to think that I might have Asperger's?

[darleneconnor]

I've always been a bit quirky/odd/eccentric.

Examples include:

1. I avoid eye contact when talking to people. I wasn't even aware that I did this or that other people didn't until a couple of years ago.
2. As a child I refused to read fiction. I didn't see the point in reading 'lies'. Even now I still much prefer non-fiction.
3. I was a tomboy and even though as an adult I wear pink/skirts/makeup people have described me as a man in a woman's body. In masculinity/feminity quizzes I score in the androgynous/masculine range.
4. I have hypersensitive senses of taste and touch. I can taste very small quantities of ingredients in recipies. I am very tickly and have a very low pain threshold.
5. I find it difficult to cope with changes in my routine. The clocks changing will take me 1 week to 1 month to adjust to. I could never do shift work- I need tp go to sleep and get up and the same time every day.
6. I have a history of recurrent bouts of depression/panice attacks. Quite a few member of my family have had similar problems but no-one has ever been diagnosed with anything.
7. I have had obsessive interests in things eg animals, pop groups, collecting.
8. I find groups very difficult. I rely on alcohol to function socially. I stay silent in work meetings.
9. My partner says that I am quite insensitive to others' feelings.

I know a lot of MNers have experience with children with this condition but I've found it difficult to find info for mothers with Asperger's. Does it sound like my 'symptoms' can be explained by this? Should I/could I get some form of formal diagnosis and would this help me? I have worked (not atm for other reasons) but found 'office politics' very difficult. If I had an 'official' explanation for my challenges would it make finding and keeping a job easier or harder?

You may well have it and you would benefit from seeing somebody who had good knowledge on the subject. I am convinced that I have ADHD but trying to get a diagnosis is next to impossible where I live unless you are willing to go privately. It may well be different for people with Aspergers and I hope you find the help that you need. I wish I could suggest some websites for you but I wish you luck.

It might not be straightforward but you can certainly get a formal diagnosis. I don't know where you are but I believe there is a specialist in Sheffield.

Since the Adult Autism Bill became law last year (I spent some time at an event formulating policy recommendations) it should be easier to get support (if you are diagnosed).

It would also be up to you when applying for jobs whether you chose to declare it as a disability - the new Equality Bill would come into play there.

I second the suggestion to seek out a formal diagnosis, though from your list it does sound as though you have 'symptoms' (note that the autistic spectrum is just that -- there is no clear dividing line between 'neurotypical' and autistic and many neurotypical people have one or more autistic tendencies).

A very close family member of mine has AS and from that experience I would say that getting a diagnosis would help in terms of meeting others who are dealing with the same problems, to give you a new kind of support network to help cope and adapt and learn the types of skills most people take for granted.

In terms of work, it depends on the workplace; institutions or workplaces more proactive and understanding would take note, others would not (it depends on your line of work!) The most AS-friendly jobs might be those involving sorting, filing, organising, regular or repetitive activities, and those require a high level of trust and loyalty ?

I'm rambling a bit, hope this helps!