Are People With Aspergers Autistic

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder

The idea behind ASD is that autism is a spectrum or range of persistent communication and behavior patterns.

Support needs also exist on somewhat of a spectrum for autistic people. While some people require significant day-to-day support, others need less.

In 2013, four different diagnoses were combined into autism spectrum disorder. These conditions were:

• autism
• childhood disintegrative disorder
• pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified

An ASD diagnosis means a persons behavior and communication skills fit certain patterns. And according to the DSM-5, they must show signs of these patterns by the time theyre 2 years old.

Criteria for an autism diagnosis includes:

• difficulty starting, joining, or participating in conversation
• differences in nonverbal communication
• sensory processing differences
• preference for routines
• focused, strong interest in certain topics or activities
• stimming, or repetitive movements
• difficulty adjusting to or understanding context in relationships, especially in neurotypical contexts

Some people felt that the DSM-5 took away their identity when it removed the Aspergers diagnosis. Many websites and forums specifically for people with Aspergers are still in use today.

One of the biggest differences between the two is that Aspergers syndrome is no longer an up-to-date, standalone diagnosis.

The other major difference is that people with Aspergers syndrome are considered high-functioning, meaning they:

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The Autism Support Network says:

The founder of Facebook, has a desperate deficit when it comes to human interaction. It quickly becomes clear that the character has something on the autistic spectrum, most likely Aspergers syndrome.

Differences In Social Interaction

Also Check: Low Functioning Autism Definition

A Few Aspergers Traits That Look Like Superpowers:

1. Incredible memories

One Asperger trait is having the ability to use the skills of intelligence. This means some people who have Aspergers can look at a landscape, turn away and paint the entire landscape from memory. No, they dont have to turn back to see things they may have missed because they really dont miss anything, even the finest details.

These people are considered savants. But not all Aspergers have this ability. Some have a heightened memory, while others embody other superpowers.

2. Super perceptive

Everyone notices things, especially obvious or large things. Its the small things that many people do not notice, but as for people with Aspergers, they notice them. Whats more, those who have Aspergers, are so perceptive that they notice almost everything.

This includes subtle facial expressions, body language, and even things that people want to say but do not. Thats true, its almost as if they can read minds, having the ability to know exactly what someones going to say.

This also includes noticing patterns in the actions of others. I dont know about you, but to me, it surely seems like an above-average trait.

3. Above-average intelligence

High IQs are common among autistic people, especially those with Aspergers. Although not all of them are savants, those who have those supernatural memory abilities and etc., they still have the ability to excel above others in their classes during school and in the workplace.

4. Unstoppable

The Difference Between Autism And Aspergers

Aspergers and high-functioning autism tend to be misunderstood due to the fact that they are both on the autism spectrum. Aspergers syndrome is one of the two main forms of autism. There are similarities between the two, which makes it confusing at times to distinguish one from the other. Though there are similarities, there are key differences that distinguish high-level autism from aspergers syndrome. When reading this blog, it is important that only a few similarities and differences are highlighted. Autism and aspergers are complex and research still shows new results.

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Diagnostic Criteria For Aspergers Syndrome

Heres a brief summary of the from the previous version of the DSM :

• having difficulty with verbal or nonverbal communication, such as eye contact or sarcasm
• having few or no long-term social relationships with peers
• lack of interest in taking part in activities or interests with others
• showing little to no response to social or emotional experiences
• having a sustained interest in a single special topic or very few topics
• strict adherence to routine or ritual behaviors
• repetitive behaviors or movements
• intense interest in specific aspects of objects
• experiencing difficulty in maintaining relationships, jobs, or other aspects of daily life because of these previously listed signs
• not having any delay in language learning or cognitive development typical of other, similar neurodevelopmental conditions

As of 2013, Aspergers is now considered part of the autism spectrum and is no longer diagnosed as a separate condition.

Famous Athletes With Autism

Among other celebrities with autism are amazing athletes. If you dont recognize some of these people, dont fret but when I researched them they are indeed celebrities within their field!

Is Lionel Messi Autistic? The Autistic Community Network out of Australia reports that he is on the spectrum. (image source: , Wikipedia

Diagnosed with Autism

• Armani Williams Racecar Driver
• Samuel Von Einem Table Tennis Star

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

• Lionel Messi Soccer Player

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What Is Aspergers Syndrome

Aspergers syndrome, also called Aspergers disorder, is a type of pervasive developmental disorder . PDDs are a group of conditions that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, most notably the ability to socialize with others, to communicate, and to use imagination. There is a spectrum within the PDD disorders.

Many individuals with Aspergers exhibit serious deficiencies in social and communication skills. Their IQs are typically in the normal to very superior range. They are usually educated in the mainstream, but many require special education services.

They desire to fit in socially and have friends, but have a great deal of difficulty making effective social connections and are frequently a target for bullying and teasing. Many of them are at risk for developing mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression, especially in adolescence.

Although with the May 2013 publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual Aspergers is now technically considered under the heading of Autism Spectrum Disorder, many people with Aspergers prefer their separate diagnosis.

Is Keir Gilchrist Autistic

Keir Gilchrist plays teenager Sam Gardner in Netflixs Atypical. Sam is autistic in the show, causing many fans to ask is Keir Gilchrist autistic?

The answer is no:

Despite playing an autistic character, Gilchrist is not autistic. The actor did a great deal of research to get to the point where he could play an autistic person, including reading works by writer and speaker David Finch.

source: Newsweek, Atypical on Netflix: Is Sam Actor Keir Gilchrist Actually Autistic?, July 12, 2021

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Continued Use Of The Name

Despite being excluded from the DSM-5, Asperger’s syndrome sometimes is still used in both the United States and in other countries. A common reason for this is that a diagnosis of ASD can carry stigma, and people who were previously diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome may still identify with the term and prefer it.

A 2017 study analyzing the effect of removing Asperger’s syndrome from the DSM found the change “has the potential to threaten the identity of those affected,” citing autism as a stigmatizing diagnostic label. Some advocacy groups and organizations continue to use the term as well, at least in part because some people continue to identify as having Asperger’s, not autism.

Even so, medical consensus continues to move away from the Asperger’s syndrome diagnosis. Following the DSM’s lead, the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases , to take effect on January 1, 2022, has moved Asperger’s syndrome under the autism spectrum disorder umbrella. The ICD-11 will be used by all World Health Organization member states.

Differences In Communication Style

An autistic persons communication style is often misunderstood. Because it may differ from societys expectations, nonautistic people can misinterpret what they say or do.

As a result, many Aspies feel as if theyre navigating a strange world filled with neurotypicals who dont understand how they interact. There are even online groups, such as Wrong Planet, that offer support for those who feel this way.

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Why So Many People With Autism Have Eating Disorders

Those who identify as Aspies tend to consider themselves quirky,weird, or socially awkward, as well as highly intelligent and perhaps an expert in their field. It may be harder for them to find a positive identity in such a broad diagnostic category as autism spectrum disorder. Some people who continue to use the term Aspergers syndrome were likely also diagnosed with the condition prior to 2013, and may find it difficult to update their language or long-held self-image.

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Aspergers Syndrome Is A Subtype Of The Autism Spectrum

Think of the autism spectrum as being a series of sub-categories that range from mild to severe. Aspergers is the mildest category in the autism spectrum. Youll see many of the same characteristics youd see in children with classical autism, but it doesnt affect their functioning as much. So, a child with Aspergers might be highly intelligent and do well in class, but still struggle to play with her friends. What complicates things, however, is that even though Aspergers is mild objectively, subjectively it can be very traumatic. For example, children with Aspergers often have far more anxiety about their condition than those with classical autism.

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When Do You Notice The Signs Of Autism

While you might notice some of the signs of autism in the first few years of your child’s life, it may only be when they are at school, or even when they are an adult, that a diagnosis is made.

Sometimes an autism diagnosis is delayed because health professionals want to be certain before they make a diagnosis. In other cases, a delayed diagnosis might be because the signs of autism go undetected, especially if they present in a more subtle way .

More boys than girls are diagnosed with autism, and there is an ongoing debate about whether this is for genetic reasons or because the process of diagnosis tends to pick up autistic traits more common in boys, and the possibility that this is leaving some girls undiagnosed.

Motor And Sensory Perception

Individuals with Asperger syndrome may have signs or symptoms that are independent of the diagnosis but can affect the individual or the family. These include differences in perception and problems with motor skills, sleep, and emotions.

Individuals with AS often have excellent auditory and visual perception. Children with ASD often demonstrate enhanced perception of small changes in patterns such as arrangements of objects or well-known images typically this is domain-specific and involves processing of fine-grained features. Conversely, compared with individuals with high-functioning autism, individuals with AS have deficits in some tasks involving visual-spatial perception, auditory perception, or visual memory. Many accounts of individuals with AS and ASD report other unusual sensory and perceptual skills and experiences. They may be unusually sensitive or insensitive to sound, light, and other stimuli these sensory responses are found in other developmental disorders and are not specific to AS or to ASD. There is little support for increased fight-or-flight response or failure of habituation in autism there is more evidence of decreased responsiveness to sensory stimuli, although several studies show no differences.

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Famous Athletes With Aspergers

Among other celebrities who have Aspergers are athletes. These famous Aspies are an inspiration to fans of their sport.

• Jessica-Jane Applegate the first British athlete from the intellectually disabled classification to win gold at the 2012 Paralympics
• Danny Chew Cyclist
• Tommy Dis Brisay Runner

A blog article on athletes with Aspergers said:

At five years of age, his parents were told he would never develop the ability to speak. A string of medications and countless struggles led to being overweight as a teenager. But his parents were committed to their sons success, and they encouraged him to develop an interest. His father, Peter, an avid runner, encouraged Tommy to take to the trails. A jog with his father was all he needed to get hooked on running.

• Nikolas DiDomenico Cyclist
• Jim Eisenreich Major League Baseball Player

Eisenreich, a famous Aspergers athlete was diagnosed in 1984, causing him to leave MLB. But:

medication, combined with a deeper understanding of his challenges, allowed him to return to the game he loved in 1986.

• Justin Hansen College Football Player

An article about athletes with Aspergers said:

Human interaction has always been difficult for him. If his dad hadnt dragged him out of the house and to the football field in grade school, Justin would be in his parents basement playing video games.

• Clay Marzo Surfer

A post about athletes with Aspergers said:

• Fernando Fernie Morlaes Jr. Track and Field Athlete

Asperger Therapies And Services

Find the following services near you using the Autism Speaks Resource Guide.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help address anxiety and other personal challenges.

Social skills training classes can help with conversational skills and understanding social cues.

Speech therapy can help with voice control.

Physical and occupational therapy can improve coordination.

Psychoactive medicines can help manage associated anxiety, depression and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder .

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No Holding Back: The Autistic Superheroes Proving Nothing Is Impossible

Whether theyre changing the world as we know it, entertaining us in our favourite movies, books, and poems, or overcoming the odds to become champions in their field, what all of these hugely successful people with autism show is that being on the spectrum neednt be a barrier to success.

Everyone from Albert Einstein to Sir Anthony Hopkins has shown us that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, we can always overcome them to achieve our dreams.

If nothing else, thats something all of us can surely find inspiring, regardless as to whether or not were on the spectrum.

When we talk about forgiveness, its often regarding others forgiving your elementary school bully or the coworker who took credit for your work idea. Unfortunately, we often forget about one very important person who is also worthy of forgiveness: ourselves.

Forgiveness is difficult in its own right. However, when we have to face the reality of forgiving ourselves, it can quickly become a impossible feat.

With that being said, learning how to forgive yourself and move forward from trauma, regret, or remorse can help contribute to a healthier, happier life.

So how to forgive yourself?

Here are some helpful reminders and thoughts to use on your journey towards inner peace and happiness.

People With Milder Forms Of Autism Struggle As Adults

Deborah RudacilleBlurred boundaries:

Contrary to popular assumption, people diagnosed with so-called mild forms of autism dont fare any better in life than those with severe forms of the disorder. Thats the conclusion of a new study that suggests that even individuals with normal intelligence and language abilities struggle to fit into society because of their social and communication problems.

In fact, people diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified are no more likely to marry or have a job than those with more disabling forms of autism, according to a Norwegian study published online in June in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders1.

Early intervention has the potential to alter this trajectory, say experts. But until todays children with autism reach maturity, it will be hard to say how much behavioral intervention at a young age can alter the course of their lives.

The implication of our findings is that the consequences of having an autism spectrum disorder with profound difficulties in communication skills and social impairment cant be compensated for by either high intellectual level or normal language function, says lead investigator Anne Myhre, associate professor of mental health and addiction at the University of Oslo in Norway.

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What Causes Aspergers Syndrome

The causes of Aspergers Syndrome are unknown. Genetics and brain abnormalities may be involved.

We do know that Aspergers Syndrome is NOT the result of a childs upbringing or poor parenting. Aspergers Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder, meaning it is just a part of the childs brain development, whose causes are not fully understood.