, because there are so many Aspies at Microsoft.

I've told my son we're looking at his AS NOT as a disability or a bad

thing, just that it means he has different strengths, which we're still

learning how to tap into. Kinda like how my husband is nearsighted, so

he needs glasses to drive, but can read microscopic print and see tiny

things that make me grab for the magnifying glass. There's a reason so

many programmers and engineers are Aspies. Those are careers that tap

into how the Aspie brain WORKS!

I'm sure there is a spectrum of Aspergers, in the same way that AS is on

the autism spectrum.

Eleanor, San , CA

Aspie son Isaac, 10.5 years old

> Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that,

> did he ever say it? I would love to know,

[Guest guest]

I will check it out, thank you, From: Jadczak <bjadczak@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 10:10:49 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

I have not read it anywhere and I do not know if it is true, but if you got o you tube and put in Aspergers and Bill Gates there are some interesting videos

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 8:12:37 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

Hello Robin,

Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he ever say it? I would love to know,

Thanks,

From: stephen <robindeutsch@...> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high

functioning autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> very cold and unfeeling.>

[Guest guest]

Unexplained anemia is a HUGE sign of celiac disease. Have you ruled this out?

Misty

From: LaDonna Holloway <hobiebluetoo@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 8:36:29 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

I also was adopted. My birth mom will tell me nothing about my birth family. I have a pdd nos daughter she is also mmr and a aspergers son. My problem is my son is anemic and the dr. thinks it is the meds any ideas. I am about at the end of my rope with both of them.

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers? Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 8:12 AM

Hello Robin,

Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he ever say it? I would love to know,

Thanks,

From: stephen <robindeutsch@...> Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high functioning

autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> very cold and unfeeling.>

[Guest guest]

I read this in one of Tammet's books.

Fawn Kazmierczak <lostfranklingirl@...> wrote:

>I wish I could remember where I read it. But he is listed in one of my books

as

>an Aspie, as is the creator of Pokemon.

>

>Fawn

>

>

>

>

>

>________________________________

>From: Jadczak <bjadczak@...>

>

>Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 9:10:49 AM

>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>I have not read it anywhere and I do not know if it is true, but if you got o

>you tube and put in Aspergers and Bill Gates there are some interesting videos

>

>

>

>

>________________________________

> From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...>

>

>Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 8:12:37 AM

>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>Hello Robin,

>

>Where did you read that Bill Gates was Asperger's? I did not know that, did he

>ever say it? I would love to know,

>

>Thanks,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>________________________________

> From: stephen <robindeutsch@...>

>

>Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 5:51:06 PM

>Subject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like

>with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and

>he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at

>all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost

>34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill

>Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son

>who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing

>about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or

>Asperger's as well.

>

>Hope this helps.

>

>Robin

>

>

>>

>> Aspergers is also called " high functioning autism " , however is there a

>> " high high functioning autism " ?

>>

>> I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

>>

>> None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

>> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

>> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

>> daughters.

>>

>> I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

>> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

>> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

>> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

>> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

>> very cold and unfeeling.

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think it is really mean to dx someone with AS like people so often do to Bill Gates . He is allowed to be as geeky as he wants to be and not have AS. Plenty of people out there are just geeky, brainy, shy, super smart...yadda yadda....without having to be dx'd with a neurological disorder.

Roxanna

“Our lives begin to end the day we

become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.

Hope this helps.

Robin

>

> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

> "high high functioning autism"?

>

> I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

>

> None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

> daughters.

>

> I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

> very cold and unfeeling.

>

[Guest guest]

I agree, Roxanna!Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...>Sender: Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:07:32 -0500 (EST)< >Reply Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers? I think it is really mean to dx someone with AS like people so often do to Bill Gates . He is allowed to be as geeky as he wants to be and not have AS. Plenty of people out there are just geeky, brainy, shy, super smart...yadda yadda....without having to be dx'd with a neurological disorder. Roxanna“Our lives begin to end the day webecome silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr. ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers? While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> very cold and unfeeling.>

[Guest guest]

People don't really put the AS label on everyone who is a geek. It's people in the AS community who do that! The rest of the world just says, "Hey! A geek!" lol. I guess it is human nature and I am sure I do it in my head a lot when, for instance, I see a little kid flapping. I automatically think, "Autism" when an NT person might think, "Helicopter practicing" or "waving away a bee".

As for a spectrum, the whole of humankind is a spectrum. We all have various layers of sensory processing, for instance. There is nobody who perfectly processes senses in all areas - a "perfect NT" person. NT people don't all process things perfectly either. Everyone is a combination of things - better in some areas, bad in others, fairly even overall, low overall, fairly even overall with a huge blip in one area...it's just life. Some people avoid loud noises, don't like being in crowded rooms, love wrapping up in a quilt, eat really hot food or very bland food, etc, and it has nothing to do with autism. Some people are very unsocial and avoid talking to people - shy, reserved, even mentally ill people can have this feature and it not be autism. There are other disabilities that have features in common as well as mental illnesses that have features that would be similar. Some people are hugely intelligent, have quirks, OCD, depression, trouble expressing themselves and this is not automatically autism.

As much as people do not like having others "judge" their own kids for their behavior, many are just as quick to "judge" others and label them with a neurological disability (i.e. Bill gates.) I think it's wrong at both ends. But it's mean, IMO, to dx someone with a neurological disability like that when you have never even met this person! Talk about judging someone based on behaviors! It's the height of doing just that thing that makes us all crazy for our own kids. Also, I think it white washes the very serious, very severe aspects of having AS/HFA if we start labeling everyone with having it. I sat in many meetings over the years where I had to fight against teachers who said, "Oh, everyone has that problem!" I think this is the same kind of situation only in reverse as well. I don't think it helps our kids to make it seem like having autism is just a "different way of thinking" instead of a very real and serious neurological disability. I would also caution people who have younger kids from falling into this trap. It's a nice fairy tale if you want to live there for a while. But soon enough, get serious and get help because it is not cute or fuzzy when they get older.

My soap box, can you tell? lol.

Roxanna

“Our lives begin to end the day we

become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>

> While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Robin

>

>

> >

> > Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

> > "high high functioning autism"?

> >

> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

> >

> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

> > however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

> > Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

> > daughters.

> >

> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

> > however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

> > similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

> > social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

> > more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

> > very cold and unfeeling.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I agree, Roxanna.. I have heard several times that Bill Gates has Asperger's, but I have never heard *why* he has it.. He is just a smart geek.. Being smart and geeky is not a disorder!!

Misty

From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 10:07:32 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

I think it is really mean to dx someone with AS like people so often do to Bill Gates . He is allowed to be as geeky as he wants to be and not have AS. Plenty of people out there are just geeky, brainy, shy, super smart...yadda yadda....without having to be dx'd with a neurological disorder.

Roxanna“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for

being> very cold and unfeeling.>

[Guest guest]

What I am wondering is, what the litmus test that proves aspergers? Or is there one? I don't think I am any disabled or in pain than an average 50 year old.Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 17, 2011, at 9:37 AM, Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> wrote:

People don't really put the AS label on everyone who is a geek. It's people in the AS community who do that! The rest of the world just says, "Hey! A geek!" lol. I guess it is human nature and I am sure I do it in my head a lot when, for instance, I see a little kid flapping. I automatically think, "Autism" when an NT person might think, "Helicopter practicing" or "waving away a bee".

As for a spectrum, the whole of humankind is a spectrum. We all have various layers of sensory processing, for instance. There is nobody who perfectly processes senses in all areas - a "perfect NT" person. NT people don't all process things perfectly either. Everyone is a combination of things - better in some areas, bad in others, fairly even overall, low overall, fairly even overall with a huge blip in one area...it's just life. Some people avoid loud noises, don't like being in crowded rooms, love wrapping up in a quilt, eat really hot food or very bland food, etc, and it has nothing to do with autism. Some people are very unsocial and avoid talking to people - shy, reserved, even mentally ill people can have this feature and it not be autism. There are other disabilities that have features in common as well as mental illnesses that have features that would be similar. Some people are hugely intelligent, have quirks, OCD, depression, trouble expressing themselves and this is not automatically autism.

As much as people do not like having others "judge" their own kids for their behavior, many are just as quick to "judge" others and label them with a neurological disability (i.e. Bill gates.) I think it's wrong at both ends. But it's mean, IMO, to dx someone with a neurological disability like that when you have never even met this person! Talk about judging someone based on behaviors! It's the height of doing just that thing that makes us all crazy for our own kids. Also, I think it white washes the very serious, very severe aspects of having AS/HFA if we start labeling everyone with having it. I sat in many meetings over the years where I had to fight against teachers who said, "Oh, everyone has that problem!" I think this is the same kind of situation only in reverse as well. I don't think it helps our kids to make it seem like having autism is just a "different way of thinking" instead of a very real and serious neurological disability. I would also caution people who have younger kids from falling into this trap. It's a nice fairy tale if you want to live there for a while. But soon enough, get serious and get help because it is not cute or fuzzy when they get older.

My soap box, can you tell? lol.

Roxanna

“Our lives begin to end the day we

become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>

> While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Robin

>

>

> >

> > Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

> > "high high functioning autism"?

> >

> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

> >

> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

> > however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

> > Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

> > daughters.

> >

> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

> > however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

> > similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

> > social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

> > more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

> > very cold and unfeeling.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Did Tammet personally dx Gates with AS, then? I don't think he's even a doctor. He is just repeating what many people keep repeating, whether they bother to find out if it's true or not. That is just bad journalism being repeated. Maybe it helps to think that having AS means you will make a billion dollars? We could only wish.

Roxanna

“Our lives begin to end the day we

become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like

>with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and

>he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at

>all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost

>34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill

>Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son

>who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing

>about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or

>Asperger's as well.

>

>Hope this helps.

>

>Robin

>

>

>>

>> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

>> "high high functioning autism"?

>>

>> I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

>>

>> None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

>> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

>> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

>> daughters.

>>

>> I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

>> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

>> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

>> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

>> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

>> very cold and unfeeling.

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have AS but I'm broke. Maybe I need more AS?Sent from my iPadOn Feb 17, 2011, at 10:33 AM, Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> wrote:

Did Tammet personally dx Gates with AS, then? I don't think he's even a doctor. He is just repeating what many people keep repeating, whether they bother to find out if it's true or not. That is just bad journalism being repeated. Maybe it helps to think that having AS means you will make a billion dollars? We could only wish.

Roxanna

“Our lives begin to end the day we

become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like

>with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and

>he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at

>all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost

>34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill

>Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son

>who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing

>about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or

>Asperger's as well.

>

>Hope this helps.

>

>Robin

>

>

>>

>> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

>> "high high functioning autism"?

>>

>> I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

>>

>> None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

>> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

>> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

>> daughters.

>>

>> I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

>> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

>> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

>> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

>> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

>> very cold and unfeeling.

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with Roxanne is easier to judge other people, people that we don't even know in person. We have no right to change somebody character, we don't know enough to judge. Personally I have a LOT of respect and admiration for Bill Gates not only as an entrepreneur but also as a human being, as an individual, and I wish I would be like him. Coming back to the point...I thnk people judge other people as an attempt to feel better about themselves...not a good idea...but this is just the Psychologist in me talking. From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 9:37:39 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

People don't really put the AS label on everyone who is a geek. It's people in the AS community who do that! The rest of the world just says, "Hey! A geek!" lol. I guess it is human nature and I am sure I do it in my head a lot when, for instance, I see a little kid flapping. I automatically think, "Autism" when an NT person might think, "Helicopter practicing" or "waving away a bee".

As for a spectrum, the whole of humankind is a spectrum. We all have various layers of sensory processing, for instance. There is nobody who perfectly processes senses in all areas - a "perfect NT" person. NT people don't all process things perfectly either. Everyone is a combination of things - better in some areas, bad in others, fairly even overall, low overall, fairly even overall with a huge blip in one area...it's just life. Some people avoid loud noises, don't like being in crowded rooms, love wrapping up in a quilt, eat really hot food or very bland food, etc, and it has nothing to do with autism. Some people are very unsocial and avoid talking to people - shy, reserved, even mentally ill people can have this feature and it not be autism. There are other disabilities that have features in common as well as mental illnesses that have features that would be similar. Some people are hugely intelligent,

have quirks, OCD, depression, trouble expressing themselves and this is not automatically autism.

As much as people do not like having others "judge" their own kids for their behavior, many are just as quick to "judge" others and label them with a neurological disability (i.e. Bill gates.) I think it's wrong at both ends. But it's mean, IMO, to dx someone with a neurological disability like that when you have never even met this person! Talk about judging someone based on behaviors! It's the height of doing just that thing that makes us all crazy for our own kids. Also, I think it white washes the very serious, very severe aspects of having AS/HFA if we start labeling everyone with having it. I sat in many meetings over the years where I had to fight against teachers who said, "Oh, everyone has that problem!" I think this is the same kind of situation only in reverse as well. I don't think it helps our kids to make it seem like having autism is just a "different way of thinking" instead of a very real

and serious neurological disability. I would also caution people who have younger kids from falling into this trap. It's a nice fairy tale if you want to live there for a while. But soon enough, get serious and get help because it is not cute or fuzzy when they get older.

My soap box, can you tell? lol.

Roxanna

“Our lives begin to end the day we

become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>

> While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Robin

>

>

> >

> > Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

> > "high high functioning autism"?

> >

> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

> >

> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

> > however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

> > Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

> > daughters.

> >

> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

> > however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

> > similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

> > social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

> > more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

> > very cold and unfeeling.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I think there is a widespread belief that AS means being a computer wizard or eccentric professor. Everyone claims Einstein had AS.Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 17, 2011, at 12:09 PM, chris Dunn <christineshello@...> wrote:

I agree with Roxanne is easier to judge other people, people that we don't even know in person. We have no right to change somebody character, we don't know enough to judge. Personally I have a LOT of respect and admiration for Bill Gates not only as an entrepreneur but also as a human being, as an individual, and I wish I would be like him. Coming back to the point...I thnk people judge other people as an attempt to feel better about themselves...not a good idea...but this is just the Psychologist in me talking. From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 9:37:39 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

People don't really put the AS label on everyone who is a geek. It's people in the AS community who do that! The rest of the world just says, "Hey! A geek!" lol. I guess it is human nature and I am sure I do it in my head a lot when, for instance, I see a little kid flapping. I automatically think, "Autism" when an NT person might think, "Helicopter practicing" or "waving away a bee".

As for a spectrum, the whole of humankind is a spectrum. We all have various layers of sensory processing, for instance. There is nobody who perfectly processes senses in all areas - a "perfect NT" person. NT people don't all process things perfectly either. Everyone is a combination of things - better in some areas, bad in others, fairly even overall, low overall, fairly even overall with a huge blip in one area...it's just life. Some people avoid loud noises, don't like being in crowded rooms, love wrapping up in a quilt, eat really hot food or very bland food, etc, and it has nothing to do with autism. Some people are very unsocial and avoid talking to people - shy, reserved, even mentally ill people can have this feature and it not be autism. There are other disabilities that have features in common as well as mental illnesses that have features that would be similar. Some people are hugely intelligent,

have quirks, OCD, depression, trouble expressing themselves and this is not automatically autism.

As much as people do not like having others "judge" their own kids for their behavior, many are just as quick to "judge" others and label them with a neurological disability (i.e. Bill gates.) I think it's wrong at both ends. But it's mean, IMO, to dx someone with a neurological disability like that when you have never even met this person! Talk about judging someone based on behaviors! It's the height of doing just that thing that makes us all crazy for our own kids. Also, I think it white washes the very serious, very severe aspects of having AS/HFA if we start labeling everyone with having it. I sat in many meetings over the years where I had to fight against teachers who said, "Oh, everyone has that problem!" I think this is the same kind of situation only in reverse as well. I don't think it helps our kids to make it seem like having autism is just a "different way of thinking" instead of a very real

and serious neurological disability. I would also caution people who have younger kids from falling into this trap. It's a nice fairy tale if you want to live there for a while. But soon enough, get serious and get help because it is not cute or fuzzy when they get older.

My soap box, can you tell? lol.

Roxanna

“Our lives begin to end the day we

become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

>

>

>

> While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Robin

>

>

> >

> > Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a

> > "high high functioning autism"?

> >

> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.

> >

> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son

> > however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being

> > Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little

> > daughters.

> >

> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,

> > however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks

> > similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no

> > social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly

> > more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being

> > very cold and unfeeling.

> >

>

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(23)

[Guest guest]

, maybe it is to feel better about themselves, but for me, I think it is because I don't want to be alone in my situation.... I just don't want to feel like I am the only one that has the issues that I have.... I know that sounds horrible, but it is how I feel. I also don't want my daughter to be the only one that has issues, I hope others are like her

Carolyn

ps.... at the same time I am glad they don't have the issues she does, I don't want their parents to have the heartbreak that we have had

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 11:09:53 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

I agree with Roxanne is easier to judge other people, people that we don't even know in person. We have no right to change somebody character, we don't know enough to judge. Personally I have a LOT of respect and admiration for Bill Gates not only as an entrepreneur but also as a human being, as an individual, and I wish I would be like him. Coming back to the point...I thnk people judge other people as an attempt to feel better about themselves...not a good idea...but this is just the Psychologist in me talking.

From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 9:37:39 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

People don't really put the AS label on everyone who is a geek. It's people in the AS community who do that! The rest of the world just says, "Hey! A geek!" lol. I guess it is human nature and I am sure I do it in my head a lot when, for instance, I see a little kid flapping. I automatically think, "Autism" when an NT person might think, "Helicopter practicing" or "waving away a bee". As for a spectrum, the whole of humankind is a spectrum. We all have various layers of sensory processing, for instance. There is nobody who perfectly processes senses in all areas - a "perfect NT" person. NT people don't all process things perfectly either. Everyone is a combination of things - better in some areas, bad in others, fairly even overall, low overall, fairly even overall with a huge blip in one area...it's just life. Some people avoid loud noises, don't like being in crowded

rooms, love wrapping up in a quilt, eat really hot food or very bland food, etc, and it has nothing to do with autism. Some people are very unsocial and avoid talking to people - shy, reserved, even mentally ill people can have this feature and it not be autism. There are other disabilities that have features in common as well as mental illnesses that have features that would be similar. Some people are hugely intelligent, have quirks, OCD, depression, trouble expressing themselves and this is not automatically autism. As much as people do not like having others "judge" their own kids for their behavior, many are just as quick to "judge" others and label them with a neurological disability (i.e. Bill gates.) I think it's wrong at both ends. But it's mean, IMO, to dx someone with a neurological disability like that when you have never even met this person! Talk about judging someone based on

behaviors! It's the height of doing just that thing that makes us all crazy for our own kids. Also, I think it white washes the very serious, very severe aspects of having AS/HFA if we start labeling everyone with having it. I sat in many meetings over the years where I had to fight against teachers who said, "Oh, everyone has that problem!" I think this is the same kind of situation only in reverse as well. I don't think it helps our kids to make it seem like having autism is just a "different way of thinking" instead of a very real and serious neurological disability. I would also caution people who have younger kids from falling into this trap. It's a nice fairy tale if you want to live there for a while. But soon enough, get serious and get help because it is not cute or fuzzy when they get older. My soap box, can you tell? lol.

Roxanna“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?> > > > While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others

that are autistic or Asperger's as well.> > Hope this helps.> > Robin> > > >> > Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a> > "high high functioning autism"?> > > > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > > > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> > however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> > Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> > daughters.> > > > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> > however. My mother's and my brother's

handwriting is poor and looks> > similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> > social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> > more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> > very cold and unfeeling.> >>

[Guest guest]

Carolyn,I perfectly understand you, you are just being human, sometimes that is how we protect ourselves, what you just said is another behavioral reaction to pain. Believe me we are all feeling it, at least when I say all, I mean all of us parents in this group. Each of us will deal with pain in a different way. It does not sound horrible, it sounds natural but sometimes we go a bit too far judging people that are innocent and have nothing to do with AS, specially if you don't know them personally. From: Carolyn Weisbard <ccweisbard@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 12:22:43 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

, maybe it is to feel better about themselves, but for me, I think it is because I don't want to be alone in my situation.... I just don't want to feel like I am the only one that has the issues that I have.... I know that sounds horrible, but it is how I feel. I also don't want my daughter to be the only one that has issues, I hope others are like her

Carolyn

ps.... at the same time I am glad they don't have the issues she does, I don't want their parents to have the heartbreak that we have had

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 11:09:53 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

I agree with Roxanne is easier to judge other people, people that we don't even know in person. We have no right to change somebody character, we don't know enough to judge. Personally I have a LOT of respect and admiration for Bill Gates not only as an entrepreneur but also as a human being, as an individual, and I wish I would be like him. Coming back to the point...I thnk people judge other people as an attempt to feel better about themselves...not a good idea...but this is just the Psychologist in me talking.

From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 9:37:39 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

People don't really put the AS label on everyone who is a geek. It's people in the AS community who do that! The rest of the world just says, "Hey! A geek!" lol. I guess it is human nature and I am sure I do it in my head a lot when, for instance, I see a little kid flapping. I automatically think, "Autism" when an NT person might think, "Helicopter practicing" or "waving away a bee". As for a spectrum, the whole of humankind is a spectrum. We all have various layers of sensory processing, for instance. There is nobody who perfectly processes senses in all areas - a "perfect NT" person. NT people don't all process things perfectly either. Everyone is a combination of things - better in some areas, bad in others, fairly even overall, low overall, fairly even overall with a huge blip in one area...it's just life. Some people avoid loud noises, don't like being in crowded

rooms, love wrapping up in a quilt, eat really hot food or very bland food, etc, and it has nothing to do with autism. Some people are very unsocial and avoid talking to people - shy, reserved, even mentally ill people can have this feature and it not be autism. There are other disabilities that have features in common as well as mental illnesses that have features that would be similar. Some people are hugely intelligent, have quirks, OCD, depression, trouble expressing themselves and this is not automatically autism. As much as people do not like having others "judge" their own kids for their behavior, many are just as quick to "judge" others and label them with a neurological disability (i.e. Bill gates.) I think it's wrong at both ends. But it's mean, IMO, to dx someone with a neurological disability like that when you have never even met this person! Talk about judging someone based on

behaviors! It's the height of doing just that thing that makes us all crazy for our own kids. Also, I think it white washes the very serious, very severe aspects of having AS/HFA if we start labeling everyone with having it. I sat in many meetings over the years where I had to fight against teachers who said, "Oh, everyone has that problem!" I think this is the same kind of situation only in reverse as well. I don't think it helps our kids to make it seem like having autism is just a "different way of thinking" instead of a very real and serious neurological disability. I would also caution people who have younger kids from falling into this trap. It's a nice fairy tale if you want to live there for a while. But soon enough, get serious and get help because it is not cute or fuzzy when they get older. My soap box, can you tell? lol.

Roxanna“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?> > > > While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have

others

that are autistic or Asperger's as well.> > Hope this helps.> > Robin> > > >> > Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a> > "high high functioning autism"?> > > > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > > > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> > however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> > Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> > daughters.> > > > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> > however. My mother's and my

brother's

handwriting is poor and looks> > similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> > social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> > more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> > very cold and unfeeling.> >>

[Guest guest]

I totally agree with you . I am careful to only "judge" in my mind....

Carolyn

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 11:33:05 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

Carolyn,

I perfectly understand you, you are just being human, sometimes that is how we protect ourselves, what you just said is another behavioral reaction to pain. Believe me we are all feeling it, at least when I say all, I mean all of us parents in this group. Each of us will deal with pain in a different way. It does not sound horrible, it sounds natural but sometimes we go a bit too far judging people that are innocent and have nothing to do with AS, specially if you don't know them personally.

From: Carolyn Weisbard <ccweisbard@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 12:22:43 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

, maybe it is to feel better about themselves, but for me, I think it is because I don't want to be alone in my situation.... I just don't want to feel like I am the only one that has the issues that I have.... I know that sounds horrible, but it is how I feel. I also don't want my daughter to be the only one that has issues, I hope others are like her

Carolyn

ps.... at the same time I am glad they don't have the issues she does, I don't want their parents to have the heartbreak that we have had

From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 11:09:53 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

I agree with Roxanne is easier to judge other people, people that we don't even know in person. We have no right to change somebody character, we don't know enough to judge. Personally I have a LOT of respect and admiration for Bill Gates not only as an entrepreneur but also as a human being, as an individual, and I wish I would be like him. Coming back to the point...I thnk people judge other people as an attempt to feel better about themselves...not a good idea...but this is just the Psychologist in me talking.

From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 9:37:39 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

People don't really put the AS label on everyone who is a geek. It's people in the AS community who do that! The rest of the world just says, "Hey! A geek!" lol. I guess it is human nature and I am sure I do it in my head a lot when, for instance, I see a little kid flapping. I automatically think, "Autism" when an NT person might think, "Helicopter practicing" or "waving away a bee". As for a spectrum, the whole of humankind is a spectrum. We all have various layers of sensory processing, for instance. There is nobody who perfectly processes senses in all areas - a "perfect NT" person. NT people don't all process things perfectly either. Everyone is a combination of things - better in some areas, bad in others, fairly even overall, low overall, fairly even overall with a huge blip in one area...it's just life. Some people avoid loud noises, don't like being in crowded

rooms, love wrapping up in a quilt, eat really hot food or very bland food, etc, and it has nothing to do with autism. Some people are very unsocial and avoid talking to people - shy, reserved, even mentally ill people can have this feature and it not be autism. There are other disabilities that have features in common as well as mental illnesses that have features that would be similar. Some people are hugely intelligent, have quirks, OCD, depression, trouble expressing themselves and this is not automatically autism. As much as people do not like having others "judge" their own kids for their behavior, many are just as quick to "judge" others and label them with a neurological disability (i.e. Bill gates.) I think it's wrong at both ends. But it's mean, IMO, to dx someone with a neurological disability like that when you have never even met this person! Talk about judging someone based on

behaviors! It's the height of doing just that thing that makes us all crazy for our own kids. Also, I think it white washes the very serious, very severe aspects of having AS/HFA if we start labeling everyone with having it. I sat in many meetings over the years where I had to fight against teachers who said, "Oh, everyone has that problem!" I think this is the same kind of situation only in reverse as well. I don't think it helps our kids to make it seem like having autism is just a "different way of thinking" instead of a very real and serious neurological disability. I would also caution people who have younger kids from falling into this trap. It's a nice fairy tale if you want to live there for a while. But soon enough, get serious and get help because it is not cute or fuzzy when they get older. My soap box, can you tell? lol.

Roxanna“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?> > > > While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others

that are autistic or Asperger's as well.> > Hope this helps.> > Robin> > > >> > Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a> > "high high functioning autism"?> > > > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > > > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> > however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> > Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> > daughters.> > > > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> > however. My mother's and my brother's

handwriting is poor and looks> > similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> > social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> > more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> > very cold and unfeeling.> >>

[Guest guest]

I hear you , bu with our kids I truly believe there is somethign causing the rise in symptoms we are seeign and thus diagnosis for Autism, Aspergers, Tourettes and ADHD, as well as bi polar in children. That is the epidemic I am more worried about....

From: d_starrs12 <d_starrs12@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 11:26:56 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

What really bothers me is that it seems society is starting to put the Aspergers label on anyone they deem to be a geek. I just think that's plain wrong. Being a geek does not make one Aspie. Lest society forget that Aspie is a medical condition and can be a very serious one causing quite debilitating symptoms.I also feel Aspergers has a spectrum just as broad as autism. As others have mentioned, there are Aspies that are very functioning. Then, there are Aspies that need more support. > > > Roxanna> “Our lives begin to end the day webecome silent about things that matter.†- Luther King, Jr. > > > > > > ( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?> > > > While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others

that are autistic or Asperger's as well.> > Hope this helps.> > Robin> > > >> > Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a> > "high high functioning autism"?> > > > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > > > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> > however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> > Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> > daughters.> > > > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> > however. My mother's and my brother's

handwriting is poor and looks> > similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> > social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> > more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> > very cold and unfeeling.> >>

[Guest guest]



Dear md l:

When you have as much money as Bill Gates, it does not matter what his diagnosis is, because he has a way to get money. You can call him a smart geek. Smart and geeky are just ways of saying he is somehow odd, but you will not judge him for what makes him odd. He has so much money he will never want for any thing money can buy. The trouble is that a large part of the rest of the Asperger Population have trouble holding down a job.

T.

( ) Re: Are there levels of Aspergers?

While I am not sure about the different levels for Asperger's I believe like with almost everything there are different levels. My husband is Asperger's and he has had the same job for 32 years. You wouldn't know he was Asperger's at all. So that is like high, high functioning. However living with him for almost 34 years I know he is. Perhaps the most famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates, and look what he has done. I have a daughter who is Autistic and a son who is ADHD and ODD. He is also dyslexic. I was also adopted and know nothing about my biological family. But on his side we have others that are autistic or Asperger's as well.Hope this helps.Robin>> Aspergers is also called "high functioning autism", however is there a> "high high functioning autism"?> > I wonder if I am perhaps in that category.> > None of my children have been diagnosed with Aspergers. My son> however has cerebral palsy and is so involved physically that being> Aspie might not be noticed so easily. Besides him I have two little> daughters.> > I was adopted as a baby by the way. I have met my biological family,> however. My mother's and my brother's handwriting is poor and looks> similar to mine. My birth mother is very reclusive and has almost no> social contact with anyone, although when younger she was seemingly> more normal. Her mother, who died many years ago, was famous for being> very cold and unfeeling.>