Is there even a discrete difference, or is there just a continuous spectrum with Asperger's on one end and "normal" on the other?

I've suspected I have Asperger's but I could never make up my mind about it. Some of the really peculiar and distinctive aspects apply -- I'm not very outwardly emotional, I have some trouble recognizing people, I'm very introverted -- but a lot of the others don't -- I usually don't care about how mechanical objects work, I'm not sensitive to light/sound/whatever, I don't have any obsessive interests.

How reliable is an Asperger's diagnosis, anyhow?

Dissident;

According to the doctor who first described the syndrome (Hans Asperger), AS is a continum between the obviously autistic and the apparently "normal" person.
He describes the syndrome as "a normal person with a dash of autism". He went on to say that most people with the syndrome are never diagnosed and live a more or less normal life. With that in mind, I'm led to believe that there must be a lot of undiagnosed aspies out in the world.

If you think you have AS, talk to your doctor about it. In general, unless the symptoms are very pronounced and the impairment is severe, a doctor will be reuctant to give an AS diagnosis. Also, it is possible to have some aspie traits, but not have AS.... this stuff has fuzzy margins and is tough for doctors to make a diagnosis in some cases.

If you are an adult with AS, chances are you will be diagnosed with something else initally. Eventually the doctors realize the evidence does not fit and give an AS diagnosis. Doctors are reluctant to dx adults as AS because adults with the syndrome have not been studied as in-depth as children have been, so it can take a long time to go through the diagnostic process.

You might find this link interesting:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28574

Also , you might find John Ratey's book "Shadow Syndromes" an interesting read.

The bottom line is, if you are just a tad AS, you probably won't get a diagnosis right away unless the symptoms are compelling. If you are having problems in everyday life, see your doctor. If life is good, then maybe it is not a problem for you. You should decide on what you need to do.

ME :D



Is there even a discrete difference, or is there just a continuous spectrum with Asperger's on one end and "normal" on the other?

I've suspected I have Asperger's but I could never make up my mind about it. Some of the really peculiar and distinctive aspects apply -- I'm not very outwardly emotional, I have some trouble recognizing people, I'm very introverted -- but a lot of the others don't -- I usually don't care about how mechanical objects work, I'm not sensitive to light/sound/whatever, I don't have any obsessive interests.

How reliable is an Asperger's diagnosis, anyhow?